Paris - Roubaix Sportive

which rolex was Arvy wearing?

All of them.

Eurotunnel booked £170 return.
Enjoying all the stories and tales!

Was it ok booking you bike on?

I’ve gone Eurotunnel not Eurostar. They have a bike carrying option to tick.
I’d be interested in knowing about Eurostar as I might do a day trip reccy.

Ride steel bikes and forks if you have them.

When I started cycling (1991) I lived near Oudenaarde and the northern "secteurs" (Carrefour de l'Arbre, Hem, Cysoing) appeared regularly on my longer runs... untill alu bikes and carbon forks appeared. They really killed my appetite for cobbles. When I started riding steel vintage bikes again a couple of years ago, I accidentally hit a cobbled road near Tournai and it was like someone ironed the bumps out of it (even riding only 23's).

Reading this thread makes me lusting after doing the P-R sportive too...

Ah good one - sorry didn't read 'tunnel'!

Back from my winter training camp of sorts haha.
I’m now starting to think about attire, I don’t really own much cycling clothing.
I’m guessing it’s a bit of pack everything and see how it is on the morning!?
Tempted to invest in arm warmers and a gilet as weather seems like it can vary massively

It also starts bloody early. I started wearing knee warmers, arm warmers and gilet and was cold but then stripped bits off during the ride.

True! My kit bag at the moment isn’t very extensive so need to think about how to best expand it.
The feed stations what are they like? Only my dad will be driving ahead, wondering how practical it will be to meet him at them!?

As for "investing" in arm warmers, the ones from Decathlon are adequate. Only £10. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-cycling-arm-warmers-id_8315506.html

Maybe pay a visit to the biggest Decathlon in the world:

https://goo.gl/maps/PKq1Pvs8Ae72

Made some essential purchases;
New Winter Tights
New Bib Shorts
Arm Warmers/ screens

Hutchinson Sector 28’s tubeless

Still to get; Chain catcher

Still can’t decide about a gilet. I got the Rapha classic for £50 in the sale, just unsure how much use I’ll get out of it generally....?

Take something lightweight and insulated. It's a very early start.

Think it’d be too warm for Pro team training jacket with a baselayer?
Kind of my go to piece of kit.

I bought a ticket for the 145 length but sadly won’t be able to go. If anyone is after a ticket give me a shout!

Any tips on doing it fixed I’m thinking of giving it a go

Don't stop pedalling

Pmd you martin

Fair point! Did you notice there were any particular bits that you wished you had gears for

Not at all really. Went for about 78" from memory

How much training did you do before hand?

It's pretty flat. Last time I did it in 16 there was 3500 feet of climbing in the 108 miles. L9ve the way every goes for the full cobbles experience but by sector 4 you are looking for any rideable surface going off the cobbles!

Back this year with my club. Then just to punish myself doing the Paris Marathon the next day. Think that might hurt....

It's getting close to decision time and I keep wavering on tyre choice I have both of these and can't decide which to go with;
Vittoria Open Pave 27's or Hutchinson Sector 28's tubeless

Paves in the wet, Sectors if dry.