It’s coming up to training camp season, the time of the year that the riders who have been on vitamin D supplements since ‘that week in July’ when they last got some sun shining on their skin decide to go abroad with a bike.

We/they decide to visit hot southern coasts and islands in search of a ‘fast looking’ tan or possibly some decent form for the upcoming season. The realities are often different, too many pizza’s at Tolo’s in Majorca, too many post ride bieres, and too many colds brought back home after too much time on the bike and a weakened immune system, can lead to putting on weight and getting ill.

But do it right and the training camp is an incredibly useful and enjoyable tool in the build-up to a great season. Do it wrong and you’ll be in bed and off work for a couple of weeks on your return.

On your pre-season training camp, you’ll either be going there with friends, club-mates (possibly not all your friends), complete strangers on an organised training camp (with possibly a cycling celebrity host), or a mix of all three. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek look at some of the individuals you’ll likely encounter in the sunshine.