[moorsey72]

Ive been granted a leave pass by my better half so now in the midst of organising my mini road trip!!  Thinking i may fly to Paris early saturday morning, train to Compiegne to soak it up and ogle a few pro bikes, stay overnight and watch the start of the race.  Then train to Roubaix (via Paris) which should take about 3 hours, head into the Velodrome to watch the rest of the race on the big screen and witness the atmosphere when the winner comes in. Then few beers in Roubaix, stop in Lille or Brussels overnight before flying home, Bobs yur uncle, Jobs a good un

 

Never been before and doing it with public transport so although ive checked transport times etc, not sure if this is a good plan or my enthusiasm is overuling what common sense i have left.

Any advice or comments from those who watched the race before would be very much welcomed.

 

Cheers

Topic

[73degrees]

I went with my wife (!) last

I went with my wife (!) last year and we had a great weekend. There were large screens dotted around the course and the atmosphere was fantastic ( even for un mad cycling wifes ). One thing – take food and drink with you on race day as we found there wasnt much available on the sections of pave we went to. 

Also if you havent been before go into Lille for the evening, is an amazing town with beautiful buildings and great bars and restaurants- I can recommend the Leffe Cafe.

Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

As Yorkshire Whippet says, if

As Yorkshire Whippet says, if you can work out a way to do the sportive then it really adds to a great weekend.  I’ve watched it at the Arenberg and it’s a sight to behold, you’d need to either ride a bike or beg a lift out there for that (a lot of Brits will be driving out from the Roubaix Formula 1 and IBIS hotels) and suggest it would be worth watching it a cobbled secteur if you can.

There are a few bars in Roubaic that serve food and beer – they’re ok and will be packed on that weekend with riders/fans.

Enjoy the weekend 

[moorsey72]

Was sorely tempted to do the

Was sorely tempted to do the sportive but last minute jaunt so finances restricted(as well as ability) . Will use it as a recce in preparation for an attempt at it next year.  Thanks for the info, wetting my appetite even more now. Someone mentioned they present the riders at the start at 2pm on the Saturday? Either way, can’t wait

 

[moorsey72]

Was sorely tempted to do the

Was sorely tempted to do the sportive but last minute jaunt so finances restricted(as well as ability) . Will use it as a recce in preparation for an attempt at it next year.  Thanks for the info, wetting my appetite even more now. Someone mentioned they present the riders at the start at 2pm on the Saturday? Either way, can’t wait

 

[Yorkshie Whippet]

Teams arrive in the town

Teams arrive in the town square on Sunday morning  to sign on. Doubt they’ll  be much happening before.

The velodrome does have a large screen to watch and is an amazing atmosphere.

Am doing the sportive the day before so I’m on an organise trip with Baxters who I think also do a one night trip. Get to see most of the sign on, at least two if not more pave sectors. Before arriving in Roubaix in plenty of time for the finish. 

[Author]

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