The Paris–Roubaix, the “Hell of the North” (Updated Profile 2025)

Our Paris–Roubaix profile has long been one of the most-loved race day rides at ICA. It’s unlike anything else you’ll teach—after all, there aren’t many chances to immerse your riders in the chaos and challenge of grinding over ancient cobblestones, dodging mud or dust, and fighting for traction. While the real-life course is brutal, in class we keep it safe and fun…but still work our butts off.

The real Paris–Roubaix takes place every April, but this ride works any time of year—I often dust it off in the fall (pun intended). The unpredictable weather, the grit, the history…it’s always a winner with riders who love pushing limits or just want something different. In the spring, I usually schedule my Paris–Roubaix ride about a week or two after the real race. That gives you time to build excitement, share some background info leading up to your race day, and maybe even highlight this year’s champions in your class.

When we first introduced this profile back in 2014, it was crafted by Matt Scheffer, a die-hard fan of the Spring Classics and an exceptional indoor cycling instructor. He blended his passion for the sport with top-notch coaching to create an unforgettable ride that captures the spirit, grit, and emotional weight of Paris–Roubaix—infused with his love of hard-driving rock music. Even students who’ve never watched a minute of pro cycling will be hooked once you start telling the story.

In 2017, I gave the profile a musical refresh, adding a few French tracks to honor the race’s roots and creating an Express Profile version. I kept Matt’s brilliant cueing and added some powerful quotes from riders and journalists you can sprinkle into your class or use in your promo.

In 2021, with the launch of the first women’s edition of the race, I made another version. The core profile stayed the same, but I brought in fresh tracks—many by female artists—to match the energy and moment.

Now in 2025, after years of teaching this ride and refining my coaching, I’ve given the master profile another tune-up. This latest version (updating my 2021 edition) features stronger cueing, new insights, and a slightly updated playlist. You’ll find it below, along with the latest Express Profile and Spotify playlist. The earlier versions are still available if you want to swap in some of their music.

Whether you’re celebrating the men’s or women’s race—or both—this profile works beautifully for either.

What Makes Paris–Roubaix So Fierce?

The route changes slightly each year, but one thing stays the same: the infamous pavés—jagged cobbled sectors that rattle bikes and bodies. The most notorious sections, like the Trouée d’Arenberg and Carrefour de l’Arbre, are always part of the show. Our profile focuses on these key segments, so you don’t need to tweak it unless you want to swap out songs or highlight a particular rider.

Spotlight on the Women’s Race: Toughness Redefined

For over a century, Paris–Roubaix was off-limits to women. That changed in 2021. When they finally got their shot, it wasn’t some softened version—it was still a punishing cobbled battle. Mud, crashes, flat tires. Absolute chaos. But the women didn’t just show up—they showed out.

If you want to spotlight the women’s edition of the race in your class (and you totally should), this ride makes it easy to do that. Same cueing, same fierce intensity—you just shift the storytelling and music to center on the women who are redefining what strength looks like in cycling. It’s not a token race. It’s war on wheels.

Check out this year’s route and a list of the contenders. Then scroll through our Women’s Day playlist and swap in tracks by fierce female artists to match the energy if you prefer. You’ll be giving your riders a taste of one of the most exciting breakthroughs in recent race history.

A Fun Bit of Goat-Fueled Trivia

Every year, the cobbled roads are overrun by nature—mud, weeds, grass. Last year? Organizers brought in a herd of goats and sheep to “mow” the most brutal sector: the Arenberg Forest. That’s right—real goats, not GOATs like Marianne Vos or Eddy Merckx. Eco-friendly, effective, and undeniably charming.

From Cycling News:

“The animals chewed their way across the 2,300 metres of pavé, revealing the Trouée d’Arenberg sector.”

Who maintains the pavés from year to year? Meet Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix, the team of volunteers working in all weathers to keep the cobbled secteurs pavés of Paris–Roubaix in top condition.

 

Bring the Race to Life

When you teach this profile, encourage your riders to visualize the mayhem: the sound of tires rattling on stones, the mud-splattered faces, the shattered bikes and exhausted bodies. Paint the picture with your words—describe how riders often finish the race completely coated in thick mud or fine dust, their faces barely recognizable, eyes squinting through grit. Remind your class that while we won’t actually be bouncing over cobbles, we will feel the effort—especially during those six segments of simulated pavés and the final all-out sprint to the velodrome.

 

You can really lean into the storytelling aspect here. Use the quotes below to add flavor to your ride (plus you’ll find many more in the master class profile):

“Don’t hunt around for other expressions; for the eighty years this race has existed, its chroniclers have used these words and these alone. By necessity. What words, you ask? Beauty, sadness, pain, courage, injustice.”
—Yves Berger, 1982

“Paris–Roubaix starts like a party and ends as a bad dream.”
—Guy Lagorce, journalist for l’Equipe

“It’s a circus, and I don’t want to be one of the clowns.”
—Chris Boardman, on why he never raced it

“Paris–Roubaix is bullshit.”
—Bernard Hinault, always colorful

Here is a fantastic video you can use for your Paris–Roubaix introduction if you have video capabilities. You can also search on YouTube for full race coverage from past years. It’s fun to show footage from 20 or 30 years ago. This ICA post gives you additional resources and videos to spice up your presentation of your ride.

Pick Your Version

You’ve got three profiles to choose from:

• My 2025 version with a blend of rock, alternative, and some great French tracks. This one has the most updated coaching. Use the next two versions for alternative songs.
• My 2017 version with updated music and cueing.
• Matt’s 2014 original with classic rock energy.

Below, you’ll find all the files and links you need. If you lead this ride, let us know how it went—or share your go-to songs in the comments!