Bienvenue au le début officiel!
Just this very past weekend, the LITESPEED-BMW Cycling team took place in one of the Southeastern region’s most revered, hated, loved and respected races. The one and only Rouge Roubaix. What was once just an annual foray in to the woods by some demented denizens of Baton Rouge, LA, for a case of libations and bragging rights, has since turned in to a race that now no longer sees any geographical boundary amongst the entrants. I very well remember my first edition; back in what must have been the year 2000 or 2001. It was March, in South Louisiana, and my water bottles were frozen. If I remember correctly, the winner’s purse was either 25.00 or 50.00 dollars, paling in comparison to the legendary status that is bestowed upon the day’s winner. 3rd place got 1.00 dollar. Many winners of this race have previously had, or gone on to, quite prolific careers.
Fast forward to 2010. With 1,500.00 dollars going to the winner, a typically close proximity to Mardi Gras, the promise of 70 degree and above weather, the professional landscape of cycling quite altered, but most importantly the quest for legend, and it appeared as if the entire nation of cyclists jumped at the chance to get their first tan…and even a few from across the pond! Every field was at capacity, all of the corner marshals were frazzled, we didn’t have enough follow vehicles, hardly enough wheel trucks, neutral support had to call in friends; in short, it was an amazing success of a race. People resorted to parking in the grass at the race hotel. It was a booming success! It seemed as if we started from the lobby of the UN as I counted all of the Rainbow’s, Stars and Stripes and State Flag jerseys that had made the trip.
At the behest of my slight exaggerations; Tres Courdin, Calvin O’Keeffe and Travis Hagner agreed to come along for what I promised to be a meandering, though violent, tour of the Tunica Trace, West Feliciana Parish and one of the oldest settled portions of this country, passing some of the most impressive plantation homes that still stand, and near and around Angola Prison, which I’ve been to, but I promise it was a high school field trip…seriously! Direct from the promoter’s mouth;
You will encounter a constantly rolling terrain, and a few climbs that will test all racers. The road surfaces will vary greatly. You will encounter chip and seal, sandy gravel, smooth as glass asphalt, and some roads that are just plain bad. This race is a classic test of man and his machine vs. the terrain and elements. It would be unfair to attempt to predict what type of weather to expect for the Rouge Roubaix. You should come prepared to battle 80 degree heat and Louisiana humidity (it’s worse than Houston). You should also come prepared to expect temperatures so low that your water bottles will freeze.
That is the most diplomatic description that I’ve ever seen. The course was a devised by a mad scientist on a bad day.
This race always tugs at my heartstrings. Being a New Orleans boy who spent 12 years in Mississippi, it’s like coming home for me. It is, actually. I truly believe that this is one of the most unique and beautiful sections of the lower 48 and it’s always a great honor to show it to my friends. Even more so, I truly believe that the people from this region accurately define the term “salt of the earth”. For all the bad press, there’s as much good press burgeoning to spill over the top, but at some point, we just want you all to come down and make up your own mind. We’re just fine with that. I watched this show every week as a little boy, it was filmed not far from the race start. That’s right, we were in Mr. Wilson’s back yard…and you best heard dat, I guarantee.
Excuse me for reminiscing there folks…The terrain did not disapoint. Nor did the course. For that matter… nor did the weather. It was a hands down exceptional weekend across the board, albeit some bad luck of mine that didn’t see me get clear of the neutral 3 mile rollout. That’s another post that I’ll share later on down the road….but!
Calvin, Tres and Travis all kept it together, avoided the crashes, avoided numerous opportunities to flat, dealt with searing 36mph trains in the gravel roads and most importantly, conquered to the will to continue in a race where attrition can devour some 60% of the starters. Being withdrawn, I rushed to Tres’ car and laid rubber out to the course to feed. I found our boys and did my best to keep an eye on them. I feel like I’ve gushed enough here in this update, but I do have to mention that I witnessed those guys indignantly forcing their pedals around, faces covered in salt and dirt, the race exploded across a 30 minute swath; embodying a love for the sport that we’re all a student of. I saw precisely why we keep coming back, personified to a T. If my words lack, then here are some photos of a journey across the same roads; Photo essay 1, and photo essay 2 from the Rapha crew.
It was a superb way to start the year, the LITESPEED Archon C1 fought valliantly and reliably over the worst surface it will ever see, leaving Travis at a loss for words on how great that frame is, the development team’s Siennas just continue to belie description (guys, seriously, we are TRYING to break these bikes, but we can’t?) and the BMW Anti Theft technology has proven so worthy that my car is still stuck at the race hotel! Help!!!!
Congrats to our finishers and thank you all for your support! And enormous thanks to Mitch Evans for directing the race and all his great sponsors. I would like to see at least 10 of us make the trip next year…
Hey Mel!