Daily Blog
This year the reports were posted here every day as it happened. The camp started on the 18th April 2009 and lasted 8 days. The full report is now here. There is also a gallery for the training camp, images will appear as they become available.
Saturday 18th April 2009
This year the training camp was expanded. Tour guide and former professional rider Roman Herman recruited a group of riders from his native Lichtenstein to join with the Team De Ver riders from the UK. In all there were (13) riders from Lichtenstein, which when combined with the (18) riders from the UK produced a sizeable peloton.
The group from Lichtenstein. arrived on time at 9.20am, and were booked in the Lanzarote Bay Hotel. By 2.00pm they were ready for there first ride. We rode to Orzola at the Northern end of the island. We stopped to have a drink, and then rode back. 40 miles
Sunday 19th April 2009
10.00am outside the hotel, we headed over the golf course, and on to Tahice, then doing a loop around the middle of the island, coming back over the golf course. A recovery ride for me, my ave heart rate was 97 bpm, 35 miles
Second group of 18 arrived from London at 9.30pm
Monday 20th April 2009
10.00am a group of 33 cyclists split into 3 groups headed north towards Orzola. One group rode as far as Arrieta, and turned inland, up to Tabeyesco, and then Mirridor Heria. The Second group went as far as the caves of Los Verdes, and went inland to Heria and on to Mirridor Heria. The third group, (my group) went all the way to Orzola, then up the steep climb to the main road, back down to Arrieta, and then on to Mirrordor Heria. So we all met up at the restaurant at the top, and then decided down to Teguise. My group then turned right and continued along ending up at Peuto De Carmin. While the others went straight back to Costa Teguise. By the time we got back to the hotel we had done 70 miles.
Tuesday 21st April 2009
Today we headed for La Santa. The A team went via Teguise, while the B team went to Nazaret. To our surprise the A team arrived in La Santa before the B team. Then Roman Hermann explained that he took them via Famara, while we went a more direct route, via Tiaua, Munique and Soo. We all ended up outside the Pro Bike shop, and were given a warm welcome by Maria and Steve.
From La Santa, we went straight across to the other side of the island, to Puerto Calero. My 12 year old so Robert, who was riding with the B team, was looking forward the eating a pizza, in one of the restaurants there that he tagged on to the A team to get there faster!!!
From Puerto Calero, both teams rode back along the coast, to Puerto Del Carmen, then on to Arrecife, and finally home to Costa Teguise. Young Robert did his longest ride so far of 60 miles.
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Today we had a handicap race to the Restaurant on Mirador Haria, and then on to Mirador del Rio. The B team rides a more direct route to Teguise,and on to Los Valles, while the A team rides via Tahiche. Maria the owner of the Pro Bike shop in La Santa joined the A team
for the day. As we passed Los Valles, I glimpsed some riders in the distance and thought they were the B team. So I and my son Germain, upped the pace to catch them before the restaurant, droping most of the team in the process!! In the end, myself, Dexter and Darren, were hanging on to Germain for dear life. Dexter was heard to shout please, begging Germain for mercy. Upon arrival at the restaurant, we realized that the riders we saw were not the B team at all!! and when they did get to the restaurant the B team went straight on without stopping. Obviously hoping to get to Mirador del Rio before us, and they nearly did!! Three of us climbed the final 2 km together, Lloyd, Germain, and myself. Lloyd always has a go up to the summit every year, and this year was no exception. Unfortunatly as Germain started to press hard on the pedals Lloyds chain came off, and I had to let Germain go, but we both passed the B team with 300 metres to go.
This year I added a sting in the tail, by turning right at Arrieta, to go back up Tabayesco, and on to Mirador Haria, for the second time, before heading back home to Costa Teguise
A good days climbing. 50 miles in total.
Thursday 23rd April 2009
After yesterdays ride of mostly climbing, everyone was happy to ride down to Yaiza via the Fire Mountains,at a steady pace. I think some of the riders were satarting to get sore legs, and they were only half way throgh the week. But after a short stop at Yaiza, and some refreshments they were rearing to go again. Germain was no longer there to set the pace, (he and his brother had to get back to school.) so it was left to me, to stir things up. The pace went up as we went to San Bartolome, and then on to Tahiche, as we approached the Golf Coarse climb I gave a little kick, and managed to open a gap on the others. They chased hard on the decent to the Lanzarote Bay Hotel, but I was able to hold them off!!
50 miles,
Friday 24th April 2009
Today with a few tired legs, and the thought of what lies ahead. both the A and B teams decided to hold a truce, and ride down to Playa Blanca as one group, and then every man for himself over the fearsme Femes climb of 18% gradient.
We left Costa Teguise, and headed for Arrecife, and then up to Guime, and on to Montana Blanca, then left on the main road to Uga, Yaiza, and then down to Playa Blanca.
After a short stop for refreshments, we headed up towards Femes. Dexter decided to set the pace, so I just came along side, not wanting to force things at this stage. Before the roundabout, ware the steep section starts, Lloyd appeared next to me, as I knew he would, and I knew it was the moment to press hard. I was able to shake him off, and arrived a the top a happy man!!
The ride back got faster as we got nearer to home. Rick made a jump, before the rounabout, going up to the Golf Coarse, but unfortunately he turned right instead of going straight on, and the others followed, leaving Dexter and myself, with an easy ride over the climb, and back down to the hotel.
60 miles
Saturday 25th April 2009
Today is the big one the whole island.
We started off as usual at 10am, and headed towards Orzola, the pace was steady, going into a headwind. After we passed Arrieta, Lloyds tyre blew, as did his chance of another crack at beating me up Femes!!! We went up the climb from Orzola, and then right up to Mirador de Rio, on to Miador Haria, Teguise, Famara, Soo, La Santa, Tinajo, over the Fire Mountains, and down to Yaiza, and on to Playa Blanca.
We had a stop down there and I bought a big bottle of Coca Cola, and a cake, with the knowledge that that was enough fuel to get me over Femes and back home.
We set off back up the long drag to the roundabout at Femes. Darren was riding next to me, I let him stay half a wheel in front, setting the pace knowing that my legs were still good with no pain at all, and as long as it stayed like that until we got to the steep section, I would have all my strentgh still in my legs, to kick the hell out of them, and so it was.
We all grouped up at the top of Femes, and rode fairly steady back, Darren lifted the pace as we got closer to home.
As we got to the Golf Coarse, I gave it one more kick and opened a gap. But at the top, I sat up and thought it a good idea, since it was the last day, to let one of the others get home first. I looked round and saw Rick coming up so as he went past I gave him a push,and said, "this is a present from me" and I let him go. a little later Darren came passed and was chasing like mad, he then made a gesture for me to take over, but I said to him, "if you want to catch Rick you'll have to do it your self". But catch Rick he did, so I had no choice but to take the sprint.
We had a great weeks riding, everyone agreed it was the best camp so far.
David Phillips was voted rider of the week, and recived a £50.00 voucher, and Phillipe Armbruster was runner up and recived a £25.00 voucher.