English
A Weekend In The Sun
April 7th – April 10th 2011
Thursday the 7th of April saw myself and fellow team wiggle rider Pete Kitchen board a plane bound for the sunny resort of La Manga Club (www.lamangaclub.com) located in Murcia on the southern coast of Spain. We were on our way out there for a four day training camp organised by Fitness 12. The company was set up by top personal trainer and lifestyle guru Steve Halsall offering cycle training camps as well as triathlon training and personal training programmes.
The weather was looking good and as we arrived at the resort we were greeted by stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding hills. After checking into our apartment for the weekend we set about building our bikes which had made it through the flight safe and sound thanks to the careful handling of monarch airlines and excellent protection of the Scicon aero hard case hat I had borrowed for the trip. Bikes set up, we headed off to bed for a good nights sleep.
The next morning we were up early and headed down to the deli café to load up with a well stocked continental breakfast buffet. Then it was back to the apartment to change and get the bikes ready for the days riding. At reception we met up with the rest of our group and the Fitness 12 guides and headed off to collect the rest of the groups bikes from the local hire company. Bikes sorted and bottles filled we embarked on what was going to be a warm days riding.
The route for the first day was a 50km route heading out from the resort. The roads was smooth and fast and we soon found ourselves cruising along and a steady pace passing through local villages and out along the coastline. It was great riding and we soon got into some through and off training with the guides and members of the group. After a café stop with 42miles of riding in the bag we headed back to the resort and took in the great views and descents as we climbed from Portman back to the resort. Ride 1, 48 miles with 1600ft of climbing in 28 degree heat.
Upon our return we were greeted by lunch and recovery drinks as part of the package all prepared by Steve. It was great to sit with the group and chat about the ride whilst feasting on an array of fresh fruit, meat, cheese, nuts and bread all washed down with a glass of Zipvit recovery drink. After the refuelling we headed over to the resorts spa for a 30 minute stretching session with Steve followed by a session in the steam room and plunge pool. I had never been in a plunge pool before, but after entering the icy water four times for four minutes a time followed by a dip in the hot pool my legs were feeling pretty fresh again. At dinner that night there was a great buzz about the group and we were all looking forward to the second days riding.
Saturday started the same as Friday with a trip down to the deli café for breakfast, ate slightly more than Friday as we were out on a 70 mile loop with a lot more climbing involved. After meeting at the bike shop again we headed out ready to take on the day’s route. The ride started fairly flat with Pete and myself doing a bit of motor pacing on the main road behind Steves car before he peeled off and we rejoined the group. After about 28miles and a long 20k 6% uphill drag we found ourselves at the top of an amazing descent and when the guide said we’ll regroup at the bottom we were off. There is nothing better than being able to pin it down a road and see what’s coming way in advance. After lots of swooping corners and hairpins we ended up in town, everyone had a big smile on their face as we sat down for a quick café break and water stop. The ride back took us up another long climb of between 8 and 10 percent and then flowed along fast open roads where we could work as a group and really keep the pace high. As we came towards the Portman climb again, there was a majority of the group that wanted to head back along the flat roads rather than take on the climb again. While they stopped at a garage to get more water and their sugar fixes, Pete and I decided we were feeling fresh enough to head straight over Portman and meet them back at the resort.
After the first climb and then the long descent I discovered this was a bad idea on my behalf as I bonked half way up the last climb and really struggled to make it to the top. Getting there took a lot of mental willpower and although I was completely empty by the end, the sense of achievement was overwhelming as we all sat down to another excellent recovery meal prepared by Steve. The afternoon was the same again with stretching and spa session. Ride 2, 70 miles with 4800ft of climbing in 35 degree heat.
The next morning we packed our bikes and as we sat having breakfast we discussed how we could easily have spent another three weeks out there doing the same thing everyday. Already started planning the next trip. Big thanks to Steve and his colleague James for showing us an amazing time and being great hosts. La Manga Club is such a great place and well worth considering if you are after a full on training experience run by professional, friendly experts. For more information check out www.fitness12retreats.com or visit www.stevehalsall.com
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