Training Camp, Spain

Training camp number one, done and dusted. Successful? I certainly think so. 

The conditions back home in England and my base for the season Holland, were not great for training. Unless, however, you were training for the winter Olympics, something I certainly was not doing, and never plan to. The idea of a warm weather training camp is exactly that, warm weather, sun. But, trying to plan to beat the bad weather in your native country is pretty impossible to do. You book and hope. But, for the first time, my escape the bad weather camp was very well planned. My plane took off, all be it in freezing conditions and on the same day the snow started to fall! Perfect, for me, but not for those stuck! 

Waking up to the sun, riding in the sun, it just instantly makes a difference. Morale is higher, motivation also. The best bit, picking what clothes to wear is so much easier! Theres also less of it, so getting dressed takes half the time! Another massive positive, the sun generally means no rain. With no rain means no cleaning of the bike. Training bikes of professional cyclists, I dread to think what some look like. I know what mine looked liked at times over the winter...... Let’s just say it would have been better to clean it straight away, saves you so much time! 

I’m not going to pull the wool over your eyes and say we had perfect weather all the time however. It seemed, rest days, turned into rain days. Although that meant rest days were not so much fun, but when is a rest day fun, it meant what ever fell from the sky during that day could no longer fall the next. For me, that was great. But, the rain one morning, to use a common saying I seem to say a lot was, not normal or niet normal! Within seconds our balcony was flooded. It was like someone was standing by the window with a shower hose. Lucky for us it didn’t last the whole day, otherwise swimming could have been my new sport. 

My base for 11 days would be Costa Mijas. 40km from Malaga and 20km for Marbella. A nice base right on the sea and within throwing distance of lots, and I mean lots, of mountains and climbs. I worked out pretty quickly on day one, the only way was up, well actually down also, but never flat. Unless, however, you decided to ride along the main road, which we got told on day three, was one of the most dangerous in Europe. Thanks, for the encouraging information! 

My plan was mapped out and as ever I intended to do every hour written, and if possible more. There’s something about riding in Spain that makes riding your bike easier. The roads seem to run smoothly under the tires, rather than bouncing all over the show, avoiding every pot hole and crack in the road. Sometimes, I think, living in Spain on a year long basis would be a good idea. Year round good weather, amazing training routes. Well, it’s a good idea, would just have to find a safer option of riding a flat rote! 

My training went well. I enjoyed every second that I was there. But, I am not going to lie. I was ready to come home when it was time for my flight back. I like normality. A training camp is the exact opposite. I like getting away but I also enjoy coming back again. I think, the other thing was, I was satisfied with the work I had put in on the bike. My training was a mix of long rides and higher intensity. Training with my boyfriend, Marco, was brilliant. It pushes me for the whole ride and doing intervals with him is like being in a race. Something, which for this time of year is great to be doing. Considering the first race is about a month away!  

So, I’ve been back for a few days and I’ve been taking it pretty easy. A couple of rest days, well, each day I’ve ridden for an hour to keep the legs ticking over and active recovery is also good for you. The internet was pretty rubbish there so now I’ve also caught up on all the emails and messages I seemed to have accumulated. I’m ready to get back to the grind. A cyclist is a strange species. You look forward to some rest, a few off days, as soon as you get them your biting at the bit to get going again. 

Next on the agenda. Team presentation is on the 6th February. So a day packed full of sponsors and all the usual stuff that happens on team presentation day. From there its off to Germany, well only for a flight to Majorca and then 10 days of training together as one unit. The training plan looks good and I’m excited to train with the girls. From there the team will be selected for the first race of the European season, Het Nieuwsblad. So, it’s all go go. But, thats just how I like it, otherwise life is pretty boring!