I was going to just do one big post at the end of the trip, but todays ride had some great sights.

The trip over seemed never ending, door to door just a shade over 24 hours of travel....ugh. short nap, put the bikes together, watch the Giro live on Eurosport, then hit the town. Woke up this morning to perfect weather.

For those who have not been to Mallorca it is an island off the coast of Spain that has been taken over by German and English tourist looking for sun and a cheap holiday. It is also hugely popular with cyclist looking for a dry place to train in the winter. Many Pro teams have their training camps here (Telekom of course) and the Islands government sponsors Valverde's Caisse d'Epargne team. The riding is great, good climbs as well as flats and plenty of great scenery.

Todays ride was cruise out to Cap de Formentor. About 3000 feet of rolling climbs on narrow cliff side roads. Tomorrow we are heading up the Puig Major, the highest point of the island at about 5300 feet. Should be fun.

A few more pics

Wow -- outstanding land- and sea-scapes! Looks like I'm going to have to find some way of arranging a "work" trip there! How are the beaches? Have the jellyfish hit them as hard as on the Costa Brava a few weeks ago? Also -- I do hope that you are going to do the Puig Major 2-3 times as some pre-Marmotte intervals! ... and that you will be going light on the Tapas!! :thumbsup:

Look forward to the next set of pics!

Philippe

ummmmm........WOW!!!!!

Are you at the Roche cycling camp or doing it on your own? If you can, ask as much about the weather at different times of the year as possible. Thanks and keep the pics coming. - TF

Thanks for the pics. I used to be in the Navy and our supply ship pulled into Palma regularly. Met my first wife there, she was English and had a small tourist business running visitors around the main island. Her parents had a home in Soller (just up the mountain from the port town). What a great place it is. I also enjoyed Ibiza, but that's another story.

i've been to ibiza.

the balearic islands (mallorca, menorca, ibiza and formentera) are fantastic.

Wow. Absolutely stunning. Thanks for the pictures!!

-Rob

Check out the stairs next to the tunnel... CX action!

I am not here on a tour, just my wife and I. I am actually here on "Business". My company has this annual award dinner and I am receiving an award....I have no idea what the award is for but I was not about to turn down a free trip for the wife and I.

Today I was going to go up the Pug Major but I got a little side tracked. Still did 4 hours and 5500 feet but not the death ride I was looking for. Beautiful roaming hills I hope to try again on Wednesday, going to ride thru the mountains and meet my wife for lunch in Soller.

I left the camera at home today, but here are some pictures from diner last night....man it was good, so much for my diet.

The weather is perfect right now, and from what I hear it is great most of the year. Jan and Feb can be cold and the summers are supposed to be very hot but right now is perfect. Heading to the beach tomorrow, gonna watch out for the jellyfish....but they most likely will not come close to my beach chair and beer.

I am not here on a tour, just my wife and I. I am actually here on "Business". My company has this annual award dinner and I am receiving an award....I have no idea what the award is for but I was not about to turn down a free trip for the wife and I.

Today I was going to go up the Pug Major but I got a little side tracked. Still did 4 hours and 5500 feet but not the death ride I was looking for. Beautiful roaming hills I hope to try again on Wednesday, going to ride thru the mountains and meet my wife for lunch in Soller.

I left the camera at home today, but here are some pictures from diner last night....man it was good, so much for my diet.

The weather is perfect right now, and from what I hear it is great most of the year. Jan and Feb can be cold and the summers are supposed to be very hot but right now is perfect. Heading to the beach tomorrow, gonna watch out for the jellyfish....but they most likely will not come close to my beach chair and beer.

Forget the riding -- let's see some more pictures of the FOOD! Looks absolutely salivitatious!

Wow. You photoshopped the pictures to make the water look that blue?

The only thing I did with the pics was hit the "I feel lucky" button in Picassa, and it really didn't change them that much. The water really is that blue.

So I figured out why I could not get to the top of the Puig Major, it turns out that it is on a Military base and is only open once a year. Oh well, still gonna shoot for 4-5 hours of climbing tomorrow.

Some more pics, more food and churches...I am pretty sure that plate of Steak au Povre will add at least 5 minutes to my time in the Marmotte this year

this thread does not suck. looks like an awesome place to spend a week or three.

The only thing I did with the pics was hit the "I feel lucky" button in Picassa, and it really didn't change them that much. The water really is that blue.

So I figured out why I could not get to the top of the Puig Major, it turns out that it is on a Military base and is only open once a year. Oh well, still gonna shoot for 4-5 hours of climbing tomorrow.

Some more pics, more food and churches...I am pretty sure that plate of Steak au Povre will add at least 5 minutes to my time in the Marmotte this year

Maybe not -- there is a lot of downhill riding in the Marmotte!

This is the least suckiest travel post ... ever!

I want names and addresses of restaurants when you get back!

How are the S&S's holding up?

Philippe