In the spring of 2022, we were hosting the NRG Performance Training athletes for the fourth consecutive spring cycling camp in Europe. This time the cycling camp was held in the South of Spain in the Costa del Sol area with a base in Nerja, Andalusia.

Summary / Highlights

♦ Date: April 22 – May 01, 2022
♦ Start / Finish: Mallaga/Nerja, Spain
♦ Distance – 1,000+ km / 600+ miles
♦ Elevation gain – 10,000+ m / 30,000+ ft
♦ 10-day / 9-night guided & SAG van supported camp
♦ Training program organized & led by the NRG Coaching Team
♦ Rides broken into 2-3 groups of similar speeds with a Coach / Guide with each group
♦ On-road snacks and water, excellent Sarto rental bikes provided by HC Bike Tours
♦ Superb 4-star accommodations with breakfast & dinner
♦ Scenic riding through the mountains and national parks of Andalusia
♦ Full service by HC Bike Tours – airport transfers, route planning, accommodation booking, rental bike delivery, SAG support & concierge service.

Nerja is a great spot for a training camp, with lots of great roads, from flat coastal options to long climbs up to 1300+m. The weather is perfect in May with an average high of +24C and lows of +15C. As our base, we had arranged for a 4-Star hotel Riu Monica on the beach with a pool.

Day 1 – just like on every camp the first day is a warm-up day, to get used to the climate, roads, and traffic and let the body acclimate after the long journey to Europe. Small roads inland where the perfect route for that.

Day 2 – a longer ride along the Mediterranean coast to see how the different speed groups are doing riding together and whether changes should be made.

Day 3 – a shorter day with a two-part climb on small and quiet roads and a fun downhill on the way back to hotel to let the legs recover before the next day’s long ride.

Day 4 – an epic 5 and half hour day with an almost 30 km (18 miles) long climb and descent back to the starting point.

Day 5 – a well-deserved active recovery day. The triathletes went for an open-water swim, and others went on a hike. A day well spent getting ready for two more full days of cycling.

Day 6 – an easier ride along the coast with an easy climb inland.

Day 7 – another longer ride with a three-part climb and amazing views with easy downhill and rolling hills on the return to hotel.

Day 8 – the last day of riding with NRG athletes. Started with an easy run-in and then enjoyed the ups and downs of the moderate hills.

The camp’s main focus was cycling, but for triathletes, there were also some running options and open water swimming in the Mediterranean sea. The training program was laid out by the NRG coaching staff and adapted to the needs of each rider. In order to ensure that everyone was able to ride at their own pace, the rides were broken into 2-3 groups of similar speeds. Each group had a coach/guide.

NRG Performance Training is a professional coaching service working with athletes from across Canada and around the world. In our previous camps, we have been to Sicily Italy, Calpe Spain and Tuscany Italy. And we already know we are heading to the Costa Blanca – Javea, Spain, for 2023 NRG camp. Read more and sign up here.

Interested in your own custom & private cycling camp? Email or fill in the contact form to give us a general idea of what kind of trip experience you are looking for. We will get right back to you with suggestions on building the best bike holiday experience for your group.

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