Pat Douetil, Photographer and Ride Leader, on Mallorca with Viva Velo

Cycle photographer Patrick Douetil accompanied the Viva Velo team to Mallorca for our spring training camps this year as a ride leader. Here he looks back on the experience and riding with Viva Velo.

‘Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life’ – Confucius

“This was my first time ride leading with Viva Velo in Mallorca. I had the pleasure of visiting the Island the previous year but self sufficiently. The first strikingly obvious benefit of the Viva Velo tour was the healthy catalog of routes that traversed the quietest and prettiest roads to the popular climbs and destinations.

Further to this was the connections that had been set up with all the best bike hire companies, hotels, restaurants and most importantly the best cafe stops. These connections led our groups to be met by warm handshakes, good service and amazing coffee everywhere we stopped for a mid ride refuel. ‘DS’ Dyll Davies and long term employee Matt Wallis have clearly worked very hard to find the best of the island so all that’s needed from the guests and ride leaders is a passion for cycling. I’m very much looking forward to my next adventure with the guys and girls at Viva Velo.”

To experience Mallorca with Viva Velo yourself, you can book onto one of our Mallorca cycling camps in October. You can find out more, or book, here.

All the photos featured in this blog post are courtesy of Pat himself. You can find out more about his work and see his other projects on his website.

Pro Cyclist Dan Patten Looks #BeyondBergen

With the world championships in Bergen underway and the summer seemingly drawing to a close (have we actually had a full summer this year!?), indicators that this cycling season is nearing it’s end, it’s of course a time when attentions can start to turn towards next year. Hopefully you have had a nice year on the bike, whatever that entails for you and hopefully you are looking forward to what next year will bring on two wheels. So if you find yourself sitting there watching the world championships and feeling inspired, then what better time to start planning for 2018 and setting new goals!? Time to think #BeyondBergen!

Maybe this is within racing, sportives or a particular cycling challenge. Maybe it’s riding in a particular place in the world or maybe it’s to simply to do more riding and get fitter. Whatever it is hopefully you’re feeling inspired and motivated to set new goals, plan and work towards them.

With all this in mind, maybe it is in your thoughts to head to sunnier parts to do some riding next year. Maybe this is the goal itself, to be riding in another place and with the challenges that it offers. Maybe going to sunnier parts is preparation for other goals and if so what better way to put the kms in on the bike to prepare for your goals than going away to do so!? With the sun on your back, cycling friendly roads, challenging terrain and amazing scenery, why not look to the ever popular Mallorca and all that it has to offer with Viva Velo and their Mallorca Spring Camps.

This is of course that time of year when I also start to look towards 2018 and where i’ll be. This season will round up by the middle of October and then it will be time to put the bike away and take some time off to recover both physically and mentally from the year that’s been. It’s so important to do this and something you should keep in mind for your own cycling. It’s also a good time to set those goals and start making those plans. After a break you will be raring to go start working towards your goals, fresh and re-energized.

So what are my goals in cycling in 2018!? Those goals have not changed for me over the last decade, working for opportunities that allow me to compete in the best races possible and show my full potential. Having worked my way up the sport, the biggest motivating factor for me is the higher level and the bigger races. Right now my plans for 2018 are unclear but I hope for an opportunity that will allow me to continue progressing in the sport. Recent years have also seen me doing more work on top of racing. From rides, tours, holidays, to coaching, talks and shoots. A side of the sport I like very much also, meeting new people, sharing knowledge and stories, helping and advising. It is a very satisfying experience and something I look forward to more of in 2018.

As always I would be more than happy to answer any questions and/or offer any advice, so feel free to get in touch. As I start to think more about 2018, hopefully you are too, think #BeyondBergen!

The Cambrils Experience

As announced before Christmas we are delighted to have recruited Jessie Walker, ex GB team cyclist to the Viva Velo cause and we didn’t take long to get her working hard for us.  Jessie was breifed to take a client to Cambrils in Spain in the first week of 2017 to provide a one-to-one training camp.  Below Jessie tells us how she got on. . .

“As clichéed as a ‘New Year, new start’ may be, it is definitely the case for me.  Only days into 2017 I have started my new experience as a cycle guide for Viva Velo.  What brought me to Viva Velo in particular was the bespoke side of their business – providing one off cycling holidays and training camps.  That is very much what I love: unique, unforgettable experiences.

These trips can be made to suit you in every way.  Whether you already have your own very complicated plan of what you want to do and achieve in the week but simply need a guide for the area or whether you want everything organised for you and you just arrive at the airport, Viva Velo can help.

In this week’s case we were tasked with providing a one-to-one training camp for the client.  The individual’s coach had set certain training goals and it was up to me to plan routes to bring that all together.

Day one was of course a travel day.  I’ve very much become used to travelling from place to place finding my own way from racing and training abroad but I’m always learning on the go.  First it was time to meet and greet then make our way to the hotel.

Then the daily routine took shape: breakfast at 8am, then the ride starting at 10am when the warmer weather started kicking in, and most days this meant 4 hours of mixed terrain riding.  This was followed by lunch, of course, and then rest which included me giving the client a sports massage as I’m recently qualified in this area.  Later we headed to the gym for stretching and core stability followed by dinner.  The days have been jam packed and very productive.

We stayed for the week at Cambrils Park Resort.  It was my first time here but I was soon settled in nicely.  The resort is accustomed to cyclists and sports in general with several football teams staying here the same week as us as well as Cylance Pro Cycling Women’s Team.  Secure bike storage is provided as well as washing facilities.  It’s very popular for cycling teams with a list of those that have stayed here including: (past and present)

Giant Alpecin, Fortuneo Vital Concept, Team Wiggins, Poitou Charentes Futuroscope – who are now FDJ Aquitaine, Team 3M, Verandas Willems, Ringeriks Kraft, Uno X Hydrogen, Cylance Pro Cycling, Starley Racing

It’s a great place to come and train/cycle and so it proved for myself and our client.  A lot was accomplished throughout the week exceeding expectations.  Lots of mountains climbed, amazing views and an occasional strong wind along the way, all making for a tough and successful week’s training.  My first week as a guide is complete and I’m already excited for more.”

And it seems we have happy clients too:

“I cannot tell you how pleased I have been with the time that you and Jessie have put into helping [my daughter]. It has been a brilliant experience for her which she has thoroughly enjoyed. [My daughter] loved riding with Jessie, and gaining knowledge from her, and she has come home tired but very happy. A welcome day off today, and hopefully back in the saddle tomorrow, re-energised and re-focussed! Far, far better than the one other trip I have organised before for my daughter. Absolutely no complaints, except that I wish I could have afforded to make the trip ten times longer!!! Jessie is fantastic. Dyll was brilliant and I really hope that the company goes from strength to strength. Value for money 9/10 ”  Mother of our client