A few days before the challenge it’s important to check the bikes and get the legs going. We also like to take the group over to the Coll Sa Batalla to fire up the climbing legs and to adapt the lungs to those sustained efforts. After a coffee and a bite to eat we cruise down to Playa de Muro to pick up numbers, info pack and Jersey. The Atmosphere is really building at this point with the buzz of carbon wheels and colourful kits flocking to the expo. We see the start line in the distance and you can feel the excitement of a closed road sportive is nearly upon us. Time for rest, food and a good night sleep.
The Day of the Event
7:30am: breakfast time. It’s all about fuelling up in the correct away. 167km and 2800m of climbing is going to take its toll. I like to start the day with a big bowl of porridge, Bread and lots coffee combined with a pint of water. Keeping hydrated on the bike, as we all know is very important. A general rule of thumb when it’s hot is a bottle (600ml-750ml) an hour. I also nibble on snacks throughout the ride eating every 45 minutes to 1 hour. Keeping my energy up as high as possible. Bonking (energy crash) half way through a ride is not pleasant. There are three feed stops on the route but my advice is not to wait! Take fluids and food on at every opportunity as you may have a bonk on your hands before you fully realise.
8:45am: We are at the start line and ready to go. It’s packed with cyclist in all directions. We are placed in coloured holding pens that match our numbers. It’s a bit chilly so arm warmers and a gilet are on. These can be removed during the ride. Always good to be prepared and warm as there are a lot of shivering riders around us!
9:15am: We are off! Six of us have decided to ride together and stop at the summit of each climb, feed stops and to make sure we get over the line together.
The first 20 km is stunning and the roads are bursting with riders, the sun is out and warming up nicely. Steve (one of our guest) is on the front swallowing up group after group at a rapid pace! We all sit in and enjoy the ride heading towards the first climb of the day the Coll de Femenia. It’s a climb I have done so many times before I decide to get on the front and keep it at a comfortable pace keeping everyone together. It’s not a tough climb but at 7.8km and 7% right of the cuff it needs to be respected.
With the first major climb completed there is a small rest bite heading downhill then back up to the T-junction of the Coll de sa Batalla and on to Gorg Blau for our first feed stop.
Quick regroup and bottles refilled we keep climbing the mighty Puig Major from the North side which is the highest point on the island. We approach the 14km descent, one I have been thinking about for a while. A stunning stretch of asphalt which we descend on closed roads, a cyclist dream.
The descent doesn’t let us down hitting each apex at speed. The closed roads make such a difference making it one of the best bits of cycling I’ve ever experienced. We regroup at the bottom, just a stone’s throw away from Port Soller.
We have ridden 71.6km at this point and start to brace ourselves for more climbing approaching the Coll den Bleda and Coll de sa Predissa. Two beautiful climbs which hug the western coastal line. The views are just breath taking, however there is a deadly sting in the tail with kickers ramping up over twelve percent! With my legs feeling the pinch we battle through knowing the next feed stop is at the summit of the Coll den Claret which is very near.
Arriving at the feed stop was like an Aladdin’s cave! Packed with goodies and snacks to refuel our tired legs. I helped myself to protein bars, Swiss rolls, peanuts, cans of coke and filled my bottles up with water. I knew the hardest section of the ride was over and it was mostly rolling on the way home. With everyone back together it was nice to enjoy a descend to partly recover the legs from what was an extremely mountainous first part of the ride.
The roads on the way back were flowing and flat. Riders would group together in large pelotons gathering momentum and speed which also provided shelter and a welcome rest bite in the Mallorcan heat. The next feed stop was in Lloseta, positioned about 134km in to the challenge. We had our first mechanical, the dreaded puncture! The helpers at the feed zone were first class, whisking the bike off to be repaired whilst other helpers filled our bottles and stuffed our pockets with food. Within minutes the bike was done and we were back on the road. The support at the feed stop was incredible, the helpers were brilliant and they helped every rider coming through. They really did contribute in a big way to an already amazing day!
This was it, the final push. Altogether, fuelled up and feeling strong we just had 30km to go.
All we had to do was get to the line and not go to nuts as cramp and fatigue were starting to set in. I wanted the group to stay together and get over that finish line together. The last sections of road I knew well, flat and straight which we could eat up at pace. Taking in about 30 riders on the way to the finish we were flying! With the banners, flags and marching band in sight (sorry no marching band really) the finishing straight was within touching distance.
After 6 hours and 30 minutes of riding under our bib shorts we rolled crossed the line where our well-earned medals were placed over our sweaty lids. An epic day for everyone involved and one we will reminisce about over a café con leche for many years to come.
...Will we do it again in 2018? Of course we will, it’s what we do!
Book now and drop us an email on ridewith@mallorcacycling.co.uk to find out all the details.
