I’m heading to Spain for work in late May and am looking to bring the family over for a week long vacation afterwards. I’m wondering if any STers can recommend an area that offers good training (nice roads, good climbing, and possibly a pool) and is also family friendly with interesting day trips within a few hours drive (I have a 2-yr old daughter).
I know many training camps are held in Mallorca, but is there anywhere similar in southern Spain? Or what about in the north near San Sebastian?
Thanks.
Ok, being from San Sebastian: beautiful city, best food, very uncertain (and generally lousy) weather. Also quite expensive. Is a great city for running along the beaches and river and open water swim inside the bay (need wetsuit until July). Cycling is hard, besides the rain, everything is from hilly to vertical, narrow roads and lots of traffic.
Otherwise you can walk to any place and plenty of day or half day excursions (Biarritz in France, Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, etc). If you need more info PM me.
The closest thing to Mallorca (IMHO better) is Gerona (northeast, one hour north from Barcelona): great weather in May, lots of back country well paved roads with little traffic, flat near the coast hillier as you move far to the inland, and in June you could risk open water without wetsuit. Plenty of hotels by the coast and good deals as May is low season. Depending where you are working check www.ryanair.com as it has a hub in Gerona.
My favorite: Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands.
Okay so I might be biased, I work there, but take a look at Idlebreaks, (www.idlebreaks.com), just 30 minutes from Malaga airport and the beaches of the Costa del Sol, 50 mins from the snow covered Sierra Nevada. Should you want to chill out there’s a 25m pool, within yards of your apartment door.
The riding is best described as challenging, with a variety of climbs from easy to very difficult, but best of all they’re all on very quiet, empty country roads with fantastic views. If you don’t want to bring your bike there’s a range of Planet X Superlight bikes available for hire.
Take a look at our website and if you have any questions feel free to PM me.
Jon
Boy that looks awesome…
Good thing I’ll be there on Feb 6th-15th with the SLB camp!
Is that English Johnny?
Second on Idle Breaks.
Went last year for 10 days and had a great time.
They take care of the transportation (to and from airport); Sag Wagon; Food; Logistics; side tourist trips (Granada); basically everything.
Great people, great food and excellent riding as well (the climb up the Vuelta is epic).
They even keep a tally of your times on the bigger climbs (your definition of a “climb” will change) in the common room, so you can see where you stack up.
Hi Mike,
Yes it’s Johnny English here, we’re busy getting things finalized in preparation for the 2009 season which starts with Baxnally’s arrival along with rest of the 2009 Strong Like Bull group on Feb 6th.
Glad you had a great time last year, we enjoyed having you stay, come and see us again soon.
Best of luck in the coming season.
Jon
Awesome. Thanks for all the recommendations. I will definitely check them out!
Fred