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BC Junior Team Santa Rosa Training Camp – Day 5

release by Cycling BC

February 10, 2011 (Santa Rosa, CA) – Here is a report from the Cycling BC Junior Road Team’s warm weather training camp in Santa Rosa, CA. Riders are logging long miles in the saddle to build both endurance and motivation for the season to come. Read on for first-hand rider accounts of the initial days of the camp.

After waking up to the reassuring voice of Jacob Schwingboth our group of 12 riders and coaches headed out on the cool but sunny roads of Sonoma County. We were rolling to the walking path ‘Joe Rodota Trail’ on a comfortable recovery ride.

At the end of the trail, which took us about 45 minutes, we turned around and road back home, only to make a stop in beautiful Santa Rosa for a bit of excellent coffee. After some Joe we rode the short miles home to our beautiful rental home.

Most of us quickly put on our swimsuits and headed out into the backyard pool. While in, we practiced our ice bath recovery techniques with rotations in the freezing waters. Only to quickly retire to the warm showers of the luxurious home.

Later we headed out for dinner at a local Italian restaurant. At dinner we celebrated the birthday of a fellow rider with a birthday song and cake. At the completion of dinner we headed home only to sit back down this time to a group discussion lead by Coach Ain about tomorrow’s ride. The discussion was quickly followed by a game of Texas Hold’em and Black Jack.

Thank you Cycling BC and the other numerous sponsors of this trip allowing my fellow riders and me participate in this excellent camp.

– Nigel Ellsay

The ride today was epic. We headed out in the van a bit earlier that previous days to end up in a quaint town called Duncan Mills. The twisty windy, wooded road reminded me a bit of the riding in Sooke. The weather could not have been better.

The group headed out in good form. Within a good hour, we reached some of the main difficulties of the day. The road was called Kings Ridge. It took us up and down several times; often for a few kilometres at the time at grades steeper than 12 percent. The landscape was like something out of a dream. Coach Jeff picked a great road; there was only the occasional car, and the ones who passed us were very courteous. Eventually the network of roads led to a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. The ride was not without its usual occurrences. At the top of the ridge, some cows blocked our path and I also managed to flat my front and rear wheel tires.

The ride finished off with some good paced tempo on the flats a bit further than where we initially started; a good way to finish an epic ride. Thank you to all the people and sponsors who make this trip possible for us.

– Henri De Boever





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