Up Close With The Roubaix Cobbles

День тому

Up Close With The Roubaix Cobbles
In this video we ride and review the toughest sections of the 2024 Paris-Roubaix race route to find out exactly how brutal its legendary cobbles really are. We explore Roubaix's iconic pavé up close, discovering how bone shaking, teeth-chattering, and bike-breaking this surface really is!
Welcome! 0:00
What is the 2024 Paris-Roubaix race route? 0:50
Quiévy à saint-python (4-star segment) 1:32
Haveluy à Wallers (4-star segment) 4:09
Why it’s also called the “Pavé Bernard Hinault” 4:47
Why is the crown of the road the best place to ride over cobbles? 5:37
Why this sector is the decisive point 6:15
Bumping into the “Amis de Roubaix” 6:29
Trouée d’Arenberg (5-star segment) 7:25
Checking out Arenberg’s old, iconic railway bridge 9:06
Why is this segment not in the women’s route? 10:02
Chances of winning 10:32
Pont Gibus (3-star segment) 11:03
Where does the “Pont Gibus” name come from? 11:49
Mons-en-pévèle (4-star segment) 12:20
90-degree left turn halfway through the segment 13:18
Carrefour de L’Arbre (4-star segment) 14:32
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Which of these Roubaix segments would you love to ride? 🪨
Let us know in the comments 💬
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📹 We Rode Cobbles Too Rough For Paris-Roubaix! 👉 • We Rode Cobbles Too Ro...
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Rise - Hampus Naeselius
Running Into - Ooyy
She Bled Again - Heyson
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The Red Mirage - Eden Avery
#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #parisroubaix #roubaix #cobblestone
📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sirotti Images
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КОМЕНТАРІ: 144

@gcn Місяць тому

Would you ever take on the Paris-Roubaix cobbles? 🪨

@tmill2001 Місяць тому

Absolutely and I wouldn't take the Lance Armstrong line on the edge either!!

@ridercanada1 Місяць тому

I would do one 5 star sector followed closely by a few Belgian triples.

@paulgrimshaw8334 Місяць тому

No. I can think of any number of third world roads with better climate and scenery.

@Z-u-m-a Місяць тому

Would give it a go, but on the old hard-tail MTB

@benclarke2754 Місяць тому

Yup, riding them in May!! 👍🏽

@richardhasler6718 Місяць тому

In 1990 I cycled across what was then East Germany, just after the Berlin wall had fallen. The roads were almost non-stop cobbles and when I arrived in Berlin, I had numb hands for 3 days!

@gcn Місяць тому

Ouch! Sounds like you learned the hard way - Would you avoid cobbles now?

@dh7314 Місяць тому

That sounds like an incredible adventure though.

@richardhasler6718 Місяць тому

@@gcn Hmm, that was nearly 34 years ago, on an old ex Post Office bike with rod brakes. If I crashed then, I got up and kept riding. These days I don't fall quite so gracefully or get up so quickly. Thank God for the decent tyres and bikes we have today, even if the roads in the UK are still awful! Germany now has some superb roads and is almost equal to Holland for cycling pleasure.

@kirkhowe4251 Місяць тому

😮ù

@mommamooney Місяць тому

That’s really cool. Not the numb hands bit, but being there for that bit of history

@andrewluneau3193 Місяць тому

I still can't get over how much bigger Connor's bike is 😂

@Frostbiker Місяць тому

And the wheels look so tiny! Except they are the same size as everybody else's.

@snras4927 Місяць тому

especially since he is cycling in the middle where the road is higher compared to the ditch where Hank is cycling.

@GordonHadler Місяць тому

I rode the tourist edition (offered every two years by the Velo Club Roubaix), fell in love with the course, came back two more times and then became a member of "Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix". Without the efforts of these volunteers, the course wouldn´t stay the same. Of course, it´s always a challenge and sometimes dangerous to ride there, but these women and men do so much to make it safer for all riders, being pro or amateur.

@flageolett Місяць тому

For amateurs they offer the Paris-Roubaix-Challenge the day before the men's race. If you take the longest option (180km) you can experience all raceready prepared pavees of the men's race and finish in the stadion. I did it last year. Its a truely boneshaking sensation for serious cylists! Highly recomended as long as the weather ist dry.

@sedirik Місяць тому

Unnecessary experience...Thanks. I love my bike and dont have unlimited budget.

@michaelseifert5716 Місяць тому

@@sedirik I did the ride too and it's really an experience which is great. The unlimited budget was only stretched because of two punctures because I rolled with too high pressure. Once it was lowered I rode through all of the remaining sectors without breaking anything. And I love my bike too, btw. Best was that you're allowed to shower in the velodrome after the race. It's a cyclist's knighting to take a shower there.

@sedirik Місяць тому

@@michaelseifert5716 I see your points but I m more referring the (possible) long term damages on the frame. The invisible (possible) cracks on the frame, in microns basically, would retire the bike sooner than expected... Don't need to mention the loose bots or joints either. A proper mechanic should check the bike after such shaky rides. and lets be honest, they dont make durable bikes anymore.

@joren7653 Місяць тому

@@sedirik Luckily the bike industry collapsed, so you can pick up a new frame cheaper haha

@redfishingboat Місяць тому

This vid gave me so many feels. The romance of 120 years of history made so very, very real. Great work, lads.

@bikeskimawk670 Місяць тому

Connor, Hank, you two “ROCK”.😂

@78James Місяць тому

10:15 Man taking his log for a walk

@Grizzrock Місяць тому

I've noticed recently that you guys aren't big users of cycling gloves in your videos. Is there a reason for that? I imagine some gel padding would help cushion some of the vibrations on the cobbles

@mariusorcsik Місяць тому

I feel like you guys need to bring back the Oreo system of measuring the roughness of cobbles.

@tomaszsosnowski9279 29 днів тому

Streets in Warsaw, Poland have some terrifying coble sections, there are numerous downhill and uphill streets that make these sections look like a leisure ride. These french cobbles are pretty flat and the soil is creating an almost even surface. In Warsaw cobbles are convex, arched like a cat's back.

@artiegorash Місяць тому

Love the prince of Persia soundtrack in the background haha.

@Aeronwor Місяць тому

That looks just like my local bike path.

@frankling9840 Місяць тому

Looks like our main A roads

@alinapopescu872 Місяць тому

I recognise both the local bikepaths, and the main roads.

@marcs0417 Місяць тому

There was an entrance from Grand Central Station to the Roosevelt Hotel. You can find it at the end of the corridor between tracks 38 and 39.

@cruachan1191 Місяць тому

There's an old cobbled bridge on the NCN path near my house with a large "Cyclists Dismount" sign on it. Have occasionally cycled over it if no one is around, but it's absolutely miserable and it's less than 100m. Cycling at pro speeds for those distances on cobbles blows my mind.

@grumbazor Місяць тому

Funfact, in my country "cyclists dismount" signs exit but they are not mentioned in traffic laws. So they are not traffic signs and you can just keep riding.

@johndoiron9615 Місяць тому

I'm glad that Peacock carries this race in America.

@gcn Місяць тому

It's going to be a great race! Always is 🙌

@mommamooney Місяць тому

They do???

@johndoiron9615 Місяць тому

@@mommamooneyYes, both the women's on Saturday and the men's on Sunday.

@roadyeti3697 Місяць тому

Yeah, I sent Peacock a big Thank You. Plus, was pleased to find A McCrossen and H Walker as commentators. Flo is sh*t and WB/Disc can go..well, you know what...themselves

@johndoiron9615 Місяць тому

@@roadyeti3697LOL

@MrRamanPP 10 днів тому

It's almost comical how tall Connor is to Hank when they ride side by side. Looks like he's riding a penny farthing! 😂

@andyshaw5378 Місяць тому

Great video. Where can I watch the race on TV ??

@guillaume_tca Місяць тому

Look a lot more smooth then when I was growing and cycling in belgium, 20 years ago. Those tractors and the mud is making as smooth as a gravel trail.

@joriszsz95 Місяць тому

It looks smooth on camera or tv, but its far from smooth

@seancowlam9818 Місяць тому

Nothing prepares you for these cobbles. I thought UK roads with all the pot holes were bad or even riding Michaelgate in Lincoln but, trust me, these are like riding on a silk carpet compared to those 5* sectors. Having said that it takes days to wipe the smile off your face once you’ve done it. Only bettered by watching the actual races at the roadside. Bonkers

@danieljames1 Місяць тому

Connor was making me a nervous wreck from holding the bars with only one hand and talking with the other hand 😂

@MrEL28 29 днів тому

These cobblestones might be a good reason to use 28mm or wider tires and run sub-75psi tire pressure, because you'll easily get pinch flats with narrower tires at lower pressure. Even then, I'm told the cobblestones are supper slippery when wet.

@Arthur-ns4yh Місяць тому

As a frenchman i can't get over the fact that there is a sector dedicated to Hinault. The man hated that race and said it multiple times..

@davezzzz172 Місяць тому

I assume that the path on the right of the picture (@ 8:50) is closed on race day. Otherwise, that's definitely where you'd want to be!

@mildpandemic3944 Місяць тому

Yeah, they fence it off or plough it up so the riders have to stay on the cobbles.

@davidagudelo9223 Місяць тому

Chuck Norris rode this route to get to school. It is now called Paris Roubaix.

@stevehughes975 Місяць тому

I did it 35 years ago. 7 punctures, fell twice. Never again😂

@GrantBrown73 Місяць тому

No suspension this time round?

@davidhakes5141 Місяць тому

I've a number of crotch jackhammering riding surfaces, where I live. Some with loose large gravel, then there are the rumble strips along the sides of the road, which for some reason, my bike seems to be magnetically drawn to. There's, also a lot of busted up concrete, and asphalt, to make you wish your bike was four wheel drive. And potholes, and potholes, and more potholes.

@gcn Місяць тому

Do you make sure you ride all of them this time of year? In honor of the great race 🙌

@davidhakes5141 Місяць тому

@@gcn If I do, I'll need to stock up on tires and balm. I'm on a mountain bike with road tires, Blackburn brand, which have been good to me, so far. I get them at Walmart, pretty cheap. I bike on a budget, so, I can't go for the expensive rigs, and whatnots, that y'all can.

@roadyeti3697 Місяць тому

Do you live in Salt Lake City too? My own private PR commute to work in the morn

@davidhakes5141 Місяць тому

@@roadyeti3697 No, I live in western Kentucky. I've never been any farther west of our Land Between The Lakes area. I don't know what kind of riding surfaces you have, but being that you're in that northern latitudes, I'd say the winter weather can really destroy y'all's roads, and trails.

@_Tp___ Місяць тому

Is it just me or did someone mix the audio weirdly for this video?

@debidi1461 Місяць тому

Its phasing yeah

@irfuel Місяць тому

Same here, and it's not the first time.

@alinapopescu872 Місяць тому

I wish them ALL, men and women, a SAFE RACE. In the light of recent events, I can't wish them anything other than to get to the finish line safely.

@jascollinscork Місяць тому

Great video guys BUT surprised ye didn’t go to velodrome 🤔😢

@StefNMusic Місяць тому

They did in the video from the other day 😊

@glennicol1361 Місяць тому

It must be super hard on the bike!

@LaurentGloaguen Місяць тому

For your information, the sign on the right at 9:15 says “Interdit de monter sur le pont. Danger.” (No climbing on the bridge. Danger.). 😂

@pompeymonkey3271 Місяць тому

I thought there is going to be a chicane before Arenberg this year?

@user-gb3kq3yj4v Місяць тому

There is.

@stevenagy7152 Місяць тому

Let’s see Connor ride these on his 36er, it would seem to take some of the sting out of those bumps.

@jamesmckenzie3532 Місяць тому

Wonder which Hank found harder, the cobbles or the paths he rode in Pima County?

@stevocanuck Місяць тому

what psi should riders be using in this race? If its a low psi for the cobbles, what about the flats that they have to ride on?

@gcn Місяць тому

hi, thanks for the comment! The pressure is very personal to each rider depending on their weight, tyre choice, tyre width and more! We've got more information on the bikes used in Paris-Roubaix here www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/tech/news 👍

@user-xw2cu1dn1y Місяць тому

Nice 😅

@grumbazor Місяць тому

And then there is me, avoiding cobble at all cost because of fear to break my bike

@ebikescrapper3925 Місяць тому

Most roads have turned into cobbles due to potholes

@marekczarnecki5388 Місяць тому

So I'm watching this and all I can think of is the episode of The Simpsons where they are watching NASCAR and getting disappointed each time a deadly crash ... is avoided.

@troycollett8540 Місяць тому

Different approach to arenberg this year as there will be a chicane prior to the entry

@gcn Місяць тому

do you think it is a good or bad thing?

@troycollett8540 Місяць тому

@@gcn could mean there will be a fight for position before the chicane

@bobcherrypie5436 Місяць тому

From eurosport footage, the chicane is a u turn with a metal barrier in the middle..... 🤦‍♂️

@wspmjw Місяць тому

Why is this video not on GCN Racing channel?

@Jari1973 Місяць тому

If a wider tire is faster.. every competitor should ride there at least 35mm.. You could make a video about it, why doesn't everyone drive with those wide tires??

@irfuel Місяць тому

Doesn't fit the frames + there is a lot of non-cobble sectors too.

@Jari1973 Місяць тому

@@irfuel Nowadays 35 mm is suitable? But, for example, GCN has tested that on a smooth surface, a 35 mm tire is a bit faster than a 28 mm one.. so why do you ride with 28 mm tires??

@irfuel Місяць тому

@@Jari1973Depends on the bike. A lot of aero bikes have a max of 32

@lifted_above Місяць тому

Not without some front suspension. No way. Wouldn't need much, maybe 3/4 to 1-1/4 inches, something like a Lauf Seigla or Specialized Roubaix with Future Shock.

@miguelcpt Місяць тому

Goof effort

@mommamooney Місяць тому

How many punctures did the boys get during filming this? Lost bike parts?

@PepeDalinShow Місяць тому

I still don't get why anyone on a road bike would ride on those cobbles. It's like riding on a very long rumble strips. And I hate those rumble strips. Lol

@bikebudha01 Місяць тому

tubeless + 40mm tires + 35psi = makes is smooth sailing...

@dominicbritt Місяць тому

Sort out those internal cables GCN…

@DailyRunRide Місяць тому

An aspect I consistently remind myself of is the rampant doping among professional riders, leaving them disoriented and disconnected from reality, let alone aware of the cobblestones beneath their wheels. Cycling resembles the tale of the boy who cried wolf - their credibility has been tarnished, and trust in their word has dwindled to almost nothing. 😊

@stevocanuck Місяць тому

i feel like these races are ridiculously long. Why 4-5 hours?? 2 hours is reasonable for a race

@christophermee5214 Місяць тому

Best place to watch a bike race is on the tv. You can see all the race. Unlike if you stand on a bridge for 20 minutes

@tongotongo3143 Місяць тому

The best is to race and win. What’s the reason to watch it either on tv or on the bridge?

@buzzman4860 Місяць тому

Hank looks solid on the cobbles. Connor not so much.

@roldo5902 Місяць тому

Gravel bike…

@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589 Місяць тому

Do they sweep the cow sh!t off them beforehand?

@troycollett8540 Місяць тому

Goat shit

@kevinbourke4038 Місяць тому

Would feel very similar to being kicked in the balls. IMHO. - not pleasant at all. - 😢 😢 on the other hand, some folk would perhaps derive some kind of enjoyment riding cobbles with no respect for their balls, let alone respect for their bicycles. 😮 😮 Life is full of situations where we have to weigh up risks versus pleasure. Bit like getting married.

@gcn Місяць тому

what a statement! 😂

@frankling9840 Місяць тому

No thanks, i have to pay for my own kit

@eleycki Місяць тому

Why is the woman’s race sooo short? It’s hardly a Roubaix title at that distance. It doesn’t seem fair at all.

@graymcmic1419 Місяць тому

Because 'equality'

@boriss.861 Місяць тому

GCN Pixies & Elves as you give speeds and distances in Metric. Please give them in Imperial as well for those parts of the world that use Miles and Mph as well. As a mile is much longer than a kilometre by 609.34395 metres

@ridercanada1 Місяць тому

How many countries still use imperial???

@johnwestwell2241 Місяць тому

The race distance is measured in km, and everyone racing will track their speeds in km/h. Converting distances to miles is completely unnecessary.

@keatb3129 Місяць тому

Cycling is always measured in metric. Only USA and UK use imperial for road measurements and most UK cyclists can work in metric.

@roadyeti3697 Місяць тому

@@ridercanada1 Right? Cause math is hard🤭

@tongotongo3143 Місяць тому

In order to ride fast on these cobbles the tires have to be as narrow as possible and tire pressure has to be as high as possible, because the “secret” to ride fast is to ride on the very top surface of cobbles. Even though wider tires with lower pressure provides relatively softer ride, they bounce up too much and additionally with increased resistance of wider tires all this doesn’t allow to be fast. And being slow on these cobbles decreases speed even more because then you can’t even ride on the very upper surface. We hear lots of nonsense on UKposts these days. The interview of ex elite professional Russian racer opened my eyes about reality of these races.

@marcuswills6569 Місяць тому

🤣🤣🤣

@irfuel Місяць тому

ex pro Russian racer. He probably also claimed to be 100% natural for his entire career :D

@joystation1 Місяць тому

Skinny tyres at high pressure are only faster on glass smooth road surfaces, wide tyres at low pressures are faster. Soft pressures allow the tyre to deform as it hits a bump, so absorbing a lot of the energy in the impact, the bike frame will absorb some energy and the rider's arms and legs act as a natural dampers (why many people call a vehicle's dampers "shock absorbers" or "shocks" for short.

@tongotongo3143 Місяць тому

Deformation is loss of energy and is stopping the movement forward, yes it may feels kind of smoother but that’s it. This wide tire “superiority” and propaganda is the same nonsense as riding in a zone two in order to get faster:)…

@roadyeti3697 Місяць тому

We can tell you've never been there 🙄🤭

@xtrailz Місяць тому

I don't like cobbles. They're course and rough and irritating.

@gcn Місяць тому

very true! but a sense of accomplishment awaits at the end!

@marktricklebank7400 Місяць тому

Wtf is parvay.😂

@joystation1 Місяць тому

The word is pavé (pronounced pah vay), basically French for cobbled streets.

@ohjajohh Місяць тому

Please do some research on how to pronounce "Bernard" in French

@tankareno Місяць тому

One aspect I always keep in mind is that pro riders are doped to the gills and don't know what planet they are on, much less they are riding on cobbles. Cycling is like the little boy that cried wolf. Nobody believes them anymore.

@pompeymonkey3271 Місяць тому

FO then

@johnwestwell2241 Місяць тому

@@pompeymonkey3271 Seconded.

@andrasszabo1570 Місяць тому

Why do you make up this shit? They aren't taking mushrooms or LSD...

@graymcmic1419 Місяць тому

@@pompeymonkey3271 Why so angry? It's the truth, cycling is dirty and rigged.