Training Camp ends for HTC-Columbia with a bike fitting from Cyclefit.de - Versus
Training Camp ends for HTC-Columbia with a bike fitting from Cyclefit.de - Versus
The scene around the dinner table might be comparable to that of a refugee camp. Gone are the loud conversations filled with emotions, hand gestures and laughing. Now, with our heads hanging low and eyes sunken in, we eat in silence. Fatigue has set in as we reach the closing days of training camp. Training has been going very well, exercising on average seven hours a day, seven days a week, over the past two weeks. Racing each other on our time trail bikes down the coast or up into the mountains. We all want to show our strength, especially the new guys who are motivated to make a solid first impression. All of this work has taken its toll; our bodies are depleted and lethargic. Yet, with the much anticipated return home, followed by a few days rest, we will become much stronger and benefit from all of our efforts.
For me, the camp was highlighted by a simple coffee stop we made in the village of Deia. Our very own Mallorquin rider, Vicente Reynes, resides in this unbelievably beautiful hilltop village overlooking the sea. Vicente is not only a professional cyclist; he owns and manages a great restaurant and bar in Deia. It was there during one of our lengthy rides we stopped for the best ensaimada - a pastry made with butter, cream and lard - I have ever tasted and a few café con leches made by his brother Pedro. Time seemed to stand still as we relaxed, covered in powered sugar, and listened to stories from Vicente of his town and family. It's these moments like these that I will remember late in my life after I hang up the bike. Simply priceless. What are some of your favorite coffee stop memories? I am sure we all have many.
Another very important part of this camp was getting fitted on my bike properly. If you have ever experienced knee or back pains after longer and more taxing rides, being correctly fitted on your bike is the only way to get past those ailments. Here in Mallorca, HTC-Columbia has one of our many great partners, Lloyd Thomas of Cyclefit.de. Lloyd has been a huge help to many of us, setting up our positions on our road and time trial bikes.
He has also made custom carbon innersoles for our shoes and checked our cleats to make sure we are clipped into the bikes in the correct position. I really can't stress enough the importance of the direct relationship between your bike setup and preventing injuries. Even the next day after working with Lloyd I already noticed I was climbing better and felt fresher at the end of the day's ride. I have included a short video tutorial, as well as, pictures of the fitting process. It is really interesting, so please check it out.
