I rode the Paris-Roubaix cobbles with a Van der Poel… and showed him how not to tackle the Hell of the North

A road.cc journalist recently recounted their experience riding the infamous Paris-Roubaix cobbles alongside David Van der Poel, brother of Mathieu. The reporter's attempt at navigating the treacherous pavé, including a memorable instruction to "take the brake off, eh," evidently highlighted the stark difference between professional and amateur technique, serving as a rather public lesson in what *not* to do in the 'Hell of the North'.

This seemingly lighthearted anecdote underscores the brutal reality of Paris-Roubaix, a race where even seasoned professionals often falter. David Van der Poel, while not as decorated as his younger brother, is a former professional with extensive experience on these very roads. His presence offered a unique, if perhaps humbling, benchmark for the journalist, illustrating the inherent skill and bike-handling prowess required to merely survive, let alone contend, in cycling's most iconic Monument.

Ultimately, the journalist's "lesson" in cobble riding serves as a stark reminder: the Hell of the North is unforgiving, and even the best advice often falls on ears too busy wrestling with the bike.