Tuesday 7th a ride from Ruberts

A ride from Ruberts.

We parked in our usual spot at the start of the mountain bike track. The bikes were reassembled and Lyn and I see off down the track and at the end of it turned towards Pina. We needed to be bsck at a reasonable time so planned a route that could be extended. Martin returned his bike the previous evening and was off on a walk with Sue. After Pina we went to Algaida and then took the pretty back road and cycle path to Llucmajor. In Llucmajor we turned towards Randa on the Ma 5010. There is a cycle  routethats marked on the map starting in Llucmajor but we avoided it because it included a climb a 9%. It was about 5km on the main road before the turnoff and it included a couple of long climbs.

Full details to follow.

Tuesday 31st

Tuesday day 31st.

A ride from Biniali.

The forecast of sun and no rain proved to be correct with the temperature in the afternoon rising above 24 degrees. We parked in the usual spot by the roundabout and took the minor roads and tracks towards Sencelles and then Ruberts. We took the track towards Monturi but did not venture into the town for a coffee this year. Instead we continued to Porreressndbsr As Placa in the main square. We had found the bar on s ride last year it was still doing a menu of the day. 2 coures  and a drink for 9.5,Euros.. Excellent value and food home cooked tasty food.

Friday 3rd

Friday 3rd April.

After breakfast Martin visited Bruce to collected his hire bike. He asked for the "***ist" bike in the shop but ended up with a smart hybrid but with racing tyres.Sue went walking and Martins bike was packed in the van for a ride from Ariany. The route was one we had done last year and went via Petra to the Bosch valley. Across to Sant Llorenc des Cardassar then to Manacor via the back roads. We wanted to be back in a reasonable time so them followed the cycle path alongside the motorway before cutting back to Petra and Ariany. The sun shone all day with temperatures in the hi teens. The bakery in San Llorenc was opened when we arrived. We were not shown their oven this year but the locals were arriving with trays of pies and Easter pastry's to bake. We shared a couple of wholemeal vegitarian pies and a meat pie with cheese followed by a sweet cheese pastry. ,After lunch we had had trouble finding the right road out of the village again but after a couple of detours eventually found ourselves on the Ma 4022. This year we took the minor track that cut the corner and got us off the main road. About 3km from Manacor we crossed a velo vert that opened in 2014 and runs for 29km along a former railway line from Manacor to Arte. We cycled the short section to Manacor and will do the rest of it this holiday..

We arrived back at 5:45 and had time for a shower been heading to Polleca for a meal and to see the Easter procession down the Calvari steeps. It was schedule to start at 9:00 but was nearly 10:00pm before the parade reached where we were standing on the steps.

Saturday 5th

A ride around the Orient

We took the van and parked on the roundabout at Binali again. This time we took the Cami due Muro towards Santa Maria. It was especilly busy and after a couple of attempts 2 of us found the road towards Bunyola. Robert left Lyn behind and chased a German cyclist and then tagged onto the back of a large group and had a tow for 5km to the roundabout where the road turns off towards Bunyola. He then cycled back to find Lyn. Where was Martin? Was he in front or had he stopped to take more photos? A couple of texts later and after we had decided to retrace our route to Santa Maria we had the answer. He was lost and try buy a map! We thought he was behind when we turned but he was stuck at the crossing. Arriving back in Santa Maria we found Matin and headed back to Bunyola. We were going to have a coffee in the main square but it was too busy and and we could smell cigarette smoke from our table. We decided to continue on to the Orient. The Col de Honour is 4.9km at 5.9 %  . Robert climbed most of the way following a couple of cyclists leaving them when they slowed towards the top

He then descended to meet Martin and Lyn and had a second more gental assent. Sleeves we put on for the descent then short climb to the Orient. The original plan was to eat in Aloro but it was 2;00 pm and we were getting by hungry so we stopped at bar in the Orient. Martin made the best choice of cold beer and hot pasta as dark clouds rolled over and the sun went in before our cool coffee,Pa amb Oli and salad arrived. We were cold before we finished and should have sat inside. Tops we put on for the short climb and then fast descent to Alaro. We cycled though the centre of the  town. The bakers had shut for the day so no chocolate cake this year. After a Robert's ramble we finally got on the correct road back to Santa Maria.and then retraced our steps to b

Binali.We had a few spots of rain ,dark threataning clouds and strong winds on the descent from Alaro.However the rain stayed away and Lyn and Martin's cunning plan of sending Robert to get the van was not required. An excellent ride of between 35 ,42 or 46 miles!

A ride from the apartment

Monday 6th

We awoke to clear sky's but it was cool. After some deliberation the correct tops were selected. Robert wore a gillet and Lyn had both a gillet and windproof top. Martin was in his Marks and Spencer's fleece. We took the back roads to Campanet .

The fate at the church Sant Miquel was just setting up. The cakes we just being put out but we were still full from breakfast so where not tempted.

It was then the long way to Moscsri where stopped for coffee at the bar near the church. We then backtracked towards Bonibona continuing to Calamari, Manor de la Vall and then downhill to Bimimar. We stopped last year at the bar Mallorca and planned to stop again. After a little joke from the proprietor about having no menus we all selected a mixed Pa amb oli washed down with a small beer from the carte. 3 very generous plates of food arrived which we all said was to much and was enough to shsred. However we managed to finish it.

The route after lunch had not been preplanned and rather than returning via Moscari we opted to continue to Inca via Lloseta and the take water lane to Sa Pobla.. Martin joined a team of cyclists complete with team car with flashing lights on the road out of Sa Pobla to the Parc natural de S'Albufera and had fast and easy couple of kms. Robert followed a couple of cars behind. After the parc it was the back roads to Port de Pollenca. Around trip of 52miles if you include going back to get Lyn another top. It was warm in the sunshine with a maximum temperature of around 17 degrees but with a cooling breeze.

Palma here we come.

After a little hassle as my combined case and bike box was 1kg over the 44kg allowance we finally checked in the bags. Fortunately I could add up at the check in staff thought I was 3kg over weight. The Jets computer had decided to split our seats a part. the lady at the customer service desk explained the technicalities of the computerised booking system, aircraft seating plans etc. At a cost of £7.50 it was sorted and after a short delay where the the hand bags are screened we made it to the departure lounge. Just time for a pasty and coffee before our flight.