Road Bike Racing - Paris-Roubaix good or bad?

I was wondering what people think of Paris-Roubaix. I personally think it is silly, just looking at 2002 and 1994.

I definitely like it. It's one of those illogical things that shouldn't exist today, like Formula One racing in Monte Carlo, and it is (imho) an important part of the history of cycling. They can't put on a six stage 2400k Tour de France, but as long as there is Paris-Roubaix I will watch it. It was the race that made me realize that there are races that matters beyond the Grand Tours a couple of years ago.

I regret that I didn't know about it in 1997 or I would have visited the velodrome when I was in Roubaix on a tour.

/Csson

Spire you posted this before no?.....


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17111

Paris-Roubaix is a throwback to a differant time. We didn't always have glass smooth streets to ride on. Personally I like this race and would watch it over several others. What you usually see here is the best (and luckiest) all around rider winning.

I think it is a fantastic bike race! Why do you think it is silly, Spire?

Zack

Originally posted by VegasCyclist
Spire you posted this before no?.....


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17111

Geez, I feel like an idiot. I had completely forgot about that. I got into a "discussion" regarding Paris-Roubaix earlier. The is a poll, so lets call it different, okay?

Paris-Roubaix is amazing and crucial to the sport. Other races test climbing or sprint power, but Roubaix tests just pure toughness. It gives some of the less known riders the ability to show that they can ride with the best of them too. Its simply amazing.

-Matt-

I personally love Paris-Roubaix. It's an amazing race that shows the true strength of the riders involved ... and it it rains and makes it muddy then it becomes epic!

Speaking of Roubiax, anyone raced or watched Boulder Roubaix? I would love to do that sometime!

I love this race! I had a "Roubaix" type moment today. I ended up on a road that was going to be resurfaced soon, today they removed the top 2" of the road and left a very textured surface! I was stuck going 10mph and wished for my mtn bike the whole time. Fun stuff! ;)

I own both the '94 and '02 videotapes. I never 'tire' of watching both - true hard men.

this year's roubaix was pretty dry (and fast at that) sure the cobbles made for some good teeth chattering, but it was a interesting race none the less... I enjoy it :)

Roubaix just uses certain skills that no other race requires in quite the same way. One thing you really need at roubaix, especially in bad weather, is concentration. You have to look down at the road, up ahead, around you and at the guy right in front. All at the same time.

Darn, I am the only one who has voted that I don't like it. It seems like I am in the extrene minority here!

I am intrigued as to why Spire has developed such a distaste for Paris-Roubaix. Is it the spectacle of skinny road tyres struggling for grip on disintegrating road surfaces? Is it the cruel random acts of fate that leave a strong rider at the roadside, holding up a wheel in desperation? Is it the lack of sunshine, the obvious suffering, the platooning of muddy indistinguishable riders through farm yards and over railroad crossings? Or the flat uniformity of gradient that excludes skinny little grimpeurs from the podium?

funny...these are just a few of the things I love about the race!

Astonishing- but not unpleasant- to have to defend one of the greatest of all cycle races on this board/forum. Classics riders are among the elite of professional riders and cobblestone specialists are respected among them. To suggest they are less important than Tour specialists - as specialism is on the increase (at least for the present)- is to overvalue stage racing, particularly the TDF and to misunderstand the roots and traditions of the sport in Northern Europe.