Paris Roubaix is the meeting point where all cyclists can congregate. Truly it is the broad church of cycling brought together for one day. It strikes an accord with riders on different levels.
More than any other race this is the one where people just can't fathom why they do it, let alone how. Maybe because within the Race there is an element that all 'cyclists' can identify with, could that be a reason to it's mass appeal.
The Distance at around 260 km it is truly epic. This is enough to cause me to doff my cap, especially at the average speed it is run out at. Although the race lacks any great climbs George Hincapie says that the one day race is as tough as a three week tour. The culprit for this is the the terrain and not just the fact that this race has more cobbles than any other. What also needs to be taken into account is the fact that the roads and farm tracks the race are run over are exposed and open to any prevailing wind.
Over recent editions it has been dust and searing heat that have created it's own influences over the race. 2001 was epic, with riders looking like battle worn trench soliders. Servais Knaven won on that day and the finish photo is ingrained in the memory of any cyclist that has seen it.
The next year, 02, brought the Lion of Flanders his last win. I remember being at the start and the weather was warm, but by no means barmy. After 100 km comes the first section of cobbles and with it a drop in temperature with the dark menacing clouds brooding on the horizon. This was the year that Boonen showed what was to come. For George it was probaby his best chance of a win, but he would see it fade away due to collasping into a ditch on a cobbled section.
The handling skills required for this race is above and beyond what is required for a normal road race. The Mountain biker or Cross racer will marvel at the exploits as the top guys hit 40+ km over famous sections like the Forest of Arenburgh. Take into the account that the widest tyre is normally a 27 mm slick tyre, it shows how good these guys are.
The melting pot I refer to is because of the epic nature of this race it has an appeal to ALL cyclists. When I watched my first Roubaix back in the early nineties I was a dedicated MTB rider and hadn't thrown a leg over a 'racer' since I was a kid. Times change and my burning flames of passion is firmly alright for the 'skinny wheeled world' as my friend Chris would say. Roubaix was the race that convinced me road bikes were cool, a thing that is hard to define, but you know it once you have found it.
