Top 10 'Cobblestone-Shaking' Virtual Cycling Trails to try at Home for a Taste of the Spring Classics
The air grows crisp, the days get longer, and for cyclists, a palpable excitement begins to build. It’s a feeling synonymous with one thing: the Spring Classics are upon us. The roar of the Belgian crowds, the brutal beauty of the French pavé, and the heroic, mud-splattered efforts of the pros create a spectacle unlike any other in sport. It's a time of legendary races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, where grit, power, and a little bit of luck forge cycling gods.
For most of us, riding the Koppenberg or surviving the Arenberg Forest is a distant dream. But what if you could experience a slice of that brutal glory right from your own home? Thanks to the incredible evolution of smart trainers and virtual cycling platforms, the bone-rattling, leg-searing challenge of the Classics is more accessible than ever. These aren't just mindless pedal-fests; they are sophisticated simulations that can replicate the steep gradients and punishing surfaces that define these iconic races.
So, pump up your tires, fill your water bottles, and get ready to suffer in the best way possible. We’re diving into the top 10 virtual cycling trails that will shake your handlebars, test your resolve, and give you a genuine taste of the Spring Classics. Whether you're training for your next event or just looking to break the monotony of indoor riding, these routes will transport you to the hallowed roads of cycling history.
1. Zwift's "Cobbled Climbs" (Watopia)
This route is the quintessential starting point for any aspiring virtual Flandrien. Found in Zwift’s original world of Watopia, "Cobbled Climbs" is a direct homage to the thrilling finale of the 2015 UCI World Championships in Richmond, Virginia. That race was won with a Classics-style attack, and this route perfectly captures the punchy, explosive effort required.
The main events are two short, viciously steep, cobbled climbs: Libby Hill and 23rd Street. Your smart trainer will ramp up the resistance dramatically, forcing you out of the saddle as you grind over the virtual pavé. The route is a short loop, meaning you can hit these climbs multiple times in a single session, perfecting your pacing and power application. It's a fantastic workout for building the anaerobic capacity needed to attack a short, steep berg.
Pro Tip: Don't go into the red on Libby Hill. It's tempting to smash it, but there's a tricky false flat and a fast descent before the final, brutal kick up 23rd Street. Save a match for that final push to the line, and practice accelerating over the crest of the climb rather than easing off.
2. Rouvy's "Koppenberg"
If authenticity is what you crave, Rouvy is your platform. Using real-life video synchronized with resistance data, Rouvy puts you on the actual roads of the Spring Classics. And what road is more infamous than the Koppenberg? This climb is a legend of the Tour of Flanders, a narrow, cobbled beast with gradients that hit a staggering 22%.
Riding the Koppenberg on Rouvy is a humbling experience. You see the slick, uneven cobblestones pass beneath you as your avatar struggles to maintain momentum. The resistance from your smart trainer becomes immense, and you’ll quickly understand why even the pros are sometimes forced to unclip and walk. It's a pure test of raw power and grit.
Pro Tip: Attack the base of the climb with momentum and shift into your easiest gear before you hit the steepest sections. Maintaining a high cadence is nearly impossible, so focus on smooth, powerful pedal strokes to avoid stalling out. This is a true test of your climbing ability.
3. FulGaz's "Carrefour de l'Arbre" (Paris-Roubaix)
Welcome to the Hell of the North. FulGaz offers stunning, high-quality video that makes you feel like you're truly there, and its selection of Paris-Roubaix cobbled sectors is second to none. The Carrefour de l'Arbre is one of the most decisive five-star sectors of the race, a brutal 2.1km stretch of jagged, poorly-maintained cobblestones that has shattered dreams and crowned champions.
Riding this on FulGaz is less about climbing and all about power and vibration. While your trainer can't physically shake you, the visual input and the constant demand for power output create an immersive, draining experience. You have to fight the bike, keep the power down, and pretend you're floating over the stones. It’s an incredible simulation of the unique physical demands of riding the pavé. I was discussing indoor training with Goh Ling Yong recently, and we agreed that simulating these unique, high-torque efforts is crucial for preparing for variable terrain.
Pro Tip: Focus on a "high-hands" position on your handlebars and try to keep your upper body relaxed to absorb the virtual bumps. Maintain a steady, high-power output rather than surging. This is about diesel-engine endurance, not punchy attacks.
4. Zwift's "Duchy Estate" (Yorkshire)
The 2019 UCI World Championships in Yorkshire, England, was a race run in epically foul weather, giving it an instant Classics feel. The Zwift course, based on the Harrogate finishing circuit, perfectly captures the relentlessly rolling and punchy nature of the terrain. It’s a war of attrition, much like the Ardennes Classics such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
The "Duchy Estate" route is defined by its constant, nagging undulations. There are no massive mountains, but you are almost never on flat ground. The circuit includes the Otley Road climb, a short but stinging ramp that will sap your legs lap after lap. This is the perfect course for practicing your pacing and learning how to recover quickly between hard efforts.
Pro Tip: Use the short descents to your full advantage. Spin your legs out and take a drink, because another punchy climb is always just around the corner. This is a great route for interval training, pushing hard on the climbs and recovering on the downs.
5. Rouvy's "Oude Kwaremont"
Alongside the Koppenberg and Paterberg, the Oude Kwaremont is part of the holy trinity of the Tour of Flanders finale. What makes it unique isn't its steepness—it's the length. At 2.2km long, it's a dragging, draining, cobbled climb that wears riders down before the final attacks are launched.
Riding the Kwaremont on Rouvy is a masterclass in suffering. The gradient hovers around a manageable 4%, but the uneven road surface adds a significant layer of difficulty. Your legs will burn as you grind it out, watching the Belgian farmhouses and cheering fans (from the race-day video) pass by. It’s a mental and physical battle to hold your speed on such a long stretch of pavé.
Pro Tip: Settle into a rhythm early. This climb is too long to attack from the bottom. Find a gear you can sustain and focus on putting the power down smoothly. Imagine you're trying to drop your rivals with a steady, relentless tempo.
6. Zwift's "2018 UCI Worlds Short Lap" (Innsbruck)
While set in Austria, the signature climb of this course has a distinct Ardennes Classics flavour, reminiscent of the Mur de Huy, the famous finishing climb of La Flèche Wallonne. This route is all about one thing: a brutally steep climb nicknamed "The Höll" (Hell) by the pros.
The climb itself is short, but it hits a maximum gradient of 28%. On a smart trainer, this feels like riding into a wall. It’s a pure, out-of-the-saddle, handlebar-wrenching effort that will have your heart rate maxed out. Completing multiple laps of this circuit is one of the best ways to build the explosive power needed for the steepest "muurs" (walls) of the Classics.
Pro Tip: Approach the climb with as much speed as you can carry from the descent. Shift to your smallest gear just before the gradient kicks up, and be prepared to stand. The effort is short, so you can afford to go deep, but pace it just enough to be able to kick again over the top.
7. RGT Cycling's "Paterberg"
RGT Cycling (now part of Wahoo X) is another platform known for its "Real Roads," and their version of the Paterberg is a must-ride. The Paterberg is the final cobbled climb of the modern Tour of Flanders, a short but vicious ramp where the winning move is often made. It averages 12.9% but kicks up to over 20%.
Riding it on RGT provides a starkly realistic feel. The platform’s physics engine does a great job of simulating the fight for traction and momentum on such a steep and rough surface. It's the ultimate test of whether you have anything left in the tank after a long, hard ride. For a true Classics simulation, try riding a long, flat route before tackling this climb.
Pro Tip: This climb is all about raw power. It's over in less than two minutes for the pros, so it's a full-gas anaerobic effort. Hit it hard from the bottom and just hang on until the top. There's no pacing, only pain.
8. Zwift's "Roule Ma Poule" (France)
Set in the beautiful French countryside of Zwift's virtual world, this route offers a different flavour of Classics riding. It’s less about brutal pavé and more about the rolling, punchy hills typical of races like the Amstel Gold Race or the French "Flandrien" races.
The route features two key climbs per lap: the Aqueduc KOM and the Petit KOM. These are short, twisting ascents that reward riders who can punch hard for a few minutes and recover quickly. The rolling terrain between the climbs keeps the pressure on, making it a fantastic simulation of a long, attritional day in the saddle. Even for an experienced cyclist like Goh Ling Yong, a few laps of this route can be a surprisingly tough workout.
Pro Tip: Use the draft of other riders on the flatter sections to conserve energy for the climbs. On the Petit KOM, a final switchback near the top gets deceptively steep. Save a little kick for this last section to carry your speed over the crest.
9. Rouvy's "Cauberg" (Amstel Gold Race)
The Amstel Gold Race is the Dutch Spring Classic, and for years its finale was defined by the legendary Cauberg. While the finish line has since been moved, the climb remains the most iconic feature of the race, a punishing drag up out of the town of Valkenburg that has witnessed countless dramatic attacks.
Rouvy’s augmented reality version lets you ride the real thing. It's not as steep as the Belgian bergs, but it's long enough to do serious damage. You can feel the gradient increase as you pass the roadside cafes and houses, pushing towards the summit. It’s the perfect climb for a sustained, high-power effort of 2-3 minutes.
Pro Tip: The Cauberg is a power-climber's delight. Start your effort strong but controlled at the bottom, and build your intensity as the gradient bites. The final 200 meters are the steepest, so this is where you need to give your final, race-winning dig.
10. BKool's "Strade Bianche" Sections
We can't talk about modern classics without mentioning the stunning Strade Bianche. Famous for its white gravel roads, or "sterrati," it's a unique and beautiful race. BKool, with its 3D world and video simulations, offers several routes that let you experience these iconic Tuscan roads.
Riding virtual gravel is a unique challenge. While you don't have to worry about traction, the constantly rolling and rough terrain requires immense concentration and core strength. The resistance on your trainer will fluctuate as you ride the steep, chalky climbs. It's a fantastic full-body workout and a great simulation of one of cycling's most popular new classics.
Pro Tip: Treat the sterrati sections like long efforts. Focus on a smooth pedal stroke and a steady power output. The climbs on these sections are often short and very steep, so be ready to shift gears quickly and put out a big spike in power to get over them.
Your Living Room, Your Colosseum
The beauty of the Spring Classics lies in their unforgiving nature. They are a pure celebration of human strength and endurance against the elements and the terrain. While nothing can ever fully replace the feeling of real wind and rain on your face, these virtual routes offer an incredibly immersive and effective way to connect with the spirit of these legendary races.
They provide more than just a workout; they offer a goal, a challenge, and a story. So next time you climb on your smart trainer, don't just ride. Choose a route, channel your inner Tom Boonen or Marianne Vos, and conquer your own cobbled classic.
What are your favourite virtual routes for a Classics-style workout? Did we miss any hidden gems? Drop your recommendations in the comments below and let's build the ultimate indoor pavé-fest!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!