Travelling to watch Paris Roubaix (or other Spring Classics)

[Converse2020]

Looking for some tips for a trip with my 80yr old cycling max father and brothers to watch Paris-Roubaix or another spring classic. We will drive and stay over as a group of 4.

I’ve watched Paris-Roubaix before several times on the cobbles but just through good timing on way back from Alps skiing trips so never any more organised.

This time we will need a few more creature comforts (toilets!) and so wondering it a ticket for the velodrome is an idea or if that’s a poor second choice to the cobbles.


The ability to have a few beers and enjoy the racing are key. But at 80 years old we need to consider weather. Eg if it’s pissing down all day it won’t be ideal stood at the road side !


Has anyone done the trips and got any advice?

Eg I’ve seen options to see the riders before the start in Compiegne ? Is that good ?

Thanks in advance

[Jockinthebox]

I’ve been a few times to the spring classics, most of the small towns close to the famous sections normally have a big screens in town square type set up, and plenty of bars where you can sit inside.

If you really research, it’s possible to be at the start and see the riders/teams sign on, then jump in the car and watch the race a bit further into the route, I done that 1 year at Flanders, watched the start then went to possibly Gerardsbergen? Watched the race on TV in a big, then went out to watch the riders on a climbing cobble section.

[Jockinthebox]

Decent accommodation gets booked up really early, small towns with not many spare beds, then suddenly 5000 fans turn up.

[Converse2020]

Thanks for the feedback. Hotel availability is a good consideration and so we might rethink spring classics for next year and now considering Ghent 6 day event in November.

[TDi]

What a great thing to do. I actually drove a photographer in the race back in 2017 which was equally exciting and terrifying. We planned carefully and saw the start and finish with selected segments in-between.
As mentioned earlier most villages on the route have a great atmosphere so you can decide whether to chase the race or settle down with a beer and watch in a local bar or village square.

[moonigan]

We did the Paris-Roubaix sportive a few years ago and then watched the race the following day. We stayed in Roubaix which was a bit of a dump tbh but had spent a few days in Ghent beforehand which was much nicer. Its only an hours drive to Roubaix so you could possibly do something similar and just drive into Roubaix on race day.

On the day itself we parked up and spectated on the Arenberg and then drove into Roubaix to catch the finish.

[Converse2020]

Have decided to do the Ghent 6 later in the year. Thanks for feedback and advice.

[markcp]

We did Ghent 6 for the second time in November. Great fun, more so this time as the previous visit was during Covid where the atmosphere was a little muted. Make sure you visit Iljo Keisse dad's bar (https://cafedekarper.be/nl) as the atmosphere before (and after!) the racing in there is great

[CHARLESBERG]

I know it isn’t a spring classic, but what thought I’d mention it anyway. We’re going to the cyclocross in Benidorm next weekend, flying out of Birmingham Friday and then returning Sunday night.

Might be worth a look https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif