By Steve Chapin, CycleOps Marketing Director

Now and again we allow visions of grandeur. Ethereal ascents up the most prized cols. The Tourmalet, le Madeleine, le Aple. We ascend unencumbered on a playground on which only we inflict pain. Flying down the Champs with a burst of acceleration only witnessed from behind. In our dreams, we always prevail.

Time. Ability. Better equipment. If only we possessed more. Between reality and the life of a professional cyclists there are impediments of prevention. Reality discloses a gap which we sometimes choose not to observe, for it foils fantasy. In reality the gap is exposed as a canyon. But one can still dream.

We recently spent 10 days in Benidorm, Spain, HQ for the Vacansoleil-DCM team camp. First hand we witnessed the sacrifice and effort required – even for those blessed with the necessary talent – to live the dream. What follows is the story, through the eyes of the dreamer.

Although we’ve been down this road before, we have again been reminded of the disconnect between the day-to-day life of a professional cyclist and the images of our dreams. Yes, the bikes are immaculately clean, the roads are winding and beautiful, and there is daily massage, but there is much more. There is repetition, suffering, and fatigue. There are early mornings, cold, and even rain. This continues, every day, in spite of an overwhelming longing of reprieve. It all sounds appealing until you witness the reality, and it hits by day 3. Uncomfortable beds and almost inedible hotel cuisine begin and end each day. And another 6 hours in the saddle awaits.

But there is a void of absolution as the season imminently looms. For some, it has already begun. It is not an easy life, fit only for the resilient, the hard. But one must endure as the peloton awaits no one, and the dream is shared by many. And only through countless hours of preparation and suffering will we recognize success. Which of course begins at training camp.

This is by no means intended to squelch the vision of the dreamer. Rather, to recognize and pay respect to the efforts put forth on a daily basis for those fortunate enough to earn the designation of professional cyclist. Beginning next week, we will retell the intricacies of camp, from rides and riding data to cuisine to the activities which fill the time in between. Until then, let the dreaming continue.

Stay tuned to the CycleOps Team Vacansoleil page for more updates about the team