The idea behind this trip is to bring together friends of similar cycling
ability to explore the quiet and mountainous regions of south central
Spain. There, the Spanish sun and challenging mountainous
terrain will reawaken, strengthen and warm you. Building fitness for
fun and competition in 2011 is only one benefit, the unbelievable
riding, amazing scenery, great food, and great people will be an
experience you won’t easily forget. With much better weather than
February in New England, and a dedicated 9 days to training, you’re
sure to get stronger and faster and have fun in the process. This year
I’m specifically inviting my good cycling friends; this trip is not open
to the public.
There are 2 trips going for 9 days each:
Camp 1: Wednesday 2/9/2011 – Friday 2/18/2011 (Plan to fly from USA 2/8)
Camp 2: Saturday 2/19/2011 – Monday 2/28/2011 (Plan to fly from USA 2/18
The large villa where we’re staying is in a valley in right in the Spanish
Sierra Nevada mountain range. There is a 25m pool, ‘bike room’, and
‘gymnasium’. Their place is very comfortable and they are fantastic
hosts. (For more info on Andy and Tracy’s inn, see: www.idlebreaks.com)
This is a training trip with a major focus on riding with
various challenging climbs. Each day will feature rides between 4 and 6
hours long, always with various shorter possibilities as well and each
day features a different route. Pace is base pace and mild tempo for the
most part.
The days typically unfold like this:
8am coffee/tea
8:30 am Yoga
9:30 breakfast
10:30 ride start
1pm lunch
4pm ride ends
5-7 recovery; relaxation; hot tub
9pm dinner
10pm movie
Each ride is fully supported with a follow car containing a tool kit,
floor pump, any extra clothes you’d want to pack, snacks, and lunch!
We’ll also do 3 ’special trips’:
1) A day trip to go climb the ‘Pico de Vuelta’, a 3500m climb. This
climb is often used in the Vuelta de Espana
2) A day trip to Granada to visit the Alhambra; one of the seven wonders
of the ancient world
3) An evening trip to a nearby village for dinner; to give Tracy an
evening off and enjoy in some local fare
Cost for this trip is $1150 per session; This includes a double occupancy
room, all meals, all transportation for ’special trips’, daily follow car and
pickup/dropoff from Malaga airport. Airfare is not included in this
price. I just checked prices online and they are hovering around $700
round trip (Boston / Malaga). If you look around at other training
trips you may notice that this is a very good deal. This because we are
not doing this trip to make money but rather trying to bring friends
together and have a good time.
Check out some of the pictures from last year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16894410@N02/sets/72157606677095315/
If you have any questions or are interested in going, let me know.
Please note that previous attendees were given first dibs at signing up;
consequently only 6 spots are left. Act soon if you’re interested.
