2008 Hillsboro Roubaix

Jason and I started off the 2008 Nebo Ridge racing season by participating in the Hillsboro Roubaix, a three loop (22 mile loop) circuit through the rolling hills, gravel roads and brick pavers of tiny Hillsoboro, Illinois. The morning started off cold (37 degrees), cloudy and windy (15-25 mph from the SE), but eventually the sun came out and it warmed up into the mid-40s. The ride started in Hillsboro and went out of town down a hill and into the country side. It continued through some farmland and then wound down some hills through a wooded area; back up over some rollers and then down a steep, S-curve before winding back up some hills into another wooded area. It was then off onto gravel roads that were quite rough; onto farm roads barely wide enough for one car, and then onto the county roads for a climb back into town. The town loop consisted of a long, uphill grade followed by a downhill/climb/flat on brick paver roads - then back out to the circuit for another two loops. The field was fast and it was apparent that many teams had done a significant amount of outdoor riding to prepare to win the race. Jason did well in his class through the first two loops and climbed up the hill onto the brick loop to the finish line. I did not fair so well due to mechanical problems that caused the front end to wobble badly on most of the hills and had to restrict those descents to 20 mph or less; after a flat 2/3 through the second loop, I decided to abandon the race. That said, it was a great course and we enjoyed the challenge of the race.