Paris-Roubaix Challenge 2011, Welcome to Hell

A.S.O. is busy at marketing and retailing the famous bicycle races to individual bicycle lovers, after l'Etape du Tour, now it is the turn of the most challenging Paris-Roubaix event.

In France this type of event is called a "Cylosportive" which you might translate it as a Century ride or a Gran Fondo, this means it is for fit riders.

Just in case you don't know it, this is the one that features cobblestones sections.

The race is mythical and it is the chance to ride as a pro classic racer, the fantastic event is held on 1 day, the course feature 18 cobblestones sections, 31.6km of cobblestones
Mythic cobblestones sections covered: Chemins des Prières, Mons en Pévèle, Carrefour de l’Arbre…
3 aid stations set up along the course (+ 1 at the finish), 3 technical assistance points by Mavic
Best of all, 147 km timed on closed roads (only 15 km not timed on open traffic roads)

Of course, the finish line is on the Roubaix Velodrome, like the pros!

The race start at Saint-Quentin and Finish at Roubaix – Vélodrome on April 9th 2011.
Be careful here, the start of the race is at Saint-Quentin, this town is 80 miles (130kms) away from Paris!

To get there the closest major airport is Lille Airport (LIL / LFQQ). This airport is in Lille (France) and is about 81 km from the center of Saint-Quentin.
Another major airport is Charles De Gaulle International Airport (CDG / LFPG), which is in Paris (France) and is 107 km from Saint-Quentin.
Another international Airport is Brussels Airport (BRU / EBBR) is in Brussels (Belgium) and is 145 km from Saint-Quentin.

The best is to rent a car and book yourself an hotel in Saint-Quentin.
From Saint-Quantin, there will be shuttle service to the start and from the end of the race (end of Roubaix finish is 2 hour drive to Saint-Quentin).
You MUST book your seat on the shuttle bus (if you need it) which cost 34 Euros.

Book your car rental and hotel online ahead of the event, it will be cheaper and be assured to get it.

The event website here.

One last important advice if you plan to ride this event, use tubular wheels and tubular tires, alternatively, mount your clincher wheels with the Tufo C S33 Pro tubular clincher it is tubular that can be mounted on a clincher rim. Add some Tufo sealant in your pocket just in case and there you go.
The idea is to avoid "snake bite" caused by the coblestones (pinching the inner tube between the rim wall and the tire/stone)

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