Velo’s Phil Booth and Elz Lloyd set out to ride the infamous pave of the hell of the north, taking on the Paris Roubaix sportive.

Warm early April sunshine greeted the riders, although they had a stiff headwind to face on the way out to the start of the cobbles, although this also meant a tailwind on the return to Roubaix.

Despite starting well, on the Bourghelles- Wannehain section of cobbles, Phil, opting for his cyclo cross bike, managed to put his chain through the cage of his rear mech, and his drive train refused to move anymore. After spending an hour fixing the problem on the roadside Phil and Elz were underway again, however not wishing to cause any more damage that may leave Phil by the roadside, they opted for a more direct return to the famous Roubaix velodrome.

Not one to let adversity coming in the way of completing the event, Phil returned to the area later in the week, this time with his shimano equipped road bike, completing the final 25km of the race once again, including a lap of the track.

Well done both on braving the fearsome cobbles.