The Queen Stage

Today’s ride was one for the record books. We cycled the Col de Sa Calobra, the Col de Soller, down Puig Major and alongside the second deepest gorge in Europe. All totaled, almost 9,000 feet of climbing and approximately 80 miles. Just for a little perspective, we started climbing at mile six and ascended over 5,000 feet by before we hit mile 30. Time on the bike, just under eight hours. I’ll never complain about the West Side Hills again!

Cycling on Mallorca is exciting, thrilling, but also can be down-right dangerous. Several times today we had to pause because tour buses were taking almost the entire road crowing out anything in their path; including bikers. You can imagine what they were going on the hairpin turns. On the climb back up the Col de Sa Calobra, we came across a stand-off between a bus and the car. The road was not wide enough for them to pass, but neither driver was willing to throw their vehicle into reverse to let the other pass. It was actually a good time to be on a bike as the traffic was piling up in both directions. 

Despite all the road and traffic chaos, the climbs were manageable. Long, but with about 5%-7% average grade. I was told the Col de Sa Calobra hit 12% in a few places, but I was too numb to know. I got so cold on the decent I was trying to use the climb just to thaw out.

For me, there was one amazing moment I’ll never forget. For only about a minute, I was alone on Col de Sa Calobra. Somehow, I was between groups of cyclists and there was no traffic. It was spectacular. I could see cyclists ahead either climbing or descending toward me and there was no vehicle  traffic. It was quite and bare, granite mountains breath taking. But, all too soon it ended as yet another tour bus came down the mountain.

I’ve included some photos from today’s ride. Many thanks to Jonathan and Mike! 

Tomorrow is the Deia Loop - only 7,000 feet  and 71 mile.