2023 Barry Roubaix - SAND!

[@josenrsevilla9318]

Awesome commentary! Sounded like a lot of fun! Funny too!

[@mikekobylasz3490]

Best on board commentary ever !😂

[@EricAbbottTri]

Thank you. Glad you liked it. I am racing this coming weekend so check back soon for another video.

[@erictoth4903]

You made the best of tough coarse. Fun commentary!

[@greg1083]

Did 1-9. First few races less then 300 racers. That was in March . Cold fun stuff. Seger Rd. was a gem ! Moved to Hastings and jumped the shark for me. Fun factor had a significant decline. 3 Sisters used to be near the end of the race thought that was a little tougher then near the start. I think one of the issues was the roadies who had no mtb skills to handle the really nasty stuff. Thanks for the memories .😜

[@greyman8005]

Nice video! Love your "everyman" commentary and perspective on the MI race experience. While I'm a fan of MI's off-road cycling resources (gravel, mtb, etc.), their signature events have become habitually overbooked with way too many participants. In reality, for most, it is not a race, but a mere traffic-jammed slog.

[@EricAbbottTri]

There is something special about a big event with lots of people but ya it's a fine line between that and too many people on course.

[@youngjun91]

Great video and entertaining and relatable commentary! I did the hundred mile version and there was even more sand which was super frustrating and getting to me. This was practically a duathlon. I really hope they don’t do all those sand sections again in the future!

[@haydenpucker6109]

Turbo guy here . My name is Hayden pucker aka farmwatts :). I had a rough day also in the sand section

[@EricAbbottTri]

Hey, ya the sand was tough for sure. Did the rest of your race go better?

[@haydenpucker6109]

So as you saw I was drilling it because I lost so much time on the sand. Well, because I was going so hard I ended up going through more water than I thought and wasn’t drinking enough and basically Bonked from dehydration. Got like 40th

[@EricAbbottTri]

I think a lot of people had issues with that. I had to make a F1 style stop at an aid station to refill a bottle. Was not ready for it to be that warm.

[@haydenpucker6109]

Haha same! I ended up dumping a whole jug of water over my body at the mile 40 ish aid station. It was rough. Next year hopefully it’s better! When’s your next gravel race? Also great video

[@EricAbbottTri]

I am doing Tour of Hermann, it's a two day event near Saint Louis this coming weekend. What about you?

[@SpokedTrails]

Good commentary, that is something I need to work on 😅

[@chuckiecheese2]

The first road "shaw" was a new addition. The second was "sager" and has been a part of barry as long as I have raced it. Sager very rideable when it isn't bogged down with people and a bit less dry.

[@EricAbbottTri]

I thought they used the same course every year. That's why it's permanently marked.

[@motostarmx1777]

dude you are too funny..lmao !

[@EricAbbottTri]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@M3Atelier-Initiative]

to be honest...this is poor course decision. The organizers should re-think extensive sand routes.

[@sachill]

You overlap wheels a lot!!! It is a really bad habit. Something to work on in the future. Remember to always leave yourself an out. Great coverage!!! I really enjoyed it!!!

[@EricAbbottTri]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't get to ride with groups much because of where I live so any advice is welcome.

[@radiantlandscapesphotograp1525]

Looks like an awful course but at least you had “good” weather. The year I did it it was 37 and raining 🌧️

[@EricAbbottTri]

We got super lucky with the weather. Last year it was 22 and snowing 🥶

[@wvnovello]

What tires are you using?

[@EricAbbottTri]

Specialized Pathfinder pro. I think it was 40

[@wvnovello]

@@EricAbbottTri they looked familiar. I used 38 pathfinders, but they're so hard to find lately. I was thinking Vittoria Terrano Dry for next year.

[@trkempton]

I like the challenge of the sand, but I can see how that was not enjoyable. I think the width of the trail is the issue. If it was later on in the race, and groups were smaller, it might ride better. I’m saying all of this knowing I would never do a race like this…

[@EricAbbottTri]

Ya if this was not a race and there was more room the sand would have been a fun challenge.

[@davehause8571]

Worse remounts ever. The guys around you can't seem to drive a bike, they're the one's that get trounced in cx races. I guess that's why they're doing gravel.