Today was our final day of cycling and our last ride on Mallorca. We will be riding one of the most famous rides on Mallorca, if not the most famous and it has been one that Scott has been anxiously waiting to complete. He first read about it in Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die and although he is not making an effort to travel the world looking to check each one off, this one is compelling. It was a very fitting way to finish off what has been a great tour for us.
We started our day having a nice breakfast at our hotel Sol Port Sóller. Breakfast started at 08:30 which allowed sufficient time for us to get to the ferry dock well before our 10 am departure. The ferry from Port Sóller to Sa Calobra was not really busy - maybe 40 people on board and about a dozen bicycles. The cost is 22 euros for each passenger and an additional euro for a bike. There is beautiful wood bench seating in the main cabin of the boat, but on such a nice day most passengers went to the top deck and our bikes were positioned between the bench seats. Seeing Mallorca from the water was worth every euro for the one hour trip along the coast.
We made a brief stop in the small cove of Cala Tuent before we carried on to the village of Sa Calobra. There really is not much in Sa Calobra except a few restaurants to serve the riders and tourists who come to see the cove and the road. When the ferry arrives, it does not tie up physically beside a dock but instead the boat is positioned bow forward and two gang planks are lowered and secured to a dock. The passengers and bikes disembark along the narrow gang planks as the ship bobs and weaves in the waves and wind. It is all very frantic getting everyone and everything off the boat and there is a sense of real excitement to the process. Some passengers actually described it as terrifying. Certainly a ride worth the price of admission.
The rocky beach at Cala Tuent looked like a great place if you are looking for a secluded beach.
Most of the other cyclists on the boat had road bikes except for a couple with electric bikes. To ride the road out of Sa Calobra most cyclists first ride down the serpentine hill to the small town and then turn around and begin the ride back up. However the ride down, which also looks like a lot of fun, is eliminated if you arrive by water like we did.
We took our time preparing for the slightly less than 700 metre climb known simply as the Sa Calobra. It is approximately 10 kms with a 7 percent gradient. We both knew that the twisty road to the top of the mountain would be a challenge and one that we would always remember. After cycling for several weeks, our legs and lungs would never be more ready. The weather was great too, as there were a few clouds and the temperature was cooler than the last few days.
It is truly an amazing road shared with cars, buses and many other cyclists. We were not fast but nor did we feel a need to stop except to take pictures of the amazing scenery and even more incredible road. Everyone joked with us as they passed by us on our little wheeled Fridays and Scott`s full pannier loaded bike! As a group we all were enjoying the challenge and the beauty of Sa Calobra.
KAREN JONESTo Scott FenwickHa ha! It was your birthday gift, Scott!! :-D Seriously, this looks like an amazing feat of endurance, especially as I had to walk my bike up parts of Capilano Rd on my first ride of the year... Reply to this comment 2 years ago
Can we say that the top came too soon and we were sad that it ended? The challenge had been met and the main feature completed; now it was going to be 1000 metres of downhill from here. The downhill portion from Lluc to Pollença was particularly sweet as it was a twisty smooth surface road with nicely rounded banked corners. We were both smiling all the way down.
The ultra smooth cornering road to Pollença was a delight to ride.
We arrived back at the Hotel Ivory Playa at 4 pm. Being familiar with the hotel we left our bikes in the storage, checked into room and retrieved the bags that we had left behind from the luggage room. Climbing the stairs to the second floor we knew that our legs were very tired. After showering we headed pool side for what had become our routine at the Ivory Playa- an after the ride bowl of pasta and a well deserved beer.
We had one more exciting event to finish the day. Two other cycleblazers, Ann and Steve Maher-Weary, were staying in another hotel close by and agreed to meet with us for a drink at the Hawaii Bar Restaurant. It is great fun meeting other couples who share our love for cycle touring and have an opportunity to talk about our experiences. We have been so fortunate to now have met two cycleblaze couples on Mallorica.
The Maher-Wearys meet up with the Fenwicks at the Hawaii Bar Restaurant in Alcudia, Mallorca.
Today's ride: 56 km (35 miles) Total: 1,129 km (701 miles)
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Scott AndersonI’m sorry to see your trip come to an end, as I imagine you are too. Great journey and a great journal! Reply to this comment 2 years ago
KAREN JONESWhat a fantastic adventure and such an accomplishment! Well done, guys! Looking forward to more stories... Reply to this comment 2 years ago
Scott FenwickTo Scott AndersonThanks Scott. Coming from you, Pat and I take that as a real compliment. The tour worked out very well and we loved every day of it. Having such nice weather always helps. Now that I have more time, I can catch up and following along with you and Rachael. Looking very forward to the UK portion. Thanks again. Reply to this comment 2 years ago
