Mountain Days and Photo Nights

All the way round.

Ciutadella to Cala en Bosc

Before we set off we decided that it was just way too hot to finish the ride. The heat wave was building and it felt foolish to continue. We were not deflated by our decision. Maybe we were a little ambitious to cycle the terrain but I think mostly it was the summer heat come early and we were a bit late in the year to be doing it. We decided to leave the bikes at our next accommodation and get the bus to the airport. Pick up a car and drive back to collect the bikes and then drive round to our next place at Son Bou.

The first half of the ride was on roads and tracks through the more urban areas and wee beaches. We stopped for lunch again to sit out the heat of the day. Then carried on to Cala Blanca where I had a swim. It was very hot even a swim doesn’t cool you down much and the beaches were busy. We avoided the last coastal section and cycled along the road to our hotel. Which was an apartment hotel. Getting used to this and other great space. Lovely pool. I had another swim. We ate out in a bar by the port. Just had tapas as we had had a fairly big lunch.

Platja Fornells to Ciutadella.

There were a few different routes we could take to go inland to Ciutadella, in the end we went for a straightforward road ride to Ferreries and then the cami de reial to the minor road which had a long descent down to Ciutadella.

Our first stop was at the lovely Es Mercadal where we stopped to buy cherries. We blasted along the main road for 6 km to Ferreries. This wasn’t as bad as it could be as there was a cycle strip along side the main carriageway. We got to Ferreries about mid day so decided to sit out the heat of the day outside a we bar. I had a lovely cheese and walnut salad and fizzy water and coffee. The cami de Reial was a lovely track. Bits were unridable but not much pushing. It was getting hotter though and I did lose it a bit a one point. We passed through a limestone gorge that was spectacular and unridable. Once at Ciutadella we stopped for a beer before finishing the last few kilometres. Our accommodation was another really nice apartment near the pool. I had a refreshing swim before we went for the buffet style evening meal. Wine was extra.

Coves Noves to Platja Fornells

After yesterday’s mega day we had a slower start. Breakfast was a mad noisy buffet. We had a bit of a reconsider about the hard day. There was going to be too much pushing and in the heat I don’t think we could do it. So we thought maybe try and get a taxi to the cala morell and ride the last bit. In the end we couldn’t get a taxi so we decided to ride to our next hotel. It would be a short day. And then re assess.

We rode to the good bridge cafe and had a coffee and then headed on to Arenal d’en Castell where I had a swim and an ice cream Kenny had a beer. We then continues to our nights accommodation which was absolutely lovely. Despite being there relatively early. I didn’t have a swim. The pool did look good. After a rest we walked up to a nice restaurant where I had sea bass. Very good. A slightly easier day still hot and some pushing.

We started to think about day 4 again and with the amount of pushing in the heat we tried to get a bike bus but we were to late to book it. So we decided to take the inland route to our next stop. But more of that tomorrow.

Mao to Coves Noves

It all started so well. We were full of anticipation and excitement. The start was easy. Alone the port and through the town. Then out on tarmac to sa Mesquida. We didn’t stop here but continued on. This was the first off road. Here we stopped for coffee and food a nice tuna salad. We then continued and started off road. The tracks were hard and they were steep but only for short sharp ups. But with the heat and the gates it was tiring. Eventually we arrived at ES Grau. Here we stopped for coffee and food a nice tuna salad. We still had a long way to go but we felt we were on track. The going continues to be hard. Lots of pushing and the heat was beginning to get to me particularly. Just before cap de Favaritx I stopped and had a swim. We then had a little bit of road riding but then the last stage had a sting. I think I had mild heat stroke and Kenny had to help me get my bike up some of the pushing sections. Eventually we got the the road that led to our appartment. It was in a water park and what a strange place it was. We had an all inclusive meal in what was like a butlins canteen with rosé wind on tap. We then had a bottle of red wine it was gone 8 when we arrived. What a day. Kenny did well. An easier day tomorrow.