Lockdown Q&A: Cycling Holiday Spain

From a full gas training camp to an empty Spanish resort packed with five star facilities, the Covid 19 crisis has crippled many a business – we quiz family business CHS on how they are coping

Lockdown Q&A: Cycling Holiday Spain

Social Media – follow what Noze and CHS get up to here on Instagram

From a full gas training camp to an empty Spanish resort packed with five star facilities, the Covid 19 crisis has crippled many a business – we quiz family business CHS on how they are coping

CHS has been delivering pro style training camps to keen cyclists of all levels since the start of the millennium (2000) and has developed a reputation as the best fully inclusive pro style training camp about.

CHS operate out of a luxury complex in the Spanish mountains right in the middle of all the main cycling routes in this area (nearish Calpe). Clients return year after year, proving CHS run a fantastic week full of great riding and everything one could want to feel like a pro training in the sun!

The testimonial page on the website is proof of how well they are thought of. https://www.cyclingholidayspain.net/testimonials.html

Spain, as most of you will know, enforced a strict lockdown before the UK as Noze from CHS explained. “The lock down here started in the last week of February. We were very busy in February and the weather was incredible. We actually had a large group from Cornwall here and they were lucky to catch their flight home on the Sunday as on Monday, the planes stopped flying.”

Q: There is no riding outside in Spain, so do you ride indoors now?
Noze: Spain has taken the virus outbreak very seriously and you are only allowed out to buy food or go to a pharmacy. Children under 14 are now allowed out for one hour per day. I’m training in the CHS gym and feels weird doing a turbo session with the sun shining outside.

Q. How many people do you usually have at one camp?
Noze: Usually we have between five and ten people at a camp. We are a small set up but have a superb reputation for being the best in terms of service facilities and fun factor with a professional edge.

Q: Do people come mostly for a week or a few days?
Noze: people come for either a week or two and we also run long weekend breaks which are popular.

Q: Who looks after riders when they are in camp there – you and who else?
Noze: When the riders are back at base, they are looked after by myself and brother and also we have two masseuses in the team so the riders can relax, take a massage, sauna, Jacuzzi and relax 100%.

Q: What is the most popular thing for riders to do after the race; sauna, swimming pool, sleep or massage?
Noze: the most popular things at the camp is everything! Massage is compulsory LOL and free!

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Q: How will you spend this period of lock down in Spain?
Noze: During this period of lockdown, we have been training hard in the gym. I am really into calisthenics and yoga so I’m using this time to learn some new tricks. Also, lots of gardening and Netflix!

Q: What is the weather there like now (what are the riders missing out on)?
Noze: It’s been another great year of sunshine and warm weather. It is in the 20s easily now and hotter.

Q: When you take the riders out for a long ride, what is your favourite route to take them on?
Noze: Choosing a favourite ride is like trying to choose your best film or music band. Impossible! I really enjoy though the Val d’Ebo featured in la Vuelta. It’s a fab 8km climb at 6% or more and has breath taking scenery. The riders always love this route especially the return loop through the badlands which are brutal enough to break the strongest riders with shed loads of 16 and 20% ramps.

Q: When the lock down in Spain is lifted, what will you do camp wise? Will you carry on where you left off for the rest of the year after this enforced break?
Noze: After lockdown finishes, CHS will run camps over the summer and from September to December, then from mid January all the way through to June. We are going to do as many camps as we can for people who have missed out this year. People have already started to rebook.

Q: Finally, how long have you been running training camps there?
Noze: CHS has been running since the early 2000s and we have gained a great fan base. It’s nice to be a place that people love, trust and come back for more.

Thank you Noze who’s English is far better than any Spanish I may know loL.  Cycling Holiday Spain Website

Social Media – follow what Noze and CHS get up to here on Instagram

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