Myself, Rob, Darryl, John & Drew, although Drew didn’t arrive until Monday evening.
Sunday 30th April
Day 1
Early flight out from Gatwick, minus Drew who claimed he was going to a wedding! Hire car was to small so we upgraded to bigger one, Ford Galaxy which we just about squeezed into. John & Darryl hired bikes but didn’t get them until 4:30, they were only keeping these Cannondales for 1 day and the Colnagos were going to be ready for Day 2, as it turned out the Cannondales were very badly maintained and John had several near misses with it dropping the chain, it turns out that these were their emergency bikes and they weren’t charged for the 1 day hire. Myself and Rob did a bit of a ride and then joined up with the others, when we did get going the ride was quite tough and not the standard spin the legs kind of ride, major slog out into the wind along the marshes (Sa Pobla) and a super fast TT pace on way back, 50 miles done and very tired.
Day 2
Day in the mountains (Pollensa, Coll de Femenia, Puig Major, Coll de Soller, Santa Maria, Inca, Sa Pobla) damp start but soon warmed up and turned into a very warm and sunny day, did very well on the first few mountains. Tough day, 83 odd miles.
Day 3
Big day 101.3 miles, very warm. Monasteries, Petra, San Salvador, Rhanda. Very pacey at times , beautiful and fast road back. Met Dick from Amsterdam who rode with us all the way back from Rhanda. Daz bailed at Rhanda and headed back to the hotel direct. Drew was with us for this ride.
Day 4
Proper recovery ride, myself and Daz did an hours ride around the lanes plus cafe stop while the others did 50 miles. Went for a stroll plus a sunbathe by the pool. Even went for a beer down the port.
Day 5
Big ride, my idea, drove to Bunyola and rode out to Andratx looping back via Camp de Mar. 83 miles, very lumpy ride. Very warm plus nice quick lunch in the Port de Andratx. Back late. Big day, rode very well. 83 miles.
Day 6
Started off cloudy but very warm and humid, day of effort management as felt tired. Gave it the beans going up Sa Colobra but faded about halfway up, struggled from then onwards. Stopped in Moscari for a light lunch. Very tired! 71.3 miles.
Day 7
Trip out to the lighthouse, warm and sunny again but gusty in parts. Good ride and surprisingly felt quite good, dominating the 2 big climbs. 37.4 miles.
Epic trip, weather absolutely fantastic, roads nearly always very smooth. Good bunch of lads, Venge perfect and performed beautifully.
444.2 miles for the trip. Eix alcudia hotel very good and nice food.
