Cheesehead Roubaix XI

The ride already had split into several groups before the first gravel sector: Lovers Lane.

In some ways, Cheesehead Roubaix XI was a bad end to a bad April. We have had incredibly poor weather this month and today was no exception. The air temperature at 9 a.m. was about 45° but strong winds from the east put the wind chill in the low 30s. Things were even colder at the mid-ride rest stop in Belgium: just 40° before factoring in the wind and the now steady rain. Conditions were miserable all day long. But the forecast proved correct. About 50 riders left Fireman’s Park in Newburg and none of them can say that the rotten weather was a surprise. The event had attracted a lot of attention online, but much of that interest faded as the “chance” of rain became a certainty. On a historically average final day of April, 61° is the afternoon high. We eventually hit 50° this afternoon but the wind continued to make things feel much colder. And if I had tried to postpone Cheesehead Roubaix for one week? Well, we might not be back in the 60s by then either. The first week of May promises more of the same.

But by no means was this year’s Cheesehead Roubaix a doom-and-gloom affair. The turnout was understandably small but—somewhat less understandably—enthusiastic. Some of the enthusiasm came simply from being able to participate in the event again after two years lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. People like this event. They like the route, they like the support (thanks to Cedar Creek Outdoors for offering mechanical help and for hosting the rest stop), and, let’s be honest, they like getting a ride of this caliber for free. I encourage, but I don’t require, donations to Newburg’s volunteer fire department. Today we raised about $500 at the park and a few people have indicated they will be making donations later by mail, so it won’t be a bad payday for NFD when all is said and done.

So, yes, today’s weather sucked. But the people were great! And the people who do Cheesehead Roubaix are always going to be great. And the weather isn’t always going to suck. Even I know that. We’ll do Cheesehead Roubaix again next year and we’ll take whatever comes. And if karma is real, then we’ll prosper … because it owes us one.