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.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Jeff in PetroMetro
happy birthday man.
chuffed with my 12 points in the VSP.
boonen is the don.
@Buck Rogers
Great. I made it about 3/4 of the way to Highland Park on my ride yesterday. You'll be able to bring me oxygen.
@xyxax
Realistically, how far will i be from you? I hear that there is a train that takes around 1 hour to get to the city? Even though I am from VT I have never stopped in NYC before. The VMH and I are REALLY looking forward to coming down and seeing some broadway shows and Met operas!
For a complete green-as-a-north face-wind-cheater newbie to the world of cycling, who has just watched his very first PR ... horrifying I know ... I am four things today:
A. Rendered utterly speechless by what Boonen achieved / is / can do - watching him destroy the field and the course and make it look easy like that will live with me forever;
B. more deeply engrossed and lost to this culture and sport than ever - and proud to be amongst it all;
C. Well chuffed with my 8 points .......!
D. Rabidly looking forward to my 90k Akuna bay / west head cycle today to channel my inner TB. What a hero.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Chapeau Jeff!
@smithers
You picked a hell of a day to start watching cycling!!! That was a one-in-a- million ride today!!! Welcome to the fold, there's no going back!
That cobblestone badge is badass! happy b-day
Would you guys consider Boonen now took the role "Patron du Peloton" from Cancelara's shoulders
@Buck Rogers
Metro North train is 70 minutes from Garrison to Grand Central. It's on the other side of the river, though, so you'll need to drive across the bridge or set up a special ops zip line. It's beautiful up there. Hills and dales.
With @Rob, @Sauterelle, and @Mikeweb, it's the makings of a cogal.
....he wasn't wearing any fucking gloves!!!!
@Mikael Liddy
Yep.
Jokes, though.
Mend fast, mate. Hope you're okay.