Paris To Roubaix

Without a doubt, one of my favourite events on the sports calendar is Paris to Roubaix, a gruelling one-day cycling race commonly referred to as 'Hell of the North'.

Since its inception in 1896, the race started in Paris and finished in Roubaix, Belgium, only to have the starting position moved 60km north-east of Paris centre to Compiegne in 1968. The race is an annual staple of the cycling campaign and typically takes place on a mid-April weekend.

I recall vividly a year ago today, sitting in my hotel room in the Montparnasse arrondissement of Paris, plotting my means of travel to Compiegne, only to run out of time as I left my preparations short. My life is nothing if not consistent.

Having long been intrigued by cycling, I fell in love with Paris to Roubaix years ago when my friend and avid cyclist Marty let me borrow the DVD Road To Roubaix. Below is the trailer to the DVD.

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The terrain, notably the 27 cobblestone paths (setts), make the race as challenging as it is rewarding, an achievement of a lifetime for many riders, and a joke to others.

The course is maintained annually by a collective group of volunteers known as Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix who formed in 1983 to preserve the tradition of the race and ensure the quality of the course and the safety of the riders. For North Americans, it's can be difficult to fully graps the passion much of Europe has for cycling. In many of the western European nations, cycling is more than a sport, but a way of life. For the people of the North and Belgium, Paris To Roubaix is their World Cup.

This year's installment of Paris To Roubaix takes place this Sunday with American sports channel Versus providing coverage. In Canada, you won't find the race on your dial, so I suggest visiting either www.cycling.tv or www.steephill.tv for live streaming video, highlights and interviews.

Here's a wrap-up of last year's race provided by Versus.



Thanks for reading folks - I hope some of you have the chance to check-out the race, and if not, I'll be sure to post a results video as soon as it is made available.