Heading Out
Set the vibe Are you planning on popping bottles nightly, or is this camp for serious #gainz? Always make sure your crew is on board for the same mission: it’s never fun to be the one rider who really wants to take the camp seriously, get 10 hours of sleep and eat loads of vegetables and healthy snacks while everyone else anticipates doughnuts, sixpacks and leisurely rides with plenty of coffee-shop stops. Make sure your friends are on-board with the general plan before you start looking for a place to book.
Set the expectations When planning the camp, decide if you’re going to measure in hours or kilometres of riding, and have an idea of goals for each day. This way, your crew can prepare accordingly. That’s right, you should be training for training camp. “Come prepared physically, get some time on the bike or aerobic activity before you go to camp so it is more enjoyable for you and your friends,” said Quinton Disera.
Book the right spot A word to the wise on Airbnbs: often, the number of people that a house can hold is based on the capacity of its beds. A house that can fit 10 people might only have five beds and three bedrooms. Assess total beds, bedrooms and bathrooms before you book. Also, finding a place that has a washer and dryer will save you headaches and saddle sores.
Pack smart Have one guy bring a pump. Have another bring a coffee grinder. Someone else brings an electric kettle, while another packs bike tools. Don’t do what some of Canada’s elite riders did, outfitting themselves with seven coffee grinders and Aeropresses. In addition to plenty of clean bib shorts (you can re-wear a jersey but for the love of God, don’t re-wear bibs without washing), B.c.-based Carter Woods recommended remembering the small things that will make the week smoother, like lip balm (preferably one with sunscreen) to avoid windburned lips. “Definitely bring more tubes than you would expect,” Woods said because if you don’t flat, someone else will. He recommended bringing a good pair of glasses, too.