Day 5 – Winter training camp
Today was a day when the sum of the efforts of Little Nemo and Bigman made for a full day’s training. A game of two halves, you might say.
The intermediate Spanish Posse was riding out into bandit country at 09:15 which meant Bigman set the alarm for 08:00. Little Nemo slept on. Bigman had breakfast. Little Nemo slept on. Bigman prepared his stuff for going out for the 60km ride. Little Nemo slept on.
In fact, this ‘slept on’ thing continued until 10:30! No doubt she was dreaming of exercise classes.
The Posse was once again instructed on the rules of the highway and given a ‘warning’ about the pace and the need to self select if you were struggling. The ride was to be led by Paul. Turns out he rode as ‘domestique’ to Michael Hutchison, the author of the book ‘The Hour’ I referred to yesterday. It was fascinating to ride alongside someone who had been with the greats. He was a pleasure to cycle with. The wind was just as strong today. We would have it on our backs on the way out to Soo and then to Uga via Mancha Blancha turning ride towards Yaiza and battle back over Fire Mountain into the strong winds.
Today was a day when the sum of the efforts of Little Nemo and Bigman made for a full day’s training. A game of two halves, you might say.
The intermediate Spanish Posse was riding out into bandit country at 09:15 which meant Bigman set the alarm for 08:00. Little Nemo slept on. Bigman had breakfast. Little Nemo slept on. Bigman prepared his stuff for going out for the 60km ride. Little Nemo slept on.
In fact, this ‘slept on’ thing continued until 10:30! No doubt she was dreaming of exercise classes.
The Posse was once again instructed on the rules of the highway and given a ‘warning’ about the pace and the need to self select if you were struggling. The ride was to be led by Paul. Turns out he rode as ‘domestique’ to Michael Hutchison, the author of the book ‘The Hour’ I referred to yesterday. It was fascinating to ride alongside someone who had been with the greats. He was a pleasure to cycle with. The wind was just as strong today. We would have it on our backs on the way out to Soo and then to Uga via Mancha Blancha turning ride towards Yaiza and battle back over Fire Mountain into the strong winds.
The hillsides are bespeckled by black bomb shaped holes. These are vinyards. The vines lie flat as teh constant winds would batter the vines and the walls are built to shelter fro the prevailing winds from the north.
It was cracking blue skies overhead and the company was great. 24 cyclists from all over Europe sharing a common pursuit on some of the finest road surfaces.
Bigman mentioned to Paul he was taking part in the Cape Epic in 2010. Turns out the Sporting Director from La Santa is a regular participant along with the Marketing Manager from one of the big bike manufacturers. A small world indeed. A discussion ensued on the pros and cons of tubeless tyres on mountain bikes. OK so it was a short discussion.
Clearly winter has arrived in the Canary Islands. The locals were dressed in long trousers and wearing pullovers. Bigman tried to imagine the number of layers they would be wearing if they were in Scotland today!
On the climb back over Fire Mountain the wind was like the breath of a dragon, lashing anyone who strayed outside formation. As we approached the crest, the pace quickened. The ‘domestique’ started to challenge his La Santa guide and colleague for a race to the top. It is fair to say they dropped the posse and sped to the top as if it was flat! Bigman held on for a fourth place. Third place went to a man who was a blend of some familiar figures from Posse Ecosse. The physique of the Ironman, the attacking nature of the Fit One, and the staying power of the Duracell. Hard to believe all these attributes could be present in one person, let alone someone making up the Spanish Posse.
As Bigman cruised back to La Santa, his mind mused over an interview by Michael Hutchison with Graeme Obree, the famous Scot who built his bike from washing machine parts. In discussing his driven ambition, after a lot of counselling he now felt he can read a book because he wants to, not because it would improve him as a person, or because the knowledge will be useful some day. Before, he would only do something useful. Everything had to have an achievement, and there was a terrible guilt at enjoying something that was not an achievement. There seems to be a lesson for life in this short extract.
Meanwhile the downhill into La Santa is shaping up for another race. The young pretender from La Santa staff is winding up the pace. Bigman hangs onto his wheel and sits in his stream. The pace is fast and furious. Cyclists are being dropped faster than the pound against the Euro. A German goes for a flanking movement however as he moves out, the full force of the wind hits him and his attack is over before it began. He merely sits on the outside spinning his legs and moves backwards.
Bigman holds on for a second place. The boys back home would be cheering from their office chairs if they could see the race live on Eurosport.
Back at La Santa, Little Nemo has signed up for Stretch and Relax class at 15:00 followed by Body Toning at 16:00. Bigman plans a 1km swim for the afternoon.
Discussions overlooking the pool subsequently eat away the afternoon and the Stretch and Relax is well missed. As the clouds gather, Little Nemo disappears for her Body Toning whilst Bigman retires to the bar to re-hydrate and so some ore reading ……….. for relaxation!
The daily squash match was a tough affair with Little Nemo winning the first game easily. The second game lacked the usual ‘syndrome’ and Bigman had to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat. The third game was a close affair however age once again triumphed over youth.
It was cracking blue skies overhead and the company was great. 24 cyclists from all over Europe sharing a common pursuit on some of the finest road surfaces.
Bigman mentioned to Paul he was taking part in the Cape Epic in 2010. Turns out the Sporting Director from La Santa is a regular participant along with the Marketing Manager from one of the big bike manufacturers. A small world indeed. A discussion ensued on the pros and cons of tubeless tyres on mountain bikes. OK so it was a short discussion.
Clearly winter has arrived in the Canary Islands. The locals were dressed in long trousers and wearing pullovers. Bigman tried to imagine the number of layers they would be wearing if they were in Scotland today!
On the climb back over Fire Mountain the wind was like the breath of a dragon, lashing anyone who strayed outside formation. As we approached the crest, the pace quickened. The ‘domestique’ started to challenge his La Santa guide and colleague for a race to the top. It is fair to say they dropped the posse and sped to the top as if it was flat! Bigman held on for a fourth place. Third place went to a man who was a blend of some familiar figures from Posse Ecosse. The physique of the Ironman, the attacking nature of the Fit One, and the staying power of the Duracell. Hard to believe all these attributes could be present in one person, let alone someone making up the Spanish Posse.
As Bigman cruised back to La Santa, his mind mused over an interview by Michael Hutchison with Graeme Obree, the famous Scot who built his bike from washing machine parts. In discussing his driven ambition, after a lot of counselling he now felt he can read a book because he wants to, not because it would improve him as a person, or because the knowledge will be useful some day. Before, he would only do something useful. Everything had to have an achievement, and there was a terrible guilt at enjoying something that was not an achievement. There seems to be a lesson for life in this short extract.
Meanwhile the downhill into La Santa is shaping up for another race. The young pretender from La Santa staff is winding up the pace. Bigman hangs onto his wheel and sits in his stream. The pace is fast and furious. Cyclists are being dropped faster than the pound against the Euro. A German goes for a flanking movement however as he moves out, the full force of the wind hits him and his attack is over before it began. He merely sits on the outside spinning his legs and moves backwards.
Bigman holds on for a second place. The boys back home would be cheering from their office chairs if they could see the race live on Eurosport.
Back at La Santa, Little Nemo has signed up for Stretch and Relax class at 15:00 followed by Body Toning at 16:00. Bigman plans a 1km swim for the afternoon.
Discussions overlooking the pool subsequently eat away the afternoon and the Stretch and Relax is well missed. As the clouds gather, Little Nemo disappears for her Body Toning whilst Bigman retires to the bar to re-hydrate and so some ore reading ……….. for relaxation!
The daily squash match was a tough affair with Little Nemo winning the first game easily. The second game lacked the usual ‘syndrome’ and Bigman had to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat. The third game was a close affair however age once again triumphed over youth.
Good to see Ironman has come out from the closet with his recent training. He has also been busy organising the next stage of kit production and support when we are in South Africa.
Tomorrow Little Nemo will join Bigman for a trip over Fire mountain on their penultimate day of winter training camp.
Tomorrow Little Nemo will join Bigman for a trip over Fire mountain on their penultimate day of winter training camp.
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