Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Ben, Founder of Velo Hols.
Velo Hols is based by the small coastal resort of Mojacar and provides self-guided road cycling holidays in the Almería province of Andalusia, Spain.
We offer year-round warm weather cycling holidays on coastal, mountain and countryside roads. Enjoy cycling on perfect tarmac with minimal traffic and relax post-ride in our five-bedroom beach house with WiFi.
What bike(s) do you ride?
BMC Teammachine SLR02 with Ultegra group set and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 Elite 23 Clincher Wheelset.
Favourite route to ride?
In the UK, it would have start in the New Forest (of course) and head out west towards Dorset. I love ZigZag Hill (no 102, Greatest Climbs) at Cann Common and jumping on the chain ferry back from Studland to Poole. From there hugging the coast before ducking inland to head home.
In Spain, it has to be the Lotto Jumbo training camp ride. This route doesn’t touch Alto de Velefique or Mirador de la Granatilla, but it’s just breathtakingly good. The road surface is like butter, the climbs are tough, switchbacks a plenty and beautiful scenery.
Finally, there is a thrilling descent from 62km – 130km. It’s hard to take in descending for so long and watching your average speed just tick up and up and up!
What was your first bike?
I can’t remember the name but it was definitely a BMX. I grew up near a BMX track so always wanted to be able to land a jump over this huge double. Looking back now, it was probably tiny but it felt huge at the time! Sadly, the BMX track was demolished and the land was used for a housing development.
Best bit of kit and why?
Rapha Pro Team bib shorts. They’re so comfy and durable I can’t get over them. Always comfy despite long multi-day rides such as Tour of Wessex, London to Paris etc. Absolutely love them.
What’s your dream bike?
BMC Timemachine Road 02 – I fell in love with BMC ever since having my Teammachine. It’s taken me through ToW, L2P, Snowdonia slateman triathlon, Bournemouth triathlon. Summer 2018 it’ll be the bike I ride for Caen to Cannes fundraising for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
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