Too often these days the sport of professional road racing makes headlines for all the wrong reasons. Trials, suspensions, fighting organizations all assault the cycling fan on an almost daily basis. Even the biggest fan tends to question their devotion to the sport.

With that in mind, I decided to create a list of what is right with the sport. I present my list of things, places and other sundry items that make the sport better than any other.

What's good about pro cycling?

Arenberg Forest - Is there a more well-known and historic, yet feared, stretch of road in cycling? 2.4km of pave torture that begins the selection process at Roubaix. The Forest of Arenberg is the fiery home of Beelzebob in the Hell of the North. That last sentence was a little Bobke imitation.


Muur Kapelmuur (Muur van Geraardsbergen/Mur de Grammont) - The hill has different names depending on your heritage but it is always steep and cobbled. The Muur IS Flanders.


Monte Paschi Eroica - In a time when much of the sport is becoming more and more formulaic and robotic, the Italians unleash an old school neo-classic, the Monte Paschi Eroica. A hilly ride through Tuscany on the famed gravel or crushed stone roads known as the strada bianca.


to be continued...