CTS Camps?

[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.