Cycling Camp – Climbing 101 in Santa Ynez

  • Dec 13, 2024
  • Climbing Cycling

Is this camp right for me?

Is this camp right for me?

Email Summary $799*

It’s a supportive and comfortable learning environment for riders of all ability and experience levels.

Climbing 101 camps are perfect for cyclists looking to improve climbing and descending performance, and also looking to learn essential road cycling skills like riding close to other cyclists, basic drafting, eating and drinking on the move, etc. This is a great camp for riders who find climbing, descending, and/or riding in a group intimidating.

Nestled in a valley between the coastal mountains outside Santa Barbara and mountains of the Los Padres National Forest, this camp will teach you key techniques that help riders of all sizes and shapes excel when the road tips toward the sky. And since what goes up must come down, we’ll also help you develop the confidence and skills you need to descend quickly, safely, and efficiently.

This camp is designed for beginner and intermediate road cyclists who want to get better at riding, learn about training, and those who simply want get in a good 3-day training block. Each day will include 3-4 hours of riding, and we’ll complement the work we do on the bike with coach-led training presentations on sports nutrition, training with power, and other topics. You will also sit down individually with a coach for one-on-one power file data analysis after every ride. All camp rides feature full mechanic and nutrition support and a high coach-athlete ratio. We highly recommend that your bicycle be equipped with a 12-28 cassette, and a compact crankset, for this camp.

Camp Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Check-In

    This is the arrival and check-in day at CTS Santa Ynez. After dropping of your bike and a brief check-in process, you’ll join the CTS coaching staff and fellow riders for a gourmet dinner and a preview of the camp. If you’d like to add any lab testing or a bike fit to your camp, it’s best to arrive before 2 pm on this day. Registration is from 3 to 5:30 pm at our office in Santa Ynez.

  • Day 2 – Thursday

    We start camp with a bike handling skills session and the CTS Field Test. Even the best pros spend time working on their skills and there is plenty to learn from the coaches leading and demonstrating the drills. The CTS field test you’ll tackle next will allow you to establish training ranges for the rest of camp. Alumni riders have a Gran Settimana option of extra endurance miles instead of the skills and Field Test. This morning’s ride is also where we practice climbing and descending technique with the stunning backdrop of Ballard Canyon. After lunch at a local restaurant, CTS coaches will provide individual feedback on your Field Test results.

  • Day 3 – Friday

    Friday morning’s ride continues the focus on climbing and descending with a set of Climbing Repeat intervals on the lower slopes of Figueroa Mtn. You’ll use power ranges established by the field test to climb at an appropriate intensity. Don’t worry, if you don’t already have a power meter, we have one for you to use as part of the camp! The climb is tough, but the descent is also a challenge, so you’ll continue to practice the descending skills you mastered the day before. We will also spend some time discussing proper climbing technique, climbing out of the saddle and maintaining momentum through rolling hills. After a delicious lunch and reviewing the morning’s ride data, we’ll discuss proper nutrition practices to improve performance. We end the day with a fun group dinner in Santa Ynez.

  • Day 4 -Saturday

    We save the hardest ride for last at Climbing Camp – Figueroa Mountain! The technique fundamentals, pacing strategies and nutritional tips you’ve learned the previous days will all help you conquer this extremely challenging “hors catégorie” climb. It’s a mountain that has tested some of the world’s best cyclists, but our coaches and support staff will help you conquer it too. In the words of CTS coach Julia Gieschen: “The only people who don’t make it up Figueroa are the ones that don’t really want to.” And while this mountain will challenge your legs and resolve, you will also enjoy a spectacular ride through the vineyards, ranchland and mountains of California’s Central Coast.Camp concludes with a review of your power meter data from Figueroa Mtn and a final group lunch in Santa Ynez

Additional Details & FAQs

Cycling Camp – Climbing 101 in Santa Ynez

June 21-24, 2017
Santa Ynez, CA

Climbing 101 camps are perfect for cyclists looking to improve climbing and descending performance, and also looking to learn essential road cycling skills like riding close to other cyclists, basic drafting, eating and drinking on the move, etc. This is a great camp for riders who find climbing, descending, and/or riding in a group intimidating.

Nestled in a valley between the coastal mountains outside Santa Barbara and mountains of the Los Padres National Forest, this camp will teach you key techniques that help riders of all sizes and shapes excel when the road tips toward the sky. And since what goes up must come down, we’ll also help you develop the confidence and skills you need to descend quickly, safely, and efficiently.

This camp is designed for beginner and intermediate road cyclists who want to get better at riding, learn about training, and those who simply want get in a good 3-day training block. Each day will include 3-4 hours of riding, and we’ll complement the work we do on the bike with coach-led training presentations on sports nutrition, training with power, and other topics. You will also sit down individually with a coach for one-on-one power file data analysis after every ride. All camp rides feature full mechanic and nutrition support and a high coach-athlete ratio. We highly recommend that your bicycle be equipped with a 12-28 cassette, and a compact crankset, for this camp.

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