Team Ontario March Endurance Camp 2017
It's that time of year again! Last week I had the privilege to travel down to North Carolina with Team Ontario for the annual March Endurance camp! Between all of the riding, exploring, and other shenanigans, the project made for a pretty awesome bike trip. Read on to find out what the team was up to and for some random tips about endurance camps. Warning: satirical comments included.
TIP NUMBER ONE- TRAVELING WITH COMPRESSION SOCKS REDUCES THE INFLAMMATION IN YOUR LEGS MAKING IT SLIGHTLY MORE PLEASANT TO WALK AROUND THE NEXT DAY.
Our first ride was incredible. We explored the local roads of Brevard North Carolina, each one of us excited and anxious to be back on our bikes. Among our groups we began getting to know each other which has become one of my favourite parts about these large camps. We get to know each other, hear stories... how we've got to where we are today, or even where we aspire to go in the future. These initial rides gave us that opportunity to get to know one another and make some new friends before the leg crushing began.
"I think that even though a lot of us come from different backgrounds, disciplines, skill levels and teams that we all got along really well. This was probably one of the most close and comfortable groups I've ever been on camp with. Everyone supported and laughed along with one another, even if we were just getting to know each other." -Hillary Lowry, NCCH
Tuesday was our time trial day up Caesars head... the coaches lead us out to the base of the mountain where we began... no matter the result, each athlete gave it their all and got to the top where they were treated by smiling coaches and half passed out riders!
TIP NUMBER THREE- EAT EVERYTHING. AND THEN EAT MORE.
On another note... throughout the camp we were given the opportunity to part take in some in-class discussions about nutrition, power, fatigue, and managing various stress factors. I find that Team Ontario provides top-notch coaching in this respect. Sean Kelly lead the discussions where he talked about power and the importance of recording data from our training! Being able to monitor your normal's and compare your thresholds to everyday training can help you plan your training camps more effectively and on a more important note, your everyday training.
"The coaches were wonderful easy to talk when you need help on anything. They also like to joke and not serious all the time." - Giuseppe Magisano
TIP NUMBER FOUR- NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES AND WONT MAKE FUN OF YOU THAT MUCH.
Sunday was our last day and we were advised to choose from three ride options; 103km, 137km, or 157km. Personally I was weary since it was the
TIP NUMBER FIVE- RIDE WITH FRIENDS SO THAT IF YOU CRACK THEY CAN PULL YOU ALL THE WAY HOME:)
"The coffee was AMAZING! My experiences in North Carolina were great and I will remember for the rest of my life." - Paul Mysko, Centurion Next Wave
"I was always excited to go out and ride!" - Thomas Hulton, AWI Racing
"The support from Kevin Jones in the van was superb, my favourite was the hot tea at the top of Caesars Head to warm us all up from the freezing temps!!" Dana Gilligan, Centurion Next Wave/ Maverix Racing
TIP NUMBER SIX- NEVER FORGET THAT YOU'RE OUT ON YOUR BIKE BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO BE THERE. IF YOU'RE HAVING A BAD DAY OR FEELING LIKE CRAP, DITCH THAT MINDSET AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ADVENTURES! JUST HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR BIKE!
And lastly I'd like to give a huge shout-out to my coach back home Rob Holmgren for getting me ready for the camp and constantly motivating me to be a better athlete! Another huge thank you to my shop, The Crank and Sprocket in Orillia for getting me all set up, my team Centurion Next Wave and Norco for always supporting me! Finally, thanks to Team Ontario and all of the coaches for providing us with World class training camps like these.
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