Cycling camps can range from day camps to month long adventures. The structure of the camp can be very lose to a very regimented daily schedule. As an Orange County cyclists, we are privileged to have so many great roads to ride on. However, sometimes it’s nice to treat yourself to a camp with supported rides. You’ll feel like a pro with the support vehicle close behind and you’ll get to test your limits a little bit more. If you have ever though about attending a cycling camp, here are a few things to consider:
Structure of the Camp - Consider how much freedom you would like to have while away at a cycling camp. Are you looking for more than just a supported ride? Do you want an hour by hour schedule of activities such as training related presentations, tactical racing tactics, or performance lectures? Or, maybe you’re just looking for a supported ride and you want to be able to go about your business once you finish.
Level of Coaching – Are you happy with a local coach running the camp or are you looking for high profile professional athletes or the coach of a professional athlete to lead the camp. The higher profile the coach and riders in attendance, the more you should expect to pay for a cycling camp.
Location of Camp – Location will play a big role in determining what type of structure you are looking for. Typically, if the camp is in some remote location with very little to do outside of cycling, then you should probably expect to have a camp with more daily structure. Location will also determine if this is a place you would like to bring your family or significant other. For example,there are a few cycling camps in Mammoth Lakes, CA and they definitely offer so much for visitors. Summers are always filled with fun activities such as concerts in the park, wine festivals, mountain biking on and off the mountain, kayaking, horse back riding, and numerous restaurants. This would be a perfect place to bring your significant other or family.
Friendliness of the Camp – Specifically, how receptive are the other riders to outsiders? You won’t actually know this unless you hear about the camp from someone who has attended. Here are a few things that will give you a good idea of what the camp is all about. Take a minute to look at the camp photos from the year before. If there are no photos, then I would look for a different camp(most will have photos). You can get a good feel for the culture of the group by looking at the pictures. If you see a lot of smiling faces and the people look relaxed, then you can most likely assume that the camp is very warm and welcoming. Intense looks, few smiles, and a hard core vibe may indicate a more intense and competitive cycling camp. The option you look for in a cycling camp should be should reflect your goals.
Caliber of Riders – If you are a highly competitive and intense rider, then you may want a camp with other riders who are faster or equal in ability. Not sure what type of rider attends the camp you are interested in? Just ask the coach or director and he/she should easily be able to tell you.
Camps are a great way to boost your fitness, enjoy the benefits of a supported ride just like the pros, and cycle in some great areas. Before you sign up for any cycling camp, do your research and ask questions. You never want to end up at a camp that doesn’t fit your goals.
Interested in our Mammoth Cycling Camp?
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June 24th – June 27th, 2011
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to cycle on some of the most beautiful and traffic free roads in and around Mammoth Lakes. Mark your calendars. Registration opens January 6th, 2011.
Each day riders will cycle distances ranging from 30 – 60 miles. All rides include vehicle support. We will follow our entire ride, providing basic bike maintenance, food storage, and clothing caddy. You can always cut a ride short and jump in the support vehicle or add some more miles on your own once the ride ends.
Check out the comments from a few of last year’s participants.
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In total, we rode about 165 miles over some of the most scenic and cycling friendly roads that California has to offer. Next year we will be at it again. This is what some participants had to say about their experience.
“I learned more in three days of riding at the Mammoth cycling camp than I would have in three months of riding at home. The scenery was amazing and the roads were smooth and safe, but most of all it was the support of the group that inspired me to push harder on a bike than I ever had before – and allowed me to actually enjoy it. The well-designed routes and the support vehicle made it possible for riders of all levels to safely challenge themselves at their own pace. I knew only a couple other participants prior to arrival, but Joby instilled such a mood of camaraderie and inclusiveness that attendees from all walks of life were soon one big family. I came for the biking, but the trail runs, group dinners, and evening hot tub sessions were great fun as well. I will definitely be back next year.” - Matt
“I had the privilege of attending the 1st Annual Team FC’s Mammoth Cycling trip. Coach Joby and his wife Mia spent many hours planning and organizing this trip, and it showed! Everything ran smoothly without a single glitch. Joby had route guides for us explaining in detail every turn of our journey. A support vehicle followed us every day making sure we were safe, providing us extra water, and took super-cool action photos! Team FC is a unique group filled with amazing people who are all positive, motivating and FUN! The camaraderie of the group is unmatched! We had all levels of riders in Mammoth and everyone was out to build confidence in each other and accomplish our goals as a team. I am so thankful to be a part of Team FC and look forward to many more trips to Mammoth!” - Carol
“The thought of a cycling camp in Mammoth was quite intimidating to me… all I can say now is WOW! Our group included ages from 14-50yrs old, all levels of experience – Joby planned each ride perfectly, so we all finished together – no pressure, no stress… you pushed yourself each and every day at your own pace… and it felt amazing!! Never once did I feel out of place. The support on the road and off was beyond words… from a support vehicle, to teamwork on the road, to group dinners each night together, I didn’t want this experience to end! It was like being on vacation with your closest friends… sharing the same common interest! What a well dreamt, well planned, and well executed cycling camp! I am so thankful I was able to be a part of such a great group of riders. Next year I will definitely be back, and I will bring the family.” - Jenny
“Attending your high altitude Mammoth Cycling Camp was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had. The routes were challenging but beautiful; from the awesome view at the top of Minaret Vista at 9,300 feet, to the grassy farmland on the way to Bishop. The planning you put in for these rides made it so every cyclist at every level was able to do the same ride. This led to everyone having the same sense of accomplishment and bringing us all together. Having a support vehicle was definitely an added bonus. Seeing your truck pull alongside was a welcoming sight as I was the first one to get a flat tire on the second day, all alone on the 395.
In addition to the cycling in the morning, there were plenty of other activates from walking around the downtown village to sight seeing and even the mountain itself. The evening run/walks were great to bring everyone together and explore some different trails you wouldn’t be able to do on a road bike.
Of course I can’t leave out dinner at the condo. Thank you Mia, for putting together the best food in town. Being able to talk about the day while looking at pictures and planning for the next ride was a highlight. As for next year? Count me in!” - Sean 
“I had never been to Mammoth before until I attended Team FC’s Cycling Camp. It was AMAZING!!! Everyone on Team FC is very encouraging and full of positive energy. The bike rides were awesome! I never thought I could have accomplished so many miles and hills in 4 days! The dinners that were organized for us were a great way to end a wonderful day of cycling. Sitting around talking about how much fun we were having and looking at pictures from our previous ride was great. It was a great experience for my first time being in Mammoth. I will definitely return next year for some more riding and good times.” - Jennifer
“Well, Mammoth Cycling Camp was great! I came in worrying about how I was going to manage to keep up with the great demand of power that was needed to climb though the beautiful mountains of Mammoth Lakes… If there was a day when we didn’t feel 100%, we had our support vehicle waiting around the corner and they weren’t at judgmental but understanding. Joby and Ralph did a great job making sure we felt good on the road and made sure that nobody was dropped. The pre-route instructions were great The
rides were amazing and they were the right amount of distance – not too far not too short. The climbing was manageable and it all payed off when we reached the peak and took in the amazing scenery that only mammoth has to offer! Thinking about it I say its a no brainer – just sign up, you will not regret it!”
– Willie
“I had an amazing experience as a beginning cyclist with Team FC in Mammoth. The rides were well planned out so that everyone started and ended together, and you were able to go at your own pace. And the scenery along the way was breathtaking! The people in Team FC are so caring and supportive of you everyday. They make you feel like you are apart of the family. I cannot wait for next year! I will definitely be going back.” - Maddie
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