Erin and I had planned our trip to coincide with the most famous single day bike race in the world - Paris-Roubaix. So we left Montmarte and hopped on the TGV(high speed train) to the French/Belgian border in the city of Lille. From Lille we took the local train into the town of Roubaix. Roubaix had the vibe of a working-class English city. We stayed in a Air BnB house with a woman and her son and after we were settled decided to head back to Lille for some dinner and drinks. The vibe & architecture was quite Belgian and the town was busy and exciting. The cycling race was in the morning and we had a British bus tour arranged - more on all that below.
We were looking for a specific beer bar but were sidetracked by the sound of music - we walked over to watch some of this street performance.
Erin and I shooting pretty buildings in the city.
I could photograph streets and buildings like this everyday.
I'm guessing this cathedral was a combination of old and new - if I did read about it while we were there I don't remember the details.
'La Capsule' was our first stop - I had read about it researching "good beer in France".
They had an excellent beer list consisting of French, Belgian, and British beers - most had a Belgian vibe.
We each had a few great beers before heading out and looking for dinner.
'Pedestrian Bustle'
We had dinner outside on this square - it wasn't our best meal of the trip but the view was hard to beat.
Our bus picked us up in front of a hotel in Roubaix the next morning and we were off to the start of the race in Compiegne. Despite the name the race hasn't started in Paris for a long time. We were walking to the starting area and the team cars started passing by.
The EF Education First Tesla - loaded with Cannondales.
It was raining for most of the bus ride but beautiful by the time we arrived in Compiegne.
The stage where the riders sign in. There were multiple presentations, interviews and videos - I was having a blast.
Erin.
Looking away from the stage towards where the riders would be heading.
Sep Vanmarcke
Marcel Kittel - one of the world's best sprinters.
My boy, Taylor Phinney, signing in.
Some of the interviews were in French and some were in English.
After the start we headed to the most famous sector of cobbles - The Arenberg Trench. These are a group of Belgians who were drinking beer, singing songs and having a great time in general - the kept us all entertained.
The Arenberg has become the symbol of Paris-Roubaix and is famous for its brutal pave.
We had lunch and beers here while waiting for the riders - the atmosphere was electric.
The Mavic Neutral Service car - important in a race like this if your team car isn't close when you have a mechanical issue.
The Breakaway
Erin on GoPro video duty.
I totally missed the focus on this shot of Peter Sagan, the eventual winner, but I'm posting it anyway.
Taylor Phinney
The speed and sound of the riders flying over the pave was truly amazing.
You could see the pain on the riders face as the flew by.
Seeing the speed of a professional road race in person has given me a better comprehension of what is really happening when I watch it on TV.
We were originally suppose to go to a few cobbled sectors during the race but the nice weather made it one of the fastest ever. Our leader warned us if we stopped before the Arenberg we might miss both spots - the bus took a vote and we headed to the trench.
The famous Roubaix Velodrome where the race ends.
We made it here when the leaders were about 20k from the finish - the race was being broadcast on a big screen.
It was so cool to be here - and it was really awesome when the TV helicopters appeared when the cyclists entered the streets of Roubaix(that our bus had just driven down).
Peter Sagan had chased down the break and one rider managed to hang and work with him. When they entered the stadium the place erupted.
There is a lap and a half around the track before the finish - Peter Sagan being one of the best road racers in history would be hard to beat.
Sagan celebrating his sprint-finish win. This was one of the few races he had never won and I was rooting for him.
This was the third group who entered the Velodrome - Taylor Phinney is at the back but ended up with a super-impressive eighth place finish.
The Podium
Sagan holding the piece of pave that the winner of "The Hell of the North" receives.
Leaving the stadium we walked down a road that turned out to be were all the team cars and buses were. Riders were returning their bike, taking selfies, and signing autographs. It was really cool that there was that much access.
Team Sky might not be the best 'Classics" team but their equipment is top notch.
'Bike Wash'
Taylor
A lot of people were hanging around to meet the QuickStep Floors' riders who were so dominant this spring.
It was then a walk back into the main square for dinner and drinks. We were pretty tired and decided to call it a night after. In the morning we picked up a rental car and were off on our next adventure.
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