Ride the Volcano - Tenerife, February 2007
“Ride the Volcano” took place on the 11 February 2007, and formed an integral part of the London-Paris Winter training camp. Sean Kelly was host to the training camp and the “Ride the Volcano” cyclsosportif was in honour of the great classics rider.
The start of the Volcano ride for the 2007 Training Camp
Covering 111km with over 2400 metres of climbing, including gradients of up to 8% it was a both taxing and immensely enjoyable for all taking part.
The ride was initiated by the London-Paris Cycle Tour organisation together with sponsor Nexus Inmobilarias. Local bike shop Bicistar managed logistics and facilitated the vast co-ordination effort. All monies raised on the day went to a very special Charity, Christel House which has started an association with the London-Paris Cycle Tour.
Leaving Puerto de la Cruz followed by the climb out.
The Santa Cruz Mayoral office, The Spanish Cycling Federation, Ministry of Tourism and both the local and national police were also involved and provided magnificent support in ensuring that the event took place.
Although originally envisaged as a smaller test event, it was clear that the chance to ride with Sean Kelly provided a huge draw and over 170 riders enjoyed the glorious winter weather. Against the backdrop of Mt Teide, blue skies, 23 degrees centigrade and benefiting from rolling road closures the riders set off from Club Tarahal in Puerto de la Cruz where the week long training camp was based.
The police and support for the ride was outstanding!
It soon became clear to all the camps visiting riders that Tenerifan roads only go up or down and are never flat!
Some wonderful scenery up on Mt Teide.
Participating in the event together with Sean Kelly were; Eurosport commentator David Harmon, Jerone Walters the 2006 EGG Leaders Jersey winner and Michael Blann the Bircham Dyson Bell Climbers Jersey winner. Additionally seven local riders who will be riding the London-Paris in June also took part.
Following the “Ride the Volcano” sportif several of the London-Paris riders will now ride the Cape Argus Cycle in South Africa this coming March, most notably Michael Blann who will be riding in seeded “A” group and testing his form against local and international riders.
….and something unique – Christel House
The London-Paris Cycle Tour event is based on sound commercial principles whenever we can we facilitate and assist children’s charities around the world. In this instance the owners of the resort – Nexus Leisure Group have decided to donate the monies they receive from the apartments to charity. Nexus’s charity of choice is Christel House with which they have a close association.
Christel House is based on the philosophy that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Many organizations around the world help impoverished children. Some provide food; others offer education or health care. But few, if any, focus on breaking the cycle of poverty so that the children can become self-sufficient, contributing members of their societies.
Christel House builds and operates high social-impact learning centres in impoverished neighbourhoods, where the essential stepping stones for success are provided: quality education, nutritious meals, regular health care, life skills training and character development, as well as parent and community outreach. Christel House embraces the philosophy that academic learning must be complemented with character development, a positive self-image and a commitment to caring for others. By doing so, the work of Christel House will be multiplied many times over, changing the lives of Christel House graduates and impacting positively families, communities, and their future generations.
Christel House currently has facilities in Bangalore, Cape Town, Mexico City, Serbia, Caracas and Indianapolis.