A Sunday in Hell - Watch the Movie of Eddy Merckx in Paris - Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix is one, if not, the toughest one day classic bicycle race. It is nicknamed as the "Hell of the North" in french (L'enfer du Nord).

It has been raced since 1896 from Paris to Roubaix (north of France). The race biggest threat to the racers are the Cobblestones portions. (The race starts from Compiègne since 1968, but keep the name of Paris-Roubaix).

Most of the great cycling legends have raced it such as Maurice Garin (1897, 1898), Fausto Coppi (1950), Louison Bobet (1956), Eddy Merckx (1968, 1970, 1973) and Bernard Hinault (1981). The victories recordman is Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck (1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977). The record of consecutives victories is shared by frenchman Octave Lapize (1909, 1910 and 1911) and the Italian Francesco Moser (1978, 1979, 1980).

In the time when Eddy Merckx was "cannibalizing" the race circuit by winning it all, a movie about the Paris-Roubaix was shot in full color over 1 h 30 min.
If you enjoy steel frames, tubulars glued on aluminium polished rims and wool jersey, you will sure find a lot of inspiration in this great movie.

Paris-Roubaix 2011 Complete StartList and Race Details

Who will will the hell of races for 2011?
Held in France for the 109th times on April 10th 2011.

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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