Winter camps 2013

Hi All,

Been a while since I last wrote on my Blog, but it's reached that time of year when the racing season has finished and with November rapidly approaching we are all starting to think about the winter training camps.

For next year I'm hoping to add a new warm weather camp based in Santa Susanna in the Costa Blanca area of Spain. I have already been to the area and did some fact finding on the routes and hotels and I must say it's a stunning location!

The 'New Year Blowout' will once again be available, albeit, fingers crossed we don't endure the horrendous weather we encountered on the Saturday last time! Also, the Tour of Cornwall will hopefully be back in 2013, depending on numbers, but we have had interest from some Spanish riders who might be coming over to participate?

There is also the Majorca and Gert Jan Theunisse camps, the later of which I can thoroughly recommend!

Once again I will be offering special discounts and prizes for certain camps, with the emphasis on providing the best possible cycling holiday for all types of riders!

Stay tuned....

Mallorca Training Camp

Week Summary: 600km
3 x 5 hour rides with training segments inc: power riding, mountain sprints, cut & chase and team time trialling.
3 x 2-4 hour steady rides.
Thank you to the following for making it a success:
Dave Spencer, Marcus Walker, Warren Giddins, Kevin Ainsworth, Glen Ainsworth & Christine...(plus the Swiss triathlete who joined in on the training).
Gary Fry for meeting and guiding us through some great lanes.
The Bike Factory Chester for kindly sponsoring us with the vouchers.
The Hotel Dunas Blancas for making us very welcome with friendly staff and super food.

The only thing that could have made it better would have been riding with Gert Jan Theunisse!

Photos of the camp are available via Nick's Picasa Albums.

Mallorca Camp - Day 7 - The Race

Race day...

It was the day of the Mallorca Classic with guest apperance from Erik Zabel.

We all with the exception of Christine planned to enter this event to cap off our training week, unfortunately, that went straight out the window, because the weather was shat! You name it, we had it, rain, wind, lightening and hail, the only thing we didn't have...yes...bloody sun :(

Well, decision was made for us, a no go, well nearly, the two nutters, 'have-a-go' Glen (appropriate name I think) and Peligro Kev (again appropriately named) signed on and were up for it!

This was a day for chilling and watching the Amstel Gold, to see if Frank Schleck could get a result after his training excursion to Bunyola.

It turned into a wise decision as the weather just got worse as the day went on, couldn't believe we were in Majorca!

We ended up in a cycling cafe which was decorated in every conceivable cycling jersey you could imagine from time past and present, including many signed jerseys from professionals riders who have trained and raced here over the years.

After 4 or 5hrs the riders were coming across the line in small groups, looking like they had been dragged through a muddy lake, they were soaked, dirty and frozen, with mentions of a hail storm on one of the descents...all the joys of cycling...i think not!

The lads made it, which was fantastic, both very cold, shivering and desperately trying to get a hot drink down pass their blue lips. For their efforts they both received a fantastic jersey, presentation cups and a really nice certificate and to top off that, they both made the top 100 overall...supreme effort in such adverse conditions!

In the evening and after everyone had sorted themselves out, including 4 of us packing up to catch the late flight back, I gave Glen and Kev an extra prize, vouchers, kindly donated by The Bike Factory in Chester, supported by Dave Parry and Dave Quinn.

Mallorca Camp - Day 6

A good day for riding a bike...steady!

Yep, a recovery ride after yesterday's big efforts, everyone had heavy legs today!

Valdamosa was the destination, a little up & down for an easy ride, but worth it, a beautiful village set-in the foothills of the mountains.

The whole group set off today, meandering through the lanes on the way to Bunyola, where we took a left shortly before to put us us on the road to Valdamosa. I promised Christine it wasn't too bad, but, I forgot to tell her that this way did include the steep climb up to the village, which averaged at around 10%...did i hear a 'mardy' cry...umm, only a small one!

Before we reached the climb we got passed by an FDJ pro and the Garmin rider (which turned out to be their mechanic dressed up) and you could see Spenno chopping at the bit to react, but alas he held post! On the climb we rode steadily, until that is, have-a-go Glen, dare i say it, had-a-go, tear arsing up the road, flying past the pro and mechanic like they were track standing. He was going good I must give him credit, looks as if the week has paid off! Myself and Spenno went after him careful not to go in the red and spoil the recovery process, catching him just a few hundred metres from the top.

We all made our way to the cafe and Kev and Christine joined us shortly afterwards, and with a smile on her face knowing she had accomplished something she had not done before!

With the weather turning colder, we decided to get going, returning via Espories and Palma. Although a longer climb out of the village, it wasn't severe and once over this it was basically all down hill with a few small lumps on the way. It did split obviously, as the decent was quite technical in places with gravel on the corners, but no real delays. Once through Palma, the fun had started, the guys wanted to test their legs and truth told wanted to get back to Aladdins for the last coffee and cake of the week! Waz, Spenno & Marcus gave it some touching speeds of 50kph with Kev and Glen joining in with some surprise attacks, go to admit, it was fun, even though it bent the legs a little!

Pleasant day had by all and a great way to cap of a hard week.

Ride summary - route: rolling + 2 hills, 100km, training segment: 0 :-/

Mallorca Camp - Day 5

Friday the Thirteenth, a day of 2 halves...

We awoke to an early deluge of rain this morning, which made the roads treacherous for cycling. The weather report had it forecast rain in the morning and perhaps some sun in the afternoon, which, if correct we could still manage our third and final training segment ride. It was a matter of having a leisurely breakfast and waiting for it to clear up. Tough when everyone is so keen, well Kev anyway, he is forever checking the weather and routes on his iphone. Marcus on the other hand, just goes with what ever, ride, no ride, let's see how the day pans out...coffee anyone?

By 3pm it was as if the rain ever happened, a beautiful blue sky and warm sunshine, we were quickly changed and out and heading towards our first training segment at Sa Rapita. The ride along the coast route was fast but not uncomfortable, a good warm-up for the high level intensity to come! On the way we picked up a Swiss triathlete who asked if he could join us, no problem, he looked quite handy, so could prove useful, especially as the segment was based around team work!

After an hour plus of brisk riding we arrived at the designated course for the first segment, which was a freestyle 'cut & chase' format where 2 selected riders (drawn out of the hat at the previous evening's night out) would have a minute lead on the remaining group who then had to work together to try and catch the 2 escapees before they reached the turn approximately 10-12mins away...each pairing riding the course once! This was going to be tough as the road was and out & back with open stretches and a strong crosswind to hinder the riders progress. I did make a promise that if any team made it to the turn without being caught will have a coffee & cake from our favourite haunch, Aladdins on me...safe bet I thought!

First pair to go was 'have-a-go' Glen and 'Peligro' Kev, and to their credit rode superbly, holding off the Spenna, Warren, Marcus, myself and the Swiss triathlete, only being tagged 1/2km or so from the end. Next pair was Spenna and Waz, who quoted 'i'm more nervous for this than being on the start line for a 25m t.t.:-/

They meant business working well together while our chase disintegrated only to get the turn to watch Spenna and Waz celebrating...great effort...I'm sure it was the freebie coffee and cake that ignited the flames in their wheels :)

Jokes apart from the others about myself time wasting buying coke and water Marcus and I were the final pairing. Fortunately getting to the turn and some, before the others arrived in dribs and drabs, looking the worse for wear, but really happy with their first training segment of the day going well...top effort by all!

By the time we headed back to Arenal we had already completed 3hours and still had and hour or so to ride back including the team time trial segment. Once on the coast route we started, short turns, high cadence on 53 x 17, sweet! Everyone was doing a turn, until the change of direction and a few rolling sections made for hard going, leaving a few missed turns. 8km's on we passed a big group, but they didn't take the bait and left us to carry on and with a little over 10km's to go we called it a day and rode the rest of the way at a steady recovery.

A case of 2 halves, I should say so, rain and possibilities of no ride, then, sun and 4hrs and 130km covered with two training segments...can't be bad!

What was noticeable was that no one was 'mardy' and just gave a full-on effort, which the evening would pay testimony too...most had a relatively early night, having just two beers instead of the usual four :)

Well done guys, serious stuff done here today!

Ride summary - route: rolling, 130km, training segment: 2

Mallorca Camp - Day 4

A day for a relaxing recovery ride...well hopefully!

All seven out today after another excellent breakfast, which must be said has certainly satisfied the most ferocious appetites, mentioning no names, but it´s a close call between Peligro, have-a-go Glen and Mr chilled Marcus!

The route today was supposed to be simple, out past the airport, over to Santa Maria and finally lunch at Bunyola. What turned out was getting lost...again and ending up near Llucmajor, the complete opposite direction we wanted, riding down a side road which can only can be described as Mallorca´s answer to Paris Roubaix. Waz decided to call it a day and rode back to the hotel, albeit, he still managed to clock up 30km. After a few more diversions we did eventually find the Bunyola road and made are way up the slight incline to this beautiful historic village set in the foothills of the ´Serra de Tramuntana´. Sat outside in the small village square with all its old buildings surrounding the church, it made for an ideal sun trap as we took the opportunity to have coffee and baguettes beside one of the many cafes.

While sitting there, we noticed a rider in team Radioshack/Leoperd Trek kit pull up across the road with a man on a moped supporting him...it was Frank Schleck, out finalising his form in the mountains before the Amstel Gold race at the weekend. Spenna was star struck and wanted a photo next to him, which Glen had no problem in asking him by tramping across the road with his sun burned legs and arms in full view...it was very funny...you can imagine what he must of said in his Lancashire accent...´alreet c-ck, mind doin photo of me and my mate, ta´. Frank obliged and Glen and Spenno got their wish and truth told, Schleck, who not exactly biggest rider in the peleton, made Spenno look like a body builder :-/ still think Gert would give him trouble on a bike!

Lunch over and Spenno still in star struck mode, it was decided to drop down out of Bunyola and climb Soller, and take a quick scenic group photo at the summit. Riding in pairs and making our way up at a comfortable pace, Christine, who already ridden over some hard terrain made it to the top with encouragement from Peligro, an absolutely brilliant ride...top draw effort!

From their we noticed the weather changing for the worse, so it was a matter of finding the quickest route back to Arenal, which turned out to be straight to Palma and then back along the cycle path to the promenade front.

What turned out to be an easy ride, was, but we did take 4 hours to complete it :-/

A good day all told, especially for Spenno and Glen who now can say they have met one of the Schleck brothers!

Ride summary - route: flat + couple of hills, 96km, training segment: 0

Mallorca Camp - Day 3

First and foremost I would like to thank Gary Fry for riding out to meet us on today´s ride!

Luckily we awoke to a fantastic day, warm with blue skies, which in reality was a blessing as this was going to be a tough day with two training segments planned, one on the 5km climb of Randa and one on the longer and steeper San Salvador climb. As Randa was fairly close we decided to make a round-about ride to the climb to give us chance to warm-up before the purgatory starts!

The idea on the first segment was each rider to complete 6 x 10 secs hard accelerations, jumping hard from the back of the group for 10secs on 39 x 16, as soon as he sits down the next rider goes and so on until each rider completes 6 efforts. Impressive was the only way to describe how the lads rode, even new boy Glen, who´s motto is Í´ll have a go´ performed brilliantly! Not forgetting his dad Kev, who has only been riding and racing for two seasons showed some true Lancashire grit!

At the top, it was a case of a quick team photo of the magnificent view and then it was off down the decent and onto San Salvador, over an hour´s ride away, which was a perfect opportunity to rid ourselves of any lactic build up. Gary couldn´t have timed it better as he was just beginning to climb Randa as we all came hurtling down to the village. I´ll tell ya, to say this guy is tanned , is an understatement, he looked as he had been dipped in dark wood stain, we were just so jealous, looking like six pale face riders just been released from winter hibernation...between Gert & Gary it would be very difficult to bet on who´s the darkest!

Gary took us on from Randa, as he knows most, if not all the islands traffic free roads, which was great as it allowed the riders to relax and enjoy what Mallorca has to offer, fantastic cycling!

Arriving at San Salvador, we prepared for the second training segment, a power effort, with each rider climbing on 53 x 16 seated all the way. This was going to be tough as some areas the gradient rises to 14% and coupled with the length, it made for a very interesting segment. Obviously it split on the way up, with Marcus and Spenno showing some very good condition by pushing on, with Waz, Glen & Gary (don´t think he participted, climbing at his own pace) following a few hairpins behind no doubt suffering just as much. Kev (nicknamed Peligro) who was riding with us at the front, albeit, on the small chainring, nearly wiped himself out, not once, but twice, first with another rider descending fast round a corner, followed by a car, who rightly shouted some Spanish expletives out the window...right side Peligro!

Nearing the top Marcus who was showing great strength, suddenly had to ease off, with his back forcing him to take the last 500m or so on an easier gear, leaving Spenno riding strong and constant to arrive at the top shortly after Peligro. Once again everyone completed the segment in one way or another, which was great and made all the more worthwhile once they got to the Monastery and the unbelievable views stretching as far as the eye could see in every direction.

Again a quick photo opportunity and then off down the fantastic decent to Felanitx for a well deserved cold drink and light lunch and a chance to catch up with Gary.

Parting ways Gary made for home, just 15km or so away and we headed in the direction of Campos, then onto the coast road back to Arenal. The Campos road, was not ideal, a main road which was very straight and open. Spenno and Waz were on the front giving it a regular tempo of 32kph into a hefty breeze and all credit, kept it going for the whole time to Campos. From then on it was a case of everyone having a spell on the front and keeping the momentum to add to the training effect!

Once on the coast road,´have-a-go´ Glen was suffering, the distance was taking it´s toll, not surprisingly, but tenacity is definitely his strong point as he never gave up!

On the long decent into Arenal, Waz and Spenno shot off, racing down at well over 55kph, and why not, working on the down bits is rarely done and can be so effective for leg speed! Most like to race up the hills and glide down the other side...Cancellara is a prime example of continuing his racing effort over a climb, he can put minutes into riders with his superlative descending skills!

Again a great day, finished off with refreshing beer and a last bit of afternoon sun...this is how it should be!

Ride summary - route: rolling + 2 monastery climbs, 138km, training segment: 2