Cycling Majorca
This October 5 SOC cyclists joined the trip to Majorca: Mick L, Mike P, Paul H, Trevor T and Johnny P. Numbers were bolstered by a dozen other cycling friends from Chesterfield, Oxford and Tyneside.
We stayed at the superb PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort and Spa, after the disappointment of the Cabot Pollensa Park last year.
Pre-departure weather forecasts were for changeable conditions, but nothing too concerning. Indeed, we began with a perfect sunny warm-up ride to the Cap Formentor lighthouse, renowned for its striking sea views and sweeping bends. An unexpected plus was that the road was closed to cars, with just pedestrians, cyclists, shuttle buses and mountain goats 🐐 permitted! A certain degree of vigilance was still required, since the bus drivers seemed to regard cyclists in the same way a snow plough driver regards accumulations of snow!
On our return leg, a pause at the Formentor beach ☕️🍦prepared us well for the testing climb back up Coll de la Creueta. We soon recovered, leaving enough time for a short extension to Cala St Vincenc coastal resort.
Day 2 saw another warm and pleasant ride, in the direction of Santa Margalida. However, a road accident meant our ride had to be diverted to Muro. Not all was lost, since we were able to enjoy the ‘menu del dia’, overlooking the impressive church and marketplace.
Day 3 and all went pear shaped.
Storm Alice (sounds so genteel doesn't she!) decided to severely batter the eastern coast of Spain and Balearics. Phones started buzzing with Spanish civil emergency alerts, advising to keep away from flowing water and stay on high ground! So, in true SOC fashion, we rode our luck and set off to Pollenca! Within 5 minutes threatening black clouds swept over the Tramuntana mountains to our left, and from across the sea to our right, engulfing us in a very unsettling pincer action. As the first sizeable rain drops splattered onto our helmets we dived for cover in the nearest bar, as waiters efficiently tied everything down. They'd seen it all before! ⛈️
We were then witness to a spectacular tropical-style storm, whilst sipping our café con leches! An hour later and we realised any decent length ride was not going to happen. A slightly embarrassing total of just 6 miles for the day!
Day 4 and the sun peeped out from behind clouds. Roads were still very wet and some closed due to major flooding. Nonetheless we headed, via water and debris, to the picturesque terrace cafe at Coves de Campanet, for morning coffee. The weather was holding, so we ventured on to Caimari and in turn, the ascent of the Coll de sa Batalla. This is a spectacular, albeit challenging, 5 mile climb through ravines and forest, finally rewarding riders with the welcome sight of the summit cafe.
Well rested and stomachs satisfied, our return leg took us via Lluc Monastery. However, with the gathering gloom we decided not to prolong our stay. Instead we continued our descent down the stunning Coll de Femenia, a lengthy sequence of sweeping bends and sharp hairpins. The final few miles were ridden through more heavily flooded roads and persistent rain. Thoughts were occupied by a hot shower, cups of tea and, in my case, a large bar of Milka chocolate 🍫 on standby in the fridge!
Day 5 and while one of us was lured back to the Colls of Femenia and Batalla, the remainder headed to Sa Pobla and the elusive Santa Margalida. Heavy showers were again a feature, but a pleasant indoor lunch was enjoyed, before another sopping ride back to Alcudia! 🌧
Day 6, our last day, had promised yet more persistent and heavy rain storms. Remarkably, these never materialised and we awoke to widespread sunshine. This allowed for a very pleasant return visit to Cala St Vincenc, followed by Pollenca old town and a climb up to the hilltop chapel of El Calvari and ready for lunch. One of the group even managed to squeeze in a return ride to Cap Formentor lighthouse.
All in all, we faced some unusually challenging conditions throughout our week. We learned that no one weather app gives the same forecast as another and that they tend to be unfalteringly inaccurate…except when they're not!
Despite more rain than we'd have liked, we managed another week of memorable cycling and good humour.
Mike P