Cycling Training Camp 2018, San Miniato
20. 04. 2018
The A Bike Club, together with the Kilpi Racing Team, attended a bicycle tour in Tuscany, near San Miniato in March. The Tuscany region is famous for its art, history and high-quality wine. According to geographic data, the largest part is hilly countryside and highland, while the smallest part is flat and lowland. This region has impressive, mountainous scenery and panoramas, which we enjoyed very much. That was the perfect place for some good training.
The program of our training camp
The program was determined from the beginning: to ride a large number of miles. Huge thanks to Kuba Kilpi Novák, who planned the routes A and B to satisfy all members of the racing team and members of the sports team, who did not need to ride so many miles and who could enjoy the beautiful Tuscan scenery, ending with a good, Italian coffee. These routes were prepared in advance, and everyone could adjust the concentration he needed. We could decide to choose a longer and hilly route or a shorter and low-level route.
On Friday night, the plan was clear: to get to the given place by the morning. A spacious and amazing house awas waiteding for us. Most of us called it a "palace". After 12 hours in athe car, it was apparent what wouldill come to happen once we got there. We did not think about sleeping or resting. The "palace" was not yet prepared for the Kilpi Racing Team because the Italians are never in a hurry, so we decided on a short ride and getting acquaintance with the picturesque countryside. A beautiful 100 km with 1 360 m of elevation arose from the first ride. The route led through the cities of Palaia, Montefoscoli, and Montaine and, on our way back, we went through 20-kilometer downhill to the small city of San Miniato, near which we were accommodated.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
When we were in Italy, we wanted to see the sea, so we headed for Pisa. One of the peculiarities of this city is that it used the overseas routes, in the Middle Ages, to enrich both the city's treasury and its education and culture. There are magnificent buildings in the city center, the most famous of which is the leaning tower on the Piazza dei Miracoli. We visited the tower and made some beautiful photos here. Most of us were astonished by the height of the tower. The road was low level and we rode a 130 km beautiful circuit with 595 m of elevation.
Historical and cultural city of Siena
The next day we headed for Siena. Only a handful of the brave ones set out because most of us did not feel like to covering over 3,000 meters on this high route. The goal of the route was fulfilled. We visited Siena, took the photos and enjoyed very good Italian pizza. At this point, there was nothing left but to get back to the base camp. Our team returned fresh and so full of enthusiasm until so that we thought they had been in the small town and were sitting and drinking coffee all day in the small town. But our Garmins spoke for themselves, even though they had been run down during the long route.
Free day
We had the fourth day off and each of us had their own plans. Some went to visit the beautiful city of Florence to do some sightseeing. Others took their bikes, such as time trial bikes or mountain bikes, and went for a ride. After these 3 training days, some were only able to stay at the "palace" and rest in the deckchairs that were available in the garden.
The village of San Baronto
After the free day, thea training session was 130 km long and 2,000 meters of elevation. This nice elevation, it was an ascent to the village of San Baronto. At the top was a fantastic cycling café with the perfect grandmother cake. Outside the cafe, chairs were prepared as if in at the cinema. After a while, we found out that there was for some a reason, and that there was a show of beautiful bikes. It was an outstanding splendor and grazing for the eyes. For Italian cyclists, it was one of their favorite hills. After a good cookie and coffee, we rode for a long time downhill with the wonderful views of Tuscany.
The end of our training camp
On the penultimate day, we covered about 2 500 meters in elevation. The total length of the training was 160 km, and the boys came to know the another great beauties of Tuscany. For some, however, the route ended earlier due to technical problems, but there was always someone in the "palace" who was willing to jump into the car and go for anyone and anyeverywhere. Some took advantage of thise waiting time and tasted the Italian delicacies such as donuts, croissants and other dainties from the Italian cafes.
The schedule for the last day had slightly changed. Due to the numerous kilometers, we had agreed on using our cars to get to the beautiful Passo Di Pilato. A 140-kilometer circuit leading up to 1,000 meters above sea level was ahead of us, and we were looking forward to thea wonderful view of the sea. But the weather did not allow it. We did not let this spoil our mood and enjoyed the last route. After a long descent from the Passo di Pilato, we rode to the sea, where we said goodbye and had a dietary hamburger to get the strength and go back to our cars. Some of us went home the next day toand avoid driving during the day through some of the cities on their way back to the Czech Republic.
I think I can speak for all the participants in this training camp when I say we enjoyed it. All the plans and goals were met. We've mustered up a lot of strength for the upcoming season.