On Sunday the 19th, the San Francisco Bike Coalition invites cyclists to a Monster Pothole Stenciling Project, an effort "to create a visual statement of our deteriorating streets."

But this Sunday, the 13th, our cycling friends across the sea are gathering to celebrate the worst roads in Europe. This annual celebration is also known as the Paris-Roubaix bike race, also known as "The Queen of the Classics" and "The Hell of the North."

The race, first run in 1896 and famous for its sections of rough cobblestones, has been endangered by improved roads -- so much so that race organizers and fan groups must lobby year-round against road upgrades.

With the Department of Public Works fixing potholes like crazy, who will stand up for San Francisco's historic cobblestones?

To witness "the greatest one-day cycling race in the world," you can watch live coverage of the whole race online at cycling.tv, beginning at 12:45 a.m. Sunday April 13 (warning to Mac users: low functionality). Or watch warmed-over coverage next weekend on cable tv on Versus, a.k.a. "The Red State Channel," starting at 1 p.m., Sunday April 20th.