So, you’ve signed up for the Paris-Roubaix Challenge (either you lost a bet or a well-meaning friend signed you up, and now you can’t back out…).
Maybe you’re passing through the North, on a cycling pilgrimage in Flanders, and itching to test yourself on the local cobbled sectors? Fancy checking out the « humor » of Belgian pavés or ranking the smoothest ones? (Spoiler: you might not be so laughing at belgian jokes anymore after being shaken like a rag doll.)
But let’s be real—there’s such a legend around these brutal stones that, honestly, it’s kinda intimidating.
Now, what if I told you there are a few tricks to make riding them a little less painful? Notice I said less painful, not painless—because let’s face it, cobbles hit hard no matter what.
So, if you’re still up for the challenge despite this not-so-reassuring introduction, here are 7 solid tips to help you survive the Hell of the North! 🚴♂️🔥
💡 The oh so OBVIOUS tip 💡
Don’t ride on cobbles. 🤡
Yeah, I mean… kinda obvious, right? But let’s be real—if you skip it, you’ll always wonder what it’s like. And trust me, you’ll suffer more from not trying at least once in your life. 😉
1/ First REAL Tip: Ride on the High Line!
The first I rode on the cobbles I had this impression to ride on a massive, scaly monster. Yep, in my mind, the cobbles = dragon scales. You see where I’m going with this, right?
So here’s the deal, dera reader: if you want to ride the cobbles like a boss, just imagine you’re balancing on the spine of a giant dragon. 🐉🐉
And as the fearless hero (or heroine 🦸♂️) that you are, your mission is to stay on its back as long as possible. Because if you slip… well, you’ll either get swallowed by the flames of hell (cue evil laugh 👿) or, more realistically, faceplant into the muddy roadside. And honestly, that’s pretty much the same thing.
For the More Rational Minds 🧐
Okay, for those who prefer facts over fantasy, here’s the real reason: Over time, cars have compressed the cobbles at the edges, forming a slight ridge in the center of the road. That’s where you want to ride—the high line—because those stones are the least worn down. Tighter, more even, better grip. Stick to the middle, and you’ll have a smoother, more stable ride with less bone-rattling turbulence. 🚴♂️💨
2/ Activate Rocket Mode! 🚀🚀
In other words, enter fast and keep up the pace!
Whatever you do, DO NOT brake as you enter a cobbled sector. Keep your momentum, trust me, the cobbles will slow you down naturally.
Surprisingly, the faster you go over the cobbles, the more stable you become. By maintaining a good pace, your bike will stay on the high part of the road (remember tip #1), and you’ll avoid shaking like a mad person. 🕺
Now, what hurts is knowing that the pros zoom through at 45-50 km/h, while you’re maxing out at 15 km/h… So yeah, you’re probably spending three times longer suffering than they are. 🫣
I know, your ego takes a hit, dear rider! But let’s be honest, on the cobbles, pride has no place. So stash it in your musette, your socks, or your cap, and most importantly—don’t slow down!
And hey, at VERA, we believe there are no small feats. Every cyclist is a hero, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro! 💙
Oh, and just so you know, to make you feel better—some say you don’t get shaken any more on cobbles than you would on rocky mountain trails. So if you nail this, maybe it’s time to try your hand at enduro! 😉
3/ Look Ahead! 👀👀
Stop focusing on the potential holes and obstacles in your path. Instead, try to look far ahead to maintain stability. If you start staring at every gap (and there will be plenty), your brain 🧠 will freak out and wonder whether you’ll make it through each one.
Here’s the thing: IT ALWAYS PASSES.
So, lock your gaze on the horizon and trust the process…
Easier said than done, right? Sure. But wasn’t this your chance to disconnect your brain? Well, NOW is the time! Honestly, between you and me, you’ll get shaken up so much that a few brain cells will probably give up anyway. 😎
4/ Adopt the Right Position and let it bounce! 🏀
First things first: for a more comfortable ride, keep your hands at the top of the handlebars. Keeping them on the brake levers or down low will mess with your control and handling.
Next up, to absorb the bumps, don’t grip the handlebars too tightly and make sure to bend your arms. In short, you need to let the bike bounce with you, maintaining a loose yet controlled grip on the handlebars.
To find the right balance, young Cobble Burner, always search for the perfect mix of flexibility and firmness. It’s a lot like life, actually. 😉
And while you’re absorbing the shocks up front, don’t forget about your back. Yes, it’s great to avoid locking your forearms, but protecting your lower back is important too! The trick is to stay slightly suspended on your saddle, not fully seated. It’s a position halfway between being on the drops and lounging on your couch (wait, this cycling stuff is getting complicated! 😬). Forget about spinning—to hold this position, you’ll need to pedal with a bit more force than usual, but hey, you’re a champion, right? 💪🏻
5/ Don’t Skimp on Protection Layers!
If you don’t want to wake up with nasty blisters the next day, don’t hesitate to wear cycling gloves with gel padding on your palms. And for extra comfort, consider doubling up your bar tape—it might seem like a small thing, but trust me, an extra layer can make all the difference.
And since prevention is better than cure, stock up on some Compeed before you head out! You never know—if a blister pops up, you’ll be glad you have those magical patches on hand! And if not, you can always share them with your friends who didn’t read our expert advice. 😉
Lastly, what works for your hands works for your behind too! 🍑 Forget about shorts without protection or tiny chamois pads—if you want to stack the odds in your favor, go for a quality bib shorts.
I’d love to throw in another one of my incredible metaphors to describe what your pressure points (all of them) might feel like, but I think you’re good this time. 😇
6/ Adapt Your Gear
Here, I’m not telling you to change your bike, my friend! (even though you’re looking for a great excuse to buy a new one) But if you’re about to take on a cobbled sector, you’ll need to prep your gear. Rolling in unprepared sounds fun for about 5 minutes, but I’ve got a feeling that after a few kilometers of cobbles on a rusty bike, the vibe will be a whole lot less cheerful. So, check your bike ⚙️ and, if possible, make a few adjustments.
To handle the vibrations, the best option is to roll with wider, slightly underinflated tires. If you can, go for tubeless tires or at least pack extra inner tubes. I don’t want to jinx you 🍀, but flat tires are pretty common on the cobbles. A multi-tool will also come in handy for tightening things up on the go: saddle, handlebars, stem, and water bottle cage will probably need a little TLC.
Speaking of bottles, just a heads-up, I’ve heard that it’s better not to fill them to the top. Apparently, they have a nasty habit of escaping during your ride. Well, honestly, who can blame them? If I were a bottle, I’d want to bail too!
Final pro tip (yep, for real): secure your gear! If you don’t want to turn into a one-man band 🎺, use cable ties to keep everything in place. And lock up anything that might fly off (bike computers have this magical way of flying away, for example).
The only noise you want to hear is the colorful language 🤬 you’ll be spitting out between two rodeo-style cobble bounces.
7/ Don’t Count the Stars
Here, it’s the opposite of a hotel! It’s not about comfort, it’s all about the discomfort.
A 5-star sector ⭐ is the all-inclusive experience of suffering: shattered, uneven cobbles, dangerous turns, slippery edges, gaps wider than your hunger, endless stretches, and an uphill gradient that’ll finish you off. I mean, if you wanted a nice countryside ride 🌻, you should’ve picked another route, right?
It’s up to you how many stars you’re ready to face, but one thing’s for sure: this trip through our beautiful northern region will stick with you forever!
And that’s it! Our list of tips is coming to an end, and I hope I’ve given you all the (allen) keys to make the most out of this experience. As you’ve probably figured out, riding on cobbles can be demanding and exhausting, but also, and most importantly, incredibly satisfying. 😇😈
Some might say that this kind of challenge definitely falls under the category of sado-masochistic pleasure—fair enough! But here at VERA, we believe that any kind of pleasure is worth chasing, even if it means getting shaken up a little bit 😅. Besides, it’s just another way to revisit the classics, an immersive sporty and cultural experience right in the heart of our Roubaix heritage.
