I planned my first training camp of the 2016 season on my favorite island of Gran Canaria. My goal is to climb a lot of meters on my road bike and to improve my endurance. This island is perfect for that! It's going to be a long & tough Olympic season so it's important to lay a good foundation.
I have also decided to take part in the legendary Cape Epic (March 13-20.3). It's time to complete the training sessions on the bike and no longer on cross-country skis. It's my premiere in South Africa and my partner will be Sally Bigham!
I love to work out on the climbs and so I travel to Gran Canaria with my BH G6 full of motivation. The Canarian climate welcomes me from the best side.
After the last ski units under very difficult weather-related conditions, the training units in such a brilliant area are pure luxury!
The first exit feels indescribably good. After completing the training sessions in the Eissturm wrapped up to the last, I feel the sun's rays and the warm wind on my skin. I can hardly control myself, enjoy the wind that caresses my face and power up the mountains. The skiing sessions at home were quite intense and I just feel a bit too good in these brilliant conditions. It just feels great to be back on the bike. Although I love cross-country skiing! After the training evaluation I have to laugh at myself. Typical beginner's mistake: fully covered. Tomorrow will be more controlled training!
I will be here for 4 weeks and for this quite long time in such a topographically difficult terrain, systematic training is important to achieve the desired units and training goals!
The first week serves to adapt to the climate and to do tours in the not too intensive area. In my opinion, the typical "basic training" is not feasible with this island altitude profile anyway. From the 2nd week I have some intensive interval programs on my schedule. In the last few weeks longer units, also over 5-6 hours. I will need these long units for the Cape Epic!
My favorite tour leads to the highest point on Gran Canaria, the "Pico de Las Nieves (1950 m)"! Since I have my accommodation almost directly by the sea and therefore start my tour from sea level, there are a few meters of altitude to overcome! I love the varied vegetation on this route. From the sea to the rocky terrain up to the green! The view on the Pico is impressive. If the weather and the clouds allow it, you get a complete panoramic view of the island including Teide view (Tenerife). I enjoy this view again and again when I stand up there! Somehow I can't get enough of looking at it even after a number of times.
The island is quite varied. The south is rocky & dry and the temperatures very warm. The north, on the other hand, is very green and a lot colder! What a great contrast on such a relatively small island.
The weather is consistently almost perfect this year, so I can train every day under the best conditions. I appreciate that and really enjoy the time on my BH G6. Even if your legs really burn on some climbs and several meters in altitude. The lactate is not long in coming and it is therefore clear that I also attach great importance to my regeneration.
In addition to cycling training, there is also athletics. A CrossFitGym box has opened a few hundred meters from my accommodation. Brilliant! Monthly subscription solved: here i am ;-)!
The time and the training units fly by. I'm very focused on making my training the best it can be. Nevertheless, I get a little holiday feeling. Sun and blue sky every day and lots of nice people who accompany and support me here during this time!
My CE partner Sally is also on the island at the same time, so we are able to do one or the other tour together! One of them is the well-known "Valley of Tears" 150km and 3000hm!
We meet in the morning and start the tour towards Mogan. The road meanders along the cliffs along the sea to Port de Mogan, until we say goodbye to the sea after Mogan. The first climbs up to San Nicolas are not that steep. Different layers of mineral rock catch the eye with their color contrasts. WOW! Before we reach San Nicolas we have a pass to climb before we reach the small town after the first descent. I like San Nicolas because it reflects local life there. No tourists! We stop at a small supermarket to get water and refreshments. Because now the endlessly long ascent to Artenara awaits us: 1000hm in one go! The first part can hardly be more impressive. The road is rough and narrow, winding around the rocks. The sun burns down into the valley.
No traffic & not a soul! The boulders are gigantic in size and line the valley. The name "Valley of Tears" fits perfectly! Now it's getting steep. The road winds up the first dam wall in very steep switchbacks. The sun and your legs are burning, sweat is dripping from every pore! There is little water in the two reservoirs that we pass. No wonder with this sunshine and these temperatures. Hardly a green plant to be seen. Around us only stone and rock. I feel tiny in between. The rise knows no end. On our right we pass rock dwellings. What a contrast. Down by the sea the huge hotel complexes and here people still live in such dwellings! My favorite part of this loop is the part where we get into the green forest area the last few kilometers to Artenara. The ascent becomes flatter. Temperatures are suddenly getting colder.
The north cloud is waiting for us the last kilometers before Artenara. The trees simply suck up the moisture from the cloud and the wet drops cool us down. I enjoy the spectacle of nature. Wind vest on and on we go through the north cloud. Only a few kilometers, then we have arrived up in Artenara and bright sunshine awaits us. phew! The longest climb is done.
The view of the "Roque Nublo" lets the tiredness disappear for a moment. This view accompanies us for the coming kilometers to Ayacata. The road winds its way there with a few meters of altitude before the long descent awaits us. My BH G6 with the Di2 is awesome! I have such fun riding, even if I miss my bike at home! At the bottom I say goodbye to Sally with a smile on my face. Great day and top tour - we agree: the Cape Epic can come.
After more training sessions with an unbelievable amount of altitude and kilometers, it's back home. I am very satisfied with my training sessions. I got perfect conditions and used them. Now comes the important regeneration phase. The anticipation of going home is great! "Home sweet home" I'm coming!
Planning is so busy this year that I won't be staying at home much. But that's the life of an athlete right in an Olympic season!
Next up is the 4-day stage race SHC (February 25-28.2) with my team BH-Sr Suntour-KMC in Cyprus. Afterwards you are welcome to accompany me during the Cape Epic and keep your fingers crossed for me!
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