Struggle Mallorca Training Camp 2021

MALLORCA RULE #18

Don’t suffer kit confusion.

Come to the island prepared.

4 & 7 NIGHT SCHEDULE Find out what to expect from your time on the island on your 4 or 7 night camp.

TOP TIPS!

Get the most out of your week with our comprehensive advice on how to maximise your trip.

HOME OF THE PROS

“

The perfect combination of a post-season cycling holiday to prolong the UK summer and a pre-winter solid block of riding to set you up for long days in the saddle back home.

”

GIRONA

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Dear Rider, Our annual Struggle Training Camp has now become a highlight of the calendar, with regulars revisiting year on year for some guaranteed good times on the bike in this cycling Mecca. Fast-forward to 2021, it feels like we’re heading back to the island to dust off the tarmac and help transform our cycling paradise back into the bike-booming destination it once was. You are the lucky ones to be able to squeeze in a visit before the season finishes with minimal travel restriction. The silver lining to previous travel restrictions will be the traffic-free roads, extra space in the cafes and faster service for your post-ride Cerveza.

In Mallorca you’ll eat up the endurance miles over the smooth tarmac, hit out hard over mountain climbs unlike any in the UK, improve your fuelling on long days thanks to our nutrition partner Maurten (this stuff really is the dogs nuts), perfect group riding skills (learning when to sit in and when to do the work for your team), soak up the knowledge from your experienced ride leaders, build new friendships with like-minded riders, and to enjoy a holiday on the paradise island for cycling.

To use the cliche, you’ll eat, sleep, ride, repeat; no work distractions or family commitments to come between you and your bikes. With that in mind, the Struggle Events Team are here to make your trip as hassle-free as possible so you can concentrate on your cycling. In this road book you’ll find everything you need to know ahead of the camp. If you have any questions or need any help now or during the camp, don’t hesitate to ask.

S truggle Events

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ROGER CUTLER - CAMP RIDER “I learned so much at the Struggle training camp and I met so many inspirational riders. We were a massive cycling family on the greatest cycling holiday. I can’t wait to go back!” www.ridethestruggle.com

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CAMP GOALS

The purpose of a training camp is training overload; a solid block of riding day in day out.

It’s also a cycling holiday; a chance to ditch the desk and ride your bike every day, stop for a cafe con leche and a bocadillo at your leisure and enjoy the company of likeminded riders.

The itinerary of the camp is intense and every day is different: Some days are ideal for long, fast group rides, which will build endurance and enhance your group riding and bike handling skills. You’ll gain experience of riding in the wheels and how to conserve energy and help others. Our ride leaders are extremely experienced, skillful cyclists, so watch, learn and ask questions.

Other days we’ll head to the mountains.

This will give every rider the opportunity to climb at their own pace. The mountains of Mallorca are ideal for enhancing your pacing skills and perfecting your descending. You can use the mountains as an opportunity for a long interval session but remember, the mountains are still part of a long day. Don’t ride too hard and burn out 30 miles from home.

TOP TIPS

You don’t need to be King of the Mountains every day. Pick your moments to ride hard and to kick back. It’s a long week so conserve your energy. The week can take its toll. Don’t peak too early and burn yourself out towards the latter part of the week as we will be building up to some hard rides.

ANDY SINGLETON- CAMP RIDER

“Great organisation, great ride leaders, great hotel, amazing food and a really productive training week. That’s why I signed up straight away for 2021.”

www.ridethestruggle.com

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TEAM WORK

Every rider is different and will feel different from one day to the next. You may be feeling strong on the days a fellow group member is struggling - and visa versa.

Cycling is a team sport. Be prepared to work as a team. Each group will have a ride leader and a ride support rider. However, they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads. If you find yourself towards the back of the group with a rider struggling to hold the wheel please shout up and don’t let the rider drop off the back. www.ridethestruggle.com

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TRY OUT MAURTEN IN TRAINING NOW

GET 25% OFF MAURTEN

USE DISCOUNT CODE: YOUR SURNAME (EG: Jones) AT WWW.MAURTEN.COM www.ridethestruggle.com

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WHAT TO PACK?!

• Shorts and jerseys • Gilet • Long-sleeve jersey • Base layer • Waterproof jacket • Arm/leg warmers • Mitts • Socks • Cycling shoes • Helmet • Water bottles • Spare inner tubes • Tools: pump, tyre levers, multi-tool

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• Bike (if not hiring). Please make sure it is in full working order and has been serviced.

• Bike computer/Garmin • Pedals (if required) • Passport • Boarding passes • Travel insurance documents covering you for medical/accident cover • Required Covid travel documents • Energy bars, gels and powder • Protein bars/drink • Chamois cream!!!

• Ibuprofen • Casual clothing • Coat (evenings are surprising cold) • Travel wash/washing machine tablets Although mostly shortsand-jersey weather, cafe stops or late-afternoon mountain descents can get chilly. Please come prepared with a gilet, arm warmers, a buff and a rain cape at the very least.

There’s various ways to fashion a blanket at a Mallorcan cafe stop! How would you wear yours?

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ARRIVING 1. On arriving at Palma Airport, retrieve your luggage from the luggage belt. If you are bringing your own bike this will be available for collection at another area (usually the very end of the luggage hall).

2. Leave via Exit C where you will be greeted by the team. If you do not see an Struggle representative holding up a branded sign please do not move from Exit C. 3. You will then be transfered from

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the airport to the hotel. On arrival at the hotel, check in at the desk and retrieve your room key and bike store key.

4. There will be water provided in your room for the first night. Please DO NOT drink the tap water.

5. You will need to build your bike or collect your hire bike. Depending upon your arrival time you’ll then have chance to go for a leg loosener or join the organised ride.

IMPORTANT: The welcome meeting will then be held after dinner in the dining room at 20:30.

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A TYPICAL DAY

You’ll find our reserved Struggle Training Camp tables in the dining room where we all meet for breakfast every morning.

Please don’t wear your cycling kit to the dining hall. Following breakfast there will be time to change into your kit before the rides, which begin promptly at 9:30am from outside the bike room.

We’ll then assemble into groups for the day and set off on our ride.

Saturday’s ride will leave at 10:30am from outside the bike room at the hotel, giving Friday’s late-comers the opportunity to collect hire bikes if necessary.

Following the ride will be time to shower, change, upload your pictures of the day and catch up with people back home, before we meet in the dining room for one of our favourite parts of the day... dinner! You can then enjoy a drink at the hotel bar before hitting the hay ready for another day in the saddle.

All groups will meet for lunch most days at our chosen cafe. These are inexpensive, but please ensure you bring lunch money with you each day. Water to refill your bottles will be provided at lunch stops by your ride leaders.

DON’T drink tap water!

You will also need any other energy fuel required to make it to/from the lunch stop. Everyone will receive an Struggle Rider Pack in the post. You can also get 25% off our nutrition sponsors Maurten.

www.ridethestruggle.com

Rebecca Spain - Camp Rider There was the perfect balance between a holiday and a training camp. I can’t wait for the next camp to push myself harder.

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ETIQUETTE

We ride in groups two abreast where safe to do so, rotating around the group to give everyone a turn on the front. If you are unfamiliar with group riding fear not; our first ride of the camp is designed to help all riders familiarise themselves with group riding and practice this skill. You can also watch this guide: http://bit.ly/2lrm4Xw

If you would like to miss a turn on the front please rotate to the front of the group when it is your turn to do so. Then keep rotating off the front again calling change to indicate so. Do not attempt to move across the lines in the group unless safe to do so and indicating

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your intention. When on the front of the group, please do not ‘half wheel’ (ride slightly ahead of) the rider next to you. This will only push up the pace and make the ride uncomfortable for your fellow rider. If you are feeling particularly strong you will have plenty of opportunities to push yourself at other points on the rides.

Calls: Change = rider changing on the front Car down = car approaching from ahead Car back = car approaching from behind Rider down = cyclist approaching ahead Hole/Rock = look out for this hazard Clear = safe to go (at a junction or roundabout). Don’t rely on the call.

Always look for yourself.

Slowing/Easy = slow down Stopping = the group is about to stop Single out/line out = single file Mile off = Knock a mph off the pace Out = Move out for an obstruction These calls are to be passed up and down the group so if you hear the call please repeat it.

Hand Signals: Please point out any hazards in the road to your fellow cyclists. If you are uncomfortable taking your hands off the bars please use the calls above.

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SAFETY

Wearing a helmet is compulsory. You will be stopped and fined by police if seen riding without one.

REMEMBER to ride on the right-hand side of the road. We will ride two abreast where safe to do so but in some parts of the island you will see signs indicating you must ride single file. Please do not ignore these. NEVER ride three abreast.

When descending, everyone’s bike handling capabilities are different. There are lots of hairpins when coming down off the mountain. Please descend at your

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own comfortable pace. You will not be left behind if you descend slower than other members of the group. We regroup at the top AND bottom of climbs.

You are cycling at your own risk. You must rely on your own ability in dealing with all hazards, must manage your own speed accordingly and must ride in a manner which is safe for yourself and others.

You are responsible for your own safety and you must ride responsibly to ensure the safety of other riders and road users.

You must obey the highway code and be conscientious towards other cyclists and road users.

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MEET THE TEAM Matt Mannakee

Camp Director & Group C Ride Support Rider

Victoria Mannakee

Camp Director & Group B Ride Support Rider

Darr yl Leese

Mar y Bower

Group A Ride Leader

Antony Stapleton Group C Ride Leader

Group B Ride Leader

Liz Rooney

Group A Ride Support Rider

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DALES 108 Miles / 9,430 ft / 7 Climbs

“One of the best events in the UK”

- Cycling Plus Magazine

MOORS 112 Miles / 10,193 ft / 6 Climbs

PRE-REGISTER

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“SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO” - Cycling WEEKLY

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FRIDAY 8TH OCT: WELCOME TO MALLORCA You’ll be greeted at the airport (Exit C) by the Struggle team and whisked off to the hotel to begin your week in paradise! On arrival at the hotel, check in, collect your hire bike or build your bike in the bike room (not your bedroom) and take it for a shake-down spin. We don’t suggest surging out for a tough ride on day one. For morning arrivals, there is the option of a group ride which will leave the bike room at 15:00 with our Ride Leader Antony. We’ll enjoy a leisurely loop where you can sip your first Cafe con Leche, top up your glycogen stores with Mallorcan almond cake and transport yourself into Mallorca-mode.

Those on the four-night camp might like to venture further for a ride to the Lighthouse via Puerto Pollensa. We’ll all meet in the dining room at our tables for dinner before our welcome meeting at 20:30pm.

SATURDAY 9TH OCT TEAM LUNCH IN PORRERES It’s become an annual tradition to start the week with a big group lunch at Porreres, where we get to know one another. But the focus of this ride isn’t just pleasantries; it gives us the opportunity to shake out our legs, get accustomed to ride comfortably in a group - on the right side of the road and get the staff acquainted with each rider’s capabilities. By the end of the day we hope to have each group riding like a well-oiled machine. Our route will take us into the heart of the island through traditional Mallorcan villages. You’ll spot the south coast of the island, before turning back North for lunch. We’ll head briskly North back from Porreres to C’an Picafort in time for our second tradition of the day: a cool beach-side Cerveza.

Mileage: ~80miles Lunch: ~50 miles

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SUNDAY 10TH OCT MEET THE MOUNTAINS

New Route Alert!

Today we hit the hills! This epic route will take us on a full scale exploration of the lesser-known southern chain of the mountains of Mallorca; Serres de Llevant.

This is a new route for 2021, so both firsttimers and seasoned camp riders should come prepared to lay down some records on the ascents.

This rolling circuit of the island includes a tough mountain lane as your warmup, followed by two categorised climbs.

We’ll then refuel before a brisk ride home through the Arta Gap. Mileage: A: ~70miles; B&C: ~85miles Lunch: A: 35 miles; B&C: 45miles

MONDAY 11TH OCT SA CALOBRA

Today all riders will set out together on a tough parcours. Our first ascent is the infamous Coll de Femenia. We’ll regroup at the top with a quick Espresso at the ‘Petrol Station’. We’ll then continue on the undulating road before a technical descent.

At the bottom we do a U-turn to tackle the poster-boy climb of the island, Sa Calobra. Those familiar with the climb can test their fitness on the hunt for a new PR, while newbies have the chance to benchmark themselves. We’ll catch our breath at the Love Shack before our descent off the mountains and the fast ride back to C’an Picafort.

Mileage: A: ~70miles; B&C: ~85miles Coffee stop at Petrol Station 20 miles Lunch: A: 40miles; B&C: 40miles

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TUESDAY 12TH OCT REST DAY

For all those leaving today, please see one of the Struggle staff members for your transfer time. All transfers will leave from outside the hotel reception.

For the rest of us, today couldn’t come sooner! There’s a whole host of fantastic destinations for our rest day ride. Pizza in the quiet coastal spot of Son Serra de Marina, Pollenca Old Town to work through the cafe’s comprehensive coffee menu, or Al Canada to name another coffee haunt! A steady day of easy riding may seem an irrelevance now, but after some tough days of riding on the camp, you’ll savour this. Once back at the hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to relax, get a massage, have a swim, do your laundry, chill at C’an Picafort’s beach bar or check out the many cycling shops with lots of new kit and cycling goodies to take home as mementos.

WEDNESDAY 13 OCT STRUGGLE FONDO!

This year’s epic Queen Stage it a monster day out! Our first ascent is the Coll de Sa Batailla.

We’ll continue climbing through the mountain range passing the twin lakes of Gorg Blau and Cuber to climb the highest road pass on the Island at 881 meters. We’ll descend to Port de Soller for lunch before heading straight into the Coll de Soller climb.

Dropping into Banyola, we’ll head back into the flat lands for a fast ride home across the island.

Mileage: A: ~80miles; B&C 90miles Lunch: A, B&C: ~50miles

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THURSDAY 14TH OCT SWAN SONG

Our swan song this year is a big loop south with a climb through the infamous Arta gap and a trip to the seaside for a last sun-drenched lunch stop in Cala Millor.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as the return is a big loop to the west, including the corkscrew climb out of the Bosch valley.

From there it’s the final showdown across the island and the very last sprint for the C’an Picafort sign!!!

Mileage: A, B&C: ~75miles Lunch: A, B&C: ~30miles

FRIDAY 15 OCT HOME TIME

Today is the start of your much-needed rest week. It’s time to rest the body and let it absorb the training and adapt to become fitter and stronger. Enjoy one last big breakfast before flying home ready to take the UK cycling season by the horns.

Please see one of the Struggle staff members for your transfer time. All transfers will leave from outside the hotel reception. www.ridethestruggle.com

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COVID TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Please ensure you check the most up-to-date travel requirements to Spain, and back to the UK. At the time of writing you are required to: Travel to Spain 1. Fill in a passenger locator form for travel to Spain. This can be started now but completed two days before travel via: www.spth.gob.es 2. Have your vaccination certificate (featuring QR code) which you can apply for in paper copy via the NHS website or present on your phone via the NHS app.

Return to the UK 1. Fill in a passenger locator form for travel to the UK. This can be completed 72 hours before travel via: www.gov.uk 2. Arrange a “Day 2” PCR test within two days of returning to the UK. This must be booked before completing your UK passenger locator form. There are many providers. Here is an example: www.randoxhealth.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Now that you have booked and paid for your flights and holiday please ensure you

have up-to-date travel insurance covering you for cycling in Europe.

GET IN TOUCH

The Struggle team are on hand to ensure a hassle-free holiday. For anything you need leading up to or during the camp please contact the Struggle Events team: hq@ridethestruggle.com Victoria Tremlin: 07854 661277 Matthew Mannakee: 07748 632348

www.ridethestruggle.com

MARCH 2022

“

A perfectly timed pre-season training camp in the mountains of Mallorca where you eat, sleep, ride, repeat!

”

MALLORCA

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hq@ridethestruggle.com

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