Paris Roubaix (aka the Hell of the North)

The Chainstay is based out of Oudenaarde, so the group would be meeting there the next morning to go watch Paris Roubaix.  We decided it would be easiest to just stay in Oudenaarde the nights before and after the race, so we headed there by train on Saturday morning.  Oudenaarde is the cycling hub of Belgium.  There are cyclists everywhere.  Also in Oudenaarde is the Tour of Flanders Museum, so we wanted to make sure we got to see it.  After checking into our hotel, we headed to the cafe attached to the museum to eat some lunch.  The food was really good and they had a decent beer selection.  After we finished up our meal we toured the museum which finishes up in the gift shop.  Amy had been waiting to do some shopping for cool cycling gear in the gift shop and I just thought it would be fun to check out.  We both ended up doing quite a bit of damage to our credit cards, but it was well worth it.  I almost didn't buy the long sleeve RVV jersey but Amy made a good point when she said "When will you be in Flanders again?"

Fleece lined RVV jersey

Flanders lion jersey

After the museum we did some wandering around town, ate some dinner, and bought some food to snack on.  We had a big day the next day so we turned in early.  The next morning we wet meeting Gregg and the rest of the crew by the museum.  We had a big group, I think around 30 of us, so Gregg had rented a big bus for our transportation to see the race.  Our first viewing spot was the 18th cobble section.  We had some time to explore our viewing area before the riders came by.  Near the entrance to the cobbled area there was food vendors, race related vendors, and a beer garden.  There was also plenty of entertainment just watching all of the spectators.   People brought out grills and all kinds of feasts to eat while waiting.  Although the started kicking everyone off the road they let a guy pretending to be a cyclist (sans bike) stay.  I guess you just have to be entertaining.  We saw lots of national rivalry with some Belgians heckling anyone wearing gear from teams that were not from their home country.

Looking back to the entrance to section 18

So many people dressed up

Part of the entertainment: guy pretending to be a cyclist

We knew the cyclist would be coming soon

Soon there were official cars and team cars so we knew it wouldn't be long.  When the riders did come they were going so fast it was impossible for me to tell who was who.  There was a pretty steady stream of riders and then some stragglers near the back mixed in with the cars.

First guys arriving

Fabian with the rest of the peloton behind

As you can see in these photos, all the guys were staying on the cobbles despite the fact that in this area we were in (which was right before the grass had been rototilled) there was some nice grass.  In order to get a photos I was leaning out over the fence so I could get my phone in a better position.  Near the end of the peloton some of the guys decided they would rather ride on the grass...

Oh hello

At least I didn't drop my phone or cause him to fall!

And another one!

The guys in the back had to deal with the cars

Once all the riders had passed, we went back to our bus as fast as possible so we could get to the Roubaix Velodrome in time for the finish.  We had some great timing and ended up getting to see part of the race that went along the freeway, including seeing Tom Boonen bridge the gap between the peloton and the breakaway group.

Team cars passing over the freeway

Here comes Tom Boonen

Tom almost reaching the breakaway

Peloton behind

By the time we reached the velodrome it was already packed.  Gregg had given us some great beta to go around the velodrome bleachers to the far side where it was less crowded and you could see the finish line.  Although there was a screen for us to watch and they were announcing what was going on over the loudspeaker it was all in French (which none of us knew).  We ended up asking the Eurovision crew behind us what was going on.

Roubaix Velodrome

Niki Terpstra making a solo lap around the velodrome before the finish

Niki Terpstra for the win (center of the photo)

Cancellara, Boonen, Wiggins, Sagan, and others entering the velodrome

Making a loop of the velodrome

Greg LeMond

 When we got up to leave we realized Greg LeMond was right behind us commentating for Eurosport.  We then made our way through the crowds, team busses, and even the riders to find our bus back to Oudenaarde.  Some of the riders had no idea where their team busses were and were asking the spectators if they knew.  The guys were really dirty and beat up from their day on the cobbles.

Once we were back in Oudenaarde we had another lovely evening at the Chainstay with Gregg and the rest of the group.  They had prepared a feast of hamburgers, frites, salads, beer, and wine.  As we ate we watched the race on TV since we hadn't seen most of what happened during the day.  I wish I had some photos of everyone at Gregg's house.  You can probably find photos from the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix on their website or facebook page.  If you have any interest in seeing the races I highly recommend going with the Chainstay!

Of course the only photo at the Chainstay is of their
 dog, Belle, an adorable English Cocker Spaniel