Carbon or steel. Shimano, Campagnolo or SRAM. Electronic or mechanical. Clinchers or tubs. Espresso, cappuccino … or maybe macchiato. Getting cyclists to agree on anything is pretty much impossible, but if there’s any universal truth to be found in the peloton, it’s this: No one wants to be the rider who’s constantly off the back.

There’s a big difference between riding at your own pace and only having one pace to ride at. Taking it easy is fine – especially when you’re on vacation somewhere beautiful – but there’s nothing easy about being slow when it’s your fitness, rather than the views, that’s holding you back. That’s why inGamba have teamed up with Carmichael Training Systems, because we want you to be the best you can be when you’re with us.

No matter the level of rider, worrying about fitness is something we’ve found affects a lot of our guests. You’ll be riding in new environments, with new people, and you want to enjoy that, because enjoyment is what your dream trip is all about.

We’re not in the business of organising sufferfests. We’ve ridden enough of them and trust us, they’re no fun. Racking up the miles is a big part of what we do, but it should be fun. You should be able to socialise with your fellow riders, and be able to take in the scenery while you’re rolling rather than just staring at your stem and praying for the home stretch. And if you’re “al gancio” – on the hook, as the Italians say – in the afternoon, you’ll be fully cooked come dinner time, meaning you won’t be able to fully enjoy the amazing food and wine that we have in store for you.

Coaching is something that will benefit every cyclist, from the newest of newcomers to World Tour professionals, and with the right training expertise and advice, you’ll notice the difference almost immediately. Coached riders lose an average of 10 pounds in the first six months. Being lighter makes every mile easier, climbing becomes fun and you’ll recover much quicker and suffer less from fatigue – so you can ride strong from the first day to the last.

Having your own coach is also a great way to improve your understanding of the sport. There’s more to cycling than just fitness, and there’s a big difference between a 10-minute climb at home and an hour-long ascent at altitude. Coaching will not only prepare you physically, but also get you in shape mentally so that you know how to manage yourself properly.

So please, check them out. They’ve developed a special package for inGamba clients that includes a free month. Committing to a coach will guarantee that you get the most out of the time you spend with us, but it’s really about more than that one special summer week in Italy. Learning how to train properly is an investment that will change how you see the bike, and how you live off of it.