Marcin Bialoblocki joins us in Mallorca 22 – 30 March 2012.

Taking late bookings for punishment.

If you’ve never experienced the thrills of an alpine sportive, wait no longer! You too could be riding these roads, tackling the climbs and experiencing the excitement of the long fast descents… Stuart Hall Cycling will be returning to the “hilly” sportives in 2012.

In the meantime, you still have the opportunity to experience the true flavours of a French sportive with Stuart Hall Cycling in September. We will be riding the Cyclo’Manche and the Ronde Picarde – two fantastic (and rather flatter!) end of season sportives in Northern France.

If the good memories are already fading, all is not lost: have a look at our October cycling camp… no, I really can’t keep away!

Return:
Alpe D’Huez to Geneva Sun 3rd July 2011, pm
Alpe D’Huez to Geneva Mon 4th July 2011, am

Places available from £60 per person return including bike. (Bikes must be in bag or box.) Phone Stuart for details: +44 (0)7801 914 929.

With another great week of sunshine and another 500+ miles in our legs, every one had a great week last week. I can’t put it better than the following sent to me by one of my clients:

Mallorca cycle training camp, Puerto Pollensa, March 2011

Day 1: 85 miles, 5 hours what have I got myself into?!! Weather sunny but arm and leg warmers needed so no tan for me! We did a horrid half hour mountain climb. Heart rate on the climb hovered between 179 and 185 – interesting as I have never sustained more than 177 for half an hour before. It turns out I’m quite good at descending though – risky business! I really suffered today this group is so much stronger than my group in Lanzarote last year. Feel like having a big drink tonight to forget the pain but I really don’t have the energy! Cyclists absolutely everywhere. We stopped for a puncture and were passed by team Pendragon led by Jake Martin, now a Pro, I used to race him every week last year. Roads here twist and turn much more than Lanzarote and the scenery is more varied, I wish I got to see it! Knee pain zero but it’s really hurting tonight, saddle a bit sore too!

Day 2: 111 miles 7 hours 4 mins – bonkers! The start was so fast, like a road race, I looked at my computer after 1hr 40 mins and our average speed was 20mph! Even the first category riders seemed to be out of breath. Did a steep 5km climb and I managed to get back in touch with the leaders on the descent (descended well again!) “Tour de France” style, very enjoyable only to find out that it was the warm up for the main event; a 30km coastal road almost all uphill! With the sea far down below it should have been a view to cherish but a bout of cramp leaving me roadside and in last place by the side of the ride ensured the memories weren’t too pleasant. When we regrouped at the 5 hour mark we pretty much raced the last 2 hours home, everyone suffered today. Saddle getting very sore but incredibly no knee pain, 22 degrees in Palma, that must’ve helped. Pot holes everywhere, didn’t expect that.

Day 3: 35 miles, 2 hours 14 minutes. We were promised an ‘easy’ ride today but 35 miles into a headwind was far from it. I was looking forward to turning around and benefiting from a tailwind when my bottom bracket fell apart. I headed back early with Mike, an Aussie who kindly stayed with me but my bike gave up on me so we had to get a taxi! Possibly a blessing in disguise considering we still have 3 days to go and I’ve already done 231 miles! Today’s 35 miles were monstrously tough (and everyone else did over 70!) but I did manage to stay with the front group on the climb! No knee pain (how?!) but right calf and hamstring are hurting and my saddle is getting unbearable! Oh and my hands hurt! I hope I’m not making this sound too easy.

Day 4: 74 miles, 4 hours 34 minutes. Got my bike fixed at 9am this morning so along with yesterday’s taxi it has been an expensive 24 hours! It was cold today so knee hurt a little then the pain stopped when we got warm. I was feeling strong for the first time today, I did a lot of work on the front, dragging everyone to the bottom of the day’s big climb. We did the same half hour climb as Sunday, as a handicap race this time and I was pleased as nobody caught me. We caught dozens of people on the climb and the descent, again living a little dangerously on the hairpin bends! Found out today that Stuart Hall who leads the rides did 25,000 miles last year – that’s 500 a week EVERY week that’s insane! He’s about 9 stone too so I can see why he wants us all to go faster! Good day getting more confident but incredibly tired.

Day 5: 82 miles, 5 hrs 17 minutes. 5 climbs today; 5km, 5km, 2km, 7km and 16km. I did the ride of my life today, staying with the leaders for the first 3 climbs, so many hairpin bends, I kept telling myself “just get round the next corner” hoping it would be the last but they just kept on coming, steeper and steeper. I’m really learning to shut out pain. Then I led the bunch up the 7km climb for the first 4km but my legs had had enough at this point and they dropped me, leaving just the 16km climb – nightmare – 1 hour 25 mins! Hats off to people who do L’Etape or Ironman you crazy buggers. On the final descent I managed to notch up a win though, overtaking 3 cars and stamping down some authority! What a day, I rode like today was my last day and held nothing back. Now I’ve got tomorrow to deal with! My whole body hurts so much it doesn’t matter what they throw at me – I can’t feel anything anymore!

Day 6: 82 miles, 4 hours 30 mins. Woke up early today as my legs were throbbing! Did everything I could at breakfast to get out of riding with the fast group (my normal group) but Stuart assured the only climb was 4km so I was persuaded. It was cold this morning and my legs never really got going but at least I got over the climb at the front which was great for my confidence. I did about an hour and a half on the front today as it was fairly flat but got told off for going too fast! Us big guys never get a look in, they all go hard on the climbs oh yes that’s ok! At the end Stuart asked me if my legs felt better after today’s recovery ride! It was no recovery ride. I’m too tired to check the maths but I think I’ve done 469 miles meaning that Tuesday’s taxi ride stopped me reaching the 500 mile mark. Maybe I should go out tomorrow morning before leaving to finish the final 31, hmmmm…….?

We made the most of the week, getting in a monster 1,040 kms. We had a couple of really good groups and managed one 200km ride in addition to the mountains. During our rides we came across many pro teams including the new Leopard Trek squad (a fantastic sight!).

Real pros training in the sun – is that not the life for a bike rider???

So if you want a bit of sunshine on those white legs we have camps running from 5th Feb through to end of April.

All abilities catered for.

Mixed corporate teams of six race as a relay from London to Paris over the August bank holiday weekend to raise money for charity. In its 6th year, the event has raised an amazing £900,000 since it began.

We are looking to increase the number of teams participating in 2011. If you are interested in entering a team, please don’t hesitate to contact me, or see my website for further details.