Barry-Roubaix

[black2003ss]

It's like anything else, in order to proficient at it, you have to practice and train. You won't make your way to the PGA by just playing golf once a week in your work golf league. You won't become a proficient skier by going out to the ski hill every other weekend in the winter either. I have heard that on average a decent Sport rider, those guys put in 2-3k miles per year and Elite/Expert Riders, the really good ones anyways, can put in anywhere from 5-10k miles per year or more. I put in about 300 miles last year, albeit, I had some circumstances to overcome the last two years to get back to riding.

[mazzmond]

I agree on how much training you need. The people who are finishing near the top are doing a lot of riding and training. I finish usually mid pack for my age on most races...some days slightly higher, some slightly lower typically and I ride about 3000-4000 miles a year (road and mountain plus indoor training). I've never even sniffed the podium but here to have a lot of fun. It takes a lot of dedication and work to be one of those top riders. If you show up, you've beaten 99.9% of the population so kudos to whoever dares show up and race!

[rideondirt]

I do have an interesting bit on that. People who never even raced (or actually mtb'd) totally underestimate how demanding cycling is. They see the local drunk hobo riding a beat up trek down the street with no helmet and they think if a drunk hobo can do it, anyone can.

I had a college jock dude give me crap a while back about how cycling is a stupid sport and how anyone can do it. After we went out on a local trail he never talked smack again. I wasn't even trying and he couldn't keep up.

When I met my husband (a mountain bike racer), I told him that any sport where you get to sit down while you do it, isn't that difficult. I have since eaten those words many times over . . .

[bones]

It's like anything else, in order to proficient at it, you have to practice and train. You won't make your way to the PGA by just playing golf once a week in your work golf league. You won't become a proficient skier by going out to the ski hill every other weekend in the winter either. I have heard that on average a decent Sport rider, those guys put in 2-3k miles per year and Elite/Expert Riders, the really good ones anyways, can put in anywhere from 5-10k miles per year or more. I put in about 300 miles last year, albeit, I had some circumstances to overcome the last two years to get back to riding.

This is all generally true, but it should be noted that it's possible to be somewhat competitive (in races under 50 mi) without all those miles, esp after you've got a couple seasons under your belt and the experience that goes with that. I can't ride & train nearly as much as I used to, but can still usually maintain mid-pack expert on 2k a year, and I know others that do the same ... and some jocks that can even regularly take exp podiums on very low miles.

[black2003ss]

Agreed Bones, once a certain fitness and/or skill level is reached in many sports, it is easier to maintain it than for someone to achieve it who isn't there yet. And then you have some that are just naturals/born with "it" in some sports.

[sally_2000]

I mostly road bike (in warm weather) but the Barry is a great kick start to training for road cycling season. So everyone has a good reason to do BR even though they may (most likely) won't place. At least we DO IT! I had so much fun though , I really like the course and am looking forward to Grampian ...( kinda similiar) to race on the mt bike again in the fall . May even mt bike all season !

[TenSpeed]

I am still torn on doing Grampian again this year. I guess I will have to see how I feel after I get out on some trails and see how that goes.

[c0nsumer]

I am still torn on doing Grampian again this year. I guess I will have to see how I feel after I get out on some trails and see how that goes.

It's what, six months away? Sign up for it and just do it. Ride enough to be sure you're ready and you'll be fine.

[gossamer]

I am still torn on doing Grampian again this year. I guess I will have to see how I feel after I get out on some trails and see how that goes.

It's what, six months away? Sign up for it and just do it. Ride enough to be sure you're ready and you'll be fine.

This coming from the guy who has to be ready for Lumberjack in less than 3 months

[c0nsumer]

I am still torn on doing Grampian again this year. I guess I will have to see how I feel after I get out on some trails and see how that goes.

It's what, six months away? Sign up for it and just do it. Ride enough to be sure you're ready and you'll be fine.

This coming from the guy who has to be ready for Lumberjack in less than 3 months

I signed up and am trying to get ready. We'll see what happens. I think that signup is the first big hurdle, though, since it gives one a definitive goal.

[dirt]

I am still torn on doing Grampian again this year. I guess I will have to see how I feel after I get out on some trails and see how that goes.

It's what, six months away? Sign up for it and just do it. Ride enough to be sure you're ready and you'll be fine.

This coming from the guy who has to be ready for Lumberjack in less than 3 months

I signed up and am trying to get ready. We'll see what happens. I think that signup is the first big hurdle, though, since it gives one a definitive goal.

Signed up 4 times.

Completed it once.

Nope, the signing up was easy, in fact, I have a 100% success rate at that.

[dennismurphy]

I needed a motor

You beat the cut-off, and you finished. DFL > DNF. Kudos for that alone.

Next time will be easier.

Thanks

[monkeyevil]

Signed up 4 times.

Completed it once.

Nope, the signing up was easy, in fact, I have a 100% success rate at that.

Centuries are so much easier on the road

[dougmint]

Another really cool dirt road race to look at is the Rhonde Van Stoney race. I have done this race the last 2 years, and it's been great. It's a long ways off (September), but there is a good early registration deal coming up..... Check it out: http://www.rondevanstony.com/