Florida Camp Updates 2010

[Chris Helwig]

We fly out tomorrow to Orlando, then on to Clermont. Packing today, which is busy with the two little ones, but almost completed.

Todd just crossed the Florida border with our bikes, so that should be pretty seamless.

Monday will be a longish day as travel days always are. With the kids and heightened security we plan on leaving at 5:45 am to Detroit for our flight at noon.

I will be posting daily updates on how the rides are going. Those attending camp doing the rides include:

Chris Helwig
Rob Anderson
Mike Lewell
Donny Klassen
Todd Hoover
Piers Davidge
Leo St. Germain

Piers is coming a bit later on Wednesday and Rob is leaving a bit early on Saturday.

Most days we will be doing 3.5 hrs of riding. Mostly base work in Z2/Z3 with a few sugarloaf repeats to spice things up.

I will update on Monday on how the travel day goes.

[Chris Helwig]

A bit of a long day, but everyone made is safely to Clermont.

They "shut down" the Detroit Airport because of a security breach, but by the time we got through the messed up Delta Check in they had opened back up. Flight was good, no real problems. Had a bit of a problem finding the big show in the Airport, but thanks to Janice getting him paged we met up.

Combination of the GPS and Janice's knowledge of Clermont got us to Vacation Village.

On tap for today is a fairly flat 3.5 hrs out Cowboys Ranch. I will post a report and numbers later today.

[Chris Helwig]

Ride left at 10:00 am under grey skies, but warm temps. Temperature was around 13 degrees as we set off.

Pace was "brisk" over a few rollers as we headed out of town. Roads were not to busy, better than I thought they would be. Pace settled in, but after 30 minutes the rain started. Really can't complain, it was warm and we had good company. Made it to Groveland for a store stop in record time. Came back and did some bonus on the Van Fleet trail. then back to Clermont.

Solid average speed of 30 km/h. My normalized power was 185 watts and TSS was 229. 229 is good, not over the 250 which requires 48hrs to properly from.

Tomorrow is the assault on sugarloaf.

[Chris Helwig]

Today was the assault on Sugarloaf Mountain. They call it a Mountain, but it really is a pretty big climb. On par with Saylors Hill in Niagara.

Day started well. Thanks to Sibo's directions we didn't get lost and got out to the West Orange Trailhead for a stretch and call of nature. The pace was more moderate today as everyone realized they had 5 repeats of the hill when we got there.

Through Montverde and I didn't really need the map anymore as it was familiar territory. We split up on Buckhill as the boys had some fun hammering the rollers. Off to Sugarloaf where Lewell, Todd and Leo did 5 repeats while Big Show and Donny did 4. I had a nice view from the top and only did 1.5 climbs to save myself for the ride back.

Ride back was good with a store stop in Montverde. Donny got a couple flats, but no real worries.

Temps for the day started cool around 6 degrees, but it warmed up to about 12 by the end.

[bozhelwig]

Loved hearing about the rides in the last few days, remembering last years camp as I shovel snow in London!

boz

[Chris Helwig]

Another Good ride day on Florida. A bit cool at the start around 6 degrees, but warmed up to 10 by the end.

Pace started nice and relaxed after a little "talk" before the start. The plan was another Cowboy's Ranch ride, but this time there would be a sprint for the Groveland sign. This worked out great as the pace was a bit more relaxed on the way out. Close to, but not at the sprint Lewell started ramping it up, only to realize we weren't on the right road yet. Not long after we turned on the correct road and Lewell led it out again. Pace was over 50 km/h as the big show took over the lead out. Todd jumped around thinking the sign was upon us, but it was still a bit to go. I jumped around Todd, but still a bit early. Todd came back and took the win with me in 2nd and Leo in 3rd.

Stopped at the Groveland store to fuel up and then headed back. Pace picked up as Lewell and Todd set a good pace. Leo was also doing lots of pulling with everyone else taking some turns. Off to the Vanfleet for a bit of bonus and then a good ride back.

3.5 hrs for the day with a solid average of 29.8 kp/h. Another great day.

[Chris Helwig]

Yesterday was a recovery day. I took the day off to go to downtown Disney with Janice and the kids and the boys did an easy 1hr 45 minutes of easy path riding.

Today was the second and final assault on Sugarloaf. We skipped the trailhead bonus and went straight out to sugarloaf. Pace on Buckhill was still pretty quick, but not as fast as the first time. Made it to sugarloaf. I was feeling a bit fatigued from a big week so I only went up once and rested at the top. Everyone else did 4-5 repeats with Lewell being first up each time.

Headed back to Montverde for a store stop for some treats, water, gatorade and or Coke. I was feeling better and did a little
Z4 pull most of the way from Montverde to the path. We then headed back with Donny, Big Show and myself going a bit shorter while everyone else did a total of 3:45.

Last day tomorrow as we do one more time to Groveland and one more sprint showdown. Should be fun.

[Chris Helwig]

Temps were a bit cool at the start of the ride, but it was very sunny. Most of us wore knee warmers and vests as we headed out for the last ride.

We did a loop around the lake for some bonus. Very nice ride, great scenery.

Pace was pretty quick as Lewell wanted some harder efforts and Todd wanted to get done so he could drive home. Group was a mix of single file Z3 riding and some Z2 2 up riding.

Groveland was the final sprint showdown of the week. Big show was headed home, so I was left with just Lewell for the leadout. He did a very strong 1km lead out, but I mistimmed the sprint and started too early. Piers and Todd came around me but Piers sat up and I managed a second place.

On the way back Lewell did a LONG Z3 piece as we all sat on. A bit of gutter action on the way back, but Todd moved out to the left and we all got a draft. Todd, Donny and I headed straight home and got in 3 hours, while everyone else did 3:15.

Solid ride with 30.1 km/h average despite an easy cooldown.

Overall a great camp. I did 17hrs while everyone else who rode on the test day got closer to 20hrs. Weather was a little cool, but I never had to wear a toque under my helmet and never had to wear my winter booties, can't complain. Can't wait for next year!!!!

[Leo]

Thanks to Chris for organizing a great camp! While the weather was not conducive to spending any time at the beach, it was fine for riding and I would encourage other CC'rs out there to think about Florida for next year.

The accommodations were good and provided easy access to our riding routes; the roads were in good shape and the traffic respectful of cyclists. Best of all, there are two Starbucks in Clermont.

We spent a few more days in the area following the camp visiting family in Clearwater and then going to Disney - for those that don't know Clermont is only about 30 k's from Disney. Now to get ready for South Carolina!