Up Close With The Roubaix Cobbles

[@gcn]

Would you ever take on the Paris-Roubaix cobbles? 🪨

[@tmill2001]

Absolutely and I wouldn't take the Lance Armstrong line on the edge either!!

[@ridercanada1]

I would do one 5 star sector followed closely by a few Belgian triples.

[@paulgrimshaw8334]

No. I can think of any number of third world roads with better climate and scenery.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Would give it a go, but on the old hard-tail MTB

[@benclarke2754]

Yup, riding them in May!! 👍🏽

[@richardhasler6718]

In 1990 I cycled across what was then East Germany, just after the Berlin wall had fallen. The roads were almost non-stop cobbles and when I arrived in Berlin, I had numb hands for 3 days!

[@gcn]

Ouch! Sounds like you learned the hard way - Would you avoid cobbles now?

[@dh7314]

That sounds like an incredible adventure though.

[@richardhasler6718]

@@gcn Hmm, that was nearly 34 years ago, on an old ex Post Office bike with rod brakes. If I crashed then, I got up and kept riding. These days I don't fall quite so gracefully or get up so quickly. Thank God for the decent tyres and bikes we have today, even if the roads in the UK are still awful! Germany now has some superb roads and is almost equal to Holland for cycling pleasure.

[@kirkhowe4251]

😮ù

[@mommamooney]

That’s really cool. Not the numb hands bit, but being there for that bit of history

[@tomaszsosnowski9279]

Streets in Warsaw, Poland have some terrifying coble sections, there are numerous downhill and uphill streets that make these sections look like a leisure ride. These french cobbles are pretty flat and the soil is creating an almost even surface. In Warsaw cobbles are convex, arched like a cat's back.

[@GordonHadler]

I rode the tourist edition (offered every two years by the Velo Club Roubaix), fell in love with the course, came back two more times and then became a member of "Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix". Without the efforts of these volunteers, the course wouldn´t stay the same. Of course, it´s always a challenge and sometimes dangerous to ride there, but these women and men do so much to make it safer for all riders, being pro or amateur.

[@flageolett]

For amateurs they offer the Paris-Roubaix-Challenge the day before the men's race. If you take the longest option (180km) you can experience all raceready prepared pavees of the men's race and finish in the stadion. I did it last year. Its a truely boneshaking sensation for serious cylists! Highly recomended as long as the weather ist dry.

[@sedirik]

Unnecessary experience...Thanks. I love my bike and dont have unlimited budget.

[@michaelseifert5716]

@@sedirik I did the ride too and it's really an experience which is great. The unlimited budget was only stretched because of two punctures because I rolled with too high pressure. Once it was lowered I rode through all of the remaining sectors without breaking anything. And I love my bike too, btw. Best was that you're allowed to shower in the velodrome after the race. It's a cyclist's knighting to take a shower there.

[@sedirik]

@@michaelseifert5716 I see your points but I m more referring the (possible) long term damages on the frame. The invisible (possible) cracks on the frame, in microns basically, would retire the bike sooner than expected... Don't need to mention the loose bots or joints either. A proper mechanic should check the bike after such shaky rides. and lets be honest, they dont make durable bikes anymore.

[@joren7653]

@@sedirik Luckily the bike industry collapsed, so you can pick up a new frame cheaper haha

[@andrewluneau3193]

I still can't get over how much bigger Connor's bike is 😂

[@Frostbiker]

And the wheels look so tiny! Except they are the same size as everybody else's.

[@snras4927]

especially since he is cycling in the middle where the road is higher compared to the ditch where Hank is cycling.

[@redfishingboat]

This vid gave me so many feels. The romance of 120 years of history made so very, very real. Great work, lads.

[@bikeskimawk670]

Connor, Hank, you two “ROCK”.😂

[@78James]

10:15 Man taking his log for a walk

[@Grizzrock]

I've noticed recently that you guys aren't big users of cycling gloves in your videos. Is there a reason for that? I imagine some gel padding would help cushion some of the vibrations on the cobbles

[@artiegorash]

Love the prince of Persia soundtrack in the background haha.

[@cruachan1191]

There's an old cobbled bridge on the NCN path near my house with a large "Cyclists Dismount" sign on it. Have occasionally cycled over it if no one is around, but it's absolutely miserable and it's less than 100m. Cycling at pro speeds for those distances on cobbles blows my mind.

[@grumbazor]

Funfact, in my country "cyclists dismount" signs exit but they are not mentioned in traffic laws. So they are not traffic signs and you can just keep riding.

[@johndoiron9615]

I'm glad that Peacock carries this race in America.

[@gcn]

It's going to be a great race! Always is 🙌

[@mommamooney]

They do???

[@johndoiron9615]

@@mommamooneyYes, both the women's on Saturday and the men's on Sunday.

[@roadyeti3697]

Yeah, I sent Peacock a big Thank You. Plus, was pleased to find A McCrossen and H Walker as commentators. Flo is sh*t and WB/Disc can go..well, you know what...themselves

[@johndoiron9615]

@@roadyeti3697LOL

[@marcs0417]

There was an entrance from Grand Central Station to the Roosevelt Hotel. You can find it at the end of the corridor between tracks 38 and 39.

[@mariusorcsik]

I feel like you guys need to bring back the Oreo system of measuring the roughness of cobbles.

[@guillaume_tca]

Look a lot more smooth then when I was growing and cycling in belgium, 20 years ago. Those tractors and the mud is making as smooth as a gravel trail.

[@joriszsz95]

It looks smooth on camera or tv, but its far from smooth

[@Aeronwor]

That looks just like my local bike path.

[@frankling9840]

Looks like our main A roads

[@alinapopescu872]

I recognise both the local bikepaths, and the main roads.

[@davezzzz172]

I assume that the path on the right of the picture (@ 8:50) is closed on race day. Otherwise, that's definitely where you'd want to be!

[@mildpandemic3944]

Yeah, they fence it off or plough it up so the riders have to stay on the cobbles.

[@danieljames1]

Connor was making me a nervous wreck from holding the bars with only one hand and talking with the other hand 😂

[@GrantBrown73]

No suspension this time round?

[@MrRamanPP]

It's almost comical how tall Connor is to Hank when they ride side by side. Looks like he's riding a penny farthing! 😂

[@MrEL28]

These cobblestones might be a good reason to use 28mm or wider tires and run sub-75psi tire pressure, because you'll easily get pinch flats with narrower tires at lower pressure. Even then, I'm told the cobblestones are supper slippery when wet.

[@stevocanuck]

what psi should riders be using in this race? If its a low psi for the cobbles, what about the flats that they have to ride on?

[@gcn]

hi, thanks for the comment! The pressure is very personal to each rider depending on their weight, tyre choice, tyre width and more! We've got more information on the bikes used in Paris-Roubaix here www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/tech/news 👍

[@alinapopescu872]

I wish them ALL, men and women, a SAFE RACE. In the light of recent events, I can't wish them anything other than to get to the finish line safely.

[@Arthur-ns4yh]

As a frenchman i can't get over the fact that there is a sector dedicated to Hinault. The man hated that race and said it multiple times..

[@pompeymonkey3271]

I thought there is going to be a chicane before Arenberg this year?

[@John-r9x5h]

There is.

[@andyshaw5378]

Great video. Where can I watch the race on TV ??

[@seancowlam9818]

Nothing prepares you for these cobbles. I thought UK roads with all the pot holes were bad or even riding Michaelgate in Lincoln but, trust me, these are like riding on a silk carpet compared to those 5* sectors. Having said that it takes days to wipe the smile off your face once you’ve done it. Only bettered by watching the actual races at the roadside. Bonkers

[@davidhakes5141]

I've a number of crotch jackhammering riding surfaces, where I live. Some with loose large gravel, then there are the rumble strips along the sides of the road, which for some reason, my bike seems to be magnetically drawn to. There's, also a lot of busted up concrete, and asphalt, to make you wish your bike was four wheel drive. And potholes, and potholes, and more potholes.

[@gcn]

Do you make sure you ride all of them this time of year? In honor of the great race 🙌

[@davidhakes5141]

@@gcn If I do, I'll need to stock up on tires and balm. I'm on a mountain bike with road tires, Blackburn brand, which have been good to me, so far. I get them at Walmart, pretty cheap. I bike on a budget, so, I can't go for the expensive rigs, and whatnots, that y'all can.

[@roadyeti3697]

Do you live in Salt Lake City too? My own private PR commute to work in the morn

[@davidhakes5141]

@@roadyeti3697 No, I live in western Kentucky. I've never been any farther west of our Land Between The Lakes area. I don't know what kind of riding surfaces you have, but being that you're in that northern latitudes, I'd say the winter weather can really destroy y'all's roads, and trails.

[@LaurentGloaguen]

For your information, the sign on the right at 9:15 says “Interdit de monter sur le pont. Danger.” (No climbing on the bridge. Danger.). 😂

[@jascollinscork]

Great video guys BUT surprised ye didn’t go to velodrome 🤔😢

[@StefNMusic]

They did in the video from the other day 😊

[@stevehughes975]

I did it 35 years ago. 7 punctures, fell twice. Never again😂

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Wonder which Hank found harder, the cobbles or the paths he rode in Pima County?

[@_Tp___]

Is it just me or did someone mix the audio weirdly for this video?

[@debidi1461]

Its phasing yeah

[@irfuel]

Same here, and it's not the first time.

[@davidagudelo9223]

Chuck Norris rode this route to get to school. It is now called Paris Roubaix.

[@glennicol1361]

It must be super hard on the bike!

[@stevenagy7152]

Let’s see Connor ride these on his 36er, it would seem to take some of the sting out of those bumps.

[@marekczarnecki5388]

So I'm watching this and all I can think of is the episode of The Simpsons where they are watching NASCAR and getting disappointed each time a deadly crash ... is avoided.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

Most roads have turned into cobbles due to potholes

[@wspmjw]

Why is this video not on GCN Racing channel?

[@troycollett8540]

Different approach to arenberg this year as there will be a chicane prior to the entry

[@gcn]

do you think it is a good or bad thing?

[@troycollett8540]

@@gcn could mean there will be a fight for position before the chicane

[@bobcherrypie5436]

From eurosport footage, the chicane is a u turn with a metal barrier in the middle..... 🤦‍♂️

[@MdBoj-n2v]

Nice 😅

[@grumbazor]

And then there is me, avoiding cobble at all cost because of fear to break my bike

[@Jari1973]

If a wider tire is faster.. every competitor should ride there at least 35mm.. You could make a video about it, why doesn't everyone drive with those wide tires??

[@irfuel]

Doesn't fit the frames + there is a lot of non-cobble sectors too.

[@Jari1973]

@@irfuel Nowadays 35 mm is suitable? But, for example, GCN has tested that on a smooth surface, a 35 mm tire is a bit faster than a 28 mm one.. so why do you ride with 28 mm tires??

[@irfuel]

@@Jari1973Depends on the bike. A lot of aero bikes have a max of 32

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Not without some front suspension. No way. Wouldn't need much, maybe 3/4 to 1-1/4 inches, something like a Lauf Seigla or Specialized Roubaix with Future Shock.

[@PepeDalinShow]

I still don't get why anyone on a road bike would ride on those cobbles. It's like riding on a very long rumble strips. And I hate those rumble strips. Lol

[@mommamooney]

How many punctures did the boys get during filming this? Lost bike parts?

[@DailyRunRide]

An aspect I consistently remind myself of is the rampant doping among professional riders, leaving them disoriented and disconnected from reality, let alone aware of the cobblestones beneath their wheels. Cycling resembles the tale of the boy who cried wolf - their credibility has been tarnished, and trust in their word has dwindled to almost nothing. 😊

[@bikebudha01]

tubeless + 40mm tires + 35psi = makes is smooth sailing...

[@stevocanuck]

i feel like these races are ridiculously long. Why 4-5 hours?? 2 hours is reasonable for a race

[@christophermee5214]

Best place to watch a bike race is on the tv. You can see all the race. Unlike if you stand on a bridge for 20 minutes

[@tongotongo3143]

The best is to race and win. What’s the reason to watch it either on tv or on the bridge?

[@miguelcpt]

Goof effort

[@dominicbritt]

Sort out those internal cables GCN…

[@buzzman4860]

Hank looks solid on the cobbles. Connor not so much.

[@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589]

Do they sweep the cow sh!t off them beforehand?

[@troycollett8540]

Goat shit

[@roldo5902]

Gravel bike…

[@frankling9840]

No thanks, i have to pay for my own kit

[@tongotongo3143]

In order to ride fast on these cobbles the tires have to be as narrow as possible and tire pressure has to be as high as possible, because the “secret” to ride fast is to ride on the very top surface of cobbles. Even though wider tires with lower pressure provides relatively softer ride, they bounce up too much and additionally with increased resistance of wider tires all this doesn’t allow to be fast. And being slow on these cobbles decreases speed even more because then you can’t even ride on the very upper surface. We hear lots of nonsense on KZbin these days. The interview of ex elite professional Russian racer opened my eyes about reality of these races.

[@marcuswills6569]

🤣🤣🤣

[@irfuel]

ex pro Russian racer. He probably also claimed to be 100% natural for his entire career :D

[@joystation1]

Skinny tyres at high pressure are only faster on glass smooth road surfaces, wide tyres at low pressures are faster. Soft pressures allow the tyre to deform as it hits a bump, so absorbing a lot of the energy in the impact, the bike frame will absorb some energy and the rider's arms and legs act as a natural dampers (why many people call a vehicle's dampers "shock absorbers" or "shocks" for short.

[@tongotongo3143]

Deformation is loss of energy and is stopping the movement forward, yes it may feels kind of smoother but that’s it. This wide tire “superiority” and propaganda is the same nonsense as riding in a zone two in order to get faster:)…

[@roadyeti3697]

We can tell you've never been there 🙄🤭

[@eleycki]

Why is the woman’s race sooo short? It’s hardly a Roubaix title at that distance. It doesn’t seem fair at all.

[@graymcmic1419]

Because 'equality'

[@kevinbourke4038]

Would feel very similar to being kicked in the balls. IMHO. - not pleasant at all. - 😢 😢 on the other hand, some folk would perhaps derive some kind of enjoyment riding cobbles with no respect for their balls, let alone respect for their bicycles. 😮 😮 Life is full of situations where we have to weigh up risks versus pleasure. Bit like getting married.

[@gcn]

what a statement! 😂

[@xtrailz]

I don't like cobbles. They're course and rough and irritating.

[@gcn]

very true! but a sense of accomplishment awaits at the end!

[@marktricklebank7400]

Wtf is parvay.😂

[@joystation1]

The word is pavé (pronounced pah vay), basically French for cobbled streets.

[@ohjajohh]

Please do some research on how to pronounce "Bernard" in French

[@conteudoanimal]

paris roubaix sucks ... very stupid competition !!!

[@keatb3129]

Don’t watch then.

[@troycollett8540]

How

[@troycollett8540]

I guess you aren’t a hardcore fan then

[@conteudoanimal]

@@troycollett8540 :-)

[@conteudoanimal]

@@keatb3129 for sure

[@tankareno]

One aspect I always keep in mind is that pro riders are doped to the gills and don't know what planet they are on, much less they are riding on cobbles. Cycling is like the little boy that cried wolf. Nobody believes them anymore.

[@pompeymonkey3271]

FO then

[@johnwestwell2241]

@@pompeymonkey3271 Seconded.

[@andrasszabo1570]

Why do you make up this shit? They aren't taking mushrooms or LSD...

[@graymcmic1419]

@@pompeymonkey3271 Why so angry? It's the truth, cycling is dirty and rigged.