Hey all I was cruising around tonight and happen to find this site somewhere. Its a Cycling training camp. At first I kinda was like "whatever", but the more I think about it the more I like the idea. Price seems reasonable (IMHO) but I ve never really priced this things. I d like to get everyones opinion on the matter, good idea, or bad idea? Anyone know of anymore of theses places? I m from the midwest so I d like to keep it half way close, to keep cost down. Never really done one of these before so give me so ideas people !

http://www.mapleleafcycling.com/trainingcamps05.php

Take a look and let 'er rip.

Go ride your bike dude. . It should be a fun thing. Training camps are for professionals who get PAID to ride a bike (unlike everyone on this forum). :)

People go to these camps for lots of reasons, including getting some winter miles, developing skills, becoming better racers, rubbing elbows with some famous names, as a "personal treat," etc. None of these reasons are right or wrong. Most come back from a camp with a positive experience. They're not just for racers - they'd go out of business in one season if that was their only audience :)

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I went to a Bikecamp a few years ago. I had the best week's vacation I've ever had. You will pick up a lot of skills. For me - I learned countersteering, feeling comforatable bumping in a pack, good paceline skills, etc... Besides, the comraderie (spelling??) was great. Nothing like spending a week with other people who are as fanatical about cycling as you are. Go for it.

I might even join you. If I get the OK from the wife, I may go for one of their late spring camps. The only negative as I see it are the sleeping arrangements. I don't like the idea of spending a week in a room with 3 strangers. I'm old enough to be turned off by the idea of a "dorm" room.

I have asked this, of the club. Aldo is quite a respected coach in Windsor, has done alot in Canada. There will be groups designed to match the pace. Alot of Cat 1/2/3 riders from up here go do those camps in order to get some real miles in before April racing begins. Even lesser category riders can go for the early miles, fun, and coaching.

Yes, it is akin to a holiday, lots of riding! Sure, they are dorm conditions, but you are there to ride your bike. I am thinking of attending early in my build period (March) because the roads are still snow covered around here. I can do the base inside, but after that need to get out.

Hey all I was cruising around tonight and happen to find this site somewhere. Its a Cycling training camp. At first I kinda was like "whatever", but the more I think about it the more I like the idea. Price seems reasonable (IMHO) but I ve never really priced this things. I d like to get everyones opinion on the matter, good idea, or bad idea? Anyone know of anymore of theses places? I m from the midwest so I d like to keep it half way close, to keep cost down. Never really done one of these before so give me so ideas people !

http://www.mapleleafcycling.com/trainingcamps05.php

Take a look and let 'er rip.

has anyone been to this camp? it sounds good, but it woudl be nice to have some references before putting down a deposit.

Try asking on the forums of canadiancyclist.com ...it is a bit nasty in there sometimes, but information will arrive somehow.

The wife and I were planning our vacation for next season too. I looked at this camp and it seemed pretty appealing to me. My impression the one time I met Aldo is that he is kind of old school, but I can't really speak from experience.

My wife does not race but does ride fast. As long as it is focused on racking up some base miles with some skill work and coaching thrown in I think we both would have a good time. She is concerned that the camp will be too race focused and she will get shot out the back on surges in speed or that the camp will involve race similuations with cornering and elbow bumping. She just wants to ride long and hard.

Last season we went to Texas Hell Week and racked up a ton of early season miles. Had a great time in beautiful country with great roads and routes. Alternated days between the tandem and single bikes. We road the centuries each day, but they always had a B and C option as well as an A+ option. This ride attracts a lot of ultra/RAAM type riders.
www.hellweek.com

A spring camp/tour is great since we are stuck in the Midwest and riding in shorts in March is out of the question locally.

Cycling camps are not just for pros. They are an excellent way to be TREATED and RIDE like a pro for a week or two, however. The Peaks Coaching Group also offers a bunch of cycling camps in the United States and abroad. We've structured several of these to be around some early spring races in locales such as Arizona and Florida. Check out www.peakscoachinggroup.com for more information on camps. Maybe we'll see you out at one.

Robb Hampton
Peaks Coaching Group
robb@peakscoachinggroup.com