Ever wonder how the world’s largest gravel road race Barry-Roubaix started? Here’s Rick Plite’s account about how it all began:

Cathy and Rick Plite Co-Founders of the Barry-Roubaix and Kisscross SeriesPHOTO CREDIT: Jack Kunnen circa 2010 — Cathy and Rick Plite Co-Founders of the Barry-Roubaix and Kisscross Series
PHOTO CREDIT: Jack Kunnen circa 2010

Kisscross (just Cathy and I) used to kickoff the cross season with a large group ride out of Founders original location on Monroe. I'm guessing we did this for three years starting in 2005 and we’d get 40-60 riders attending. We would usually ride north on Coit and pass through Lamoureaux Park and Rogue River Park before hitting Chauncey and the northeast gravel roads of Kent County.

group ride leaving Founders Brewing original location on Monroe Street, circa 2005PHOTO CREDIT: Founders Racing Flickr — group ride leaving Founders Brewing original location on Monroe Street, circa 2005
PHOTO CREDIT: Founders Racing Flickr

During the Founders ride in 2007 Tim Curtis suggested we mix it up and do a route in Barry county the following year. Tim knew the caretaker at Long Lake Outdoor Center and put us in touch with him to see if we could stage the 2008 group ride out of their lodge.I believe we rode the 36 mile Barry-Roubaix route and I was blown away by the difficulty and how beautiful it was. It was during that ride I started thinking to myself about turning this group ride event into something bigger. I even told Tim "this route needs to become a race!"

FOUNDERS RACING TEAM 2009 - Probably many who were on that first ride out on Barry County Roads led by Tim CurtisPHOTO CREDIT: Founders Racing Flickr — FOUNDERS RACING TEAM 2009 - Probably many who were on that first ride out on Barry County Roads led by Tim Curtis
PHOTO CREDIT: Founders Racing Flickr

The rest is history, in 2009 we held the first Barry-Roubaix (Martin Hall suggested the name since it was in Barry county) out of Long Lake Outdoor Center and approximately 261 attended with racers coming from all over the midwest and as far as Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The race started and finished on Duffy Rd about 1 mile from the lodge.

Racers were treated to perfect conditions with a high temp of 38° F; cool and sunny weather prevailed and the roads were a perfect combo of moisture and traction.

Michael Simonson and Mackenzie Woodring lead a blistering pace in the mens and womens Elite categories to capture the first ever BRX Elite titles while the racing action in the Expert/Sport category was just as hot. The category of the day had to be the 19 mile Beginner class as these guys and gals really showed us all what a great sport cycling is. Many riders dusted off old bikes hanging in the garage and participated in their first bike race ever or their first race in 10-15 years! Awesome to see the determination. There were 261 registered riders and 248 finishers, after the racing came to a close everyone enjoyed fresh Zoup chili and Founders Ale while the awards were announced at the Historic Long Lake Outdoor Center, complete with a roaring fire in the fieldstone fireplace.

MLIVE ARTICLE FROM THE 2010 RACE

BARRY-ROUBAIX HISTORY