sgtdirt

...

sgtdirt

so, you've participated in one of the events know in the U.S. as a roubaix?

by the way, since the guy in post #18 didn't quite make it clear with pictures and definition and you in post #2 , we're glad you made it abundantly obvious- with a second post-where the city of Roubaix is located.

sgtdirt

https://www.facebook.com/roadappleroubaixoh

gonna be a cold one!!!

Timo

2001 Paris - Roubaix - YouTube

Noonievut

GREAT video. Did I hear "pot hole with standing water is a portal to hell". Brilliant.

fietsbob

No thats something the flat landers do in the farm country. Ive ridden my Touring Bike over some of the actual ancient stones

hand shaped several hundred years ago, that the Couse designers Invariably include in the races that themselves have been run

2 world wars excepted, for 100+ years ..

One particularly sharp Hill the Kimmelberg just a short distance from the Belgian War graves from WW1 , is so Gnarly an effort that after they put 100
miles in the riders legs on the Ghent Wevelgem Race, first going to the Belgian seacoast they run the racers over it twice.

2014 Gent-Wevelgem Live Video, Route, Startlist, Preview, Results, Photos, TV

The Paris Roubaix route is relatively Flat and the pros tend to replace the inner chainring with a 46 so the chain tension is higher , on it and the 53t.



Out here the Gravel roads are for hauling out timber and they are quite steep then Its where people take their Mountain Bikes
& try to be aware since the Log trucks still use them & they occupy 80% of the road space.

In comparison with the Arenberg forest cobbled roads Iconic Places: The Forest of Arenberg - Cycling Weekly.

Your midwest farm roads are not such a big deal ..

No At 67 I dont try to do all the new Popular group bike ride events you youngsters are so Into. .. but enjoy your rides with your friends.

sgtdirt

this one's on my list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59rGhHpE7Wk

sgtdirt

oh, we will ride but we "youngsters" certainly don't need your permission.

sgtdirt

this went down today.
https://www.facebook.com/roadappleroubaixoh

Timo

A 70 miles cyclocross race looks like fun, if I had the means to come over just for such an event I definitely would. So when will you come over to northern France and do the 160 miles real Roubaix? It's a bit late to enter the 2015 event on April 11, but no doubt your all eager to prove yourself in 2016

Paris-Roubaix Challenge

bgav

So many awesome Roubaix/Gravel rides across the US. Wish I had an S&S coupled gravel grinder, unlimited travel budget and ability to get time off from work!

sgtdirt

i bet none of them French races have locals like this?

Timo

Correct, there's no trailer trash in France.

CBBaron

Cold was not too bad. About 25F at start with a high about 28F.
However the snow was a challenge. There was 4+ inches of rutted snow on nearly all the roads with more coming down the entire ride. The fatbike di OK once I aired down to about 6psi but I was really impressed by the cyclecross riders. It was a real challenge just to remain upright. I'm not sure there were many who didn't fall.

Tons of fun

Andy_K 

Well, I'm sure France has other charms that offset this shortcoming.

sgtdirt

i heard it was tough riding. very sluggish and slow. i guess you'll have that when the race is at the end of Feb. in Ohio.

sgtdirt

good luck to everyone riding the Barry this weekend.
Home - Barry-Roubaix

sgtdirt

my first roubaix is Sunday. can't wait!!

anyone have some tips or advise?

dgodave

Only race I ever won was the 1986 Tahoe Roubaix, juniors category. But that was an mtb race.

sgtdirt

i finished my first ever gravel race yesterday. it is the Amish Country Roubaix and let me tell ya, it was a tough course.
they had two races, a 50kand 100k. being kinda of an adventurist, i opted for the 100k. it was basically a big 50k loop so i had to do it twice. total elevation was somewhere around 7,500. lots of ups and downs with plenty of gravel. even though i cramped at the 22 mile mark, i was able to grunt through to the finish. unfortunately, being the LAST person on the course, there wasn't any fan fair waiting at the finish. i did enjoy the free beer though! big thanks to the guys over at Team Soupcan and Ride On Bicycles of Wooster. you put on a really great race.
https://www.facebook.com/AmishRoubaix/timeline

CBBaron

It was my first gravel race also. (Road Apple Roubaix was not a race and I didn't see any gravel on that course due to it being buried under 6" of snow )
Being even more adventuresome I signed up for the 100k single speed category. Based on the results I think 5 racers finished behind me. However there were a large number of DNF that I'm guessing were due to the tire eating large gravel that existed in a few spots. The 41mm Knards did well even with my 200+ pounds.
The hills were not long but they were steep. Much walking was involved.
A couple sketchy decents kept the excitement up.
Really great support from all the course marshals, No chance of getting lost and I didn't have to stop for vehicles at any intersection despite being in long after the leaders.

Craig

Timo

The TroBroLeon is a pro race in Brittany, France, which is sort of a combination of Paris-Roubaix and the Eroica with cobblestones and unpaved sections. Here's some onboard footage filmed by French pro rider Jeremy Roy (Team Francais des Jeux) from last weeks 2015 edition:

https://youtu.be/S6zsLRXh9Ks

And television coverage from of the 2014 edition:

https://youtu.be/HQ_mqSdzMuY

sgtdirt

the TroBroLeon looks like a fun race!! (it's very similar to what i just did)

sgtdirt

Craig,
i think i was close to you before the super long hill and my debilitating leg cramps. i thought about doing SS but...that had to be grueling. you did pretty dang good considering you were racing against a top SSer (Ernesto Marenchin... the guy is a beast on the SS). do you plan on riding the Hilly Billy?
BTW, what gearing did you use? show us a pic of your bike!

sgtdirt

link to race results.
Results ? 2015 | Amish Country Roubaix