While all eyes were on the pavé of Paris-Roubaix on April 13, 350 hardy riders were tackling their own version of the Hell of the North.
The fifth edition of Rapha’s London-based tribute to the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix saw riders swap the pavé of Paris-Roubaix for the gravè of Hertfordshire, with the free-to-enter event having sold out within 20 minutes.
The 100km route took in 17 farm tracks and gravel-strewn sectors, resulting in a record of 40 punctures. Among the hardy participants was our colleague, Ady Hogan, who believes the event was one of the best he has ever tackled.
He said: “This was my first Hell of the North and I signed up not really knowing what I was letting myself in for.
“Honestly, it was the most fun I’ve had riding my bike in a long time, the route covered everything from picturesque farmers’ fields to near-impossible gravel climbs and even a loop around the Gosling Sports Park velodrome in Welwyn Garden City.
“Hats off to Rapha for the meticulous planning and detail that must of gone into this event, along with the free Belgian beer and frites in the pub at the end!”
The loop started in Highgate and finished in East Barnet, with a compulsory lap of the velodrome included, before live Paris-Roubaix action in the pub.
Rapha’s next event is the Manchester-to-London Challenge – a grueling 220-mile ride in aid of Ambitious about Autism. Visit the website for more information.
