May 27, 2022
Escorca to Sa calobra to Alcudia
Today was the big day we were going to tackle one of the "epic" and "must-do before you die" rides: Sa Calobra.
Not quite up for the full, epic, 120km, we arranged for a taxi to take us 40km, which got us to the top of the first pass. Despite analyzing the weather forecasts for the best day this week, it started raining on the drive but our spirits were un-dampened as we unloaded and started on the big ride. The first 10km were a pleasant, gentle up and down on winding roads through forested hillsides. A few cars passed as well a couple of tour buses that were frighteningly large and fast going by, and, of course, lots of cyclists. Looking across and down to jagged rocky mountains, the scene was all the more atmospheric under low clouds and rainy skies. After riding under an old aquduct, we turned onto the road to Sa Calobra and, soaking wet from the rain, were glad to get to some serious climbing on the first set of switchbacks to help us warm up.
Getting to the Coll del Reis (our highest pass on Mallorca) the first time was easy and what a sight greeted us on the other side: switchbacks disappearing down a steep mountain side that seemed to go on forever. Elated, we dove in and flew down. As well as regular photo pauses, we actually had to stop a few times to rest our hands that were cramping from holding the brakes. For 13km we zigged and zagged until we were back at sea level. The bay of Sa Calobra has beautiful, turquoise water and dramatic cliffs, but surprisingly to us, is also a tacky tourist trap full of not very athletic people who had come on tour buses. Steven joined the throngs for the walk through tunnels to see the river valley and gorge, then we ate a pasta lunch as fuel for the big climb. Yes, that delightful 13km down was now a long and slow, but perhaps even more beautiful, ride up -and we certainly had time to look at the scenery! As the Fenwicks had told us a few days before, the climb wasn't actually as bad as we feared. This is probably because it never gets very steep with a posted gradient of 6-7%, which is less exhausting than those 10% + hills. The sky had finally cleared, but it still wasn't too hot as we plodded along for almost two hours to get back to the Coll del Reis, 682m. The view was even better now that we had cycled down and up all those switchbacks.
We had gone 42km and climbed over 1000m by the time we got back to where the taxi dropped us off, but we still had a long way to get home. "We are only here once", we said as we chose the more scenic route, over the Coll de Femina to Pollenca. Riding on adrenaline, the kms flew by as we traversed a wide, forested valley, then crossed the Femina pass at 515m. Yet another long downhill for 10km into the outskirts of Pollenca, and a final 15km home to Alcudia.
Steven re-energized with a swim in the sea, then after showers and a change of clothes, we were ready to tackle that buffet and wine list to celebrate an epic day! 80km and 1,345m of climbing -a new record for us!
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Today's ride: 80 km (50 miles)
Total: 2,144 km (1,331 miles)
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