We rode the Pavé of Roubaix in the dry, and any comforting feelings we might have been carrying about with us that suggested we had somehow prepared for them were summarily vaporized as we hit the first secteur. Riding together in a group, unable to reach for the brakes or the shifters, we all were hit with the same realization: these aren’t like the stones we have at home. Not if you live anywhere other than along the cobbled roads of Northern France. Not if you live in England. Not if you live in the Netherlands. Not even if you live in Belgium. And we won’t even talk about the rest of the world.
The Trouée of Arenberg is a sacred place. Arriving there, you feel the need to pray out of respect. Riding there, you feel the need to pray out of a sense of self preservation. There is no smooth path through these particularly rough cobbles. That was in the dry; if the race is wet as predicted by the weathermen (whom I assume are as bad at being right as they are in the States), then there isn’t a bag big enough to hold all the prayers the riders are going to need to get through these. And the Trouée is not the hardest or roughest secteur, by a considerable margin; that honor goes to Mons-en-Pévéle or Carrfoure de l’Arbre.
Keep an eye on the weather report as the race comes nearer, as wet roads will turn this race into one of attrition. Cancellara has broken his collarbone; Boonen, Pozzato, and Ballan are on form. But this is a long race, and details such as those matter little when a race contains over fifty kilometers of cobbles. Is it another year for the breakaway, or will the favorites close it down as they approach the finale? I don’t know, but watch the countdown timer and get your picks in by Sunday morning at 5am Pacific. Winner of this VSP event will earn the right to comment all year with the pavé commenting badge. We will also forgo the usual Symbol Pack prize awarded to a Monument and award the winner a copy of the local newspaper the day after the race.
Bon chance.
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@The Oracle
@TheOracle, thank you... that helps more than you could know.
@Blah
Once upon a time there was an Anatomy of the Photo post that had a long discussion about how to dress properly when spectating.
@teleguy57
Nice catch. I wonder if the guys were giving their unsolicited advice to that hapless rider that broke down right in front of them? Perhaps that's why the fellow decided to start walking?
Just getting home, reading through the posts and dumping photos. Gonna be a long couple of weeks...
The V-flag made the French News at about 1:26
Paris-Rubaix Fans
@teleguy57
You're correct. That guy's rear carbon wheel disintegrated a few meters to the left of us and he was locked up, sliding another 20 or so meters to the rest of the fellas (and the flag). Amazing bike control.
@Bill
Is this a time warp thing? i knew that the Keepers tour was about as good as it could get but did you guys actually go back in time to the 2010 RVV as well?
@Buck Rogers
Frack!!!!!
I was doing my blog post and cross-threaded videos.
Here it is: http://www.cyclingfans.com/node/4427
@teleguy57
How many wheels could Boonen possibly need from neutral support?
@DerHoggz
As many as he would like, apparently...
No jogging! Strictly forbidden as a form of cross-training!
Ha, that photo is awesome. "Hey, who are those tall, skinny blokes running across that field with the funny flag?" Oh, that's the Velominati!
And nice work on the roadside wear. I'm going to have to say you looked sharper than the Cyclingtips guys.