Paris Roubaix Sportive?

Take a mini pump, if C02 fails you've a back up then.

Just bought this thread related artwork...

http://postercabaret.com/ghostsoftheparisroubaixbydianasudyka.aspx

Take a mini pump, if C02 fails you've a back up then.

1. I don't understand people using CO2
   
2. I really don't understand people using CO2 when they've not used it before
   
   

Waste of metal. Mini-pump ftw

Climbers' tape wrapped round your hands under mitts. Worked wonderfully for me.

Don't wear expensive brand new bib shorts. That didn't work so well when I came off and holed them.

Learn to swear in Italian.

Save something for the sprint in the velodrome.

Carry things in pockets and as little as possible on the bike. Bottle cages, saddle packs, pumps etc litter the cobbled sections.

Definately take a mini pump, I expoded a CO2 inflator at the weekend borrowed someone elses to fill my tube then 'fixed' it in the evening. Punctured the next day and inflator never worked so had to resort to a pump, would of been crewed if I never had it!

We didn't think the 260k version was enough so added an extra 15k by riding to the start.
Averaged 32kph for the first 100k making the most of a big bunch, although I struggled here.
It pissed down during a big thunderstorm in the middle, cobbles were epic (and wet) although thanks to either different bike position or the 'fingers together' tip from Continental Dave I was moving quite quickly over them. I was knackered and left the other three guys at the last control to fend for myself (solo breakaway ftw!). Ride time was just over 9 hours.

Some dirt + some sun =

Thanks for the well wishes guys. Lost a bottle on the first section. Got dehydrated during the middle and started to cramp. Sorted that out with lots of bananas, chocolate and drinking. Powered home at the end to leave myself in a shell shocked state after sprinting against a random on the drome. One p*nct*re after riding down the side of some early cobbles.. RIGHT before the rain started to fall and just after me saying "I think this is going down" and then dismissing the idea until we went to leave..
As per Grupetto rules, we were the last ones to go to bed on all nights and obviously drank the most.
Big thanks to Ricky, Wayne, Tom, Dave, Rob, James and the Baxters.

Epic e-pic. Well done!

the cobbles affect people in different ways…

CO2 FTW - 2 punctures and not used it before. However it worked and was quick and convenient. Stopped me having to store a mini pump on top of tubes etc....

Ride time was approx 8 hours - did the Bohain shorter version - all the fun of the cobbles but missing the first 40 miles. Met up with an Aussie, Adrian, top bloke who declared early on that he was cycling/suffering at his own pace. Did the same and got through the ride in a reasonable state of discomfort.

Full report to follow as today is 40th birthday!

Fucking hell I need a haircut.

and a bigger beer.

Anyone else's fingers feel like someone tried to pull them apart at the joint?

can't seem to get photos to post...sorry

This guy rode it fixed. Fuck yeah! Nutter.

He looks like a bee.

No he doesn't.

He looks like a B.

I didn't know you swung that way, Oli. And doing Paris Roubaix on a fixie must make him at least an A-.

Nhat - yes! I had a finger on my left hand that I thought I'd broken, but not.

However, it came third after the feeling that my bollocks had been punched repeatedly and my kidneys trashed...

Nice 1 folks.

Yeah, well done everybody!

where's your grupetto jersey Nhatt?
:-)

Yeah, I was thinking that I look to clean in this picture.

I'll try and post up the one from me actually riding, but I don't ride for Grupetto, I ride for Brixton.

Finally finished my side of the story, officer...
Paris Roubaix Ride Report