The Monuments reward spectators who move. Where multiple secteurs cluster within a close geographic distance, anyone on a bike can catch several key moments in a single day.
Joseph Mordey, a technician at Cardiff University's Physics and Astronomy department, and Armorel Jackson, who works in the automotive industry, were already in Lille representing Les Croupiers RC of Cardiff at the Urban Trail de Lille the Saturday before the Tour of Flanders. A group chat appeared.
The French and Belgian rail companies had other ideas. "Unfortunately, the railway operators of France and Belgium chose Easter weekend to do major works. Most of the group must've thought it would be too difficult to get to the race, and perhaps they were correct!" said Joseph.
“We knew about the disruption but I thought we might be able to get to Kortrijk to cut the journey down to about a 20k cycle on my Brompton C Line, and Armorel's Dahon. When we found out that would require a rail replacement bus we thought to hell with it and started cycling.”
Armorel wore a spare tyre around her in the style of Fausto Coppi as her rear tyre didn't look in great shape with sidewall damage and virtually no tread so they went to a bike shop in Lille and bought a tyre before heading off, much to the amusement of the Belgians. “There were many ‘wheely good’ puns,” says Joseph.
They set off on a 50km ride over to Flanders and the famed cobbled climbs. By the time they had arrived at the fanzone on the Oude Kwaremont it was time to just sit and watch the big screen and enjoy the local hospitality.
Race day on the Oude Kwaremont
“We were greeted by a party atmosphere. A group of friendly Belgians, who must’ve been drinking for some time, noticed we were wearing cycling kit (and Armorel had a tyre around her head) and asked us where we’d come from. We talked about Wales and Europe and they bought us beers. We felt really welcome.
“There was a screen showing the race but the chance of actually seeing the race from the fanzone was low unless you arrived exceptionally early. We heard the first ascent of the Kwaremont from the fanzone. After a while we descended to Kluisbergen in hopes of catching the men's race. Our bikes must've amused the locals as there were plenty of shouts of “allez, allez, allez” as we did so. From there we watched the race whizz past. The atmosphere was amazing.”
The Oude Kwaremont has become almost impossible to get to on Tour of Flanders day with the road lined very early in the morning with hospitality beer tents lining one side of the famed cobbled climb as well.
The beer was flowing all day and the atmosphere got so chaotic the barriers broke just as Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) tried to follow Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) resulting in the Dutchman having to take avoiding action and has led to the likes of Annemiek van Vleuten calling on tighter restrictions on alcohol at races.
The ride back
It was at this point that both Armorel and Joseph realised they ought to start making their way back to Lille so they would make it to their running club's award evening in the French city. Unfortunately, the weather was against them. Joseph's Strava upload summarised the conditions in one word: “windy”. A diet of Belgian beer and pizza did not help.
Joseph added: “We retraced our steps, this time with a formidable headwind, which was not very pleasant on folding bikes. We both bonked and couldn't find anywhere open, not surprising given it was Easter Sunday.”
In the end: 102.37km at 20kph, nine hours, fuelled almost entirely on race-day hospitality. They made it back to Lille and celebrated with burgers and more beer.
"At the awards evening we received a shoutout for our efforts," said Joseph. "Armorel says it was arguably harder than running the 10k but that the views were better."
Before this adventure, Joseph had been a spectator at Paris-Roubaix and at a few stages of the Tour de France, whereas Armorel had only managed to see some of the Tour of Britain. They had both raced the 10km route at the Urban Trail de Lille the day before. Both are also members of the Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club.
Tips for watching Paris-Roubaix in person this weekend
The Tour of Flanders may be behind us, but with Paris-Roubaix ahead here are a few options for watching key moments in person if you're there, or follow our Paris-Roubaix streaming guide if you can't make it in person.
Sectors around Caudry (30–26)
• Best picks: 30 Troisvilles–Inchy, 28 Quiévy–Fontaine, 27 Viesly–Briastre
• Early race tension – positioning already important
• Easy roadside access, quieter crowds than later sectors
• Good starting point before moving north
• By bike: quiet farm roads make riding between sectors easy
• By train: Caudry station is closest hub; short ride to sectors
Trouée d'Arenberg (SECTOR 19)
• Most iconic cobbled sector – 2.3km through forest
• Key selection point; favourites must be near the front
• Very large crowds – arrive early and expect walking access
• By bike: cycle paths and forest roads allow flexible approach
• By train: Wallers station gives closest access, then ~15 min ride/walk
Carrefour de l'Arbre (SECTOR 4)
• Often decisive late-race attack point
• Technical cobbles with corners create strong atmosphere
• Easier to position than Arenberg but still busy
• Close enough to continue to Roubaix velodrome finish
• By bike: flat roads and short distances between late sectors
• By train: Hem or Croix area stations allow access with short ride
Simple Itinerary
• Start around Caudry sectors (km 95–115)
• Move north to Arenberg (km 163)
• Finish at Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 240)
• Optional continuation to Roubaix velodrome finish
