Who doesn’t like a road trip? At Penge CC we have run some amazing trips both at home and abroad. Some in small groups, others where the club colours seem to dominate the event.
We run a regular training camp in Southern Spain in February. April sees us in Belgium for the Spring Classics, with 3 of the ‘Monuments’ ticked off in as many years. We have run trips to Italy to take part in the Maratona and to watch the Giro, doing our best to emulate the pros on the Stelvio and Mortirolo. In the UK, there are trips to Wales to get some hills and we have done a ‘Ride to the Great North Run’, cycling from London to Newcastle in 3 days. This proved that being a good cyclist doesn’t necessarily make you a good runner, though doesn’t rule it out!
These trips are organised by individuals in the club and open to anyone to join. Some are casual, self-guided and others more formal. The important thing as that we do some great cycling and enjoy some proper relaxation.
For many riders these trips are the first foray into cycling abroad, for others they represent another of many bucket list trips ticked off. For all of us they are experiences that remind us how good it is to be alive and to ride a bike.
Take a look at our recent trip to Spain.
Take a look at our planned trip to Belgium.
Below you can see our regular trips to look out for over the year.
Training camp – Spain
We run this every year in February in Albir on the Costa Blanca in Spain. The trip is organised by our partners at EliteCycling, led by Paul Mill. The trip is a full week, based in a 4-star spa hotel, the Albir Playa. It takes in some superb cycling in some of the most beautiful and peaceful countrysides in Spain.
The weather is usually warm and dry and perfect for cycling. You’ll see lots of the pros out preparing for the forthcoming season. This trip is open to everyone who can manage a 35-mile ride. You’ll work hard, get fitter and be ready for a great year of cycling. You’ll also have plenty of time to relax and unwind.
The Spring Classics – Belgium and France
Each year for the last 3 years, Penge CC has been well represented in the spring classics. First, in 2017 it was the ‘Hell of the North’ – Paris-Roubaix, with its legendary cobbles. Then “La Doyenne”, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the long and hilly ride that just keeps giving. De Ronde, theTour of Flanders, was our biggest yet, with 64 of us taking over the youth hostel in Ghent to enjoy the delights of the Oude Kwaremont and the Koppenberg. At all these rides, we watch the pros perform the following day.
These are 4-day trips, leaving South London by coach on the Friday morning, riding on Saturday and watching the pros on the Sunday. We tend to stay in low cost hotels and youth hostels to keep the costs down and arrange bike transport there and back. The rides always have a variety of distances, with the shortest usually attainable by anyone who can ride with the Short 2 ride and up. The long distances are punishing even for the most able riders.
Other trips
- Wales
- Newcastle
- Nice
- Lejog
Many people use the network that the club provides to put together their own trips at home and abroad. This formula has worked well, with many of our riders forming lasting friendships and creating indelible memories of great rides.
If you have an idea for a trip and you want some help getting it off the ground, contact pengecc@gmail.com