Will be in Roubaix -Any bike shops or bike landmarks to see?

[Deleted member 30479]

Hi all,

I'll be in Roubaix this Sunday. Touring through there. Wondering if there are any amazing bike shops worth visiting whilst I'm there? Perhaps there are some good bike shops or places to see given the Paris-Roubaix race and its history...

Are there any places in Roubaix where it's famous for the race - Ideally I'd like to see the finish line but I'm sure all those banners/etc are long gone. I'll of course find the cobblestones to ride on... anything else?

Thanks

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

The finish line is in the old velodrome, which is worth seeing. The showers are also a famous landmark - each shower in the velodrome is named after a previous winner of the race.

Apart from that, Roubaix really is a bit of a dump, I'm afraid. Worth seeing the velodrome but probably not worth hanging round after you've sen that.

 

[Deleted member 30479]

thanks for the tip. hm.... would it be better to stay in Lille then if Roubaix is that much of a dump?

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Moecroen and a couple of other towns have been glued together into one large urban commune.
They are linked together by a Metro so you could easily stay in Roubaix and use the Metro to go to Lille, or vice versa.

 

[Deleted member 30479]

Thanks Johnsqual - didn't realise this. Is there a particular are that's better for food/restaurants/etc?

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

Hey,

TBH, I've only passed through Lille on the way to other places so I don't really know it.

However, I've heard that the Rue de Gand is good for slightly cheaper restaurants, and the area around the Rue D'Angleterre-Rue Basse and Rue de la Monnaie is also good for restaurants.

The Place Rihour is where the tourists head for.

I think the food is pretty similar to what you'd find in Belgium - mussels, fries, that sort of thing.

BTW, if you're eating in Bruges, try to find De Vlaamsche Pot (good luck pronouncing it...). Proper Flemish food!

Johnny

 

[fjpshaw]

I've been back and forth to Lille a few times in the last year with work, and found it very pleasant to stay. There is a small restaurant, Les Compagnons de la Grappe (http://www.lescompagnonsdelagrappe.mobi), which I ate in almost each night. Food is fantastic, and the restaurant has a unique charm to it! Lille itself can be quite nice when lit up at night, and plenty of bars etc for evening nightcap (Cafe Leffe was also a favourite!).

 

[Barchettaman]

Lille's lovely. I recommend Brasserie Aux Moules on the Rue de Bethune.