Majorca training camp/bike hire

They seem to have maps of all sorts at the various bike/'adventure' shops- worth a look to see if you can find one for trails?

Rode up to the Far de Forementor this afternoon. Nice 26 mile round trip from Port Pollenca. Lovely views and roads for first (and last) part then shitty road surface and stunning views.

Even though it wasn't in any way what I'd call windy there were a couple of occasions where I got pushed around by the wind. Hate to think what it is like when it is properly blowing.

Not much traffic, which was great given some of the interesting lines I took in search of smooth road surface. Bloody gorgeous though. Been wanting to ride that for 18 months.

Have the insane temperatures they were predicting hit yet?
Hope you enjoy your time out there as much as I did.

Today was hot n close. Proper muggy. Long sleeves and trousers were a burden even at midnight

^^Was hot yesterday that's for sure. For me at least. Think it was 28C or so. I sure felt it climbing out of Port Pollenca. Looks like it'll be hotter today. Not as humid though hopefully. Cheers, looking forward to some big rides in the coming days.

^We had a cooling breeze in the evening so was v pleasant evening. You down in Palma?

Bloody hot today, above 32c at one stage. Nice roads to bomb along with a couple of lanes and an awesome winding coastal road north of the lovely walled town of Alcudia.

Climbed up to a mirador with a day club pumping shitty euro dance music and then on to an awesome militarily closed road at a tunnel gate. Goats head ensignia denoting the army unit looked very James Bond, especially with the villains lair down in a gorgeous bay just in sight.

Bombed back along the coast road after Alcudia, head down cranking the pedals. Nice work out. Another great late afternoon ride. Topped off with stripping off the Lycra and jumping straight into the plunge pool back at the casa where we're staying. Followed by an ice cold San Miguel. Fuckin heaven!

I'm not usually nervous about flying, but...

Bring on Sa Calobra! :)

Such a lovely climb. So easy because it's so pretty! You'll love it, you lucky bastard.

I've arranged for my elective to be in Menorca, so though it's not as good for cycling in general, I'm still pretty excited

Yeah, really looking forward to it. Had some fun times getting round Ibiza on a hire bike a couple of years ago, and couldn't resist the idea of getting the Ron out to Mallorca for some serious miles this time.

Fcuking British Airways! Bike arrived exactly 24 hours after me. Arse!! Ho hum, nice stroll through the mountains today. Gagging for a bit of riding over the Tramuntana tomorrow. Pics to follow, no doubt...

Ah well, Ron made it eventually and we've had a lot of fun so far, even if today was rather cold and at times almost biblical rain. Ugh! For anyone not familiar with Sa Calobra, all I can say is... wow!!

Awesome - keep the photos coming please.

As Brad Wiggins says, scalextric for bikes. Only been back a couple of weeks and I'm planning my next trip.

Let's post Sa Calobra times, a la Richmond Park Challenge...

Too many different strava segments.
35-39 mins depending....

I've given up on Strava segments for Sa Calobra, my iphone doesn't like it. 33:18 sign-to-sign...

#twat/boastpost

Well done on Sunday but I still meet the 2010 11th placed regularly in Kentish Town. Around 2:00. So keep training ;-)
#worksclosertorapha

This is the first year of any kind of training or having a turbo so hopefully by next year I'll be able to perform to my full potential.

Unlikely. You need years of training to reach near your full physical potential. At least you're starting :)

I've been racing on or off for over twenty years and I still think I can improve.

Great. I'm gonna smash hill climbs in 5 years...

Well apart from Sa Calobra my favourite road was probably the South Western end of the Ma-10 going through Estellencs and Banyalbufar. As I was staying in Port de Pollensa this involved getting the first train to Palma from Sa Pobla, then 101 miles back home. Lovely.

Back via some nice flat roads, still getting scenic views of the mountains behind vineyards in Binissalem.

And my final stop on the first day's epic Tramuntana ride, partly to take in the view but mainly cos I spotted a shop selling Mars bars.

For the record, Sa Calobra bottom to top was about 50 minutes but that included a couple of photo stops, and being bleedin' knackered after 195 miles the previous two days...

Chapeau....

Top of 'pepperpots' last week

Off to Mallorca next week - can't wait.

Two questions;

1. Has anyone ever ridden the track there?

2. The guys I am travelling with want to hire bikes because they don't think we'll be able to get bike boxes on the bus from the airport to Porto pollenca. I would much rather take my own bike, for obvious reasons - has anyone ever taken a bike on a bus from the airport to pollenca?

Not done it myself, but I reckon it'd be doable (taking a bike on a bus). If you haven't been before, you have to get a bus from the airport into Palma (the stop is Placa D'Espana), then get off and head down to the underground bus station.
If there's 2 or 3 of you, a taxi might work out reasonably.