PREVIOUS WORLD CHAMPION and GB para-cyclist joined our spring Mallorca camps in 2022 to help kick start her season’s training for the world road and track cycling championships in August and October respectively. Accompanied by her mother and father they formed a delightful addition to our camp. Here are Katie’s thoughts on her experience.

“Let’s start at the end, (I know strange but…) we left wishing we were staying for another week, you’re probably thinking, ‘It’s a cycling holiday. You’re a cyclist. Of course you’d think that.’ But seriously let me tell you why!

Day 1

The earliest of early starts, we left home in the cold and dark. Fast forward a few hours and we were in Mallorca and warm; a tad windy, but warm! As soon as we arrived, the team from Viva Velo were ready and waiting for us. They picked us up with a mini bus that was adapted by Dyll and the team to hold suitcases and bike boxes, no jigsaw making here, everything went in the van without a hitch (even my box bike which weighed a fair amount).

The journey from the airport to the hotel flew by with Derek (one of the legend ride leaders) telling us what to expect over the week ahead. Just driving across the island with Derek talking about mountains, big hills, flat rides, monasteries, food, warm roads got me all excited. Like a kid at Christmas!

Katie heads out through the famous ‘reed beds of the Albufera

We arrived at the hotel Condesa de la Bahia, Dyll (the boss of Viva Velo) greeted us. My dad and I had spoken to Dyll a few times over zoom so it was fab to finally meet in person. Check in was fast and, despite it being early, our room was ready. I had a quick chat with Dyll about my plans for the afternoon (easy spin just to loosen off the legs) we talked routes and decided on the reed-bed road (if you know, you know) then loop back via Muro, Can Picafort then the coast road. I should probably point out that, I went out on my own but only because I knew if I went out any later I’d be very tired the next day - due to my Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Before heading out, Ian (another rider leader and legend) helped me build my bike (superfast by the way). The group went out slightly later with Derek and Ian and I believe they did one of the monastery climbs all reports were that it was a fab late afternoon pedal - I was getting to know what would soon be a pretty tight knit group.

Whilst we’d all been out pedalling (and working hard on the tan lines) Dyll had added us all to a Wattsapp group, informed us that pre drinks were at 7pm then it was time for FOOD (all of which was brilliant, many many plates of food were consumed during this cycling camp). I went to Mallorca with my family (their holiday, my training camp) we ate earlier, about 6pm, then joined pre drinks to meet all of the gang, had a chat. Dyll went around each individual asking what they wanted to do the next day, now I had a bit of a training plan my coach had written so I knew what I was doing, I had worried about this part. I wanted to ride as a group (but fine on my own too) but knew because of my disability it wasn’t always going to be possible. I didn’t need to worry. Dyll and the rider leaders understood and then they planned a route which I already knew bits of then sent it me and made sure it worked on my Garmin (I might be youngish but I’m a technophobe). With that it was time for bed. Let the adventure begin!

Katie, Caroline and Ian team up for a ride

Day 2

Ah the suns up! It’s warm and I’m spending the day pedalling! I had breakfast with the gang (more food) talked about their epic up to Santa Magdalena (yes Derek I’m cribbing off your Strava haha) and got to the bike garage for 10am (this was the standard time). Off we go! All riders went up the reed road before separating (in my case) to do my training. I looped round Campanet and back through the lanes. The gang did their epic ride with, I believe, a lovely café stop. I got back, had lunch and chilled for the afternoon. Fast forward to dinner/pre drinks and we chatted about our day, banter was beginning to be had and Dyll asked me if “I’d had a good ride … did you get lost?”. How did he know! Yes I had had a very nice detour around the lanes but I’d made it back so all good. Everyone had a chuckle … “but you had a route”, “I know” laughing, all fun and games. Like the previous night we talked about what we fancied doing the next day, my plan said to go to the Velodrome at Sineu, Dyll helped me change my route slightly. I had noticed someone new had joined the group, Ian’s wife Caroline. Caroline heard us talking about the Velodrome and secretly fancied a go so before I knew it both Caroline and Ian were going to join me on my ride. We chatted for a while about the ride and life. Caroline and I were giggling straight away and I think Ian thought “Oh dear what have I let myself in for!”

Day 3 To the Velodrome

Probably one of my favourite rides: fast, fun and a bit of track thrown in. We set off down the coast road to Can Pinafort before turning to Santa Margalida and out towards Sineu. The ride was full of chats, laughs and enjoying the scenery, Caroline informed me she’d never been on a velodrome – we had to fix that! We lifted our bikes over the wall (not noticing the open gate!) and had a pedal round at the bottom to start with. Then in no time at all we went higher and higher - right to the top of the banking. I don’t know but I think Caroline enjoyed it (she was grinning ear to ear)! We watched other riders for a bit, two of whom were friends of mine from Derby also out on a cycling camp (can’t go anywhere, can you?). We had photos and a chat, then made our way back. It was quite a long ride and one of my main goals was to fuel properly, because of my disability I can’t eat or drink at the same time as riding (no I can’t multitask) so I have to stop, I train alone most of the time so its not an issue, I worry it annoys people stopping, not an issue here with Ian and Caroline. We stopped, ate, had a chat, took more pictures and were on our way again. The ride took about 3 hours but with Ian and Caroline’s company it went so fast. Back to the hotel, more food(!) and pre drinks, we are now getting into a rhythm: a rhythm I love!

Peter and Karen Toft do a spot of sightseeing while Katie puts in the miles

Day 4

Sunday, known as the day of rest, and with the past few days catching up with me and the next few days being big ones I had a rest. So you’d expect as a family we’d lounge around the pool and not see the gang until pre drinks! Er NO! Dyll had no intention of this happening and made it so we met everyone at a lovely restaurant to the east of the island (we weren’t forced by the way and could have done nothing but someone mentioned pizza!). So we chilled in the morning, Dyll and Cathy (Dyll’s wife and all round awesome person) met us outside the hotel with the van (or the magic carpet as it became known) and drove to El Sol a beautiful Restaurant right on the beach with brilliant food. We had a salad . . . and a massive pizza! We chatted away to the other riders (who were doing an easy ride) and then to Dyll and Cathy before returning to the hotel in the van, and a bit more chill time near the pool. We had dinner with the gang, did some more chatting and plotted for the next day, which was seriously epic!

Katie attacks her hill reps up the Randa Monastery climb

Day 5

Time for the tough stuff! This route took Dyll and the team a while to plan due to the logistics of different abilities and goals. That’s the thing with Viva Velo, its about you, the rider, you’re not going to be told , ‘You will do this ride tomorrow’. It’s more, ‘How are we feeling? What do we fancy?’ This ride was 166.66 Km long (Strava cribbing again, thanks Derek), we didn’t all do that distance, some rode out, some jumped on the magic carpet (aka the van) and met in Montuiri, riding from there up to the Randa climb summit. Now, as already mentioned, I had a training plan to do and this day was hill reps! I rolled out to Randa with some of the group discussing the lovely business of hill reps. Derek said it was a long climb and, here is the catch, I was doing it twice in less than an hour, so Derek was going to sit on my wheel and give me a count down meanwhile the rest of the gang (mainly Caroline) decided to be what I affectionately term ‘ a carrot’ . I had to catch them … and they didn’t make it easy. At the top, quick gel and think about what I can do better, ride down, turn round and do it all again. I’m used to doing these hard efforts, all out, but my brain and my body decided they were talking different languages. When I had finished I was so wobblily it probably looked very strange and felt really funny. Dyll and the other ride leaders helped me and the rest of the gang got me a drink … thanks Team VV! After a little rest it was time for everyone to move to the next meeting point -by 2 or 4 wheels up to you! I stood up and my brain and body were still speaking different languages so we decided it was safer in the van, but how to get there. The van wasn’t that far away but it was going to take an age getting there with my brain and body not quite on speaking terms. So what to do? Obviously you get on your bike! It was at this point Dyll realised something: this is why I ride a bike! He said, ‘Now it makes sense’. Quick fly in the magic carpet up to the next monastery and lunch stop, met with the group who did a seriously epic climb to get there! My day out at this point was nearly done but for the lift back with Cathy who had driven out especially to the lunch stop to bring those that wanted/needed to come back to the hotel. This is what I mean: no one gets left behind and everyone is supported to do what they want or can do. Back at the hotel we fall back into that lovely routine of chill, pre-drinks and plan/plotting and then dinner, and after a long day in the saddle much was eaten and then bed, ready to do some more pedalling tomorrow … it’s a hard life!

Day 6

The big one this day was my big day and it was lovely because Derek and Steve, another Viva Velo client, came out for the ride too. We headed up Lluc and then back though the lanes. No café stop for us today. I hung on to Steve’s wheel and had another count down from Derek. Up we went. And what goes up must come down! We had climbed the Campanet side of the climb so had a long descent of hairpins and view to enjoy . It really is spectacular! Following Steve down to was so fun. We rolled back though the lanes then down the coast road. I was so tired by the end of this ride I had a sleep in the afternoon. It was such a fab ride though thanks to my two domestiques.

Katie climbing the Col de sa Batalla on her long ride

Day 7

Last day – not impressed! Seriously, how can it be the last day! Even Mallorca didn’t want us to leave. It started to rain! - only for a short time but clearly the island wasn’t happy to see us leave! I had my final TT efforts session, and with it being the final day we rode together as a group, Ian and Caroline plus a couple from the gang. We stayed quite close to Alcudia doing a loop around Santa Margalida, Muro, Campanet before heading back through the lanes. Again there was chatting, laughing and just a really lovely atmosphere. I didn’t want this ride to end but it did, everyone felt a little sad as I’ve mentioned and I wasn’t impressed at the week coming to an end. We got back to hotel and spent the afternoon packing up and enjoying the last of the sun – there might have been another dip in the cool sea. 7pm: final pre-drinks soon came around but tonight was different as we were having a meal in the quieter restaurant with waiter service. All very nice, but it gets better . . . little did we know but the team at Viva Velo had a little surprise at the end of the week, I’m not saying what, but it’s really lovely and just celebrates what everyone has achieved over the week, we had a lovely night but had to get to bed ready for the journey home.

Best mates after a great week’s cycling - Caroline and Katie.

I could have written literally a ton more about our trip to Mallorca, but it’s difficult to get across just how supportive and helpful the Viva Velo team are. Dyll and team enabled me to ride with the rest of the cyclists in camp and meet up with them for meals and just be part of a group. Something that, for various reasons, hasn’t always been possible. Since getting back I keep thinking about the trip. I smile to myself and usually end up chuckling at the laughs and adventures, the tired legs and the serious amount of food consumed! Thank you Dyll, Cathy, Derek, Ian and of course Caroline and the gang for the most amazing week. "

Thanks Katie. I can assure you that all of the VV gang and the rest of the clients who had the pleasure of your company for the week had a great time too!