CTS Camps?

[li10up]

Has anyone done any of the CTS Camps? I've been looking at the Women's camp and the climbing camp. Sure would be nice to have some first hand info.

[tctrek]

I'm signed up for the CTS Women's Beginner camp in Asheville, NC in June. Can't wait! Although I have been riding for a year and a half and ride every week, I've learned everything I know from DH and he thought it would be good for me to get tips and tricks from the coaches at Carmichael.

They are so nice! When I signed up they called and talked to me about everything that they were going to go through and helped me to ascertain that the camp is right for me. I am really, really bad on hills and there's nowhere to ride in Georgia that isn't hills. One day of the camp is totally focused on hills, so I'm jazzed to pick up some tips.

Can't wait!!

[li10up]

If you have time I'd love to read how camp goes for you...please post when you get back!

[AnnieBikes]

I, too, have thought about going to one of these camps and Asheville is not far from me. I do have a friend who has been with her husband and she loved it. The only thing is I think there is some pressure (minimal) to get a "coach" after you leave to continue your training. My friend did for 6 months or a year. I will call her and see what she says and report back.

[NoNo]

I read about one of these camps in Bicycle Magazine and thought it was a great idea and something I'd benefit from. I'm a terrible climber and not super speedy overall, so I think I'd probably benefit from some coaching. It's so frustrating riding with my brother because he's a great climber and just shoots out ahead of me. It'd be nice to be able to keep up with the pack. I'd love to hear about your experience, maybe it's something to save for next year.

[AnnieBikes]

I just talked to my friend who has been twice, once before she started actively doing TRI's and once a few years ago just for climbing camp.

PRO's She really learned alot. It was really fun and they did all kinds of training activities, were watched on the hills and got many tips for climbing and descending. The have all kinds of snacks and drinks (they are PowerBar sponsored, so many are from there) and even mix the drinks for you and have them ready when you are out on a ride. THey have a SAG van out with you at all times. They were divided into small groups of 6 for the week based on abilities, and they assessed that right at the beginning. They service your bike at night, and take care of it if you have a mechanical problem when you are riding, flats included. The technique tips were "great". She learned how to train, different drills, and how to schedule training, etc. There were lectures at night on various things like nutrition before and after hard rides, etc. "They treated us like royalty!"

CON's: They are in the business of selling post camp coaching services and pushed that VERY hard to her. They want to sell you a PowerTap as well. She said that there was a "special" for their camp (which is probably at every one) for $$ off their coaching services. At the evening lectures, they all end up with the "why you need a coach" etc. She found that part very hard...the pressure to buy their services. Much of it is "cookbook" she thought and not very individualized. She actually did the coaching thing because her husband gave it to her as a gift after the course but she was WAY less than thrilled with the "personalized" service and did not continue it after the designated time, six months, I think. My friend is nearly 60 and she felt that she needed more than one rest day per week but the coach insisted that one day (and it had to be Friday) was all she needed. Well, it rains here on other days of the week, so then what?!!!

Don't get me wrong....she loved the camp and learned tons of great stuff. If you can resist the "coaching services" ...unless that is what you want, then you will love the camp. Just be advised that you will get the hard sell from them for "after services."

Have fun and learn a ton! We definitely want to hear about it.

[susan.wells]

I have attended three camps. Two of their standard women's specific (one was the beginner and the other not) training camps. Additionally I attended a private weekend camp for a friend and I (same type of service but no sales pitch). Anniebikes' description is accurate - both pros and cons. Tips and techniques were the best thing for me. My descending skills improved dramatically (although I will always be a chicken at speeds over 40 mph careening down a mountain). The camaraderie that developed among the women was a pleasant surprise. I would do it again just for that. I still exchange email with a few of the other ladies.

Anniebikes ... reading your blog concerning your husband's tour. I did the GAP & C&O in 2007. I start Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway on Sunday.

ETA: I actually forgot ... My avatar is a cropped photo from the private camp. If you look ever so closely you can see that I am riding while touching the rear tire of my partner's bike with my front tire. Her tire is red. Hence my somewhat strained looking position. You practice bumping skills and how to react without (hopefully) going down!

[ilima]

I knew a woman that went to one in California. Like AnnieBikes said, they pushed the services & the PowerTap wheel, which I think she said everybody who didn't have one bought one at the camp.

She really enjoyed the camp and said she spent one whole afternoon riding and chatting with Chris Carmichael himself and said he was generally hands on during the week. She felt she got her money's worth.

[li10up]

How "good" where the people, especially the women, in the climbing camps. I wouldn't want to get there and then completely embarrass myself. I ride flat roads for the most-part - hence needing climbing skills.

I thought of another question....if you aren't really looking for a training plan but just ideas on how to climb better, learn what I'm doing right or wrong would this camp be helpful?

[susan.wells]

The women's beginner camp had all levels. I learned lots even though I didn't consider myself a novice by any means. The women's camp says intermediate/advanced. I would say most of the people in that class were on the upper end of ability. All in all - a very driven bunch of women. I would recommend either one if you want to improve your road handling and climbing skills.

[tctrek]

Glad to hear the PROS and CONS. I'm not intimidated at all my sales pitches for coaching. I'm a 58 year old recreational rider and not looking for a coach. But if I like the camp, I will go again -- they have another one in the fall and Asheville, NC is gorgeous when the leaves are turning.

Thanks for the info! I'll post when I finish the camp in June.

[li10up]

Glad to hear the PROS and CONS. I'm not intimidated at all my sales pitches for coaching. I'm a 58 year old recreational rider and not looking for a coach. But if I like the camp, I will go again -- they have another one in the fall and Asheville, NC is gorgeous when the leaves are turning.

Thanks for the info! I'll post when I finish the camp in June.

Did you go to the camp? Can we get an update?

[tctrek]

Oh yes, I went to the 3 day Women's Beginners Camp. Although I had been riding for a little over a year, I found it to be incredibly helpful. There were 7 women in the class and we had 3 coaches with us at all times. We spent 5 hours a day on the bike in all types of activities: climbing, descending (technical - steep descents with "S" curves, etc.), pacelining, hand signals, etc.
We also did a field test where they gave us all heart rate monitors and we climbed a 7-10% grade for several miles. Then they downloaded our data and gave us heart rate zones that we should be riding at for Endurance, Tempo, Recovery, etc.

We always had a team car with us, constant fresh/cold bottle of sports drink, all the gels and bars we could eat. We had a mechanics class where we learned every part of the bike. We took our bikes apart and put them back together We flattened our tires, replaced tubes. We had a nutrition class where they gave us ideal ratios of fat/carbs/protein for different levels of training. We got a lecture and documentation on periodization and setting up a training schedule.

It was 3 days jammed packed with riding and teaching, but also it was a very "warm" atmosphere. The coaches are extremely supportive and the women in the group really bonded and road as a team.
We all got Carmichael Training jerseys and road as a team.

I learned more in that three days than I did in a year of riding with DH and small groups.

There was not a big push for purchasing coaching. On the last day, you could ask for an optional 1:1 with a coach and find out about their programs, but there was definitely no pressure to do so. I actually signed up and have been working with a coach for 2 months now. I've increased my average speed from 12 mph to 15 mph in 2 months. I'm now climbing hills that I used to walk up. I ride 6 days a week following her program. I talk to her via email and phone nearly every day and we have a scheduled phone meeting once a week. They also hooked me up with a nutrtionist (included) who helped me to work out my diet so that I was fueling properly for all the riding that I do. I'm currently putting in 8-10 hours per week on the bike. I rode a lot before the coaching, but it was random and I never got any better.

I know I am gushing, but I love riding so much and my coach has really helped me in short time. I'm just excited to see what she will do with me through the winter in preparing me for next season.

I'm going back in October for a private training session with my coach. She'll ride with me and help me with form and especially my gearing and cadence while climbing. She's also going to help me with some back strengthening exercises. I can't wait. Asheville is gorgeous in October when the leaves are changing.

I would recommend this training to anyone that can afford it and likes the idea of having a professional bring you along faster than you can do it yourself.

[tctrek]

Also, I would like to add that during the class nearly everyone was faster than I was.... and a lot younger . But it didn't matter a bit. I always had a coach with me and I was faster on the descents than any of them! None of them were racers, etc. but remember that at that time, my average speed was 12 mph. And there are some very bad hills in Asheville, NC... like the Smoky Mountains!

[tab123]

tctrek, thank you for the update. RoadBikeRider also liked the CTS climbing camp.

I am considering signing up for the February CTS camp in Tucson. My only concern is being in good enough shape (I know that sounds like cleaning before the cleaning person arrives) after what probably will be another tough winter here in Chicago. Nevertheless, it could be a wonderful bit of sun in the winter, and I certainly could use some coaching!

Karen