Attending a cycling camp can be a great way to learn some new riding skills, as well as give you a fitness boost to launch you into the main cycling season. The downside is the usual high cost and logistics PITA of having to transport you, your bike, and your gear to some far off land.
We are lucky to have some of the best cycling roads in the US in Washington State. Throw in the stunning scenery, and one begins to wonder just why travelling to a distant cycling camp makes sense. The Cycle U Chelan Skills and Hills Camp is a fully-supported cycling camp for cyclists from beginner to advanced, and it’s just a three hour drive to get there! Craig Undem (Cycle U founder) and I will provide coaching during the camp, along with other Cycle U staff.
Every morning, we will have a nutritious breakfast and a short pre-ride coaching skills clinic. On the road, we’ll have great ride food, mechanical support, and Cycle U Coaches riding amongst the group. Riders will be able to ask the coaches any questions they have about the day’s coaching clinic or anything else. Ride by yourself or with a group of friends. Anyone interested will have a chance for one on one “on the road” coaching as a coach follows you down a descent, etc.
After the ride, healthy recovery food will be available at the motel, along with a chance to soak in a hot tub or cool off in the pool. Dinners are on your own, but after dinner every evening we will have a short presentation or just hang out and socialize. I’m sure we’ll have a Tour de France DVD or the Giro live on the big screen like we did last year. Check out videos from last year’s Chelan Camp to see what a blast we had:Chelan Camp continues to be an exceptional value. The motel cost alone (included) is over half of the camp cost. Craig views the Chelan Camp as an “investment” that will pay dividends down the road, as successful Chelan Camps may pave the way for future endeavors such as tours or more camps. See CycleU.com more on the camp including how to register:
At this stage of the game, enough people have signed up that we have hit the first price break-point. There is still a lot of time before the camp, so with luck maybe we’ll even hit the second price point, making a great deal even better!
Cycling around the Chelan area is spectacular. Traffic volume is generally very light, especially in May, and the scenery is sensational. We will be on the “dry” side of the Cascades, so keep your fingers crossed that we will have temperatures in the 70’s and no rain as we did last year. While the focus will be on the riding, the long weekend isn’t just about the bike. The Lake Chelan area is home to fantastic hiking and water sports, and boasts a fabulous wine industry. For interested cyclists and/or significant others participating in the Chelan Camp, there will be opportunities to check out all that Lake Chelan and the surrounding areas have to offer. An early riding start will ensure plenty of time to relax or explore after each day’s ride.
It’s no coincidence that one of the best events in the state takes place in one of the best places to ride in the state. The Chelan Century will be held on June 25th:
The Chelan Skills and Hills Camp will enable you to preview some of the Century route, as well as train for it. Come to the camp in May and I bet that you will be back in June for the Century.
