Le Col links Velusso to create family cycle tourism arm

Cycle clothing brand Le Col has partnered with Velusso to create what it calls the Le Col Velusso Academy – a new family cycling tourism concept.

The brainchild of former GB-cyclist and founder of Le Col, Yanto Barker, the Academy is set to launch in the spring of 2018, with the first five-day trip taking place in Mallorca, an island frequented by amateurs and professionals for its ideal training conditions year-round and accessibility.

Much like Rapha, the broadening of the clothing firm’s offering is hoped to bring customers through the Academy, accompanied by family wishing to attend and guided experienced professionals. Young riders of any ability are invited to enjoy a mixture of closed and quiet roads, 2h30-3h00 morning rides and two hour theory-based afternoon lectures, giving the young rider a detailed grounding in performance cycling from a young age.

“The Cycling Academy was born from a passion to give young riders the tools they need to make the most out of their time on a bike and to help them progress and get a taste for training and racing, that they may not have already experienced,” Barker explained. “At the same time, we saw that there wasn’t a cycling experience out there that fully encompassed the family. As a new father myself, I see the attraction of being able to combine your hobby with your family, as well as getting away at the same time.

“I have worked hard to distill down some of my 20 years and 25,000+ hours of riding and/or racing, as well as analysing data in professional cycling, to be able to share the most relevant information to young riders early in their cycling careers. There will also be plenty of interesting information for any cycling parent, as well as pointers on how to support a keen young cyclist.”

The Cycling Academy will officially launch in Europe in 2018, however guests are invited to join a unique three-day Academy experience in Cheltenham, UK, between the 23rd to 25th October.

From £395 per child and £475 per joining parent, guests will experience a unique itinerary of fantastic cycling routes, professional coaching and accommodation. Find out more here.