John's story: Barry-Roubaix

BaseCamp athlete John Keepers shared his experience at the 2026 Barry-Roubaix bike race in Michigan.

Cold, wet, and sloppy but good race, even though the numbers were lower due to the weather. Race times were probably ½ hr longer than last year. I did well at 79 TSS/hr for 4 hrs. The rain made the sand more navigable on Sager and Shaw roads. You did not have to continually hunt for solid ground at the edges. However, a lot more slippery slidey mud, but not bad enough to pack the wheels at the frame. I finished 20/84 out for the Old Farts and 278/825 overall, both a little lower than last year.  I rode down and raced with fellow BaseCamper Alex Sundstrom (1709). Alex did awesome! No. 1 son likes to go along and take pictures. Finally got some last night! Me (1170). We were way too cold for the bike wash or beer tent!