Paris – Roubaix Challenge 2024

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Paris – Roubaix Challenge 2024

France

Roubaix

2024

4th - 8th April

Price

£575.00 / €615.00

Duration

4 Days (Thurs - Mon)

Group Size

16

The Paris-Roubaix Challenge offers amateur cyclists the possibility of getting as close as possible to the professional race: Paris-Roubaix.

24 hours before the professionals, amateurs from around the world will have the opportunity to measure themselves against the legend of the Hell of the North with its mythical cobbled sections like the “Carrefour de l’Arbre” or the “trouée d’Arenberg”.

There are three increasingly difficult routes on offer, on roads which are open to traffic but secured by numerous volunteers and motorcyclists.

A SPORTING CHALLENGE AND A HUMAN ADVENTURE

You’ll have to tackle the most legendary cobbled sections in the world on your own. But the spirit of the Paris-Roubaix is to take up the challenge with friends and to cross the finish line at the velodrome in Roubaix together. The shared experience can continue the next day as you cheer on the best cyclists in the world, fighting it out to ensure their name goes down among the winners of Paris-Roubaix.

Experience the legend of Paris-Roubaix

The same roads, the same dreams, the same joy, the same pain: you, the amateur cyclists of the world, can experience the same emotions as Merckx, Boonen & Mr Roubaix Roger de Vlaeminck you to can emulate other professionals on the Queen of the Classics: Paris-Roubaix!

Spend an entire weekend dedicated to this mythical race, pedalling along the same roads as the pros on the Saturday and watching their passage over the cobbles in the forest of Arenberg on the Sunday.

Kit list for the halfway van at the end of the Arenberg forest sector:

  • Spare tyre (if you need advice on tyre choices, ask us!)
  • 2 spare inner tubes
  • Energy drink tabs and energy bars (there are 3 – 4 refill stations en route providing energy drinks and snacks)
  • Spare CO2 cartridges if you use them

Kit list for Velodrome

  • Warm Dry clothing and shoes/trainers
  • Towel and shower kit
  • Snacks (there are places to eat and get a victory beer when you get to the velodrome in Roubaix)
  • Bag for dirty kit

General Advice

  • Make sure your tyres are made for the job. Vittoria, Continental or Challenge
  • Ensure cages are in good condition and the bottles are a tight fit – Elite Ciussi Gel will hang on to them.
  • Bring at least 3 spare inner tubes and 2 in the van.
  • Bring cartridges and/or a minipump.
  • Take a saddle bag with good Velcro! (You will see these scattered everywhere – if its old, replace it or attach an old toe strap as a precaution!)
  • Ensure your handlebars are ready: good bar tape double wrapped or Specialized Roubaix tape with Bar Phat underneath and a good pair of track mitts!
  • Tyre pressure is very very important! This depends on tyre/tubular width and weather conditions. We can advise and help you with this.
  • Make sure all bolts and are tightened and checked with a torque wrench.
Finshing Paris Roubaix

Itinerary for the Paris Roubaix Challenge

Thursday April 4th - Day 0

Arrive 1100-1200 Put bikes together. Lunch discussion on itinerary for the weekend. Ride PM 1430 – 1600; discover 3 sectors of Pave and test that the bikes are OK (47kms). Dinner 1930.

Friday April 5th - Day 1

Breakfast from 0630 Ride leaves from the front of the hotel 0900 to just after midday, discover 2 sectors of Pave plus the Arenberg Forest (30 kms) - watch the Pros training! Lunch. PM collect numbers from the Roubaix Velodrome Dinner 1930. Pack bikes in vehicles for early departure Saturday.

Saturday April 6th - Day 2

Breakfast will be provided by the hotel 0500. The minibuses will leave for 0530 for the start at 0700. There is a staggered start until 0900. One of our minibuses will be stopped just after the Arenberg Forest, roughly halfway through the event, if you have any major mechanicals; and the broom wagon will be on hand as with any sportive. Make sure you have all you need in a day bag - kit list below. Once every one is in, showered in the legendary Roubaix showers, we will return to Valenciennes. Dinner can be taken in the hotel but is not included in the weekend - there are other restaurants are available close by, or we can all eat as a group within the hotel or elsewhere.

Sunday April 7th Day 3 - Race day for the Pro’s.

Late breakfast until 1000. Departure for 1100 to the start of the Arenberg forest - there is a big TV screen where you can watch the whole Race. Previously we have moved from place to place, however the police are actively discouraging people from doing this as there have been may accidents from people driving too quickly. So we can stay in one place and get the atmosphere of the Arenberg, including beer tents, burger stands and cycling memorabilia for sale.

Monday April 8th - Departure day

Departure day breakfast from 0630 – 0930, latest checkout 1030.


Paris – Roubaix Challenge 2024 dates

Arrival and bike test on the 4th, departure on the 8th.

April 2024

4th - 8th

Pricing and Fees

£575.00 / €615.00 Per person – excludes entry into sportive at €35.00

Single Supplement

Single Supplement for this tour is £125.00 / €145.00


Included on this tour

  • Half board 2 nights including breakfast, and fantastic 3 course meals.
  • Return transfers from/to Valenciennes Train station (20 min transfer).
  • Cereal bars and energy drink to keep you fuelled-up.
  • Experienced ride leaders for Thursday - Friday reconnaissance part way of the route.
  • Secure storage for your bikes - we know how much you love them!
  • Vehicle and driver back up for major break downs.


What's not included

  • Food on the road.
  • Transfers to from Paris / Lille - extra charges apply.
  • Wine, beer or any hotel extras e.g. washing of kit (this can be added to the price of your room and paid for on check-out).