Due to the global Covid 19 pandemic we had to modify our retreat offering this year. With this in mind we now are offering 2 weeks in beautiful southern Crete, 26th September - 3rd October and/or 3rd October to the 10th October. Along with my partner Hana, who brings Yoga, functional stretching and recovery and Nutrition to the Cycle Swim and Run mix, we are happy to be able to offer you the chance to discover the amazing cycling on Crete.

 

Crete is pretty much undiscovered in terms of Cycling, Swimming training retreats, which is strange as it is blessed with amazing scenery, quiet roads, plentiful sunshine and the best diet in the Mediterranean. After checking out the southwest of the Island in 2019 Hana and I selected a base in a lovely coastal town Paleochora.

After the amazing success of this camp we are happy to offer the opportunity to join us in Crete in 2020.

 

Starting the day with either a swim and or functional warmup mobility session sets you up perfectly for the day. We start the rides as the sun and incredible blue sky reveal a beautiful rolling landscape. On the whole this area of Crete is hilly with low level mountains, it has in my mind the feel of an Alpine retreat, only a lot warmer and the smells of the Orange blossoms and herbs they are better than the aromatherapy in any spa.

 

The climbs vary from gentle to more challenging, with many lasting over 9km. The tarmac is crisp, and there’s no traffic to speak off. The gentle sound of bike drivetrains is only occasionally interrupted by the scuffle as a mountain goat leaps up the stony cliffs. High above a few birds of prey lazily hang circling in the thermals above the valley floors, and many times during a ride as you crest the top a perfect set of tight, newly-cut hairpins shimmer into view, cascading down the other side of the climb towards the twinkling blue Libyan Sea.

 

The island is stunning as anything I’ve seen anywhere in the world  - an enticing mix, thin and wide gorges carved into the mountainsides caused by millennia of gushing water, the winding road roads elevated high above the valley floors, a tiny blue and white chapel chapel shinning brightly in the distance, a beacon that indicates the top of many climbs. From the outside these exude an air of history and secrecy, along with rudimentary charm and indisputable beauty. I can’t help thinking just how well these sum up the island, a picturesque if obvious façade from without; a trove of unseen riches from within. Crete has an abundance of hidden treasures and all you have to do to discover them is ride a bike.