Training Tips

10 Tips to Climb Stronger and Faster

In cycling circles being able to climb fast is revered. We’ve seen some great cycling battles fought on legendary climbs such as Mont Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez. Being able to climb is seen as a sign of ...

7 Tips for Finding Great Local Cycle Training Routes

Finding new and exciting places to ride keeps life interesting. Training remains fresh and gives you new places to explore. New routes offer the chance to ride a previously unknown pleasant stretch o ...

Free Guide: How to Become an Expert Road Cyclist!

Simply complete the fields to download your free cycle guide. Enjoy your cycling! Your data and privacy are protected and never shared with third parties SportActive - Faster, Fitter, Stronger

Top Tips for First-Time Triathletes

For those looking for the physical challenge of a lifetime, a triathlon is the perfect endurance race that encompasses the three main disciplines of running, cycling, and swimming. In recent years, m ...

The Quick and Easy Guide to Cycling During Lockdown

The idea of this guide is to help you maximise your cycling time, maintain your condition, and to continue to get enjoyment from cycling. With tighter restrictions in place in the UK and Ireland and ...

6 Common Cycling Mistakes to Avoid

When first starting in cycling, it is easy to make mistakes. If left unchecked, these mistakes can become habits affecting your performances and enjoyment of the sport. So, with this in mind, let’s t ...

Cycle Training Zones Explained

Pro cyclists know exactly what their heart rate and functional threshold power (FTP) is. They use the numbers to guide their training by splitting their training rides into zones. Zone 1 is a very ca ...

How did Peter Sagan Prepare for his Paris – Roubaix Victory?

Peter Sagan picked up his first Paris-Roubaix victory on Sunday the 1st April 2018. The cycling superstar has over 100 professional victories to his name and he has won three consecutive world champi ...

Tips to Make Turbo Training More Fun

Turbo training although effective isn’t the most interesting way to train. Lack of scenery and indeed lack of a breeze combine to make turbo training a mental challenge. Also, as there is no descendi ...

Adopt a Pro Cycling Style Through Early Season Training

Every season Team Sky and other pro peloton cycling teams train in Mallorca. They can be seen riding mile after mile in the early winter months, getting ready for the next season and its challenges. ...

Yes! You are good enough for a Beginner Cycling Holiday!

You are good enough. Ride with us. Come and see If you feel you are not good enough to enjoy a cycling holiday think again. Providing you can ride a bike you will be fine. Every year we help beginner ...

Discover Mallorca’s Amazing Tramuntana Mountains

Serra de Tramuntana Running form northwest to the southwest of the island, the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is a UNESCO world heritage site. It spans 30% of the island and is about 90 kms long. ...

It’s not too late to Train for our French Cycling Challenges!

Top Training Tips to take on the cols of the Tour de France! Our French Cycling Challenges will test your limits! If you’re wondering if you have the time to train for our French cycling challenges t ...

7 Facts about Col de la Bonette

Col de la Bonette is a Tour de France mountain. It boasts the highest paved road in Europe thanks to the doughnut loop named, Cime de la Bonette which elevates the altitude of this beast to 2802 metr ...

Experience True Freedom: Ride La Route des Grandes Alpes

Riding “La Route des Grandes Alpes” or Geneva to Nice is one of cycling’s greatest adventures, and it is one ride you must make before you die. Over six days you will ride eleven alpine passes, cover ...

Essential Equipment to take on a Long Ride

Although we all love to cycle train, building our miles and improving, things can and do go wrong. Punctures, chain issues, the weather can all hamper our training efforts on a long ride. So what sho ...

Master your Gears to Ride Further and Faster

Good gear use is essential for better bike riding performance. If you can get your gear use right you will find climbing much easier, maintain a good speed, and ride further and faster with less effo ...

Coming Back to Cycling after a Long Break

If you haven't ridden for a number of years, getting back on a bike may seem a bit daunting. You may have been putting it off, planning to ‘do it tomorrow’, and never actually quite getting around to ...

Want to Stay Healthy as you get Older? Start Cycling

Enjoy a Cycling Holiday on the Cycling Paradise of Mallorca There has been a lot written about the health benefits of cycling. Studies have found that it is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, and m ...

How to Conquer Legendary Cycling Cols

If you’re planning to ride the cols of cycling legend, and you don’t live in the French Alps, it is fair to say that you’re in for a whole new cycling experience. Riding kilometre after kilometre at ...

The Cols of Marmotte Granfondo Alps

Ride Marmotte Granfondo Alps Marmotte Alps is the toughest Alpine sportive in Europe, and every year our heroic SportActive riders take on the challenge and conquer four Tour de France cols in one da ...

Sean Kelly’s Tips and Advice for Better Peloton Riding

Ride in a Group and Cycle Further and Faster for Less Effort! Peloton riding is used both as a training aid and a tactical instrument in professional road cycling. The idea is that by riding in a gro ...

Essential Pre-Ride Checks

Before you take your bike for a spin you should check that it is in working order. Discovering there is a problem a few miles from home is problematic to say the least. Discovering there is a problem ...

Tips to Maintain Fitness in the Winter Months

With the onset of winter and the cold months, it is easy to leave the bike in the garage and decamp to the sofa. Although you will be warm, without regular exercise your fitness will suffer considera ...

Cycling Advice from Cycling Greats

In this post we feature cycling advice given by professionals of the sport past and present. The tips range from consistency, gear use, recording performance, hill climbing, maintaining performance, ...

Tips to Ride the Mallorca 312 and other Sportives

With famous sportives such as the Mallorca 312 approaching fast, we thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips to riding a better sportive. Sportives offer diverse challenges, therefore it ...

Tips for Better Peloton Riding

With sportive season well underway and big ones such as the Mallorca 312 and Marmotte on the horizon, knowing how to ride in a peloton or as part of a large group of riders is essential. This post of ...

Riding Safer While Cycle Training

With the departure of winter and the arrival of summer you are probably out on the road training hard. The sound of the chain, the air on your face, and the feeling of freedom is what we cyclists liv ...

A Word of Caution When Riding Fast

Over the last week we have been discussing cycling at speed. From fast downhill descents on Mont Ventoux, to riding fast generally, we have provided tips and tricks to make riding fast more effective ...

Tips for those Long Descents!

When you cycle you always think about the challenges of cycling uphill. Climbing is a big part of the sport and it is only natural that you want to be able to test your limits on legends such as Mont ...

Tips for Buying a New Road Bike

When it is time to buy a new bike there are a few factors to take into account. The wrong choice of bike will impede your performance and increase your risk of injury. If the bike is really unsuitabl ...

Five Tips to Increase your Cycling Speed

The idea behind this blog is to give you some thought provoking tips to help you increase your cycling speed. Something we would all like to do. Although a general guide, hopefully, at least one or t ...

How to Reduce the Risk of Punctures

Solve your Repeated Puncture Issues Punctures are the bane of every cyclist and are caused in one of three ways: Sharp objects piercing the tyre and tube from the outside, the wheel rim piercing the ...

Discover Sean Kelly’s Essential Advice for Sportive Training

Improve your Sportive Performance Cycle sportives are hugely popular across Europe. They provide an opportunity for you to achieve a new goal, take on a fresh cycling challenge, and test your limits. ...

Lance Armstrong vs. Marco Pantani – A Legendary Ventoux Race

In 2000, one of the most memorable Tour de France stage races took place on Mont Ventoux. The cruel mountain saw Marco Pantani and Lance Armstrong battle it out for the stage win. The battle between ...

What does it take to Ride the Beast called Mont Ventoux?

"I fought battles here in a past life." Dai Parry, (Cwn Carn Paragon Cycling Club, S. Wales) 2km below Chalet Reynard. Do you have the spirit to conquer The Giant of Provence? In our last blogs we ta ...

Mont Ventoux – The Challenge the Battle

"The Ventoux is a god of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering." Roland Barthes, French philosopher and bicycle racing fan. Mo ...

The Riders Mont Ventoux Immortalised

As we saw in our last Ventoux post from 29/1/2016, this is the mountain that defines you as a rider. Micro-climates, cross winds, psychologically draining landscapes, intense gradients, unpredictable ...

The Cycling Techniques that SportActive’s Mallorca Training Camp Improves

The Cycling Techniques that SportActive’s Mallorca Training Camp Improves Outside the SportActive Cycling Centre in Alcudia, Mallorca At SportActive we continually strive to make you a better cyclist ...

5 Ways to Prepare for the New Cycling Season

The Advantages of Early Season Training With the long winter months and events such as Christmas on the horizon, you can be forgiven for not getting on the saddle and getting out there. The nights ar ...

Top Tips for Packing your Bike for a Flight

There can be no question that cycling in Mallorca or in the French Alps is a fantastic experience and should be enjoyed by everyone who enjoys cycling. The only issue is when we have to take our bike ...

6 Rules of Road Cycling you should always obey

6 Rules of Road Cycling you should always obey Riding on the road brings with it its fair share of issues. Despite European wide improvements to the cycle lane infrastructure, riding on the roads pos ...

Use Winter Tyres to Keep Riding in the Cold Months

Use Winter Tyres to Keep Riding in the Cold Months Although the cold months are upon us, there is no reason for you to stop your cycling. Providing you have the right equipment and a sensible attitud ...

How we Look after you in a Sportive

Riding in a sportive gives you the chance to test your limits and appreciate the amazing and wonderful atmosphere of riding with hundreds, sometimes thousands of riders. Their popularity is increasin ...

Essential Preparation for Every Sportive you Ride

Determine the Best Training Schedule for you Discover what Food Combinations work best for you During a Ride Study the Profile of the Sportive before you Ride it Make Sure you Prepare Well before you ...

How to Ride the Right Pace in a Sportive

Secure your Best Time Riding well in a sportive is not just about the training before hand, but about pacing yourself throughout the event. This is not just about sticking to the right speed, but bur ...

6 Aspects to Keep you Safe When Cycling.

6 Aspects to Keep you Safe When Cycling. Wear the Protective Gear - no exceptions Ensure your Bike is Sound before you Ride Make Eye Contact with Car Drivers Cycling on the Road Road cycling is fanta ...

Seven Good Reasons to Start Road Cycling...

...as well as Saving the Planet. If you are yet to climb back on the saddle and start cycling, here are good reasons to do so. There are few negative points about cycling, and lots and lots of good o ...

Improve your Core Strength for Better Cycling

A cyclist's core strength is very important. It can prevent pain and injury, as well as providing a cyclist with a solid muscular base for sprinting, hill climbing, and distance cycling. If you spend ...

The Warning Signs that you're Cycling in a Bad Position

The Warning Signs that you're Cycling in a Bad Position Are you Saddle Sore? Do you have Back Pain? Do you have Pain in your Knees? You could be Increasing the Risk of Injury If you're spending a lon ...

Slow Energy Foods Which Should be Part of your Training Diet

Slow Energy Foods Which Should be Part of your Training Diet Get the most of your Cycling Training Slow energy foods are excellent for your training programme as they provide energy over the long ter ...

Eat the right Foods for Better Cycling Performance

Like all exercise and sport, eating the right food is essential for performance. Even if you are only riding your bike to and from work, you will still be burning energy. A good diet will compliment ...

Lose Weight by Cycling

Lose Weight by Cycling Cycle your way to Health Cycling is not only one of the fastest growing sports on the planet it is also offers a good way of losing weight. Swapping your car for two wheels is ...

Electronic Gear Shifting

The electronic gear shifts are now fitted to many bikes which are available to hire. To some the idea of an electronically controlled gear shifting seems a bit over the top and superfluous. This coul ...

Keep your Bike in Tip-top Condition in the cold Winter Months

Keep your Bike in Tip-top Condition in the cold Winter Months With winter well and truly here it is important that you keep your bike well maintained. Salt, grit, moisture, and petrol residue will al ...

Yoga for Cyclists – reaching new levels of strength and awareness

By Sarah W. Staber Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior or a recreational cyclist you know you should be stretching but chances are you don’t. Or, if you do, then not enough. On th ...

Why cycle training should include etiquette

Everyone is aware of the tension that exists between cyclists and drivers, and high profile cases such as Bradley Wiggins breaking his ribs after being knocked off his bike have done little to subdue ...

What are the benefits of a cycling break?

Improve your health and fitness Whether or not you are looking to get involved in serious training and amateur racing further down the line, a cycling break is a great way to improve your overall hea ...

Unwritten Rules of Group Riding

Unwritten Rules of Group Riding : Does and Don'ts Sean Kelly leading the group in Mallorca When riding in a group it is essential to respect certain rules, both for safety reasons and benefitting of ...

Thinking about a Cycling Training Camp ?

The first preconception you will most likely need to dispel is the notion that "training camps are only for the serious elite competitive cyclist". The fact is that most people who cycle, whether for ...

The benefits of cycling in a group

The benefits of cycling in a group Why joining a cycling club could be one of the best decisions you ever make Cycling can be an incredibly sociable sport, and I would highly recommend that all new r ...

Self-Hypnosis and Imagery for Cyclists and Triathletes

People who are serious about their sport are determined to find anything that will give them an edge over their competition, as well as help them perform at their best. Self-Hypnosis and imagery are ...

Road cycling for beginners: how to use your gears correctly

Road cycling for beginners: how to use your gears correctly road cycling for beginners : how to use the gears correctlyAlthough you may think you need no instruction when it comes to how to use the g ...

Prepare your bike for the winter

The weather may be passable at the moment but you know that Mother Nature is just watching and waiting to make her move. There are ways, however, to keep your bike on the road and in excellent workin ...

Nutritional mistakes made by cyclists

Common nutritional mistakes made by individuals on our cycling trips Whilst it is obviously important to eat healthily and avoid fatty foods where possible, a large proportion of the individuals on o ...

Motivation tip to get on the bike

How to motivate yourself to get on the bike: Prepare your gear the night before. All the work of getting ready to ride can be a greater obstacle than the ride itself so prepare your gear the night be ...

Make sure your chain and gear train are in good shape

Make sure your chain and gear train are in good shape Gears The gears and the chain are another area which require that bit more attention, especially throughout the winter months. Cycling on wet roa ...

Leah Vande Velde's low gluten recipes

Anti-inflammatory, low gluten diet : a new power source for cyclists ? Leah Vande Velde's low gluten recipes Published : by Sarah Staber in VeloNews May. 13th, 2009 Read Sarah Staber's entire story o ...

Keep your brakes in order

Keep your brakes in order Brake pads: Your pads wear down naturally over time due to use. This can lead to slower brake response times, and it can require more effort from you to engage your brakes. ...

Indoor Trainers are not for 3 hour rides

Much of the fun of going on a cycling adventure with SportActive happens far in advance of the event itself. The anticipation of the trip and the preparation add much to the entire experience. But wh ...

For your safety: check your wheels and tyres

For your safety on the bike, it is essential to make sure your wheels and tyres are correct. Wheels Depending on your bike, you may have quick-release levers on the seat tube or front and back wheel ...

Cycling Safety essentials

Cycling Safety essentials. Being a road cyclist means there are a lot of dangers surrounding you, and when cycling you are one of the most vunerable road users. Therefore every piece of safety equipm ...

Braking correctly is the key to cycling safety

Braking correctly is the key to cycling safety Cycling Training in Mallorca - Sean Kelly teaching the group Alongside learning how to use your gears correctly, learning how to brake correctly is a ke ...

Bike-Fit: the right position on the bike

Whether you are riding to work or across the country, you should be comfortable on your bike. If you have neck, back, or knee pain, saddle sores, or hand or foot numbness, your bicycle probably doesn ...

Active Bike Fit : fitting the bicycle to you

With our extensive knowledge of the sport of cycling and support from a Legend of Professional Cycling, Sean Kelly, SportActive are now taking the objective, to allow everyone to gain a permanent and ...

Le Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux

There is a club called "Le Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux", meaning "The club of the mad men from Mont Ventoux". To be part of this club you need to achieve the following : the ascent of the Mont V ...

Training Tips

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