Once upon a time when I used to have an office job and was a little less active than I am now-a-days I used to make my New Year's resolution to get fit and shed those Christmas Turkey pounds. Unfortunately, I also had a handful of excuses, too busy at work, too cold to go out and train, too dark, too tired, too anything, not to see this through. In an attempt to stay motivated to shed those pounds I found myself signing a gym membership for a year, at a cost of 60 pounds a month 720 pounds for the year! This would be the answer to shifting those Christmas Turkey pounds. For the first month I was there 3 or 4 times a week, however, by mid February, my motivation to go to the gym had diminished considerably and all I used to notice was the loss of 60 pounds a month.....from my bank account. Does this sound familiar? If so, read on!

The month of May has been just perfect for road cycling in southern Spain, with average daily temperatures here in Andalucia around 23 degrees, we have been riding under clear blue skies on perfectly smooth roads. To the North of Montecorto the terrain is best described as rolling farmland and olive groves whilst to the South, towards the Costa del Sol, the terrain is more mountainous and the landscape rocky and wooded.

Friday 6th March 2009, I lept out of bed and opened the shutters on the bedroom windows to another beautiful blue-sky day in Andalucia, sunlight filled the room and I was bursting at the seams with energy. It was the last day of another Winter Training Camp which only means one thing 'It's Time Trail Day on Las Palomas'. ''Today is the day for a Personal Best'' I declare and Claire gave me that same old knowing smile and replied ''OK honey.'' Apparently I say this most Friday mornings, but today was different, I just knew that I would break my old time of 47mins 41sec, a time which had stood for just over a year now. For the last few weeks on the bike I had been flying and without too much effort either, I had lost a few kilos in weight, so there was less of me to drag up the 12.4km climb too.

The all year round warm weather conditions in Andalucia, southern Spain, make this area a paradise for all triathlon enthusiasts who are looking to improve their swimming, cycling or running skills. Over the last 6 weeks Alistair has set up base in Montecorto to get in some intensive training prior to his big event.... Ironman Australia in December, this will be Alistair's first full Ironman event. The Sierra de Grazalema and surrounding area offers a challenging and beautiful training environment and is perfect for improving fitness, conditioning and endurance. Our location and expert local knowledge has enabled Alistair to train and ride with his own schedule of training.

The idea to do this, first struck me about a year ago and keeps coming back to me on a regular basis, especially when I'm riding up said mountain. So, I am now actually going to do it and put my mind at rest, although my body may not entirely appreciate the jesture. October 5th 2008 is the date of the first 'Andalucian Cycling Experience Las Palomas Challenge'. This event started as a personal challenge to see how many times in one day (day light hours only) I, Ashley, could ride up to Puerto de Las Palomas, a category 1 climb in both the 'Vuelta de Andalucia' and 'Vuelta España'. It is on this climb that the local road bike club holds its annual time trial, with my fastest time being 47m 41s, however, this will be a totally different event with endurance being key.

I often get asked about the Laws in Spain with respect to cycling so here is a quick overview.