Following a day of riding, participants in Coach Pat’s Virginia cycling camp are relaxing out in the sun. Some are drinking a beer, most are in sandals and shorts. It’s nearly 30 degrees out. It’s also April.

Virginia’s rolling hills have been home to spring cycling camps for years, with Coach Pat’s camp being one of the original pilgrimages south to the Shenandoah Valley made by riders looking to get away from cold, wet, dirty roads that characterize riding in the Mont Tremblant region at the end of winter.

“I wanted to find a place that had good riding and was warm,” said Pat Wells, of his early forays south to scout riding options. “I had tried Arizona, but Virginia offers excellent weather and quiet roads, and it’s just 10-11 hours away by car.”

Southern training camps have long been a staple of a racer’s prep for the coming season, but for hobby cyclists, it’s a newer phenomenon. At Coach Pat’s camp, the focus is in part about fitness, but there’s a concerted effort to refine riding skills and develop new friendships.

“We don’t drop anyone, that’s not our style,” said Wells. “We have people who show up very fit, and we have people who have zero kilometres on the road this year. The main thing is to have done a few trainer rides so your body is used to being in the saddle again, as we typically cover about 80 to 100km each day.

“Our goal is to give riders a chance to get some early season fitness in a fun environment. While we were inspired by race team camps, we work to create a more relaxed atmosphere and set the pace based on the goals of our riders.”

Riders are split into three or four groups depending on pace, and each group is assigned a couple of coaches who stick with that group to ensure every rider benefits from the expertise of the staff.

The coaching staff is highlighted by Wells, along with Luc Couillard, the technical director for the Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant, pro cyclocross and mountain bike racer Gabriel Normandeau, and retired continental rider Eric Grypinich. A partnership with a local bike shop ensures technical problems are dealt with swiftly.

The 2018 edition of the camp is relocating to Harrisonburg, VA, to provide new terrain for returning riders. Hotel accommodations and most meals are included in the package. Harrisonburg is Amish country, meaning very few cars and quiet countryside. The nearby Allegheny mountains offer excellent climbing options. Wells expects the highlight will be the ride along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in Shenandoah country.

Learn more about the camp and register for the April 22-28, 2018 camp at coachpat.ca

Groupe Centrefuge offers a number of dates for their Virginia training camps. With a basecamp located in a rustic setting, participants can opt to stay in private rooms, bring an RV or trailer, or camp on site in a tent.

Ravito Bed n Bike runs a similar camp, where accommodations include access to a fully equipped kitchen, allowing riders to prepare whatever meals best suit them. Like the others, the Ravito camp is based in Virginia.