Another 2023 Barry Roubaix Recap
Barry Roubaix this year was on April 15, 2023. Compared to the weather last year, this year was a warm, at times hot, day. About 4,000 people showed up for the event to race routes of 18, 32, 62, and 100 miles. I rode the 36 mile distance this year.
I drove over the day before with a friend to Hastings. We met up with another friend there. We rode the 18 mile route to get a feel of the gravel roads. Given that it hadn’t rained in a while, the gravel roads were dusty. I decided on wearing a scarf around my neck for race day to cover my nose and mouth if it got too dusty.
Race day morning was perfect weather conditions. Mostly sunny. Everyone was in good spirits and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. I know Mike was at the race as well but I did not see him until later in the race (check out his recap here).
We (36 milers) took off in waves at 10 AM.
Riding up the three sisters in the beginning was fun. At the top of the third hill, we were met with a marching band which was welcoming. After that it was rolling gravel hills. When we hit Sager Rd, it was around that time when the lead pack of the 62 milers blew past us which was fun to watch. Then came the second peloton and the third. I just stood to the side of the dirt road and enjoyed watching them go up on Sager Rd.
Mike and I kept seeing each other throughout the race. He is better on hills than I am so he would ride up the hills and I would walk but then I would catch up to him.
The day got a little hotter for me and I did suffer minor heat exhaustion because I was not on top of my fluids. I was happy to finish in little over 3 hours and enjoy a beer and pizza after the finish line.
This was my second time at Barry Roubaix and I think this will become a staple event every year. The calendar timing of the race is great to get your race season started. It is a great route and the whole town comes out to celebrate cycling! Thank you to Matt Acker and all the organizers and volunteers that put this event together, year after year.
Next years’ race is on 4-20. For details, check out https://barry-roubaix.com/
Routes are available here: https://barry-roubaix.com/maps-and-files