A good day for cycling

A good day for cycling.

We set off from the apartment taking the back roads first to Campanet then Buger on to Llubi , Muro , though the Patc Natural S' Albufera and then taking the back roads back to Port de Pollensa a round trip of 45 miles. The weather was excellent for cycling shorts and a light weight cycling top and suncream was all that was required. We arrived in Muro in time for a late snack at our favourite cafe. We had the last two meat pies with peas a little dry but the coffee was excellent,  the complementary oranges sweet and juicy and custard and walnut tart was very tasty.

Decided to cook again ronight. Peter came round with a spare key but it had been cut upside down so did not fit the lock.

An early start.

The alarm was set for 3 am but we awoke before it went off. A quick shower a bowl of porridge and were off to the airport.  The meet and greet was efficient and just a short walk to the terminal. The bike boxes gently glided to the check in. There was no problem with the size but we just got a standard luggage allowance for them as we had not checked them as a bike. After the bags were weighed we had to take them to an special desk for large luggage.
The flight was just over 2 hours.  There had been some early morning fog at Palma but it had cleared before we took off. Our cases were one of the first off the conveyor and we then had so go to a different area to collect the bike boxes. We had to wait sbout 10 minutes but then much to our surprise 2 pristine bike boxes appeared. .
Whilst we were waiting we played spot the bike box? Bike box Alan's, an evoc soft case, large hard suit cases etc.

We collected our van put the case  inside and then we to the parking cafeteria for a coffee and Tortilla baguette.  Decathlon in Palma was closed so R could not get new sunglasses but Lidel in Inca was open until 3 so we were able to stock up with provisions before continuing to Porta Pollensa. 
After assembling the bikes we had time for a quick swim in the pool before cycling to Pollensa for an ice cream from the stall in the main square. That made us thirsty some we wandered to a cafe at the bottom Calvario steps  for a beer.
Margtetta  and Peter came round  in the evening.
We paid them for the apartment and had a pleasant surprise when they returned 10 minutes later as we had over paid them by £53. We had to try and remember the balance and Lyn had reversed the last 2 digits . The saving will be spent on a meal at Stay.

Aquick swim.

Reassembling the bikes

Bike boxes

All packed and now they are hopefully on the way to the plane. A full review to follow.

Calderdale Mountain Bike Marathon

Calderdale Mountain Bike Marathon.

I can usually rely on Martin for his comprehensive account of the days events. This year his leg had not sufficiently recovered for him to take part. Perhaps he had anticipated the weather forecast. At the start of the week the long range forecast was for a dry day. The closer we got the weekend the worse it got. By Saturday night we were going to start in rain and finish in heavy rain and by Sunday morning it was going to be heavy rain all the way round. This year I was joined in the challenge by my brother along with 300+ other riders. As we set of in the car to drive to the start the rain started but it had stopped by the time we reached the top of the M62. The ride started in the dry and apart from a very light shower as I climbed the last hill remained dry all the way round. The BBC forecast and every other one we looked at were all wrong.The later riders had some light rain on Midgely Moor. A strong wind added to the challenge but the winner got round 8 minutes faster than his time the previous year. The event was fantastically organised as usual and had even more marshals out marking the routes. The second steep hill just after he start was traditional warm up to the event with several cyclist deciding to walk rather than put to much strain on the gears! Midgely Moor was its usual challenge of mud, bog and drainage channels . I stopped on the descent to lend my bike pump to a cyclist who’s CO2 canister had failed and pump did not work. A good excuse for a slower time. My ride was completed in 3 hours and 15 minutes. Next years event is on Sunday 12th October. Plenty of time to do some training.
The climb to the finish