Banish the winter blues; ride your A1R0evo somewhere sunny!

Banish the winter blues; ride your A1R0evo somewhere sunny!

It’s mid‑January and although the days are getting longer, it’s still a little bit grim here in the Northern Hemisphere. If only there were some way to dispel those winter blues?

Good news: there is. When the weather gets too bad, the days too short, and the Christmas excess is still slowing you down, it’s time for the winter training camp.

The winter training camp is an age‑old cycling tradition. Riders would escape the cold, dark, wet home roads and head for sunnier climes. Without the rain, the short days, and the need to turn up for work, riders could simply enjoy “getting the miles in”.

Without the need to layer up and suffer through cold, grim training sessions, riding becomes a joy. Blue skies, smooth tarmac, and friendly locals revitalise you. The miles disappear beneath your wheels as your senses are overwhelmed by new vistas and experiences.

So if you can, start planning now. You’ll still have to do some winter riding, but knowing a training camp isn’t too far away makes it much easier to hang in there.

While you plan your trip, here are some tips to consider.

Where to ride?  

That’s a tough one, as there are so many excellent locations offering superb riding. The old favourites include the Spanish hotspots: Mallorca, the Costa Blanca (Calpe, Denia), Andalucia (Sierra Nevada foothills, Costa Tropical, Ronda), Girona, and Tenerife/Gran Canaria.

Alternatively - while still staying in Europe - you could try Portugal’s Algarve or Madeira, the Italian island of Sicily, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, or the French Riviera. Or push the boat out and head to Australia, Africa, or the Americas.

You should also consider whether you want to join an organised group, where everything is arranged and you simply turn up and ride. If you’re more independent, you can plan the whole trip yourself.Don’t forget the boring - but important - things like insurance and visas. And if you’re a UK resident, you should apply for a GHIC card. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a free card that provides access to state‑provided healthcare at the same cost as a local (free or reduced) when travelling temporarily in the EU and some other countries; just in case.

Of course, if you’re going to ride somewhere nice, you’ll want to take your best bike. Maybe now’s a good time to get it checked over; you wouldn’t want to turn up with a bike that isn’t running perfectly. Handsling offers three levels of servicing to get your bike purring and ready to ride.

Time to buy a new bike?

Or maybe this is the perfect opportunity to get properly familiar with a new bike. Here at Handsling, we walk you through the entire process of buying a new bike and make sure you end up with a machine that is truly yours. That doesn’t just mean choosing the colour and exact components, you’ll also get a bike that fits you perfectly. Send us your bike‑fit details or the measurements of your previous bike, and we’ll ensure your new Handsling matches your position.

If you’re after a road bike that can handle anything you throw at it - and with serious race pedigree to its name - try the A1R0evo. This is our in‑house‑designed, race‑proven road frame. It balances speed, comfort, and responsiveness with neutral, confidence‑inspiring handling and aero tube shapes that make it perfect for breakaways, endurance rides, and everything in between.

If you’re heading somewhere hilly, take a look at the A1R0evoS. The A1R0evoS refines our carbon‑fibre platform with Toray T1100 carbon, delivering a lighter frame, increased stiffness, and ultimate performance for pro‑level efficiency in a razor‑sharp package.

Taking the road less travelled? Or after a bike that can do everything from challenging off‑road escapades to fast‑paced road adventures? Then the A1R0evoG is the bike for you. An evolution of our acclaimed A1R0evo and CEXevo frames, the A1R0evoG delivers a fast, confidence‑inspiring ride with added go‑anywhere capability. While it’s crafted for the rough stuff, the A1R0evoG still features aerodynamic shaping that lets you slice through the wind while tackling the toughest trails.

And of course, if you choose a Handsling bike, you get to choose your bike. Every rider deserves a one‑of‑a‑kind machine they’re proud to ride. Handsling offers more than 20 frame colours and multiple options for saddle padding, wheel depth, bar‑tape colour, tyre width, and much more. Tan walls? No problem. Valves and bar tape to match your frame colour? Also no problem.

So if you’ve been thinking about a winter training camp, our advice is simple: what are you waiting for?