Training camp in Spain 2012

mickyc28
mickyc28 Posts: 9
edited August 2011 in Training, fitness and health
Hi

I organise a training camp/holiday usually for about 10 mates. We fancy going to Southern Spain in April next year. Can anybody recommend a training camp preferably with guides. One problem - we want breakfast and evening meal provided, who wants to cook after all those hills?

Cheers for any advice

mickyc

Comments

  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Vamos cycling. Gary is a great rider and his wife an equal cook. Great area to ride in BUT it's a lot of up and down poss. and not much flat. Some stunning riding tho'
    M.Rushton
  • Ron Stuart
    Ron Stuart Posts: 1,242
    I would recommend the following place in April, in fact it's about the best time of year and you guys could do it on a very low budget..... http://burgauvilla.com/
    There are two Villas available one with two twins and another with two twins plus extra sleeping on ground floor. There is also accomodation with this set-up in the same resort...
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/PerfectAl ... 1113119821 Miguel who runs the Villas/Restaurant/Pool etc is one of my ride buddies when I am out there, he has excellent English and is a Member of the Lagos Road Bike club with up to 30 out on Sundays, he also rides a few times along with others during the week, except for high summer.
    Not all hills but the Monchique Mountain range is within easy reach from Burgau (45mins ride time) highest point is the Foia 902m, the west coast roads are great, some pictures here from my exploits in the past....

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... ed0e427dcb
    and
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3 ... 08e17e5b70

    Anything you need to know about getting from Airport or car hire let us know.

    Best winter/spring cycling weather in Europe along with great food/drink much cheaper than UK. 8) :wink:
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    +1 for Vamos, excellent riding on empty smooth roads. Excellent hosts and well integrated into the local town - they had a great fiesta while we were there in the small square just by the house. The broad bean fiesta. Free beans, ham, chorizo and wine. Can't be bad. They'll pick up you up from the airport as well, so you won't need a car unless you really want one.
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I can highly recommend http://www.andaluciancyclingexperience. ... ining.html had a great time over there a couple of years ago (brilliant roads and well guided) and hoping to go back next year. You might need to book pretty early to get all of you into the Farmhouse Hotel option though.
  • Ron Stuart
    Ron Stuart Posts: 1,242
    If you must have guides and all the catering supplied on the spot then the best Training Camp/Hotel probably in the world is this one... http://www.belvederericcione.com/en/hotel_0.html
    At first glance it looks more expensive than the Spanish ones quoted to date but as far as value for money the Belvedere can't be beat. I have been there 10 times in the past and you will not require paying anymore for food and drink. In fact you can ride every day and still put weight on if you’re not careful.
    All kit is washed overnight and ready to use next morning, full cyclist breakfast, food/energy drink to take on ride, full pasta buffet on return (3pm ish) and a fantastic restaurant meal in the evening. Also entertainment on some nights of the week, pool, wellness and top class guides. De Rosa bikes for hire etc.
    One of the best things is there are usually three groups for the rides, each with a guide or guides, this caters for the different abilities and are ridden at different paces. It's still hilly but maybe not as relentless as Vamos.
    12 minute free transfer from Rimini Airport jobs a goodun.

    My previous post regards the Algarve would have better weather and would with 4 sharing a great villa at £325 a week be one very cheap holiday but if you want it all on the plate then I would recommend the Belvedere in Italy. :wink: 8)
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    +1 to the Belvedere. The riding is as hard as you want to make it and the guides are excellent. Not seen anyone get the better of Felice. We had 17 days there in May and the hotel was its usual high standard - the food both quality/quantity is stunning.
    M.Rushton
  • If you want a personalised Training Camp for your group, with airport transfers, HB accommodation (all you can eat buffet breakfast and dinner), professional guides, support vehicle and the hest training routes in Europe get in touch with Train in Spain. They run training and coaching camps as well as organise camps for clubs and groups of friends.
    Based in Denia, the routes are the same ones used by BMC, Quickstep, Radioshack, Astana etc. every winter. Check out their Facebook gallery page for a better idea:
    http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=169485481383

    http://www.facebook.com/TraininSpain

    or contact them via: www.traininspain.net
  • Cheers for the all the advice, very kind. I have been to Riccione and have done The Novo Colli whilst staying there. I stayed at hotel Adlon who were also brilliant. I haven't cycled Spain or Portugal yet so fancied that.

    Thanks again everybody, keep all the advice coming.

    mickyc