Paris-Roubaix amateur route

What it is

The Paris-Roubaix Challenge is the amateur version of the most brutal one-day race in cycling. Held the day before the pro race in mid-April, the long route is roughly 170 km from Busigny to the Roubaix Velodrome, covering 27 of the same 29 cobble sectors as the professionals (only the final two are missed for logistical reasons).

Terrain

The terrain itself is almost entirely flat — total elevation gain is only around 1100 m across the full distance. The challenge is the cobbles. The five-star sectors — Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and the Carrefour de l'Arbre — are sections of farm road that have not been maintained since the 19th century. The stones are loose, the gaps between them are ankle-deep, and the dust or mud (depending on the year) is unforgettable.

History

Paris-Roubaix has been raced since 1896. The amateur Challenge began in 2011 and quickly attracted around 6,000 riders annually. Finishing inside the Roubaix Velodrome — even at amateur speed — is the closest most cyclists will ever get to the feeling of a professional finish line.

Tips

Tyres matter more than fitness here. Run 28 to 32 mm tubeless if you can; lower pressure than usual; consider double tape on the bars. Eat heavily before the first cobble sector at km 95. Drop your hands to the tops on the cobbles — gripping the drops will leave you shaking by the end. There is no shame in riding the grass verge on the worst sectors.

Best time

The Challenge is held on the Saturday of Paris-Roubaix weekend in mid-April. The route is rideable any time of year; local clubs from Lille run cobble rides on weekends most of the year.