Barry-Roubaix Gravel Road Race

Race Report by Derek Graham

I rode in the Barry-Roubaix gravel road race on March 28 in Barry County, Michigan. The course was two laps of 31 miles of hilly dirt roads with about 4 miles of paved roads at the end of the lap. There was also a 2 mile section of fire road about 5 miles in that was really rough with deep sand pits.

Jason and I lined up with about 40 other starters. A mix roadies and mountain bikers on a variety of equipment, including a very fit Mike Simonson from the Gary Fisher mountain bike team. The group stayed together until we hit the fire road, where Simonson accelerated up one of the hills. I followed him over the top and hit a sand pit where my 30 mm cyclocross tires dug in and I almost came to stop, stuck in my big chainring. Mike was flying away on his 29er mountain bike with 2" tires. When we exited the rough fire road I was chasing him alone about 30 seconds back.

Half way through the first lap a group of four was coming up behind me so I waited, thinking we could work together to chase down Simonson. Three of the riders were suffering and not helping so I pushed the pace up one of the longer climbs and dropped them, taking the one stronger guy with me. We worked well together, but weren't closing in on the leader. Because of the tough course this race was unfolding more like a mountain bike cross country and less like a road race. I decided we were probably going to be racing for second, so the next time up the fire road I dropped him and rode the last lap alone finishing about 4 and half minutes behind Simonson.

This was one of the hardest races I have done in a long time. The early date and the long Michigan winter made it especially chalenging. Rick Plite, the promoter, did a great job with the event and it sounds like he has plans to make it bigger and better next year. I will definitely be back, but on a mountain bike next time.