March 2017 | 153
At the summit the views back down to Soller are breathtaking and give a real sense of conquering a coll . As we speed along the ultra smooth rolling roads , Stephen Roche rides up alongside me , so I grab the chance while I can - to chat with him about , among other things , the TT at Futuroscope , his travails with the tifosi during the ’ 87 Giro and how equipment has changed and improved over the years . Stephen chats away and it ’ s fascinating , there ’ s so much more I want to ask . However , the roads kick up and a glance at my Garmin tells me my heart rate is 185bpm . I manage to mutter that I ’ m cooked . So with a pat on the back , Roche sails off up the hill to chat with other , fitter riders . It ’ s very impressive and I notice the effortless acceleration and stylish efficiency of the way he spins the pedals , a riding style he was famed for in his pro days .
That cheeky little ascent has brought us to the beginning of today ’ s main event : Sa Calobra is the resort at the base of the Coll des Reis and there ’ s no other road out so it ’ s a question of down then back up , meaning you get to understand how much you ’ re going to be suffering in half an hour ’ s time . The descent is exhilarating : steep , plunging hairpins and fast wide sweeps left and right , fingers constantly poised on the brake levers . I ride down with Andreu and try to follow his experienced line through the corners . By the time we reach the bottom my fingers are aching from pulling on the brakes but the adrenalin is rushing and I ’ m eager to climb back up .
The sign at the base says 9.5KM at 7 % but this is far from an easy climb . There are devilishly steep sections upsetting any notions of spinning up at a constant pace . After begging my way up steep 12 % sections the summit is in sight but not before a leg stinging final push .
At the awaiting support car , I replenish my bottles for the blast back to the café , the C ’ an Gallet , where fast finishers are already tucking in at a huge table laden with local cheeses , meats and cakes . Then it ’ s into the minibus back to the hotel for much-needed rest .
DAY 2 With my legs still feeling the exertions of yesterday ’ s efforts it ’ s some relief to look at today ’ s route and note the gentle elevation profile . The only slight issue is the forecast for rain . Sure enough , the moment we set off , rain starts to fall . I packed for all weathers as only a pessimistic northern European can and am decked in rain jacket , legwarmers and cap under the helmet .
The ride is named ‘ The Cake Route ’ as our mid-point coffee destination is Celler Sa Sini in Santa Maria del Cani . Today ’ s ride captains speak in reverent tones of the delights that await us . After 40km of riding in the wet we arrive at the café and are warmly greeted by the patron who is standing by a wall of cakes of every description . There are healthy options of granola or flapjacks but an ostentatious gateau is winking at me , decision made , coffee in hand we move outside to the sheltered terrace . The beauty of riding in a group is the humour that pervades when the elements are unfavourable . Eating delicious cakes helps morale of course but there is a shared experience of effort and the camaraderie of a group of people who love cycling whatever the weather .
With the rain getting heavier and visibility an issue , the ride captains decide to cut the rest of the route short . So , it ’ s a team time trial back to the hotel with only a four km at an average of 3 % to blast over . I arrive back soaked to the skin , exhausted but happy .
Nearly at the summit in time for coffee and cake
The Sa Calobra is an amazing feat of engineering