Riding the Paris-Roubaix Sportive means taking on the same brutal cobbles as the pros — and loving every rattling minute of it. When our own resident 'Stig', Adam Latcham, put the Pearson Shift to the test, he finished in the Roubaix velodrome in one piece. Inspired by that, here's our complete guide: how to enter, how to train, and how to ride the pavé fast.
A short history of the Hell of the North
First run in 1896 over a 280km course, Paris-Roubaix — the "Queen of the Classics" — is one of the oldest and most prestigious one-day races in professional cycling, contested 120 times. Belgians have dominated with 57 wins; Roger De Vlaeminck took four in the 1970s and Tom Boonen matched him between 2005 and 2012, while Mathieu van der Poel has won the last three editions.
Entering the sportive
Places on the 260km sportive are sought after and fill quickly. Registration opens several months before race day — monitor the official Paris-Roubaix Sportive site and register your interest early.
How to train for the cobbles
- Endurance rides — build distance gradually, with at least one long ride a week.
- Cobble practice — seek out rough surfaces (most of Surrey works, in our experience) and practise holding a smooth line under control.
- Strength work — core, legs and upper body for stability and power.
- Intervals — you'll need anaerobic punch to surge over each sector.
And book your bike in for a service before the event — the pavé finds every loose bolt.
Riding fast over pavé
- Carry momentum — hit each sector with enough speed to float through it.
- Relax your grip — firm but loose, letting your upper body absorb the vibration. Two layers of gel bar tape helps.
- Stay seated — traction lives at the rear wheel; stand only to power through the roughest stretches.
- Pick your line — look ahead and aim for the crown of the road or the smoother edges.
- Float — lift your weight slightly off the saddle and let the bike move beneath you. Core strength pays off here.
The bike: testing the Shift on the cobbles
We rode the Pearson Shift with 700x30mm tubeless tyres at 60psi — ideal for holding speed and grip while taking the sting out of the pounding. Its stable geometry and vibration absorption gave the confidence to attack the sectors rather than survive them.
Logistics: make a weekend of it
The pro race usually runs the day after the sportive, so plan to watch the pros while you're there. From the UK, the Eurostar, ferries or driving all work; book accommodation early, from hostels to hotels in Lille or Roubaix, ideally near the start and finish.
Worth every cobble
Riding Paris-Roubaix is somewhere between a dream and an out-of-body experience — mostly in that you'll wish you could leave your body after a few sectors of mind-altering pavé. But crossing the line in the Roubaix velodrome is unforgettable. Train right, prepare well, ride the right bike, and the Hell of the North is yours.
Read next: Rounding the corner: my journey to the Strade Bianche Sportive
