So I was looking over my vacation for next year and noticed I got assigned the Holy Week off (Flanders and Roubaix). I was joking around with my wife that I should fly over and ride those sportives and watch the races, thinking she would roll her eyes. But her response was, “not without me you aren’t.” After a little more discussion, I’m about 80% sure we’re going to do it. It will be tight, but I think we can make it. I’d fly over Friday, Flanders Sportive Saturday, watch the race Sunday, touristy stuff during the week, then Paris Roubaix Sportive Saturday, watch the race Sunday, fly home Monday. There are a lot of contingencies like getting somebody to cover me Monday, but worse case scenario I fly back Sunday and miss the race to watch but still do the sportive.
Next question, how do I train for this? Flanders Sportive I’d do either the 160km or maybe the full 240km. I’ve ridden some of the cobbles in the past. I’d really like to shoot for the full 240km, but I want to dig into the routes more. I’d rather not be suffering all day then be miserable the rest of the trip. Roubaix I’d do the full 170km route.
So I’m thinking either the Gravel plans or the Century plans. Since it’s just a long day out and I’m not racing it.
Also, any other recommendations in that area? We’ve been to Paris. We’ve done Ghent and Brussels. The full Flanders ride starts in Antwerp which we’ve never seen. So maybe some time there after the ride and then head down to Lille?
I don’t know about the training but I think the main difference between the 240K and 160K is 80K of Belgium main roads to get to the cobbled climbs. I don’t know where you’re flying from but if it’s the States then doing the full distance whilst coping with jet lag might be an issue, particularly if the weather doesn’t play ball.
So I’m thinking either the Gravel plans or the Century plans. Since it’s just a long day out, and I’m not racing it.
Good call. I’d definitely build a plan for these as Gran Fondo/Gravel events since they will be tough rides and potentially long, but you’re not really racing them, and the effort should be somewhat steady.
I did the 240km Flanders, and have to agree about the first 80k - it’s unremarkable and just makes a long day a very long day. It was also quite chaotic, as much of it was on (albeit very good) bike routes, so felt pretty cramped at times - like riding in a bunch where you have no idea of anyone’s capabilities for 2.5hours. The atmosphere when you get to the climbs section is amazing - the support levels at the side of the road were fantastic - but not so much on the first 80km. I’d not bother with that if I went again and just do the 160.
Also done Roubaix - have to say I enjoyed it less, and whilst happy to have done it wouldn’t rush back. Having said that I know of a couple of guys who love it and have done it 5 or 6 times, so YMMV.
Obviously endurance is going to be key to enjoying the day, but if I were to go again and train something specific, I’d be looking at supra-threshold type intervals, 4-8 minutes or something like that. The climbs in Flanders aren’t long but the steep sections will put you in the red (not to mention the cobbles) so being able to repeat those kind of efforts over a long day will definitely help. Similar for Roubaix - the cobbled sections are mostly flat, but the more power you can put down whilst you’re on them the ‘easier’ (and I used that term advisedly!) they will feel.
Here is my recommendation. Do the Flanders sportive, sometime mid week, maybe Wednesday or Thursday, do your own Roubaix ride. Not that hard to do. That leaves your Roubaix weekend free. For the Women’s race on Saturday, go to the grand depart, chase the race and see it live on a few sectuers, and then find a bar and watch the finale. For the men’s race on Sunday, go to the velodrome and watch the race come to you.
I did the full Flanders well before I started coached training, my training was just lots and lots of miles at different intensities. Mainly building upon the back of group rides, before doing my own thing. The year I did the long Flanders it was sub freezing (-5 deg C min according to Garmin) for my 18 miles (29km) ride to the Oudenarde bus transfer but accommodation books up fast and prices are silly for very basic accommodation. I also had snow somewhere near the finish of the 240km. The first bit is a bit flat and boring, but its worth doing once for the bragging rights. All my mates just done the Bergs that year (and in subsequent years so have I, its more fun). I’ve never got up the full Koppenberg any year however, there’s just too many people and the year I did the long one you weren’t allowed to anyway, it was too slippy (signs were up to walk). Every other year, its been the opposite weather wise, warm and sunny.
