Winter aint all that depressing really, especially when you’ve got something to look forward to. If you’re togged up in all your winter gear and you know that you’ve got a hotel room with a hot shower and a pile of steaming food awaiting you on your return, what greater pleasure could there be than riding your Mountain Bike. Especially when it’s within some of the most beautiful countryside this little island of ours has to offer? We’re off to Snowdonia again this January and there are still a few places left. Have a look at the itinerary below and see if it tickles your fancy! The cost for the weekend is £135-00 all-inclusive and the next trip is due to run on the weekend of 26th and 27th January 2002.
Friday Evening
Most people will be travelling up after a day’s work and I anticipate that some people may not arrive until10-11pm, perhaps later. If we have a particularly late one, don’t worry I’ll extend the wake-up call by the necessary. I myself expect to get there for about 8:30pm as I have to travel up from London, but don’t worry if you arrive before me, just book in at reception and you’ll be directed to your room. I will see you in the bar.
· Arrival @ Hotel.
· Introductions and weekend preview.
· Tea/coffee/drinks.
Saturday Morning
· 8:00 Wake up call!
· 8:30 Breakfast.
· 9:30 ‘Betws-y-Coed Mountain Bike Trail’ This is the morning warm-up, so we’ll do the first lap together nice and gently. The route is clearly marked, so once we’ve completed a lap, everyone can have a go at riding round at their own pace. If you’ve had enough after your first lap – no problem. Sit in the hotel and have a cup of tea instead. Total Ride time 1½ or 3 hours?
Saturday Afternoon
· 12:30 Lunch back at Hotel.
· 14:00 ‘Interval Training’ This incorporates a 20-minute, gentle warm-up followed by a high intensity interval session, then a 20-minute steady warm down. This session serves a specific purpose – to teach you some very useful training techniques, which can be implemented into your own riding to greatly enhance your future performance. I think that everybody will benefit from experiencing this, but if you think it’s a bit of a tall order, you’re more than welcome to come along to watch and learn.
· 16:00 Back for a shower and a cup of tea/coffee.
· 17:00 Seminar and fitness discussion. We’ll cover the subjects of training theory, energy systems and training levels. There will be plenty of time for questions on related and unrelated subjects too.
Saturday Evening
· 19:30 Dinner (see attached menu).
· After Dinner Entertainment, be prepared for some silly games.
Sunday Morning
· 8:00 Wake up call!
· 8:30 Breakfast.
· 9:30 ‘Off-Road riding in Snowdonia National Park’ This is an opportunity for a bit of proper Mountain Biking, including some technical bridleway sections. We’ll be regularly re-grouping to avoid separation and those that are still bursting with energy – I’ll have a few leg sapping climbs lined up for you to charge up. Total ride time 2 to 3 hours including stops.
Sunday Afternoon
· 12:30 Back for a shower and lunch at Hotel.
· 14:00 Seminar and fitness discussion. This time we’ll talk about the concept of Periodization (planning training over an entire year), nutrition and I’ll throw in a collection of informative gems from experience I’ve had as a coach and former pro-elite rider.
· 16:30 De-brief, final questions and departure.
Further details about these weekends can be found on this site under the fitness weekends section.
