LISBON — More than 150 bicyclists will take to the streets of Lisbon this Saturday as they kick off the second annual Coal Country Roubaix, a gravel road bicycle race.

The race starts at 9 a.m. at the Columbiana County Fairgrounds, with participants going through Lisbon’s downtown squares on their way to Steubenville Pike and beyond. The finish line is also at the fairgrounds, said race organizer Joe Lawhorn.

“We’ve had to tweak the course a bit from last year as Black Road is under water,” Lawhorn said. “But it’s still going to be a killer race.”

For the 100 mile race, riders will be climbing more than 11,000 feet, while those riding the 300 miles course will be climbing 34,000 feet, he said.

“Gravel bike riders like climbing and the elevations here are insane,” Lawhorn said.

The term Roubaix is taken from a village in France that has a famous gravel road bicycle race and has given its name to similar events.

Lawhorn, who spent six years in as a Marine and six years in the Army and is now on the US military’s permanent disabled and retired list, began cycling after his discharge from the military.

“The Lisbon area could be such a bicycling paradise with its miles and miles of dirt and gravel roads with nice climbs and low traffic,” he said. His wife, Heather, is helping with the race.

The Coal Country Roubaix is also intended at boosting the local economy, Lawhorn said. A similar event in Emporia, Kansas, draws thousands of cyclists each year.

“This is a great event for the village,” said Mayor Peter Wilson, noting that it coincides with the reopening of Lisbon’s Farmers Market and a cookie crawl being sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful that Joe and Heather are here.”

The event is being helped by several sponsors including UltraCycling Magazine, Niner Bikes, Batch Bicycles, Cantina 70 Bar and Grill, and Vittoria Tires among others.