The latest incentive event..... Paris Roubaix :)

[weeksy]

As some of you may have noticed, me and @crust like to have something to train for.... I'd argue him rather than me, as it gives him something to control his weight and push on his training.

We sat and thought about the Gent Wevelgem again as it really was a cracking weekend in Belgium. But in the interest of something 'different' we've decided on the Paris Roubaix.

We'll be hitting the 145km distance as it both starts and finishes in the Roubaix Velodrome hence making logistics a bit simpler, the 180km starts 30km or so away...

There's a shit-tonne of cobbles on the event and reports and reviews state how hard it is on the hands and arms etc. People pumping pain killers etc.

With that in mind I think we're both going 29er full-suspension bikes... Him on the Salsa Spearfish and me on the Trex Fuel. I'll be fitting something like a Vittoria Barzo or Maxxis Aspen for it, giving both the comfort and the rolling resistance of a fast XC based 29er rubber. Other than that it's just a question of fitness, weight and a bit of riding...

Event entries are not open until Nov.... so it's slightly on-hold until then and the date confirmation etc, but should be a good un.

If anyone else wants in.... then just shout

[cheb]

I've no desire to join in but Lille and it's surrounding has some good galleries, restaurants and architecture for when you're not riding.

There a whole street of Art Deco houses if you like that sort of thing.

[weeksy]

I've no desire to join in but Lille and it's surrounding has some good galleries, restaurants and architecture for when you're not riding.

There a whole street of Art Deco houses if you like that sort of thing.

ERrrrrm i think you over estimate my levels of culture

[cheb]

No, but others might be interested.

Could you travel there by Eurostar?

[weeksy]

No, but others might be interested.

Could you travel there by Eurostar?

logisitically due to distance and levels of kit we'd take, i expect we'll throw them on the car and drive over.

[cheb]

I ask as the Eurostar stops in Lille, that's why I spent a long weekend there a few years back. Not just a bike and back pack then?

[weeksy]

I ask as the Eurostar stops in Lille, that's why I spent a long weekend there a few years back. Not just a bike and back pack then?

Could do... but i'm struggling with why we would do it that way ? We've have to get ourselves and kit to a local station, then to Reading, Paddington, then over to St Pancras and then onto the train. By the time we've done all that, we're already in Folkestone and on the train to Calais.

[Crosshair]

Cool should be ace
I think you’re right about bike choice. When you look how fast Pro’s ride mountain bikes- they’re not the limiter

[Ditchfinder]

Got some 29 x 2.2 Saguaro's in the shed I think if you need to borrow them

[weeksy]

Cool should be ace

You'd be more than welcome to jump on mate.. Roughly the end of March it'll be.

[weeksy]

Got some 29 x 2.2 Saguaro's in the shed I think if you need to borrow them

They'd potentially fit the bill lovely..... TNT ? (assuming they use the same terminology for tubeless as Vittoria lol)

[Ditchfinder]

Not sure but I certainly ran them tubeless fine - I'll have a root round in the corner of doom at the weekend

[weeksy]

Not sure but I certainly ran them tubeless fine - I'll have a root round in the corner of doom at the weekend

No rush matey, won't be needed till end of Feb earliest

[Ditchfinder]

Aye but if I don't do it now I'll forget, seniordom has fully kicked in

[cheb]

I ask as the Eurostar stops in Lille, that's why I spent a long weekend there a few years back. Not just a bike and back pack then?

Could do... but i'm struggling with why we would do it that way ? We've have to get ourselves and kit to a local station, then to Reading, Paddington, then over to St Pancras and then onto the train. By the time we've done all that, we're already in Folkestone and on the train to Calais.

Idle pondering on my part mostly, that and I like traveling by train.

[Ditchfinder]

The corner of doom only offered up 1 29x2.2 saguaro I'm afraid but let me know if you want it

[weeksy]

The corner of doom only offered up 1 29x2.2 saguaro I'm afraid but let me know if you want it

Thanks for checking matey..... Don't worry too much about it for now... we'll see.. Things with a few sets of circumstances have changed a little at the moment and priorities may have switched a bit.

[Ditchfinder]

No problem, it's not going anywhere as it's a spare - got in a 2 for 1 deal a few years back

[JamJar]

I did a an official 70km sportive that was part of the official route on a road bike. The "cobbles are brutal but on a full sus will be a piece of piss. Word of warning, Roubaix is a shit hole and don't leave anything of value on view anywhere. My mate had his wallet stolen and several bikes were nicked while we were there.

[weeksy]

I did a an official 70km sportive that was part of the official route on a road bike. The "cobbles are brutal but on a full sus will be a piece of piss. Word of warning, Roubaix is a shit hole and don't leave anything of value on view anywhere. My mate had his wallet stolen and several bikes were nicked while we were there.

Oh that's disappointing as in Wevelgem we were more than happy putting our bikes pretty much anywhere...