Hell of The North

I realize that I have been pretty lax about updating the blog these past few weeks, but, ya' know, stuffs been going on. One thing that I feel I need to share is the status of the Spring Classics in the Pro Cycling series. It has been an amazing spring, with the weather doing it's part to make the famed Classics in Belgium, Italy, and France brutal and epic as ever. In addition, our teams, c'mon, I know you have been rooting for them, Slipstream-Chipotle and Astana have been making a great showing in each event.

However, those events were just the warm ups. As this weekend is the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix. The famed "Hell of The North". No other Spring race on the pro-tour has is as famous for those that haven't finished, as it is for those that have. Paris-Roubaix punishes it's riders with it's course length, traditionally cold and wet weather, and...the Pave. Pave would be French for cobblestones. Lots, and lots of cobblestones.

The course of Paris-Roubaix is legendary, and a tourist destination for cycling fans from around the world. All to see and touch for themselves the famed Pave. On foot, they walkable. Picturesque paths, hand-laid by craftsmen more than a century ago. On a bike, well...here's how one rider described a training ride on the Pave "My hands are blistered, my shoulders ache, and I can barely turn my neck…It’s awesome!". Enough said.





















Here is what the cobblestones look like to a tourist during the off-season.












Here is what these same cobblestones do to the best cyclists in the world.
















It is a Classic event. As much about history and survival, as it is about winning. If you have ever had an interest in watching a true test of man, machine, and earth, I encourage you to watch the Paris-Roubaix on April 13th. You will not be disappointed. You'll end up a fan.