Early April is spring classics season in Europe and that means one thing – cobbles. Event organiser Timo Rokitta reports back from the latest edition of his RHS-RBX event, where he has created a perfect replica of the French & Belgian cobbled classics, only this time held in his native land of Germany.

By Easter 2023 at the latest, an event will be an integral part of the annual gravel calendar. At the second edition of RHS-RBX, which took place on April 8th, 2023, more than 80 gravel bikers started and everyone who we spoke to was enthusiastic. Most of the riders opted for the 200 kms long distance at the start in cold but sunny conditions.

The meticulously worked out route first followed the small river "Pfrimm" from the Nibelungen city of Worms in a westerly direction. As soon as the city was behind the riders, they were already in the middle of a landscape worth seeing, consisting of vineyards and fields.

On the "German Wine Route" we then headed north with a slight headwind. The terrain changed constantly and sometimes suddenly. From gravel paths, grass paths to concrete paths and pavé, everything that a gravel biker would like was there.

After a good 60 kilometers, the food station at the historic market square in "Nierstein" was reached. In addition to various drinks, there were also fruit, waffles and bars for the participants. From here you could decide whether you wanted to tackle the full programme, i.e. the almost 200-kilometer loop, or whether you wanted to go on the shorter loops of the 100 or 150-kilometer route with tired legs.

At the "Schwabsburg" tower came the only section of hike-a-bike on the entire route. The route took us steeply up a steep staircase in the middle of the vineyards. After the "Pave Zornheim" the track followed the little river "Selz" and then suddenly turned uphill with a long incline to the old Mainz airfield. A few sections of singletrack in the muddy “Ober-Olmer” forest headed east towards the Rhine. 

Shortly thereafter, the aid station in “Nierstein” came again, which pleased most of the participants. Here they had 160 demanding kilometers already in their legs. Many filled their drinking bottles with sugary cola to have reserves for the remaining exhausting 40 kilometers. The last part of the track was really not easy to master. It was constantly up and down over the “Rheinterrassen”- way back to the start and finish area in Worms.

At the finish, the participants were rewarded with delicious tarte flambée with salmon and one or two cold drinks. The finishers of the 200km distance received their trophy, an original paving stone in the Paris-Roubaix style.

Conclusion: The route from RHS-RBX was peppered with everything you need for gravel. There was something of every surface on gravel, grass and field paths, singletrack and muddy forest paths. The highlight was of course the eponymous cobblestone passages, which ranged from easy to ride to rough and exhausting. Nothing stands in the way of repeating the event in 2024.

When cycling on cobblestones, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure your safety and comfort:

• Lower your tyre pressure: Lowering your tyre pressure can help absorb some of the impact of riding on cobblestones and make for a smoother ride. Aim for a pressure that's slightly lower than what you would use on smooth pavement.
• Maintain a steady speed: Try to maintain a consistent speed while cycling on cobblestones to avoid sudden jolts and bumps.
• Keep your weight back: Keep your weight over the rear wheel of your bike to help absorb the bumps and maintain control of the bike.
• Use your arms as shock absorbers: Allow your arms to act as shock absorbers by slightly bending your elbows and keeping a loose grip on the handlebars.
• Keep your eyes ahead: Look ahead to anticipate any bumps or obstacles and adjust your speed and position accordingly.
• Watch out for loose cobblestones: Keep an eye out for loose or broken cobblestones and try to avoid them if possible.

By following these tips, you can make cycling on cobblestones a safer and more enjoyable experience.

You can check out Timo’s other events at his website or to follow in his tyre prints, check out the route below: