Training Camp

So finally… I’ve seen a little sunshine. Not only has the past week been gorgeous in the UK (Saturday's monsoon in the surrey hills excluded) but I’ve even encountered 21°C while on my first training camp of the year in Spain. For the first time in months I could put on shorts, a short sleeved jersey and mitts without having to layer up the rest of the cycling clothes I own underneath just to stay marginally warm (Don’t mention this to the locals, they were still wrapped up in balaclavas!). The beginnings of my cyclist’s tan are just about apparent and I would say that summer is surely just round the corner.

I’m really lucky that my parents have a very handily located flat in Murcia which has some fantastic rides nearby with plenty of mountains to climb. It’s also the home of the Tour of Murcia, a five day stage race which this year was targeted by Team Sky and Radioshack as Tour preparation with Wiggins and Armstrong both in attendance. This was a great chance to get as close to professional racing as you are likely to. Being Spain there didn’t seem to be a great deal of security but plenty of opportunity to ogle at the bikes and catch a few words with Lance. Check out Wiggans' O symetric chain ring!

With the Tour of Murcia following some of our usual training routes it made me feel pretty inspired to clock up some miles in the legs. Even so much as to take my parents’ mountain bikes out on an incredibly windy day and do reps up the side of a mountain, just so we could get out on the bike and be sure not to be blown off the side of the road.

So now back in the UK and the miles are beginning to settle into my legs and the race season is creeping closer. I've spent a whole day stripping down my cervelo giving it a good clean and changing loads of parts (next time I pay a mechanic - 8 hours for one bike is not good value for money!) and it felt great to take it out for the first time this year. I'd say my excitment levels for racing are now pretty high :o)