a training holiday is it worth it?

Felix-da-house-mouse

Hi i am currently sitting at home nursing a broken arm which basically means little or no cycling except gym machines.

What i wanted to know is:- i've basically just started cycling and i wanted to know whether a week on the continent training would be worth the time and money? i am hoping to get into tt's with the local cc but so far this winter i've been unable to do any training "not that i have much of an idea what i should be doing" i struggle up hills and feel i need to improve my overall fitness quite alot, i'm 27 5ft 7 ish and weigh 10st 3lbs so i should be a hill climber but i really struggle. Would a week away be either too much for me or a waste of money etc??

Mike Willcox

One week is not going to do it for you training wise but as a holiday to lift your spirits then great. Given a choice then getting out on the bike in dry warm weather conditions is preferable to dark cold wet and windy anytime.

On the other hand you need to have a a good aerobic base already to take full advantage of a training holiday unless you say ride every other day and rest up inbetween. Nah second thoughts save your money.

andy_wrx

If you mean a training camp, then be careful which you choose.
- some are of such a standard that you need to train to be fit enough to go on the training camp !

Blonde

Yes they are worth doing in Spring or in Autumn. Spring is particularly good as a pre-race season training camp but autumn also good for a late holdiday and relaxation. If going to to Spain/Mallorca then I'd recommend mid-March/April or going in September/October.Too early and you risk being rained off, too near high season and the roads are full of tourist busses and it is too hot to enjoy the mountains. If going to Mallorca, Porta Pollenca is best bet for hotel for easy access to mountains. We are doing this one this year (having used the company before and found them excellent) but there are many other companies and hotels you could use: http://www.gpm10.com/schedule_majorca.shtml

I can also recommend staying at the Belvedere in Riccione, Romagna area of Italy. They are many other bike hotels there as well but this is the one we use. Best times to go in terms of prices (no peak) and in terms of weather (much hotter than here but not too hot) are May or September. Excellent guided rides, wonderful food and lovely place to stay. Service is also exceptional. http://www.belvederericcione.com/cgi/be ... e=ciclisti PDF brocure worth downloading. It really does look like that too!

cee

mmm a holiday sounds good.

If theres a bit of cycling involved perfect, if not beaches work too!

Felix-da-house-mouse

na bin the beaches lol.

can anyone recommend a beginner level holiday destinations/company?

notanotherhill

Have you considered doing it yourself?
Get a couple of mates, book a villa in Lanzarote (or where ever), spend a week training.
Ok you dont get any coaching, but you ride with people you already know, probably at a pace your comfortable with, and if you chose the time of year correctly it can be a very cheap weeks training in warm weather.

velodromeorguk

A little training somewhere else and some sunshine is always woth it IMHO