Mallorca 2007 Pics Bob on BAC Majorca 2007

  • May 4 - Loop to Cap de Formentor
    Mallorca Pics
    Me at Cap de Formentor

    Mallorca Pics
    View of the coast

    The Ride - To any cyclist on Mallorca, this ride is a must-do. It is one of the most spectacular rides on the island. The west coast of Mallorca is covered with high, jagged, mountainous cliffs that drop down to the sea and range from the north to the south. Today's ride took us to the northern-most point of the island and back.


    We began the ride going parallel to the harbor heading in the northeasterly direction until we got out of town. Then we began a 700-foot climb for about three miles along the first cliff. At the top of the climb there was a turn-off to a viewing area. I decided to stop there on the way back. We started our ride early enought so there wasn't much traffic and I wanted to get to Cap de Formentor before it picked up.


    The road then dropped down to sea-level and traveled upward again through a pretty forested area. At a point just past the forest, we had to go through an unlit tunnel. All you could see in the tunnel was the light at the other end. It was very dark. I couldn't see the raod surface or the walls of the tunnel I got really disoriented and shakey. For safety reasons, I almost got off of my bicycle to walk the rest of the way. Fortunately, a car came up behind me with its lights on so I could see well enough to keep going.


    The road continued up, then down, then up again along the cliffs to the lighthouse at the end of the road. The views of the cliffs and the sea were gorgeous.


    I spent some time there taking pictures and looking at the views. There were lots of cyclists who made the trip. I'm pretty sure we outnumbered the cars, although the motoring tourists were getting thicker. There were two very tame goats greeting us looking for handouts. I saw one of them eat a cyclist's banana peel. There was no garbage on the ground here!


    I turned around and began my ride back to the start. The traffic - cars, buses and bicycles - had really picked up. This was really evident at the viewing area that I passed up after the first climb. It was filled with cars and buses. This time I stopped to take some more pictures. I met Peter and Rod here and we flew down the hill to the bottom. They went on to Pollensa while I went back to the hotel.


    Final stats:


    Google Earth


    Mallorca Pics
    Sunrise at the hotel

    The Hotel - This is the second night at the Hotel Miramar.


    The Food - Breakfast at the Hotel Miramar was a buffet that seemed to specialize in the British palatte. There were eggs, stewed tomatos, baked beans, sausages, fresh fruit, cereals, breads, cheese, meats, etc.


    Bill and I went to lunch together in a small cafe up the pedestrian walkway. I had a good pasta carbonara that filled me up until happy hour. No mid-day snacks.


    To top off the day, we found a small restaurant on the town square where we had some good pizza.


    Non-Cycling Activity - We had a good happy hour with a couple of cheeses, prociutto, wine, etc. I used the hotel's free wifi to get on the internet to catch up on my blog and email.


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