The Baroudeur partners with Batch Brewing for annual Detroit cycling event
The Baroudeur, Wayne State University's annual cycling event, will be held on July 23 with rides of 20, 37, 62, and 100 miles that begin and end on the Midtown campus.
The fun, noncompetitive event gives riders of all abilities an opportunity to explore the Motor City and surrounding area on two wheels while helping economically disadvantaged students pursue higher education.
"I've been with the Baroudeur since the very beginning," said Matt Lockwood, associate vice president of Wayne State's University Department of Communications and ride director of the event. "I was around the table when it was conceived and came up with the name for it and everything."
Baroudeur means "fighter" in French and is a term used in cycling for riders not afraid to break away from the Peloton and do things on their own, even if they might be an underdog.
Baroudeur is another term for a warrior, which is Wayne State's mascot. The name also ties into Detroit, where much of the ride occurs. In 1701, the city was founded by a baroudeur — French explorer and adventurer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.
This year, Batch Brewing is the event's beer partner and has canned a beer just for the event. It is going to be a Radler, which is popular beer among cyclists in Europe, and means cycling in German. It is also a regular on Batch’s beer list.
The Baroudeur partners with a beer company each year, but Lockwood felt that the Detroit brewer would be perfect for the Detroit ride hosted by a Detroit university.
"Stephen and Batch Brewing do so much for the community and I've just been really impressed with seeing how they help out at the restaurants and people in need," said Lockwood.
Stephen Roginson, founder and co-owner of Batch Brewing, opened the Corktown brewery in February 2012, and was named a 2021 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Food Fighter for his efforts to aid metro Detroiters in need at the start of the pandemic.
Of Baroudeur, Roginson said: "They were looking for a Detroit-based brewery and one that dove-tailed in with the goals and the community of the event.
"Batch Brewing company has long partnered with and hosted cycling events, so it was a pretty natural fit."
Batch wanted to be sure that the beer it serves cyclists is refreshing and in smaller cans, and Radler fits the bill.
"It made sense to not only do the style but also put it into the cans so people finishing the event would be able to carry the memento around with them after the race while they're trying the beer," said Roginson.
Lockwood agreed.
"It's really cool, we're excited that they're canning a special beer for the Baroudeur. We have not had that before; I'm looking forward to that. It will be kind of like a little collectors' item," he said.
Batch will be serving the 800-plus riders and 200 volunteers cans of Radler and other beer varieties by keg at the post-ride after-party.
The party will also include a spread of hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetarian options, water, Gatorade and more.
"It's really a ride for the community. We draw riders from out of state even, we think it's the best ride in the city of Detroit," said Lockwood. "It's a really good value, not only do you get the post-ride lunch and beer, but we have very well-stocked rest stops. We have the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne State University police department and several area bike shops providing support on the ride, we have medical support, so it's just a really comprehensive event."
According to an annual post-Baroudeur survey, 96% of attendees rate the event excellent or very good, many returning every year to participate.
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To see pricing, the entire schedule of events and more information, visit the Baroudeur's website. Free parking will be available to participants.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Batch Brewing making custom beer label for Baroudeur cycling event
