Mallorca Holiday 2010

Jake, Andrew, Steve and Nick's adventures in Mallorca.

Day One

Steve and Nick came out on the 12.40pm flight which was a far more respectable time than the earlier 6.30am "sparrows fart" flight taken by Jake and Andrew. Because of the volcano many of the previous weeks flights had been delayed which resulted in Steve sitting next to a inebriated Irishman from East Acton who had never flown before and was excited about spotting G-strings on the beach (despite having a wife and two kids), but he did do a good karaoke when listening to his wife's iPod.

On arrival at Palma airport Steve and Nick hired a spacious Citrone C4 Picasso. Initially this appeared to be a cost effective alternative to taxi transfers until we discovered that we had to pre-pay for our full tank of petrol (costing 95 euros) with the condition that the car is returned empty with no refund for unused fuel. This would have been a good deal had we been travelling across France, but due to the size of the island it is difficult to use up more than a fraction without doing three laps of the island a day!

Day Two

Steve managed two feet on his Condor bike before falling over in front of forty keen and kitted cyclists. He sprang back to his feet and pretended nothing had happened but unknown to him at the time, more damage had been done than simply to his pride...

We set off at 10am, cycled through Campenet for coffee at Mancor De La Vall, then a long loop and stopped for lunch at Alaro. Then we followed the cycle lanes to Caimari for the Coll De Batallia to Lluc. Seven kilometres into the eight kilometre Lluc climb (and just as Nick was catching Steve) Steve's rear derailleur got caught in his rear spokes (most likely a consequence of his earlier tumble) and ripped the hanger from the frame. Despite a number of attempts at converting the bike to a single speed the Condor was well and truly grounded and Steve was forced to run up the final kilometre to the top.

Thankfully help was offered by a couple in a passing car who were members of the Wolverhampton Elizabethan CC, who then gave him a lift back to Port de Pollensa and the Pro bike shop. The rest of the gang descended at some pace back to the hotel to await the diagnosis on Steve's bike... It was not good news as Condor use their own bespoke parts. Steve, however, was fortunate in being able to hire a Massi MCarbon bike for the rest of the holiday.

In the evening, after a copious and filling meal in the hotel, a large group decamped to Jose's bar (which was to become a theme). Andrew persuaded Steve to sample the local brandy and Jake had a La Bomba (brandy and hot chocolate).

Total mileage on day two was 64 miles for Jake, Andrew & Nick; and Steve 50 miles on account of his curtailed ride.

Day Three

Started with a sudden thunderstorm at breakfast. Thankfully it didn't last and by 11am the sky was clear blue and the temperature rising.

We rode to Binnisalem for coffee then on to Banyola for lunch in the square under the trees in the sun. Emma got a touch of sun stroke but still made the Orient climb, Coll De L'honneur.

After 50 miles Steve decided to step up the pace and demonstrated what his borrowed Massi could do and the rest of the gang clung to his rear wheel. Steve's impromptu time trial lasted six miles until he heard that Jake had been dropped and the pace eased so that Jake could close the gap. Jake said that she was yoyoing. Someone in the group aptly described him as a "duracell bunny".

Proud of his days ride Nick decided to reward himself with a third plate of food from the buffet, and Steve announced that the house white wine was not as good as the house red, but nevertheless did improve with the third glass.

Total millage on day three - 78 miles (and Nick's furthest ride ever!)

Day Four

The last two days had taken their toll on Nick's Boardman bike and it had begun to sound like an old tractor on the hills (not to be confused with Steve's Massi "Ferguson"). A quick service in the pro bike shop did little to fix the creaking noise so Nick decided to also hire a similar Massi bike to Steve's.

The four intrepid cyclists joined a ride led by Gary Smith (25 riders in total) that promised a gentle 50 miles to Sineu for lunch and back. However, despite best laid plans the town square in Sineu was packed with tourists due to the mid-week market and the pack continued on to another town to find lunch. We eventually stopped in Sencelles for lunch and decided to break from the crowd to take a more leisurely ride back, stopping for ice creams in Porto D'Alcudia where Jake got the chance to paddle her feet in the sea and Andrew got some retail therapy. Steve sat on the sandy beach with blue sky and sea and had his photo taken on his phone and sent it home to Jan's phone. He quickly received a response "bugger off!"

Total mileage day Four - 68 miles.

Day Five

A rest day for some. Andrew went off on his own date and apricot fuelled adventure, whilst Steve, Nick and Jake (with Gary in tow) headed to the caves at Campanet. The intention from the outset was for a gentle 20 mile round trip, but those leading the party had other ideas and we had already completed a 25 mile dog leg before we reached the Caves.

After a coke in the sun with fantastic views we headed back to the hotel to spend the afternoon by the pool.

Total miles on day five for Nick, Steve & Jake a gentle 36 miles; whilst Andrew clocked up an impressive 90 mile round trip taking in Alaro, Orient, Soller, the "big pig" and Lluc.

Day Six

Jake, Steve and Nick decided that today was the day to clock up some serious miles and so joined a group of 25 led by Gary Smith to Valldemossa for lunch. Andrew, having already completed a long ride the day before chose instead to go to Petra.

The group stopped in the square at Alaro for coffee with a few score of other Swiss.

Shortly after setting off the group rode over 50 metres of pave causing a spoke to break on Nick's hire bike but after loosening the opposite spoke the group were able to continue.

It was during lunch that Steve borrowed a map and came with the idea of cycling back to Pollensa via Deia, Soller, Fornaltux, the "big pig" and Lluc. Gary smith said that we should start soon as the route would take over 4 hours. Soon we were winding our way along the coast at several hundred feet above the blue sea to Deia. A few climbs later we were heading into the valley surrounded by high dramatic mountains and we descended into Soller. After a quick look around the centre square and the old railway we started the long climb. Whilst climbing the pig we stopped at Mirador de Ses Barques, a cafe at the side of the road with a large veranda providing spectacular views of Puerto de Soller. Fuelled with freshly pressed oranges and lemons we then spent another 45 minutes climbing before going through the tunnel and following the undulating and descending road go Lluc and Pollensa. Just before Pollensa we past the 100 miles and celebrated with a two up at 25mph. We took just over 4 hours and arrived at the hotel at 7:40. A fantastic day.

Meanwhile Jake returned from Valldemossa at a fast pace without a stop and ended the day doing 90 miles.

Gary (Dodd) had popped down to Sa Calobra for a sandwich and a pint of milk. When he left the car park there was a pro team with team car leaving so he set off up the zig zag road keeping them a few hundred yards behind. Despite being 20 years younger they never caught Gary which was not surprising as he had climbed 660m in 32 minutes!

Total mileage - Andrew 50, Jake 90 miles, and Nick & Steve 105 miles!

Day Seven

We all cycled to Costitx and sampled a selection of cakes and pastries for lunch.

We had a fast ride back, stopping in Alcudia for ice creams.

Total mileage on day seven 55 miles.

Furthest day rides:-

Steve & Nick 105 miles, Gary Dodd 104 miles...

Grand totals for the week:-
Andrew 405
Jake 391
Steve 392
Nick 406