In association with Torq Fitness a detailed training programme has been designed for participants. Advice on training technique and on nutrition, both during training and on the event itself will be sent to riders via Newsletters in the months leading up to their chosen Challenge.
Collective training rides will be organised through this web site. We encourage riders to meet up before the event, particularly if they are entering as individuals and opting to be placed in a team. ( It is hoped that teams will be made up of similar ability-level riders, thereby making it easier to ride as much as possible as a group.)
The three-day cyclo-sportive Tour of Wessex held at the end of May, provides an ideal opportunity for CCC Riders to measure their fitness level and to meet other future participants. The Cent Cols Challenge has an information stand at the Welcome Village, thanks to Pendragon Sports. In 2009 nearly half the CCC riders took part in this event and clocked in some very respectable times. There was even time to fit in a well-‘watered’ meal down at the local pub. It was an opportunity to put faces to names and a real help in creating the group ‘feel’ that is such an essential part of the nature of these Challenges.
Phil Deeker lives in the Belgian Ardennes, six kms from La Roche-en-Ardenne. The area spoils cyclists with hills that provide perfect training rides. These are a lot closer to the UK than the Alps themselves. It is a region used for training by many domestic pro teams from northern Belgium and Holland. Phil lives on the route of the superbly organised “Claude Criquelion Sportive” – the toughest and largest sportive in Belgium This is just one of many sportive events held in this area.
In April 2010 (18-26th), a BELGIAN CLASSICS WEEK of riding is being organised with chances to watch, and ride the routes of, the famous Ardennes Spring Classics races of the Amstel Gold, the Fleche Wallonne and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege. A perfect way to start the years’ serious training on the hills. Places are very limited for this. You can register for the full week or just part of it. All rides start from Dochamps, in the heart of the Ardennes. Here is the planned programme for the week:-
Saturday 17th April : Amstel Sportive (65-250km options)
Registration opens 18th January. 12,000 places
Start times from 6.30 to 10am. Need to enter this individually.
Sunday 18th April : Watch Amstel Gold Race. Choice of places to watch.
Sunday evening transfer to Dochamps
Monday 19th April : Circular ride around La Roche en Ardenne (including the “No 1” Col in Belgium).
Tuesday 20th April : Ride Mur de Huy and the good bits of Fleche Wallonne. (Circular ride from Dochamps).
Wednesday 21st April : Watch Fleche Wallonne Race on Mur de Huy, if we can find some room!. (Cycle to race and back)
Thursday 22nd April : Circular ride taking in many of the climbs used in the Sportives : Claude Criquelion and Fleche de Wallonie. These are rated high in the best Belgian Sportives to do, if you don’t fancy cobbles, that is.
Friday 23rd April : Ride the TdF 2010 Stage 2 Ardennes section, arriving in Spa, and then back to Dochamps. Some more new climbs to discover and includes a look in at the F1 racing circuit.
Saturday 24th April : 200km ride taking in all the important climbs of the L-B-L (start + finish in Dochamps). The hardest ride of the week. We will not be alone on the road on the day before the race.
Sunday 25th April : Watch L-B-L Race at two different places + return to UK after race. The peloton goes through La Roche on its way down to Bastogne. They then give us time to get over to the last part of the race where the real fighting starts.
Please contact Phil if interested, on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
