TRAINING CAMPS

HOW TO MAKE THE OFF-SEASON WORK FOR YOU

Any top cyclist will tell you that the secret to a successful season is in getting a strong pre-season in the legs. This is where the foundations for success are laid and few who struggle through this crucial period go on to winning seasons. Even the hardiest among us will admit that surviving a no-holds-barred British winter with fitness and motivation intact on the other side has its challenges. But to lay the groundwork we need to be healthy and to keep a mental focus. When you’ve already endured months of miserable weather and spring has become an abstract concept, it can be di!cult to rouse yourself for another few hours of being tossed around like a rag doll outdoors. It’s at times like this when dusting o" your passport and seeking some winter sun will work wonders.

NEVER MIND THE BALEARICS

For Europeans, Majorca and the Canary Islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the favoured destinations. Majorca is the fan favourite because of its relative proximity, airline accessibility, variety of riding, tolerance of motorists and climate. The volcanic Canaries offer year-round warm sunshine, with the latter two offering high altitudes, but involve flight times of up to five hours.

Cycling coach Ben Wilson, of Personal Best Cycling Services (personalbestcycling.co.uk), arranges a camp with his clients just before the onset of spring and is a firm believer in them. “At this time of year they’re a great way to kickstart your season because your job is simply to ride your bike, instead of having to juggle it around all the other aspects of home life. Through no fault of your own, whether it’s family, work or bad weather, there are times through winter when you just aren’t able to get

Jetting off to the sun for a training camp breaks the shackles of the British winter, but how can we make the most of our time away?