The last blog post in the Synrgy Cycling Training Camp series on what was meant to be a ride out to Rocacorba Cycling, but got out of hand rather quickly…
Rolling out towards Banyoles from Girona, I felt like I could barely keep on the back of the group, but I kept the pedals turning regardless. On the way out we were joined by Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who somehow balances life in the pro-peloton with running their villa that’s become the go-to base for cycling and triathlon training camps, which is exactly where we were going. As we made our way around Banyoles Lake and down a country lane, we were soon heading up the driveway to Rocacorba Cycling.
We parked our bikes in the courtyard with orange trees towering above them. Through a small gate we were met with the infinity pool creating an uninterrupted view over Banyoles and the Spanish hills behind it. Luna the Spaniel was basking in the sun and making me miss my own back at home. Although I knew mine would be straight in the pool if he was there…
Having topped up on brownies and cookies, I did not want to move from lying on the warm tiles by the pool. It’s certainly not what you’d say is optimum prep for an effort up a 10.7km climb that ascends to an elevation above Cadair Idris, which is a mountain in North Wales. The climb I’m talking about being Rocacorba, where on multiple occasions throughout the climb you’re ascending between 10 and 12 percent gradient.
Wanting to make the most of my trip out to Girona, I nervously agreed to join the group heading up the climb. I had absolutely no idea what I was letting myself in for, but I’d get up it one way or another as I’m too stubborn not to.
I sat on the back of the group with no idea how to pace it. My legs were still heavy, but we kept the pedals turning. To move out of the way of some cyclists coming down, I moved up the group. I’m not exactly sure what happened after that as I just seemed to find a rhythm and went. It’s always a bit odd riding new climbs, as I was clueless on where I was but was weirdly enjoying it. It took me straight back to the National Hill Climb Championships in 2022. The cow bells, the panda suits and people in diving flippers (don’t ask…) came flooding back into my head. After a brief conversation with Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio earlier in the day when we were deciding whether to do the climb or not, I knew I’d be happy with a sub-hour time up there. However, I didn’t actually know where the climb had started, so I just had to keep going. There were a few flat sections, which gave an opportunity to spin the legs out, but they were very short-lived.
With one final corner at 10% which felt like hitting a brick wall, I rode up to the gate of the enclosure blocking off the mast on the top of the hill. It was just me and the top of Rocacorba. The views went on for miles and I couldn’t believe our luck with the weather we’d had all week.
After some group photos at the top, we had the job of now getting back down all of the 10-12% corners we had just come up. I was surprised I had any brake pads left by the time we got to the bottom, but with re-group and re-stock of water and nutrition, we could head back to the hotel. Zoe had her speaker and the mood was high.
I can’t thank Zoe enough for coming up the climb with us, as what I thought was going to be tough day on the bike actually became quite an incredible one.
The Synrgy Cycling Training Camp was an amazing experience and one I’m so glad I signed up for. I met so many lovely people and it was fulfilling to be part of a group all wanting to push each other on. If you’re thinking already of training camps for 2025, this is definitely one I would recommend. Thanks to Will & Hannah, all we needed to think about for the day’s riding was what bike kit to wear, because nutrition organised by Maurten and Emma was in the following car. Zoe showed us some beautiful parts of Girona and we definitely couldn’t have got round the week without her! They’re doing great things when it comes to getting women out on their bikes and pushing their limits.
Other parts of the series:
Lucy's Life and Bikes 