- Two nights' accommodation at the Gliffaes Hotel, sharing a twin room, including pasta supper when you arrive on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a 3-course dinner on Saturday night in the first-class restaurant.
- Two training rides, guided by pro riders and accomplished local racers, designed to simulate the rigours of a major cyclosportive event.
- Vehicle support during the rides, providing extra water bottles, energy bars, essential spares (including wheels), medical supplies and clothes.
- Assistance with bike assembly and mechanical support throughout the weekend.
- Sports nutrition including drinks, bars and fruit during the rides.
- Afternoon tea at the hotel, post-ride on the Saturday.
- A massage, post-ride on the Saturday.
- Picnic lunch on Saturday: homemade sandwiches and cakes, prepared by the hotel.
- Transfers for you and your bike from Abergavenny railway station to the hotel.
- An evening seminar with two 30-minute presentations on successfully riding cyclosportives.
How big are the groups?
Our groups are limited to 14: while other companies will take 30 or 40 clients out on training rides like this, we think 14 is the ideal number – small enough to remain safe and ensure every client receives support and attention; large enough to enjoy and learn from the experience of cycling in a team.
Will you be sharing a room?
Our standard prices are per person, sharing a twin room. Please notify us when booking if there is specific person you would like to share with. Otherwise, we will allocate you a twin room with another client of the same sex. There are some single rooms at the hotel.
How do you reserve a place on one of the weekends?
What does the vehicle support on the rides comprise?
All rides are supported with a back-up vehicle which provides extra water bottles and energy drinks, energy bars and other snacks, essential spares (including wheels), medical supplies, mechanical support and clothes. The vehicle will be nearby all the time. You will meet the vehicle at the top of all the major climbs and descents, in case you need food or an extra layer, and at lunch.
Who are the guides?
The Saturday ride is guided by an ex-professional racer and a local amateur rider. On Sunday, two local racers with knowledge of the area, the climbs and crucially, the descents, will show you the route and pace the ride. The guides all have mechanical experience.
How fit do you need to be?
You don’t need to be a professional athlete to undertake our training weekends – we’re not – but you do need to be in good physical shape if you're aiming to complete the rides. The basic ride stats themselves – 140km plus, with 2,500m of ascent on the Saturday - should give you an idea of the strenousness of the task. We imagine that you will have been in regular training for several months, and this weekend will be an integral part of your trainning schedule. Of course, there is always the vehicle back-up if you bonk and have to climb off. If you're still in doubt, contact Rob Penn: rob@uketapetraining.co.uk / 07979 265436.
If you book, is the training weekend guaranteed to run?
If the minimum client enrolment of six people is not met 14 days prior to the training weekend, and the training weekend is cancelled, a full refund will be issued. We cannot compensate you for the cost of travel which you have booked independently of us. Training weekends will not be cancelled (due to clients cancelling) within 14 days of the training weekend start date.
What are the cancellation charges?
If you are forced to cancel a booking for any of our training weekends, we require notice in writing, either by post or email. Cancellation is effective from the date such notice is received by us. The following cancellation charges apply (percentages are expressed as a percentage of the total price):
- More than 42 days prior to the start date of the training weekend: loss of £75 deposit;
- 42–28 days prior to the start date of the training weekend: 50%;
- 28-14 days prior to the start date of the training weekend: 65%;
- 14-3 days prior to the start date of the training weekend: 80%;
- Within 3 days of departure: 100%.
Do you need insurance?
Yes. It is a condition of booking that you are covered against medical and personal accident risks. You may already be covered for medical and personal accident risks during non-competitive cycling under a corporate Personal Accident or Health policy provided by your employers. Please verify this with your Personal Accident insurance provider. If you're not, then you must obtain a personal accident insurance policy that covers non-competitive road cycling, including medical and emergency expenses, personal accident and death, loss of earnings and/or the cost of care in the event of an injury, loss of or damage to your bicycle, and liability to third parties. Please consult your personal insurance broker to obtain such a policy. We reserve the right to see proof of your insurance policy. British Cycling, through their ‘Everyday Cycling’ scheme, offer insurance cover for non-competitive cycling that indemnifies you in respect of a successful third party claim against you, for accidents which are you fault: please consider this too.
Do you need a bike?
Yes. We presume you will be bringing your own bike. We don't have bikes you can use. If you are proposing to buy a bike, check out 'Cyclescheme', the Government's tax-free bike initiative.
Can I bring the family?
Yes is the short answer. The Gliffaes Hotel is well suited to families. There is plenty for them to do while you're out hammering up and down the Brecon Beacons. For more information, contact Rob Penn: rob@uketapetraining.co.uk / 07979 265436.
