Name: Alexander (Al) Barouh

Category: Cat 2 Road Racer

Race Age: 32

Current team: Happily Unattached

Day Job: I’m the Operations Director of the Red Hook Criterium. In simple terms, I produce and promote a series of world-class bike races in Brooklyn, Barcelona and Milano.

How you got into cycling: I think I got into cycling later than most. During college I was dealing with a death in the family and discovered pedaling my ill fitting Schwinn Caliente around my parent’s neighborhood really helped me relax. It eventually turned into a proven way for me to reduce stress and disconnect. Once I moved to Brooklyn in 2007 I realized I hated waiting for the subway or bus and fell in love with riding in New York City.

How you got into racing: My first race was on the Kissena Velodrome at the 2008 Velocity Tour organized by John Campo. I had no idea what I was doing and showed up with a 48×18 gearing. Luckily a future friend, Mattio Montesano, lent me his 15 tooth cog and I ended up winning the scratch race!

Favorite local course and why: Although there is a lot racing in NYC, there aren’t that many course options. Within the 5 Boroughs I have a real soft spot for Charlie Issendorf’s Tuesday Floyd Bennet Field course. If you win there you’ve really earned it. Outside of the NYC, I’d say its a tie between the Pawling Road Race course and the Green and Gold Crit in New London, Connecticut.

Greatest achievement racing: Best achievement was probably wining the NY State Track Championship in 2012 (ed: Al won the overall omnium, even after leaving early and missing one of the races because he had to pick up his gf from the airport). Most memorable result was 4th place in the 50-mile Race For the Wine at Floyd in 2010. I was a new Cat 4 and the race was 1234 race with the 4s getting a 3 minute head start. After 30+ miles in the mid-day summer heat, the 123s caught us and I managed to make the winning break. I was super happy to have gotten a good result amongst the “fast guys”.

Worst memory of a race: Racing Quabbin Road Race in the rain/snow in 2011. It was 100% precipitation and 38 degrees out. I wore dishwashing gloves and used duct tape to seal them. Racers were pulling out left and right and seeking shelter in restaurants and gas stations. I was lucky enough to have my friend, William Doyle-Capitman, drive his car behind the race. Knowing he was there with a warm car and food helped me finish.

Goals/Aspirations: After 6 years I’m taking a sabbatical from racing. Once I return to racing my goals are to never miss the winning break….or start promoting and producing races myself.

What’s the most fun thing you missed out on in order to do a bike race: I think a couple years ago I cut one of my birthday celebrations short in order to get to bed for a park race the next day.