Race report from Northern France as Glen Duncan took on the Paris – Roubaix Challenge last Saturday. 145km route and some of the most vicious cobbles you can imagine, simply no way to train for them!

Bittersweet experience and definitely some unfinished business that I need to take care of. First 50km all very pleasant and then the fun begins as you turn into the Arenberg Forest. I did the Tour of Flanders sportive a few years back and was expecting pain but not on this level. 3km of solid boneshaking, followed by a few kms rest, and then repeat over and over. 19 cobbled sections in total to navigate, the shame was I only got to ride 14 of them. I was holding good pace all day and thought I had significant time, but was waved past the fifth from last cobbled section to return to Roubaix as they were preparing the path for the women’s pro race. I was gutted but kept my head and emotions in check.

Made it back to the velodrome and with a bit of luck, still managed to ride around it and collect a medal. Ultimately just kicked myself for not being on top of timings, I should have started the day a little earlier, so that’s a good lesson.

Event itself, not as good organisation or experience as Flanders, and there are open roads to manage, but honestly it’s so bucket-list. The cobbles are brutal and relentless, and very different from the usual suffer fest on the bike. It hurts so much, yet strangely you want to do it again as soon as possible. Am already plotting my revenge mission!