Have you ever considered taking a Cycling Vacation to Europe? Maybe to France or Italy where you could experience the roads and climbs you have seen at the Tour de France or Giro d'Italia.
Amy and I have dreamed about a trip like that... but then quickly dismissed it as fantasy as soon as we start thinking about the costs and details.
But the dream remains for us 🙂
You maybe aware that Amy and I travel to the Caribbean every year on what's called a working fitness vacation. We trade our services (teaching fitness classes) in exchange for an All -Inclusive vacation at some very nice resorts in Jamaica or Mexico.
I've always wondered if there would be a way to create a similar program for Indoor Cycling Instructors wanting to take a Cycling Vacation. Most of us have large networks of friends and students, many who are cyclists...
After watching the video Tom Scotto and Gene Nacey made on their trip to Spain I decided to pursue this further. I contacted Lauren Hefferon with Ciclismo Classico, the tour operator that coordinated Gene and Tom's trip. Lauren was very open to the idea of an Instructor program, but then she started asking me a lot of questions I couldn't answer. She suggested that I conduct a survey of listeners and readers to see if this would be of interest to you.
So here is our question:
With the proper incentives and resources, could you recruit a group of cyclists, train them this winter and then ride with them on a cycling vacation in Europe next Spring?
Please listen to the Podcast interview below and then
Click here to take the survey.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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- Happy 75th Birthday Ed Hayes! - April 24, 2024
A few though …
-unless you have a big number of IDC rider population the number of rider that could do it would perhaps not be enought to organise something, an idea would be that different instructors from differents facilities and differents area would “working” with one same goal brinking and using same principle would bring theyr little group toguether and at the end make a “bigger” group that would make the trip possible. And with a bigger group you could easilly make differents level and goals on each days ride.
-Riding outside requier a minimum of bike handling, you could be really fit and not being able to handle a bike outside (balance, downhill, basic stuff, …) so working mostly in is great but not enought so it will be those instructors job to bring and coach those riders also outdoor, to make the trip more enjoyable; for that the instructor have to know how to ride outside …
For that what you have done John riding with your IDC riders in a charity event like MS you can adjust and coach specificly your riders to the outdoor skills.
I have done 2 cycling camp in Italy (Rimini, Marco Pantani home town)and really ENJOY each of them.
I was fortunate enought that during the second one, there was a “Amateur” team in the group ( cat 1 to 2 in US). I learn a lot with them and they challenge me but as said in the podcast there are ride for everybody, so I was not always riding with the same group enjoying alterning harder and easier days, some days were for training and other picturing days …
Coming from US the bigger part of the money will go on the plane ticket, unless you want 5 star plus hotel that is I think not really necessary the bike holliday cost is not too much.
I stayed in 3 star hotel and the food was great, a little too German in the first one as most of theyr costumer were German but great.
The best rides were when we were doing long ride, where we were stopping in pretty square or really small village enjoying homemade food, gelato and a glass of wine.
I will respond to the survey when I have a second but know that my responses will generally be along the “not at this time” lines, primarily because of the cost of a trip to Europe. Most of my students would not be able to afford the $$ or the time.
But – I want to thank you for the idea. I just returned from a cycling holiday in Croatia (marred only by my companion’s fall and subsequent broken ankle). My classes were eager to hear all about my adventures. The trip involved more climbing than I have ever done. Based on those experiences my friend and I had already decided that we would do the Cabot Trail next year (the only hills around us) http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/bike-ride-map/canada/nova-scotia/cape-breton/8895784. I mentioned your survey and our plans to the classes and asked if anyone would like to train for and do the ride with us. I instantly had six takers. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a group of 15 or so by next summer.
Perhaps this group activity will be a gateway to a trip to Europe in the years to come.