Rpm90: A new high-spinning road riding holiday company.

Done a few sportives, ticked off the odd Etape or even Gran Fondo and looking for something similarly challenging but less crowded? A bit of time with Rpm90 could be right up your col then. Rpm90 are a new company offering top-quality cycling holidays on some of the best of Europe’s lumpy roads.

Rpm90 is the brainchild of Nick Miles, Urbanfit personal training and sports coaching founder and Angel Ride creator, and qualified sports masseur and bike mechanic James Brickell. Based in Sussex, both have had many years experience of living, riding and racing in France. You’ll know already that the company takes its name from what some see as the optimum pedal cadence for road riders.

“We’re catering for serious road riders, who’ve maybe done the Etape or a Gran Fondo, and want to ride the high mountains of Europe at their own pace, and without the crowds,” James explains. “We aim to handle everything – accommodation, transfers, food, drink, mechanical support, massage, you name it – so that all the client has to do is turn up with their bike and ride. As experienced riders and racers ourselves, we really understand what riders want, and the importance of getting the details right. You ride, we provide.”

For its opening season Rpm90 will be based in Morzine in a luxury alpine chalet with en suite bedrooms, secure bike storage, free Wi-Fi , satellite television and laundry service. The town is a classic hub for epic days on the road, with the Col du Joux Plane - where Lance Armstrong nearly lost the Tour in 2000, the Col de la Ramaz, Col de la Joux Verte and the Col de la Colombiere all on the doorstep. Current packages available are a three-night trip in June incorporating the Morzine Sportive with a full distance of 155km with a knee-popping 3400m of climbing, a week-long Introduction to Alpine Riding in July including workshops on all aspects of riding and fitness/strength training, a week based around the Tour de France Stage 10 to the Col du Grand Colombier and a week long Tour of Mont Blanc. Custom trips are also available.

“We know Morzine and the roads around it intimately, and we’ve got some fantastic routes lined up for summer 2012,” continues James. “The aim is to provide challenging riding – we’ll be going to the Col de Joux Plane, for example,- but nothing too extreme. Some days will be only 50-60 miles, but that’s a lot in the Alps if you’re not used to it. We want clients to go home fitter, stronger and more confident, not physically and mentally shattered!”

Future plans for Rpm90 include packages in the Pyrenees, Italy and Spain, as well as other areas in the Alps. Needless to say we’re talking to Rpm90 about getting one of their trips in to ‘test’.

www.rpm90.com