Bob on BAC Majorca 2007

View of the coast from the ferry


View of part of the climb

The Ride - We met at 9:30 to take the 10:00 ferry to sa Calobra. When we got to the ferry terminal, we found that the ferry schedule had changed and we couldn't leave until 11:00. This was just a minor glitch. The ferry ride was beautiful along the cliffs of this part of the island. We talked to a German cyclist about the ride and he he gave us some tips about the climb. He had been here a few years running and knew the route well. It is a "must do" for cyclists who visit the island. I fueled up by eating a small sandwich on the ferry.

In Mallorca, sa calobra means "the snake". The ride starts at sea level and rises 2400 feet in 10 kilometers on a twisty road with countless switchbacks. Hence, the name "snake".

We began the climb immediately after we got off of the ferry. I rode with Tom Grant, Rod Harmon and Peter Krichman. The weather became very warm so the grade of 6 - 10% was a good workout. There was very little traffic coming up the hill and a lot of traffic going down the hill. The downhill traffic included a lot of tour buses. Apparently, the buses take people on tours and end up in sa Calobra so that they can take the ferry back to Port de Soller. Once they empty out, they pick up people that have arrived by ferry and take them back up the hill to where ever. This works out well because buses couldn't pass each other in opposite directions. I had to stop a couple of times so that buses could make it around the corner withour running me over.

It was a terrific climb with lots of scenic lookouts. At the top of the climb, we dropped down a few hundred feet and stopped at an outdoor snack shop where we merged into yesterday's route. I ate a sandwich, a banana and a Snicker's Bar and drank an orange Fanta. After that, we traced the end of yesterday's route climbing another 1000 feet and dropping 2400 feet back to Port de Soller.

Google Earth

Sunset in Port de Soller

The Hotel - This was the second night in Port de Soller at the Hotel Los Geranios.

The Food - Breakfast was the same type of buffet as the day before in the previous hotel.

I ate a small ham and cheese sandwich on the ferry and another one at the top of the climb.

For dinner Bill, Steve and I went to El Patio which was a few doors from the hotel. I had a large salad with a big, round slab of warm goat cheese, red and green peppers, cucumbers, corn, etc. I also had spaghetti with a creamy Gorgonzola sauce and peppercorns. Yummy and filling!

Non-Cycling Activity - Happy hour was on the terrace in front of the hotel. For drinks, we had sangria.

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