In just ten years, the Tour of the Battenkill became the largest competitive road cycling event in North America. At it’s largest, over 3,100 racers competed in the event in Washington County, NY. I was lucky enough to be able to photograph the race for 11 years, most of those in an official capacity for race organizer Dieter Drake.
  The race quickly became legendary among riders for its scenery and challenge, making the area near Albany into a tourist destination for cyclists wanting to test their mettle. The race started in 2005 as the Battenkill- Roubaix in homage to the famous Paris-Roubaix race in Europe.
  The Spring Classics season in Europe features races that often go off road onto dirt or cobblestones. Race founder Dieter Drake wanted to adopt that style of

capturing a uniquely American flavor in the Washington County landscape and it’s covered bridges.
  From that beginning with 220 riders the race grew every year and became the Tour of the Battenkill. It’s was an all-year project for Drake, with over 500 volunteers participating to make sure everything happened as planned.
  The course was variable, but always included miles of dirt roads and knee-busting climbs like Juniper Swamp (dirt) and Joe Bean (paved) Roads. These spots also provided great, up close viewing for spectators, as did the lengthy dirt segment on Meeting House Road west of Cambridge and the Eagleville covered bridge east of town off Route 313.
  Today the event has morphed into a semi-competitive “gran fondo” style ride, but if there is any route in America that deserves the word “epic,” the Tour of the Battenkill is IT.