Riding with the Pros

We had planned a 5 hour ride to the mountains in the Montseny park. I had a call in the morning from Ricard. he was riding with some pros, and we could join them. Cale preferred to change the ride and we went to meet Ricard at the clinic.
Rode up to Santa Pellaia, and on the descent we met up with Ryder (Slipstream). Apparently, the rest of the group had taken another road to the coast. At that point we decided we would go back and try to meet them on their way back while Ricard would go to els Angels.

We split and started to hammer on the way up. Seconds later I heard someone shouting I first thought that some hunter were calling his buddies Wild boar! We didnt stop.

We heard it again, someone whsitling and shouting, I turned back and I saw someone coming,

oh! Ricard was calling and Zabriskie was louder, Lewis (High Road) and Pat were there too.


What a "de luxe" grupetto! We had the chance to ride together for a while.
In Llagostera we split and went to Sant Grau. A great climb where we pushed hard all the way up. Ricard managed to get rid of us and made it first to the top. oh well, next time!
At the top, we would meet with KOEN DE KORT (Astana) after he was doing some hard intervals at 500Watt. He was getting ready for the Spring classics season.
We rode back to Girona together. We also saw many other riders on the road. Easter Holidays or spring break, everybody on the road.
What a great day!

Fast Cale!

Yes, Cale was fast! And we rode a lot. 2 weeks of plenty of rides and fun stories.

A ride to the coast. Of course one of the favourites! Half ride done we met with Ricard Huelamo, as well as the pros, he is always on the bike! We are now a group of 3 so we speed it up
On the way back to Girona we met with Pat (Slipstream)
Cale came with his wife and daughter, and when he was riding they had time to relax, visit Girona and go on their own trips. Two weeks in Girona allow to taste many restaurants and that is what they did! Excellent choices were made, of course! Because in Girona you will find even a 3 star Michelin Restaurant.

Bernat's MTB ride

Last weekend Bernat and some friends went to the high mountains in central Catalonia.
They did the Cabreres route in MTB. 2 days of beautiful riding.

Check out more of the amazing pictures of this trip at:
http://www.closeup.es/cabreres08/

Don't forget to take a look at his photography website! http://www.closeup.es

2008 Blog Update

Almost March
It's been 2 months busy preparing this season.
We have been riding a lot, putting in good base miles and looking for different rides.
Every year, we prepare a new set of rides, different than the ones we have done in the past.
New challenges and epic rides waiting for you this 2008!

Riding with Ricard Huelamo. One of the most prestigious Physiotherapist in Spain. He has a clinic nearby Girona and amongst his clients there are many pro cyclists: Barry, VandeVelde, Levi, Hincapie...and many other sport stars.
We are working on a new set of treatments to offer as a complement in our tours.
More info coming soon!
New clothing for 2008! New jersey and bibs, leg and arm warmers. Here riding Freddie's bike!
More news for 2008. I have signed for Esteve team and so joining my best riding friends!

Group ride with all the Esteve Team

An escape to Barcelona. Riding to Sitges with some old friends. Dind remember how different is riding around Barcelona! Too many cars!

2008

Autumn Rides

The good weather still shows off in October.
In the cold mornings (I might say for us, 10ºC) we wear warm layers easy to put away when the afternoon sun starts to shine and temperatures raise to 20ºC. Yes it's nice now. Maybe we should start riding at noon and be back by 3pm...

Well, maybe we'll need more time to cover 100k!
Jim was in Girona for a few days, and wanted to ride a bit. Well, it turned to be 5 good hours going to the coast. A beautiful day!

On the way back we were talking about food...I told hima bout how delicious pork cheeks are when they are baked w. veggies. Well, at first is not something you'd order, I know. It is not very common dish. Once you see it, rich and tender meet on both sides of a flat bone, and after tasting it your opinion changes. It worth trying these specialty!

Well, we got so hungry on the way back, that we met for lunch after the ride, and guess what; The restaurant was serving cheeks in the menu.

We both went for it! Oh yeah, that was a feast! Felt so good after the long ride.

Thanks Jim!
Christmas is coming and the Cagations (see in the picture) are ready to be fed and grew.

I wonder what the catalans do with them. I can tell you that they poop good presents for everyone!

Another day of good riding.

Going to the Montseny Mountains in autumn is going to see the beautiful colors of the changing season.

Again, Ritse and Gordon were impressed by the ride we had prepared. Well, I hope I can do it every time they come!

Microsoft Digital Town Hall Post ISU Cycling Tour

After several weeks of planning with Gordon and Jordi, I was ready to pick up the group in Barcelona. We were 8 in total and would go to Girona for a dinner and an intense ride the day after a long conference week.

The group

We had a fabulous dinner and were ready to go to bed and get ready for next morning. The ride we had prepared was The Coast to Tossa, one of the nicest rides around.

Leaving Tossa behind

On the way back we stopped in Romanya. We were running short of time, and decided to push a little bit faster and work the paceline together against the wind. Back on time to have showers and drive to the countryside Masia restaurant to enjoy traditional Catalan food. Wine in a porró!

(maybe I can post some pictures here when I have them...:-)

After lunch and ride back to the airport, I think everyone was tired enough to sleep on the way home - me included.

Hope to see you again guys! Good luck!

La Vuelta

We are back from spending 4 days in the Pyrenees to see la Vuelta.
One of the big stages finished in Cerler, after a 12km climb. It was going to be a great chance to see the riders in action!

Erik had some friends visiting and we all went to see La Vuelta. Theresa, Robin and Erik in the picture.

The climb was 12km and had 6 hard ks, especially the first 4 and the 2 past Cerler, at 10%.
Grafitters!!! Watch out!
And we had a rest stop and met with these two dutch fans. Viva Freire, Viva Rabobank!

They invited us to have a couple of beers, and we were ready for the winding descent to Benasque....

And the pros came...Sorry, the picture below ;-))
The following day, I talked to the CSC Fisio and he told me that when VdV was caught by the peloton, Iñigo Cuesta was leading it at 26-30km/h for the first 4 hard km. Hard to believe, impossible to do! After Cerler, the pack was completely broken and the stage was for Piepoli, Menchov was 2nd.

Next day start at Benasque. Go Christian!

Quick update: secret training for the big ride

R. don't say it to anyone....

August: Big Holidays in Spain

During this month the Spanish, Catalans and Europeans move to the coast for the summer holidays. Tim and Dan decided to visit Girona with some friends and go for a ride to the countryside.

Many villages hold their festivals this time of the year and it's what we found on our way through Monells. People waking up from the party, cleaning the square and everything closed. We moved to the next town for our coffee break.

Back to Girona, descending from Santa Pellaia

3 days later, we would go on another ride with Rebecca, and her sister Lauren. Another beautiful day to enjoy this ride with history, visiting several medieval villages along the way.

Good luck with your travels! See you soon!

from ATLANTA

Jim contacted me when at The Bicycle Link told him I had been there and rode with their group last December.
I didn't know if I would be in Girona at the time because of the Tour de France, but we managed to schedule three good days of riding.

The top of Els Angels

Riding in Tossa

Everytime we pass next to the wonderful beaches of this part of the Costa Brava, it is hard to resist the temptation to jump into the water!

Tour de France

Weekend escape to the Tour in the Pyrenees. Friday to Monday, and 4 days of riding to taste the long climbs and descents. I joined Erik, who had planned this trip much in advance. It was going to be a great weekend!

Climbing to Envalira

We left Friday afternoon to Andorra, our base camp. After arriving we went for a short ride to loosen our legs after 3 hours in the car. Two options: climb or descend. We decide to go up to Port d' Envalira. 9km climb at 6% to 2400m of height, and a fast decent back to the hotel.

On Saturday we left in the morning for a good ride, but once in Andorra, it started to rain. We stopped in a bar to have a cafe con leche and it started pouring. Back to the hotel earlier than expected, we decided to watch the whole time trial. Vino amazing! Still not aware of what was going to happen later on...

Sunday, Plateau de Beille. We drove to the base and climbed to the top. Thousands of people on the side of the roads, thousands of riders, thousands of caravans, just amazing! 15km to the top at a constant 7%.

We stayed at 2km to the finish line. Great views to the road! We sat there for at least 3 hours until the Tour caravan arrived.

An hour later Contador and Rasmussen would appear at the first switch backs. People gathering on the road to see them pass by. Too close, and too fast! Rasmussen attacked at km2 and they were attacking each other passing us at at least 20miles an hour! not much was left to see, but the impression they were flying to the top. Unbelievable!

Maybe last time we were going to see Vinokurof

After the stage we would descend carefully with so many people. Some of the pros would descend as well back to their team vans. At the bottom we talked to Freddie, who was feeling really sick and would leave the Tour during the next stage. Horner was there too and he has been doing really well. Good luck to the Predictor-Lotto Team!!