In January the Adventure Syndicate will host a training camp in sunny Girona to help female endurance athletes ramp up their 2017 training. There are still places left, and the group has launched a bursary programme for women who need financial help to join them as well as adding a three day option.

Women can apply for the bursary, which will reduce the financial cost of the trip in return for help achieving the group’s social aims.

Cycling in Girona: Planning a DIY Cycling Training Camp

Co-founder Lee Craigie explained the aims behind the bursary: “It’s important for us that our activities never exclude anyone. So we came up with the idea of a bursary, where people with less money can part-exchange their time and skills. We need more hands on deck to help us deliver workshops, share stories, lead rides and contribute to the running of our organization throughout the year. And we think this could be a win-win.”

The core trip consists of seven days, from 9 to 16 January (£795) – but those struggling with family and ‘life’ commitments can opt for three days from 13 to 16 January (£395).

Director Emily Chappell commented on the addition of the shorter trip, saying: “We’ve had a lot of feedback from people attending our long-distance events, and we’ve found that ‘real life’ commitments, like jobs and families, are by far the biggest thing standing in the way of women’s cycling ambitions. So we’re now offering a shorter stay at the training camp, in the hope that more women will be able to join us.”

The camp will be based at Mas Pelegri, a 3-star sports hotel 30 minutes from Girona airport, and the price includes transfers, accommodation (based on 3 people sharing a room), breakfast and dinner. Guests will also have access to the hotel’s 25m pool, sauna and gym, and can bring their own bike, or hire one.

Hosted by Girona Cycling and supported by John Hampshire Coaching, the camp is designed to help riders get their winter miles in, whether they’re building towards a long-distance event or training for a season of shorter races. Former Commonwealth Games athlete Craigie and Transcontinental 2016 winner Chappell will lead guests on daily road-based rides through the beautiful Spanish countryside and the foothills of the Pyrenees, as well as offering workshops to address the physical, mental and practical challenges of long-distance cycling, and training sessions to help participants improve their navigation and essential bike maintenance.

Find out more about the training camp, and how to sign up or apply for a bursary here.