16.07.14
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Le Tour en Londres

It was very nice of the lovely Rapha to invite me back to London to play some music and catch up with some old friends, what a great experience it was and congratulations to Simon and his staff on the companies continued success, what Rapha have done for cycling in the UK and beyond cannot be underestimated, may they continue at pace! However I’m now one of the rare breed that needs to come back to Ibiza to de-tox after drinking far too many pints in London! Im sure ill be able to sweat it out “En la bici”!

2 cycling legends Vin Denson and Alex Stieda and VCI operatives Richard and Simon enjoying the party!

2 cycling legends Vin Denson and Alex Stieda and VCI operatives Richard and Simon enjoying the party!

One of my favourite riders and top lad Mr Rob Hayles..go cop his book: Easy Rider

One of my favourite riders and top lad Mr Rob Hayles..go cop his book: Easy Rider

Tommy Simpsons 1962 Tour De France Yellow Jersey

Tommy Simpsons 1962 Tour De France Yellow Jersey

Rapha's 10 Birthday at the Royal Society

Rapha’s 10 Birthday at the Royal Society

24.06.14
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Heading into the heat…

The high twenty’s temperatures of May seem to be a distant memory as island temperatures are starting to heat up in June and the landscape changes from the greens of spring to the golds, reds and browns of summer. Here is a selection of pics from some of the great rides with our lovely clients we have had thus far in June…

Dr Watson is a Marine Scientist but today he rode a mountain bike with his brother in law

Dr Watson is a Marine Scientist but today he rode a mountain bike with his brother in law

David from London is training for the Etape in July, the constant hills of Ibiza are the perfect preperation

David from London is training for the Etape in July, the constant hills of Ibiza are the perfect preperation

Grant from Surrey will find Box Hill that bit easier after the climbs he took in whilst here on Hols!

Craig from Aberdeen was happy that he was not riding in rain for once! And we also had a deep discussion about the state of Scottish football and the current renaissance of the ‘Dons

Tricia from Mayo in Ireland was here for a wedding and some riding...Both where very successful!

Tricia from Mayo in Ireland was here for a wedding and some riding…Both were very successful!

The Magician played music at Pacha and we danced

The Magician played music at Pacha and we danced

Dale and Ian from Northampton..they loved it!

Dale and Ian from Northampton..they loved it!

Fabien and Aymeric where here from Brussels and Paris..here they are gettin' dow and dusty

Fabien and Aymeric where here from Brussels and Paris..here they are gettin’ down and dusty

Marcel and Debs ! Happy people

Marcel and Debs ! Happy people

Marcel begins the descent from Sa Talaia

Marcel begins the descent from Sa Talaia

I told him the bike was too big..would he listen?

I told him the bike was too big..would he listen?

05.06.14
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Opening Weekend with the boys from Bath

3 x 40th birthdays + Riding the island -  Ibiza opening weekend = Only the strong survive!

The summer season is well and truly underway and on opening weekend it was great to ride with James x 2, Matt, Fari and Ed although it was a shame the infamous Bryan never made it out on to the tarmac! We rode on Friday to the West and Saturday to the East and in between lets just say the fellas enjoyed themselves in what sounded like some rather fun off the bike activity! Nice one chaps see you again soon!

Cafe stop in San Carles

Cafe stop in San Carles

Ed leads the peleton on day 2

Ed leads the peloton on day 2

 

Fari climbing out of San Vicent

Fari climbing out of San Vicent

Gunning it back to town for the lunch reservation!

Gunning it back to town for the lunch reservation!

 

 

09.05.14
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The Boyd Brigade

It was great to ride with a father and son team Noel and James at the beginning of this week. Having recently retired Noel has re-discovered the bike…a lovely Pinarello Rokh to be more precise ! And was looking to get some social training miles in whilst over on Holiday visiting his Son and daughter in Law.

James is a soon to be resident on the Island and is no stranger to its amazing riding and it was a great opportunity for them both to get out together on two wheels and enjoy some training, banter and great food! Thanks for a great couple of days fellas and we will see you soon…

Boys Snr puts the hammer down !

Father and Son just enjoying the bike

Father and Son just enjoying the bike

James keeps his eye out for any attacks

James keeps his eye out for any attacks

 

Climbing out of a slightly scorched part of Es Cubells

Climbing out of a slightly scorched part of Es Cubells

The coffee stops are pretty good on the Island. Salut!

The coffee stops are pretty good on the Island. Salut!

 

09.05.14
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Great Ormond Street Hospital Round the Island Cycle Challenge

It was great to be part of what was an awesome event last weekend,  Velo Club Ibiza acted as consultants on the routes then drove the support vehicle on the two days of riding, which saw 200 participants cycle the Island over two days to help raise money for the GOSH in London.

For some participants it proved extremely challenging but all of them managed to complete the course and do their bit for what is an amazing Hospital that gives hope to so many children and families all over the world.

To sign up for the 2015 Event which aims to be bigger and better click here!

Below are some shots I grabbed during the weekend….

Bikes stacked and racked ready for the off

Bikes stacked and racked ready for the off

For the uninitiated the routes were definitely a challenge

For the uninitiated the routes were definitely a challenge

Riders congregate at the start on Day 1

Riders congregate at the start on Day 1

 

Support riders where on the road to provide a few much needed pushes!

Support riders where on the road to provide a few much needed pushes!

The irrepressible Ian Denson son of GB cycling legend Vin Denson was proud to be supporting such a great cause

The irrepressible Ian Denson son of GB cycling legend Vin Denson was proud to be supporting such a great cause

28.04.14
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Walking Ibiza Charity Adventure April 22-26 2014

Velo Club Ibiza were proud to be able to help out on Walking Ibiza’s 4 day charity challenge last week.  We provided the bikes, consulted on the route and provided guided assistance to the 7 plucky adventurers on the two mountain bike sections. Who  navigated the whole island in 4 days by trekking, kayaking and riding. Congratulations to all involved and everyone who pledged and donated to help raise funds for the charities involved

APNEEF – an Ibiza and Formentera based group working with children who have special educational needs. Their objectives are to improve the development and evolution of these children and to increase their quality of life and social integration by means of specialised programmes such as psychomotor therapy, equine therapy, multi-sensory stimulation, manual workshops and hydrotherapy.

The Samasound Association is the other organisation set to benefit from this fund-raiser. By offering sound healing to patients fighting cancer and other illnesses, results of this effective treatment are incredible and include strengthening of the immune system and allaying stress, leading to wonderful improvements in critical situations.

Day 1 of the adventure saw us head down to Salinas on a route that took us up the west coast

Day 1 of the adventure saw us head down to Salinas on a route that took us up the west coast

At the top of Salinas we hooked a right onto the trail that climbs then drops you down to Cap Des Falco

At the top of Salinas we hooked a right onto the trail that climbs then drops you down to Cap Des Falco

Climbing out of Es Cubells

Climbing out of Es Cubells

Day 4of the Challenge was part 2 of the biking. Starting at Playa Figueral we headed down the East coast...

Day 4 of the Challenge was part 2 of the biking. Starting at Playa Figueral we headed down the East coast…

 

Rding righta along the coastline passing the natural spring at Pou De Lleo

Riding right  along the coastline passing the natural spring at Pou De Lleo

We then rode straight into Cala Nova stopping for a quick coffee and to take in the views!

We then rode straight into Cala Nova stopping for a quick coffee and to take in the views!

Here the group heads out of Es Canar...with smiles all round!

Here the group heads out of Es Cana…with smiles all round!

As a bit of luxury for 4 days of blood sweat and tears...there was a lunch stop at the beautiful Amante Restaurant at Sol Den Serra

As a bit of luxury for 4 days of blood sweat and tears…there was a lunch stop at the beautiful Amante Restaurant at Sol Den Serra

The final stretch saw some steep sections through Roca Lisa towards S'Estanyol

The final stretch saw some steep sections through Roca Lisa towards S’Estanyol

 

Final Camino action coming into Cap Martinet

Final Camino action coming into Cap Martinet

The final stretch of tarmac for the 7 adventurers, past the Marina to the finish line at Eivissa Town Port!

The final stretch of tarmac for the 7 adventurers, past the Marina to the finish line at Eivissa Town Port!

14.04.14
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A lovely 520 kilometre week !

My cyclists tan is getting drastic! And its only April

My cyclists tan is getting drastic! And its only April

Its been a busy period the last week here are VC Ibiza.  The airlines have begun their summer routing and the island is continuing to gear up for the forthcoming 2014 season. There are openings aplenty as bars, restaurants and hotels fine tune their engines ready for the influx of people through the summer and the weather has really begun to heat up! Lets hope its here to stay…

With the budget airlines starting this really is a great time to hop on a plane and get some early summer miles in the legs and that is exactly what VC Ibiza clients Ben, Marcel, Peter and James have done.

Below are some photos and routes from their rides that saw me total up 520k’s last week.. so just a few hours on the saddle, but what fun we had ! Cheers fellas it was great to ride with you all.. and we are looking forward to seeing you out on the white isle again real soon!

First up last week was Ben, a Spanish teacher from Leeds he was over getting some miles in and a break from his students!

First up last week was Ben, a Spanish teacher from Leeds he was over getting some miles in and a break from his students!

Your friendly neighbourhood bike guy!

Your friendly neighbourhood bike guy!

Marcel was clocking up the miles getting ready for the Paris Roubaix ride he was doing before the pro race on Saturday the 12th

Marcel was clocking up the miles getting ready for the Paris Roubaix ride he was doing before the pro race on Saturday the 12th

Giving Marcel some camino action to prepare him for the "Hell of the North"

Giving Marcel some camino action to prepare him for the “Hell of the North”

Peter from Antwerp had just completed the Tour of Flanders sportive ride

Peter from Antwerp had just completed the Tour of Flanders sportive ride

And now he's preparing for the Liege Bastogne Liege event

And now he’s preparing for the Liege Bastogne Liege event

A favourite coffee stop at Sa Calma in Marina Botafoch

A favourite coffee stop at Sa Calma in Marina Botafoch

James is a Triathlete from York who spent 5 years competing in Barcelona. By the end of the week it was good to be able to follow his wheel as we toured the climbs in the North

James is a Triathlete from York who spent 5 years competing in Barcelona. By the end of the week it was good to be able to follow his wheel as we toured the climbs in the North

Jame takes in a corner toward Cala St Vicent

Jame takes in a corner toward Cala St Vicent