First and foremost I would like to thank Gary Fry for riding out to meet us on today´s ride!
Luckily we awoke to a fantastic day, warm with blue skies, which in reality was a blessing as this was going to be a tough day with two training segments planned, one on the 5km climb of Randa and one on the longer and steeper San Salvador climb. As Randa was fairly close we decided to make a round-about ride to the climb to give us chance to warm-up before the purgatory starts!
The idea on the first segment was each rider to complete 6 x 10 secs hard accelerations, jumping hard from the back of the group for 10secs on 39 x 16, as soon as he sits down the next rider goes and so on until each rider completes 6 efforts. Impressive was the only way to describe how the lads rode, even new boy Glen, who´s motto is Í´ll have a go´ performed brilliantly! Not forgetting his dad Kev, who has only been riding and racing for two seasons showed some true Lancashire grit!
At the top, it was a case of a quick team photo of the magnificent view and then it was off down the decent and onto San Salvador, over an hour´s ride away, which was a perfect opportunity to rid ourselves of any lactic build up. Gary couldn´t have timed it better as he was just beginning to climb Randa as we all came hurtling down to the village. I´ll tell ya, to say this guy is tanned , is an understatement, he looked as he had been dipped in dark wood stain, we were just so jealous, looking like six pale face riders just been released from winter hibernation...between Gert & Gary it would be very difficult to bet on who´s the darkest!
Gary took us on from Randa, as he knows most, if not all the islands traffic free roads, which was great as it allowed the riders to relax and enjoy what Mallorca has to offer, fantastic cycling!
Arriving at San Salvador, we prepared for the second training segment, a power effort, with each rider climbing on 53 x 16 seated all the way. This was going to be tough as some areas the gradient rises to 14% and coupled with the length, it made for a very interesting segment. Obviously it split on the way up, with Marcus and Spenno showing some very good condition by pushing on, with Waz, Glen & Gary (don´t think he participted, climbing at his own pace) following a few hairpins behind no doubt suffering just as much. Kev (nicknamed Peligro) who was riding with us at the front, albeit, on the small chainring, nearly wiped himself out, not once, but twice, first with another rider descending fast round a corner, followed by a car, who rightly shouted some Spanish expletives out the window...right side Peligro!
Nearing the top Marcus who was showing great strength, suddenly had to ease off, with his back forcing him to take the last 500m or so on an easier gear, leaving Spenno riding strong and constant to arrive at the top shortly after Peligro. Once again everyone completed the segment in one way or another, which was great and made all the more worthwhile once they got to the Monastery and the unbelievable views stretching as far as the eye could see in every direction.
Again a quick photo opportunity and then off down the fantastic decent to Felanitx for a well deserved cold drink and light lunch and a chance to catch up with Gary.
Parting ways Gary made for home, just 15km or so away and we headed in the direction of Campos, then onto the coast road back to Arenal. The Campos road, was not ideal, a main road which was very straight and open. Spenno and Waz were on the front giving it a regular tempo of 32kph into a hefty breeze and all credit, kept it going for the whole time to Campos. From then on it was a case of everyone having a spell on the front and keeping the momentum to add to the training effect!
Once on the coast road,´have-a-go´ Glen was suffering, the distance was taking it´s toll, not surprisingly, but tenacity is definitely his strong point as he never gave up!
On the long decent into Arenal, Waz and Spenno shot off, racing down at well over 55kph, and why not, working on the down bits is rarely done and can be so effective for leg speed! Most like to race up the hills and glide down the other side...Cancellara is a prime example of continuing his racing effort over a climb, he can put minutes into riders with his superlative descending skills!
Again a great day, finished off with refreshing beer and a last bit of afternoon sun...this is how it should be!
Ride summary - route: rolling + 2 monastery climbs, 138km, training segment: 2
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