It is safe to say that few people have done more of our trips than inGamba’s own Katie Bolling. To date, she has participated in over 35 trips with nearly 20 different itineraries. But when she went to Croatia on her last trip, the new inGamba destination captured her heart, and instantly became one of her favorites. Here are just a few of her top memories and images.
A cascade of perfect roads, long tables full of espresso cups surrounded by happy cyclists, a vast landscape sprinkled with colorful villages, post-ride conversations in the sunshine….these are a few images on the top of my mind as the memories of our women’s week in Calpe resonate.
What started as a week of seventeen women meeting for the first time at our base in Denia, ended with a true sense of family and connectedness not even a week later. That’s the magic of the right ingredients: a shared passion for cycling, an openness to new friendships and a curiosity to explore the world tied together with the ribbon of inGamba.
It was nearly a year ago when I had the vision to bring back inGamba’s women’s week and that Kate and Katie’s Excellent Calpe Adventure came into being. Over the past months, the trip was met with exceptional enthusiasm and turned into a sold out week. I was no doubt filled to the brim with excitement as I headed to Spain 10 days ago. And, now that the trip has happened, my heart is truly overflowing with the memories made, the friendships formed and the time shared.
“This was more than I expected. Ever.” one of our guests wrote afterward. “ It has rekindled my love of riding, something I did NOT expect to happen again. I did something every day I had never done before, I did something every day that scared me and I met some of the most awesome people to do it with. So hoping you will do another women’s week!”
That’s a strong statement that really touches my heart.I truly believe that the women’s side of cycling is as much about bonds, belief, community and meaning as it is about the miles ridden. This trip met all of that and more. Friendships were rooted, passion for cycling was rekindled, self belief was raised and genuine community was celebrated…and all in the backdrop of one of the most beautiful places to cycle in the world.
One thing is certain, there will be more women’s weeks to come. We are already studying the possibility of adding another one in the Fall, and others will soon follow. I sincerely hope you consider joining us. But, for now, I’m soaking it all in and so grateful. Thank you to those of you who were part of this great gift. Our Excellent Adventure was indeed just that…a real present.
