Although there are exceptions, bike racing and commuting are two cousins in the cycling family which typically have little to do with one another. While racing demands lightweight, stiff machines at the expense of longevity for ludicrous amounts of coin, commuters opt for the rugged, practical, and dependable setups.

As someone who spends a good deal of time and energy on both activities, I'm always looking for the connections. I recently reviewed Velo Press' book, Paris-Roubaix: A Journey Through Hell, and experienced a bit of the rare overlap.

Paris-Roubaix is the most famous of the one-day cycling classics. The race typically covers about 260 kilometers and runs through the northern, industrial areas of France. The race turns 112 years-old today (Sunday, April 13th) and will inspire fans worldwide to either travel to northern France to line the roads, head to the local pub, or at very least tune in.

What makes the race unique is its grueling nature. The course mixes paved roads interspersed with the famous cobblestone sections – some of which are remnants of Roman times. Weather is always a factor: either rain leads to wet treacherous mud that covers the riders and causes a plethora of crashes or dry dust blinds them, covers the cobbles, and... yup – causes crashes!

Paris-Roubaix is a “hard man's race.” If you never realized that cycling is one of the world's toughest sports – check it out. The event is so over-the-top difficult that it can't help but inspire everyday cyclists to stop making excuses and get out and ride.

A Journey Through Hell brings out the poetry of cycling, the emotion that goes into the event. Bike racing fan or not, read it and study the timeless images and you'll find yourself itching for rough pavement, praying for rain and mud, and pushing that commuter bike a little bit harder.

When the peloton leaves the capital and heads north, it traverses the industrial suburbs where smokestacks abound. But it's Sunday and no one's working today: “Pass in peace gentleman, you have enough to deal with in Hell...

See also: Bike Racing Team Lightens Car-Load
Bike Racing’s Trickle-Down Effect

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Korey Pelton said:

Watching cycling races have always inspired me to go the extra mile, grind harder up the hills, and "enjoy" the pain of tired muscles and/or foul weather. I haven't done much racing and I'm not sure I want to, but I nevertheless enjoy my personal "victories" of my cycling life.

April 15, 2008 | url

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