Paris-Roubaix

[Garp]

Originally Posted by look 171

Garp,

What's it really like riding over the pave? I have never done it here because there's just none. I have ridden over some smooth river stone imbedded in concrete somewhere. Feels like my fork's going to break. Back when I was riding a lot, I use to take a pull up front and purposely run over the rough and broken section of the road just so I can shake em' up a little. I immediately get a lot of screaming in the back. I go for the water to rooster tail up their face to clean up their snot too. My favorite had to be Flanders. One day, when I grow up, I will see it in Belguim. When I was in Italy and France once in early April, I really was hoping to see some racing even crit, but there weren't any. I was thinking people would be riding and training through out the cities. But again, none. Too bad. Saw a couple of guys in Spain, that it.

For me there are two ways of riding it, in winter on the MTB and in summer on the racing bicycle. MTB gives no issues, don't mind at all. With the road cycle it's a different matter. I ride a full carbon Stevens (German brand) for the record.
A stretch of cobbles will make your fillings rattle, your eyesight will go blurry, you will have no water because your bottle has jumped out of it's holder, your arms will go all itchy from the continuous vibrtaions, your ass will feel like as if you had a wrong timing to pick-up a bar of soap in a prison shower.
I go out riding with a small group of enthusiasts, many of them well in their sixties (my neighbour just bought a new racing bike at age 86) and all of them are very experienced. I like to watch how they deal with cobbles and try to imitate, the secret is in a very loose grip and composure, something I'm not mastering yet unfortunately.
I will sometimes have good a experience but in general I avoid cobbles like the plague.

[Garp]

This Sunday the 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege is on.

Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2010: The Big Preview


Liege-Bastogne-Liege pulls the curtain down on the 2010 Spring Classics on Sunday, April 25.

The oldest and generally considered the toughest of the Spring Classics, Liege-Bastogne-Liege features 10 climbs plus the leg-sapping final ascent to the finish line in Ans.

This year's route has been revised by organiser ASO to take into account roadworks that have ruled out the Haute-Levée and Vecquée climbs. These have been replaced by Col du Maquisard and Mont-Theux, positioned at 60km and 55km from the finish line respectively.

Last year, Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) jumped away on the penultimate climb, Côte de la Roche aux Faucons, to catch and pass escapee Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and take a textbook solo win.

Schleck will be looking to repeat his win this year, and will again be up against Amstel Gold winner Gilbert and Fleche Wallonne winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) - both of whom are on top form.

Last year's runner-up Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) has amassed an impressive array of results so far this season, and will be looking to round off his spring with a win at La Doyenne. Rodriguez was runner-up to Evans at Wednesday's Fleche Wallonne.

Other contenders to watch out for include double Liege winner Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Chris Horner (RadioShack), Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions), Alberto Contador (Astana) and Simon Gerrans (Team Sky).

Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2010: Route
Belgium
Sunday, April 25
Distance: 258km
Starts: Liege
Finish: Ans (Liege)

Click on the images below to enlarge them in a new window

Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2010 map

Live coverage.

http://www.steephill.tv/classics/liege-bastogne-liege/

[look 171]

I have had King, Campy, and Shimano headsets since the late 80s. Since I started using Threadless forks, Its been Chris King and had no problem with it since. I install all of them myself and are pretty intense about how they fit and finish. I don't anything about FSA. they were just putting them on mid range bikes back then when I first heard of them. They might be better now. I don't know. I always lean toward King or Campy if I can. I am not sure if I am getting a Ridley after all. No one seem to have it in my size. The supplier are all out and don't know when they will be getting them. Now I am thinking about a Cervelo. I am not sure about it, because everyone's got one riding up and down the street to Starbucks.

do not let them over tighten your threaded headset to the point that "it will never come loose". they have to be really careful to "NEVER" over stress the bearings. It will kill the race. Ask me how I know. the trick I have use over the years is to put a little teflon (the type plumbers use) tape on the thread to keep it from moving or comming loose. NOt thread lock, never. What kind of headset is it on the steel bike?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Garp

For me there are two ways of riding it, in winter on the MTB and in summer on the racing bicycle. MTB gives no issues, don't mind at all. With the road cycle it's a different matter. I ride a full carbon Stevens (German brand) for the record.
A stretch of cobbles will make your fillings rattle, your eyesight will go blurry, you will have no water because your bottle has jumped out of it's holder, your arms will go all itchy from the continuous vibrtaions, your ass will feel like as if you had a wrong timing to pick-up a bar of soap in a prison shower.
I go out riding with a small group of enthusiasts, many of them well in their sixties (my neighbour just bought a new racing bike at age 86) and all of them are very experienced. I like to watch how they deal with cobbles and try to imitate, the secret is in a very loose grip and composure, something I'm not mastering yet unfortunately.
I will sometimes have good a experience but in general I avoid cobbles like the plague.

Thanks. One day I love to give it a try.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Garp

This Sunday the 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege is on.


Live coverage.

2010 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Live Video, Route, Preview, Results, Photos, Startlist

Do the Belgians really go nuts over these races. I know its only Liege. OK, only kidding. Are you Flemish or Wallonian (is there such word?) I really like those super tough, mind of steel, Flemish farm boys like Vandeardan from the old days. Love their attacking style of racing. Too bad Vinokurouv won. He's another one of those never say die attacking riders. Liege or Flech Wallon are different races compare to Flanders, too bad Boonon wiill never do well in them.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Garp

This Sunday the 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege is on.


Live coverage.

2010 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Live Video, Route, Preview, Results, Photos, Startlist

Did you see today's Flèche? Very cool. Cadel Evans took it hard to Contador and smoked him convincingly at the end. Cadel is on fire this season. I think he's a Tour de France contender if he can keep his form by July.