Post by max on May 18, 2014 19:57:02 GMT
Arrived safe and sound to discover hotel had been refurbished and a lot fresher than last year. We started next morning in normal club tradition by doing the Coastal down to Colonia de St Pere for a relaxed lunch beside the sea. Sun was beating down and we decided to split into two groups, the Big Fish and the Wee Tiddlers. BF's scorched off and after two miles WT's had two punctures simultaneously. Robin the Hook had just changed these with his bare hands when there was a noise like a gun going off and his own bike blew a tyre right off the rim. Then on through medieaval town of Muro where two groups met up for coffee and orange slices. Returned to seafront bar at Puerto de Pollensa for refreshments and home to hotel for our normal intake of 4+ main courses. connect.garmin.com/activity/500874851 60 miles 2000 feet climb.
Next day Pat was feeling unwell and decided to stay at hotel. We had decided to set off as early as possible for Sa Calobra at 9.15 but unfortunately there must have been something wrong with the orange juice at O'Haras Irish bar the night before because it was around 10 before we all gathered and got going. In order to instill a bit of discipline into the group I appointed hardman Paul Ireland as Deputy to provide a bit of muscle to prevent any further insubordination. Ground our way up into the mountains and stopped at roadside cafe before starting the infamous Sa Calobra Snake. Went off at individual pace up to top of Col and suddenly there it was. It is truly the most awe inspiring and stomach churning sight in a normal cyclists career. The road drops from not far off the height of Slieve Donard straight down to the sea in a series of S bends which appear to go on for ever. To use the comparison I gave last year comparing the Spelga S bends to Sa Calobra is like comparing Ballynahinch United with Real Madrid. 10 kilometres with average grade of 8% hitting 13% on bends. Go down pumping the brakes and just hoping overheating of rims does not cause a blow out and tour buses do not push you over the gut wrenching sheer drops. Get to bottom in one piece and about turn , let the blood back in your fingers and up the way you came and climb for between 45 minutes to an hour depending on your speed to top again. There was some doubt as to whether everyone had done it and there were was unkind talk of removing the Deputy's stripes if he had given up, but happily everyone made it and felt a great sense of achievement. Back home in two groups going down the majestic S bends of the Col de Batella. A memorable day 70 miles and 7200 feet of climbing connect.garmin.com/activity/500874836
Returned home to find Pat had been to hospital and was unable to continue cycling. This put a bit of a dampener on our emotions but we were able to sort out a new flight to get him back home. He was much missed and we wish him a full and quick recovery.
Next day we did a tour of the villages in the central flatter area going through Campanet, Selv, Inca, Llubi, Sineu, Petra, Maria, Muro and Sa Pobla. Successfully done apart from a discussion about directions between Steve, myself and an elderly local inhabitant which created a Lost in Translation moment leading to us going along the bumpiest and most potholed road the club has been along, which is really saying something. Got back on route eventually. 65 miles 2000 feetclimbing. connect.garmin.com/activity/500874818 Robin and Tracey in meantime went down to Arta and south east coast.
On Day 4 Big Fish went on a big 95 mile run plus lots of climbing to the Col D'Orient and Col D'Honor. The Deputy, Jock and myself put our bodies on the line for the club and went to survey a route for the next day, rest put their bodies on the sun recliners and slept and ate for the club. Peter Bohill was awarded a prize for his achievements in the club TT's with a hat labelled TT 18, though I note from the East Down TT facebook site that it should have been TT 29 to reflect his true position but no matter !
Bags packed we started off on the last day with Marty meeting us at the lunch stop due to a painful knee. This was an easy flat route to the Victoria Hermitage but got a trifle lumpy as we climbed to a picturesque coffee bar with beautiful views over the sea, Well actually it hit around 15% grade. A few views were expressed about my terminological inexactitudes concerning the route, expressed more clearly by Shane as " You Lying B**tard" I just shrugged it off and took no notice. Back down by scenic S bends and down to beach for team photo, and then on to St Vincenc for sardines and John Dory fish. Back to hotel and out to restaurant which had a yellow Pinarello Dogma 2 belonging to Bradley Wiggins hanging from the ceiling connect.garmin.com/activity/500874763 30 miles 1300 climbing (mostly in one place !)
A great trip. Well done to all particularily Tracey who did all the routes for the second time in a month. Many thanks to Peter for organising hotel and transport without any hitches, although there was a bead of sweat on his brow when looking for our missing coach to the hotel on way out.
Cannot say much about nocturnal activities at O'Haras as that sort of thing remains on tour but the bar did have to order extra orange juice in mid week, we do have some talented dancers in the group and much fun was had with a pizza.
Sorry to bore those who did not manage to come but looking forward to seeing all again on upcoming sportives and some new Sunday runs.
Read more: llrcc.freeforums.net/thread/259/mallorca-2014-report#ixzz326CJxdFl
Next day Pat was feeling unwell and decided to stay at hotel. We had decided to set off as early as possible for Sa Calobra at 9.15 but unfortunately there must have been something wrong with the orange juice at O'Haras Irish bar the night before because it was around 10 before we all gathered and got going. In order to instill a bit of discipline into the group I appointed hardman Paul Ireland as Deputy to provide a bit of muscle to prevent any further insubordination. Ground our way up into the mountains and stopped at roadside cafe before starting the infamous Sa Calobra Snake. Went off at individual pace up to top of Col and suddenly there it was. It is truly the most awe inspiring and stomach churning sight in a normal cyclists career. The road drops from not far off the height of Slieve Donard straight down to the sea in a series of S bends which appear to go on for ever. To use the comparison I gave last year comparing the Spelga S bends to Sa Calobra is like comparing Ballynahinch United with Real Madrid. 10 kilometres with average grade of 8% hitting 13% on bends. Go down pumping the brakes and just hoping overheating of rims does not cause a blow out and tour buses do not push you over the gut wrenching sheer drops. Get to bottom in one piece and about turn , let the blood back in your fingers and up the way you came and climb for between 45 minutes to an hour depending on your speed to top again. There was some doubt as to whether everyone had done it and there were was unkind talk of removing the Deputy's stripes if he had given up, but happily everyone made it and felt a great sense of achievement. Back home in two groups going down the majestic S bends of the Col de Batella. A memorable day 70 miles and 7200 feet of climbing connect.garmin.com/activity/500874836
Returned home to find Pat had been to hospital and was unable to continue cycling. This put a bit of a dampener on our emotions but we were able to sort out a new flight to get him back home. He was much missed and we wish him a full and quick recovery.
Next day we did a tour of the villages in the central flatter area going through Campanet, Selv, Inca, Llubi, Sineu, Petra, Maria, Muro and Sa Pobla. Successfully done apart from a discussion about directions between Steve, myself and an elderly local inhabitant which created a Lost in Translation moment leading to us going along the bumpiest and most potholed road the club has been along, which is really saying something. Got back on route eventually. 65 miles 2000 feetclimbing. connect.garmin.com/activity/500874818 Robin and Tracey in meantime went down to Arta and south east coast.
On Day 4 Big Fish went on a big 95 mile run plus lots of climbing to the Col D'Orient and Col D'Honor. The Deputy, Jock and myself put our bodies on the line for the club and went to survey a route for the next day, rest put their bodies on the sun recliners and slept and ate for the club. Peter Bohill was awarded a prize for his achievements in the club TT's with a hat labelled TT 18, though I note from the East Down TT facebook site that it should have been TT 29 to reflect his true position but no matter !
Bags packed we started off on the last day with Marty meeting us at the lunch stop due to a painful knee. This was an easy flat route to the Victoria Hermitage but got a trifle lumpy as we climbed to a picturesque coffee bar with beautiful views over the sea, Well actually it hit around 15% grade. A few views were expressed about my terminological inexactitudes concerning the route, expressed more clearly by Shane as " You Lying B**tard" I just shrugged it off and took no notice. Back down by scenic S bends and down to beach for team photo, and then on to St Vincenc for sardines and John Dory fish. Back to hotel and out to restaurant which had a yellow Pinarello Dogma 2 belonging to Bradley Wiggins hanging from the ceiling connect.garmin.com/activity/500874763 30 miles 1300 climbing (mostly in one place !)
A great trip. Well done to all particularily Tracey who did all the routes for the second time in a month. Many thanks to Peter for organising hotel and transport without any hitches, although there was a bead of sweat on his brow when looking for our missing coach to the hotel on way out.
Cannot say much about nocturnal activities at O'Haras as that sort of thing remains on tour but the bar did have to order extra orange juice in mid week, we do have some talented dancers in the group and much fun was had with a pizza.
Sorry to bore those who did not manage to come but looking forward to seeing all again on upcoming sportives and some new Sunday runs.
Read more: llrcc.freeforums.net/thread/259/mallorca-2014-report#ixzz326CJxdFl