Spend 8 days riding the climbs used in the Tour de France as you train with the experts in the glorious Pyrenees. You'll enjoy riding out on a daily basis from a pleasantly appointed 16th-century French house, where you will cycle out into the surrounding hills and mountains for a series of unforgettable training rides. The region is steeped in Cathar history with a network of quiet, almost traffic-free roads through fruit orchards and vineyards. In addition to spectacular riding, you will benefit from a custom made week-long programme, specific to your needs, in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Your base is the picturesque medieval village of Chalabre, situated in the foothills of the stunning yet demanding Pyrenees, located a mere 45-minute drive from the historic city of Carcassonne, a fortified town that is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
This grade 2-3 Fitness Week is designed for cyclists with a moderate level of fitness and stamina. It is ideal for riders relatively new to the sport who perhaps want to progress to another level and learn new skills and techniques. It is important to understand when reading the itinerary that each fitness week is tailored to the individual requirements of the group, so the itinerary for each fitness week will vary. The idea is to provide instruction, guidance and encouragement for riders of every level without the intimidating and overly competitive atmosphere often associated with training camps.
Riding in the French Pyrenees is not without its challenges. Depending on group requirements the routes may include a number of significant cols and a fair amount of climbing, with steep and challenging sections. Road surfaces are generally good, however, caution should be exercised, especially when descending, as occasional potholes and gravel patches do occur. Descents are as frequent and as long as the ascents and many feature tight bends and switchbacks.
This Pyrenees cycle tour is designed to allow you to develop your fitness, and work on your weaknesses and limiters on the bike, by offering a flexible yet focused itinerary. At the beginning of the trip, your ABBC (Association of British Cycling Coaches) qualified coach will help develop an itinerary which will suit the group's needs, abilities and limitations, enabling riders to get the best out of their week. There will be plenty of options to have longer or shorter days if you wish.
The coach will provide an individual fitness assessment for each participant and depending on individual requirements and expectations riders will come away having established future fitness goals and identified their training requirements. Advice on nutrition, both on and off the bike, is available as are simple explanations of training zones and the correct use of heart rate monitors and power meters. Friendly pre-dinner briefings and presentations will feature most evenings and skills training and general coaching advice, including basics such as bunch riding, descending, correct gear selection and bike set up is also readily available.
Some days it may be that there is an indoor session for an hour or two until the weather conditions improve. A lot can be learned indoors too!