Tuesday 15 January 2019

Turkey burner week

As we are normally quiet in January we have started lumping everyone together for our turkey burner week before we go down to the coast for Feb. We have all got some great riding done including a 168km epic we have only ridden a couple of times before . My training for the Costa blanca bike race is still in full swing so the hours came in very handy. Also the climb from the reservoir that we ride most weeks has been fully resurfaced so a PB this year is there for everyone to try.




Thursday 3 January 2019

Spanish sportives

Start of the Guad al Xenil 2018


I'm always being asked what Spanish sportives are like, normally by very nervous cyclists. Over here they are called cicloturistas or ciclodeportivas depending on the level of competitiveness.
Lets start with entry, most of the events I do are based in Andalucia so I enter via the Andalucian cycling federation website. Entry fees vary but are normally around €40 with discount if you hold a Spanish licence.
Starts are always mass start with a neutral zone and a lead out vehicle of some description and vary in length but are kept 'fairly' steady to keep everyone together. Once the flag drops it's normally go go go with the very fast riders disappearing into the distance, never to be seen again. Depending on the race, sorry sportive, timed sections can vary from anything to a 15km climb to the whole distance, maybe 200km with 4000mts of climbing and anything in between. Roads are normally always open with lots of vehicle support, police motorbikes etc and maybe some timed sections are completely closed road.
Prizes/podiums can vary a lot but are normally kept to a more fun level, who's travelled the furthest, oldest rider, club with most riders etc. That being said I have had many battles for an age group podium and they are very competitive and taken seriously. That's the beauty of Spanish events like these, you can have a nice ride round with your mates or ride up the front and have one of the hardest races you will ever enter.
Now the good bit, there is always a sit down meal afterwards, Paella, fideos, Plato  Alpujarreño are some of many delights I've sampled, and there's nearly always a free bar.
Goody bags? Oh yes, these can vary but normally have anything from a t shirt to a top of the range jersey.
Some of my favorites
La Indomable, Berja
Sierra Nevada Limite, Granada
La Sufrida, Ronda
Alpujarra Magna, Lanjaron
Guad al Xenil, Granada
4 cimas, Almeria
If you would like help with a trip to any of the above events, please get in touch.
Gary

Looks a bit lumpy

Solo during the 4 cimas
El Limite profile!


Wednesday 2 January 2019

January 2019

The blog is back. I'm going to start our blog back up with a monthly report on what we have been up to with guests, training and racing etc. The amazing weather we have had during December seems to be carrying on into January ready for our reopening. I've been training hard over the Christmas period ready for the 4 day Costa blanca bike race at the end of Jan, 4 days of mountain biking, cant wait.
Happy new year and see you all soon.

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