I thought this article on PezCyclingNews especially enlightening to someone like myself who has never ridden the cobble stones.
Talk about fatigue.
There is a very short section of cobbled streets in downtown Charleston, SC. When I was there riding with the Citadel cycling club, we used to hit that on a lot of rides, but I have to say that we tip-toed our bikes over it. I can’t imagine slamming through there trying to race. These classics riders blow me away with their seemingly fearless thrashing across the cobbles.
One day I’ll finally get over to the Euro cobbles. . .I’ll be taking the winter bomb-proof bike for that one!