Mallorca report

Printable View

04-09-2009, 09:28 AM
alpinerabbit

Mallorca report

Whoa, what a long 10 days.

This was the first time we went 10 (or more accurately 11) instead of 7 days.
And it was the first time in 4 we got rain. I mean RAIN. Low pressure area "Steve" was stuck over the mediterranean right where Mallorca is at, and we had rain, daily, from day 2 to 7. We'd go out in the morning later than usual, maybe get an hour or two of dry or dryish but twice we got absolutely drenched and usually we got wet at some point or other. took an extra rest day and ran twice.

At least I know now that I am not made of sugar, as they say in German. Rain riding can be done, you don't get sick if you haven't caught something elsewhere.

But cycling in the sun is nicer of course.

well, we got 100/ 120 / and another 100 in in the last 4 days for a total of 750 (me) / 850 (DBF) and I am absolutely flattened. But in a good way. the weather forced us to ramp up slowly which was a good thing after all. But it was frustrating - and would have been even more so if we had only booked 7 days!

I'd been nursing a pseudo-cold ever since the week before departure and it's still around - I'll have the slightest soreness or itch in the throat, or nose, or a day of headache, but I won't come down with it. I really want it to hit and be over with. Now anyway, that I'm back home.

My new favorite climb is San Salvador, where we went up on one of the nice days (my first time up there) and you can see absolutely the whole island (except the other side of the Mtns.) - the monastery even has a guest house where I would die to stay.
http://ticker.live-radsport.ch/image...i-felanitx.jpg

I got a nice black and pink WSD bike this time, I'm not much for pink but it was a good ride.
http://www.bicycle-holidays.com/foto...nne_Daniel.jpg
04-09-2009, 10:38 AM
Thorn

4 days of rain? Bummer...we've had cold (~4C) when we went in January, but only a little drizzle. But, it sounds like you made the most of it, despite the weather.

But, where is San Salvador? Is that the climb outside of Felanitx? Or the other side of the island?
04-10-2009, 07:34 AM
alpinerabbit

we had 6 days of rain and then another one after 3 fine days.... until on the last evening/day the island sort of kicked us out with a couple thunderstorms.

yes that is the climb out of Felanitx. The broom was in bloom (pun alert) - beautiful.

I'm still flattened. We went out today for about an hour of easy rolling because the weather for the easter weekend is absolutely stunning. But walking up a flight of stairs still makes my legs tired. I'll run a little this W/E and may go for an easy swim tomorrow.
04-13-2009, 01:05 PM
alpinerabbit

I'm still wrecked - couldn't even run more than 2 minutes at a time on Sunday. Today maybe 7 or 8 minutes.
I slept sooo much over the easter weekend.
04-13-2009, 10:06 PM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

I'm still wrecked - couldn't even run more than 2 minutes at a time on Sunday. Today maybe 7 or 8 minutes.
I slept sooo much over the easter weekend.

I guess 10 days of cycling was a little bit too much. :D

Just take your time to recuperate. And the best way to do that is... to cycle. 60 minutes in granny gear. As slow as you can. It really helps.
04-14-2009, 03:54 AM
Thorn

Yeah...it is the paradox of running away for an early spring week of cycling....short term, you're shot, but long-term, you'll have a better base. Well, at least I think that--after our week in Tucson I needed a easy week and a half before I could ride comfortably. Still....I wouldn't trade it away.
04-14-2009, 05:30 PM
NbyNW

Awesome! So jealous.

Where did you rent the bikes from? Looks like you got some good equipment. I'm always a bit wary of renting, since I tend to be a bit on the short side. I've often had to opt for a hybrid or mtb for lack of selection.
04-14-2009, 09:50 PM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocelynlf

Awesome! So jealous.

Where did you rent the bikes from? Looks like you got some good equipment. I'm always a bit wary of renting, since I tend to be a bit on the short side. I've often had to opt for a hybrid or mtb for lack of selection.

There are several good shops where you can rent bikes. It's a tourist attraction, you know. In springtime and autumn thousands of cyclists fly in and rent a bike. I'm hoping I can do the same next year. :D So AlpineRabbit, I'm jealous! I want to be sore like you. :D
04-15-2009, 12:40 AM
alpinerabbit

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocelynlf

Where did you rent the bikes from? Looks like you got some good equipment. I'm always a bit wary of renting, since I tend to be a bit on the short side. I've often had to opt for a hybrid or mtb for lack of selection.

Mallorca is very popular for spring training for anything from hobby to serious cyclists. They cater to ladies, too.
There are several operators that work out of chains of hotels, and some just out of shops. These bikes are really quite good, some have even flashier brands, I saw some carbon rentals (isaac, specialized?) too. All are always in top condition. As papaver said, there are 1000s so there are also 1000s of rental bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by papaver

I'm hoping I can do the same next year. So AlpineRabbit, I'm jealous! I want to be sore like you.

hee hee, I saw lots of dutch people (they usually go with Fred Rompelberg) which of course I wouldn't be able to tell from belgians, so you'd have company.
04-15-2009, 12:46 AM
papaver

Yeah I know about Fred Rompelberg (what a site :D ) and there are indeed Belgians that go with him, but there are other travel agencies that specialize in cyclingtourism.

http://www.fredrompelberg.com/

http://www.reisspecialist.be/rs/inde...=78&Itemid=101
04-15-2009, 01:31 AM
alpinerabbit

:D
the Rompelbergers are famous for riding in fast, un-coordinated packs :-P whereas the groups we ride with try to go at most in double file where possible, their group leaderse have pretty strict instructions (i.e. "don't pi$$ off the locals too much)...
04-15-2009, 08:24 AM
NbyNW

Thanks! We've been to Mallorca twice before and have vague plans to go again someday, so I will definitely keep these resources handy.

I was curious why I didn't see more cyclists when we were there . . . I guess it wasn't the season -- we tend to go late summer/early fall.

I'm also now feeling motivated to learn a little German so I can find my way around some of these websites!
04-15-2009, 08:30 AM
papaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocelynlf

I'm also now feeling motivated to learn a little German so I can find my way around some of these websites!

Ehm... they are in Dutch. :D:D:D

The Fred Rompelberg site is in English too. :p

I found a nice site for you: http://www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/Spa...a/majorca.html
04-15-2009, 10:46 AM
NbyNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by papaver

Ehm... they are in Dutch. :D:D:D

The Fred Rompelberg site is in English too. :p

I found a nice site for you: http://www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/Spa...a/majorca.html

:D Thanks!!
04-15-2009, 05:33 PM
Zen

More photos, please?