Colombia Cycling Camp

Colombia Cycling Camp

High altitude and warm weather riding in the ultimate cycling destination

Colombia is fast becoming the Mecca of road cycling and the mountain range above Medellin in Colombia’s Antioquia region is the favourite training spot for pro riders.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

November 30th 2024

From

USD $4,195

Duration

9 days / 8 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

Yes

Rental Bike

Not available

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Join our expert ride leaders for an incredible week of cycling in this cycling-obsessed country. Cycling is Colombia’s national sport and every weekend thousands of cyclists take to the roads around Medellin. Little wonder that Colombia has produced so many top pro riders in the past few years!

During the week-long camp you’ll be based at the luxury 4-star Hotel Movich, the preeminent cycling hotel in the country, used by Team Ineos, Bora-Hansgrohe, Soudal Quick-Step and other top pro teams. The hotel is situated at an altitude of 2,200m (7,200ft) and within 5 minutes of Medellin’s International airport making travel in and out so easy. Starting and finishing at the hotel, the daily rides will cover many of the training routes and climbs used by local pros such as Rigoberto Uran and Fernando Gaviria. The rides are tough and the high altitudes add to the challenge, guaranteeing you’ll return home super-fit and ready to impress your local grupetto.

Our regular staff members will provide you with the usual first-class Thomson Support and will be joined by local Colombian riders including Mauricio Ardila, ex-Rabobank professional and winner of the 2004 Tour of Britain. Join us for a week of spectacular and challenging riding in the new hot-spot of road cycling.


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Colombia Cycling Camp
Absolutely loved riding in Colombia with TBT. Incredible country with good roads, tons of bikers, incredible scenery, and endless climbs. Ride leaders, logistical support, and ...

Kam Shahid, USA — 2024

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Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenido a Medellin! Hotel Movich
02 Introductions & Warm-up Ride Hotel Movich
03 Alto Medina Hotel Movich
04 Concepción Hotel Movich
05 Santa Elena & Parque Arvi Hotel Movich
06 Abejorral Hotel Movich
07 Santa Elena & El Carmen de Viboral Hotel Movich
08 Sonson Hotel Movich
09 Adios!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
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03
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05
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09

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenido a Medellin!

The trip starts in earnest tomorrow (Sunday) but we’ve booked you into the Hotel Movich this evening so you can arrive at any time, check-in and relax. The hotel is situated just 5 minutes from Medellin Airport and a free shuttle is available.

 

Our staff will meet you after breakfast tomorrow morning.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Introductions & Warm-up Ride

Meet our staff in Reception at the Hotel Movich at 9:00 am for a brief Orientation Meeting where the Thomson Trip Manager will walk you through what to expect during the week ahead. At 10:00 am our mechanics will be on hand to help with the bike build followed by lunch at the hotel pool at 12 noon.

 

After lunch you’ll head out on your first ride in Colombia. From the hotel you’ll head south to La Ceja, home town of Fernando Gaviria, winner of 2 Tour de France stages and 5 Giro d’Italia stages. In La Ceja you’ll start the climb to Los Enanos then head back to the hotel through Don Diego and El Tablazo.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Alto Medina

Arvi Natural Park is the destination for your first big ride in Colombia. Enjoy the first 15km (9 miles) of the ride, the only flat section of the entire route today. At the end of this flat section you’ll arrive in Guarne which signals the start of the Alto Medina climb.

 

At the top of the Medina you enter into the Arvi Natural Park and from there until the end of the ride you’ll enjoy a roller-coaster of short climbs and descents through the magnificent natural splendour of the Natural Park.

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Concepción

Today’s ride features a magnificent out-and-back route to the village of Concepción. The road through San Vicente and over the Alto de las Frias was recently paved opening up this fantastic ride to road bikes – and in true Thomson style we just had to include this new ride in our camp.

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Santa Elena & Parque Arvi

A beautiful ride today, again through the Arvi Natural Park. A few minutes after leaving the hotel you’ll find yourself already on the main climb of the day, the 8km (5 miles) climb to Santa Elena – and a huge favorite with the local pros. From Santa Elena you’ll continue the ride northwards into the Arvi Natural Park and eventually to the Alto Medina from the opposite side that we rode on Monday. On the way, there’s a bit of a surprise – in the form of a cobbled section which many of the local pros use to prepare for Paris-Roubaix and Flanders Classics.

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Abejorral

A challenging ride today and definitely a day where you’ll need your climbing legs. Our ride has no less than 6 categorised climbs and a total elevation gain of almost 2,900m (9,500ft). Your destination is the beautiful colonial town of Abejorral which was recently declared a national monument in Colombia.

 

The ride itself is a roller-coaster of ups and downs through rural Antioquia. Enjoy the riding along traffic-free, quiet roads that wind their way through the green fields and valleys of this beautiful part of the Andes mountains.

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


Santa Elena & El Carmen de Viboral

After yesterday’s big ride and another big ride on the agenda for tomorrow, we’ve prepared a shorter ride today. From the hotel it’s all climbing for the first 10km until you reach Santa Elena. The rest of the ride is typical Antioquia rolling terrain, through Retiro and La Ceja and eventually to the ceramic capital of El Carmen de Viboral where you can admire the local artisans at work whilst enjoying a coffee in the main plaza.

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


Sonson

The trip concludes with an epic ride and one of the favorite rides of the local pros.

From the hotel , you’ll head south to La Ceja where you’ll start the climb to Alto de la Union, one of the key climbs used by local riders like Rigoberto Uran to train for the Grand Tours. The ride continues through the town of La Union with a series of ups and downs, culminating in the 6km (4 miles) climb to Sonson. Enjoy a coffee in Sonson before heading back to La Union and eventually down the Alto de La Union descent to La Ceja and the final 20km (12 miles) back to the hotel. A magnificent ride that will challenge even the strongest riders – and a fitting way to end your week in Colombia!

Day 9

Distance

Elevation


Adios!

Sadly, your Colombia Cycling Camp has come to an end.

 

Feel free to leave at whatever time suits you best. The Hotel Movich is just 5 minutes from Medellin Airport and provides free shuttles throughout the day.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Los Enanos
7% 3
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto Medina
5.7% 2
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto de las Frias
from Concepción
6.8% 2
Profile
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto Santa Elena
5.9% 2
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow El Tambo
6.3% 3
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toggle arrow Alto Estadero
North side
6.2% 3
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6-8
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>15
toggle arrow Partidas Guaico
5.6% 3
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0
0-6
6-8
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>15
toggle arrow Alto Estadero
South Side
7.3% 3
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6-8
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>15
toggle arrow Alto Basurero
5.4% 3
Profile
Map
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0
0-6
6-8
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>15
toggle arrow Alto Pantanillo
from La Ceja
5.9% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto Santa Elena
5.9% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
toggle arrow Alto de la Union
5.5% 2
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0
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>15
toggle arrow Alto del Tasajo
6.9% 2
Profile
Map
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0
0-6
6-8
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>15
toggle arrow Puente Aures
6.8% 3
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
3 Los Enanos 02 40 7%
2 Alto Medina 03 44 5.7%
2 Alto de las Frias (from Concepción) 04 64 6.8%
2 Alto Santa Elena 05 50 5.9%
3 El Tambo 06 44 6.3%
3 Alto Estadero (North side) 06 42 6.2%
3 Partidas Guaico 06 38 5.6%
3 Alto Estadero (South Side) 06 49 7.3%
3 Alto Basurero 06 39 5.4%
3 Alto Pantanillo (from La Ceja) 06 35 5.9%
2 Alto Santa Elena 07 50 5.9%
2 Alto de la Union 08 44 5.5%
2 Alto del Tasajo 08 55 6.9%
3 Puente Aures 08 54 6.8%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2024
Nov 30 - Dec 8
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,195
USD $750
USD $1,190
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    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Movich


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 8 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 1 sit-down lunch (Day 1)
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • Minimum of 1 Support Van & 1 Ride Leader
    • Motorbike Support
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 8 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 1 sit-down lunch (Day 1)
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • Minimum of 1 Support Van & 1 Ride Leader
    • Motorbike Support
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    No organised pick-up. Hotel Movich provides a free shuttle service from Medellin Airport. Journey Time = 5 minutes

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Hotel Movich provides a free shuttle service to Medellin Airport. Journey Time = 5 minutes



    Colombia Cycling Camp

    High altitude and all-year round warm weather. Is this the perfect cycling escape? We think so!


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