The name says it all; a true Triathlon Utopia. The facilities for
swim, bike and run only surpassed by the hospitality and
generosity of Sam & lee. Thank you so much for an amazing
week and I'll be back for sure!
(As long as the larders can handle it).
John Franklin, Sheffield, UK.
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I went to Tri-Topia to learn about triathlon, gain some experience and
self confidence to prepare for my first race and to meet people who share
the same enthusiasm. It was my first triathlon holiday experience and it
was just great! Sam and Lee are truly an inspirational couple. Together
with their friends Duncan and Chris they shown that triathlon is so much
more than a race - it is life style. I have improved in each discipline, got
plenty of useful advice and had lots of fun … all this in cosy family
atmosphere of Sam and Lee's farmhouse in beautiful surrounding of
The Brenne National Park in France. By the way, Lee is not only an
inspirational coach but also wonderful cook! We were spoiled by his
home cooked menus and delicious puddings :-).I walked away eager
to sign up for my first Olympic race and I was very proud when I crossed
the finish line (... taking part is winning ;-)
Thank you Tri-Topia!
Alena SKRBKOVÁ, Brussels, Belgium.
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Since turning 40, some years ago now, both myself, and my
wife Donna decided that getting fit and staying fit was a life
priority. Road running was soon joined by cycling. Both being
poor swimmers, tri seemed out of the question. Two years of
many swim sessions, made triathlon achievable for us both.
We had seen ads for Triathlon Camps, but always felt this was
for top performing pros and age-groupers. This year, our third
season of racing we felt we would give it a go.
Tri-topia was recommended to us by our local retailer TriUK.
We then found ourselves booked for 7 days at the beginning
of June 09. Located near Le Blanc, midway between Poitiers
and Chateauroux in the heart of the Brenne National Park.
Tri-topia occupies a group of old stone barns tastefully
modernised by the hard working and enthusiastic owners
Lee and Sam, and an army of helpfull and skilled
friends and family.
Tri-topia can provide group sessions or individual coaching.
Endless pool on site for coached swims, or convenient local
pools for drills. Or an incredible number of lakes locally for
safe open water swims.
Cycling on the smooth road surface, through some stunning
and peaceful villages, from Chateau to Chateau, in lovely
weather, and seeing maybe a dozen vehicles in 100km,
for me makes it the ultimate cycling location.
Putting on the running shoes, and like the cycle routes, the
run options are endless, safe and stunning, quiet country
roads, or a labrynth of off-road trails. Cycle or run routes are
led by Lee or Duncan.
Having chosen to ride to a beautiful river bank swim location,
Lee even followed in the truck as support and picnic provider.
Superb!!
All meals are provided by Tr-topia and eaten 'al fresco'. Great
to just turn up for all meals prepared by Lee, who is a superb chef,
and a multiple accomplished Ironman finisher, cant remember
ever having eaten better.
For a focused group of athletes, a triathlete wishing to combine a
family break with some training, or simply wishing to train in a
stunning part of Europe, from our recent experience Tri-topia has it all.
On return we both felt we had not just had a great training holiday, but
had become part of the Tri-topia family. The best form of recommendation
being referral, we are already looking at dates for 2010.
Steve and Donna Elliott, Wessex Wizards Tri Club.
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Having searched the internet and magazines for possible triathlon holidays
that might suit my needs, i finally came across tri topia in the 220 magazine.
The rustic look of the farmhouse accomodation and friendly user friendly
website made me investigate further. Being a new comer to the sport i found
most adverts a little intimidating. Tri topia had a difference, the personal
touch that it oozed appealed greatly and the fact that the holiday was very
much suited and adjusted to what you wanted to achieve. I took the plunge
and after various emails to Sam i was booked onto the beginners/improvers
week in June. And what a week it was....... the training above all was
fantastic, you could do as little or as much as you wanted. The bike rides
were amazing, surrounded by beautiful countryside and hardly any cars
in sight for miles and miles. I hired a bike and had it fitted by the lovely
Duncan, the bike made by giant fitted me perfectly and i'm actually
investing in the same make as we speak as i was so impressed by the ride.
Great training including long rides out and plenty of hills if you wanted some
pain! The running was also fantastic whether you wanted an early morning
run out to start the day or just to work on different sessions to change your
training. I've always been into running but never had a coach and was a very
stale runner, although i still loved running i found that i was running miles on
miles but with very little improvement in minute milage pace... this is where
Lee and Duncan came into their own and their experience and help has vastly
improved my times already. New ideas such as stepping stones, interval training
and techniques on running has had a very positive effect (although Duncan's
stepping stones session is a killer in it's own right!!!!!!). The last of the disciplines
was the swim this is what i wanted to improve and work on the most, as to be fair
i looked like a fish out of water flapping about and not really knowing what i was
doing. Tri topia certainly changed this... although i'm still no Phelps i'm definately
not looking so silly in the pool and have even had some very positive feedback from
other swimmers on my technique! Lee has a great chap who helps with technique
called Graham who watches you swim and then slowly piece by piece changes
your technique to what now resembles a front crawl. So... the training all in all
was great but the food was also amazing!!!!!! got to admit i've been to many nice
hotels and eaten some lovely meals but the food at tri topia is by far better, fresh
organic quality food and above all very tasty! the accomodation also was lovely,
clean and cosy which is all you need after a long days training!!!!! In my personal
view tri topia is a fantastic training base, cosy living accomodation but what makes
the holiday is the friendly staff made up of Sam, Lee, Duncan and Chris they make
your week enjoyable, fun and i will definately be returning again to Tri-Topia.
Hayley Powell, Eastbourne, U.K.
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Having never won so much as a tombola at a local fete in
the past I was dumbstruck to find I was the winner of the
holiday to Tri-topia, France…. and what a prize. I spent a
week at this triathlon paradise and would recommend that
you all pack your bags and follow. The idyllic setting coupled
with two people who are passionate about the sport of triathlon
and healthy outdoor living makes for a truly unique experience.
Whether a beginner to triathlon, an iron man pro or simply
wanting to taste the healthy lifestyle that busy lives tend to
forget exists, this place is guaranteed to refresh and inspire
anyone. Set in the Brenne National Park amongst endless rivers,
lakes and scenic cycle routes, the surroundings are perfect for
enjoying miles of running, cycling and swimming from the doorstep.
Owners Sam and Lee have worked tirelessly to transform several
barns into beautiful rustic accommodation and are keen to feed their
guests with an abundance of produce fresh from their small-holding.
Whatever your training needs from dipping your first toe in the open
water swim experience to the challenge of ironman length bike rides,
your training is guaranteed to be catered for in an individual and
personal manner. A tailor made training programme is offered to
every guest or for those who just want to get on with their own
programme in warm weather and beautiful surroundings, the
choice is yours. A great week thanks to 220 and Tri-topia, a taste
of the ‘good life’ with everything triathlon - perfect!
Ciara Murphy, winner of our 220 magazine competition.
