10-17 October 2021 Inzain arranged a gravel week in Mallorca. We were 13 people who went and we had a great time. The weather was ideal, 23 degrees, sun and not much wind.
We stayed in Alaró, a centrally located village far from the tourist trail at the foot of the Orient. To make it as pleasant as possible, we had rented a Mansion of just over 1,000 square meters. In addition to the pool and yoga room (!) the house also has its own wine cellar. The house is an old olive factory that our hostess has tastefully renovated into an apartment hotel.
After everyone arrived and was picked up by our private transfer to the house, the bikes were assembled. We have a mech stand, digital torque wrench, pump and all other tools that may be needed on site.
Checkout Ride, after the assembly we drove a shorter ride (55km) with a mix of asphalt and gravel, partly to feel the surface and partly to check that everything is ok with the bikes. In the evening, welcome cava and Mexican dinner were offered in the house.
On Monday we drove an approx. 10-mile long tour that starts directly from the House, it winds around the plains with coffee at an agro-hotel and then lunch in Sineu, before we, via an old Ruin and incredible roads, find our way back to Alaró. Once there, Risto had managed a real barbecue dinner which we enjoyed with wine, beer and lots of laughs.
Tuesday, time for the first tour with our local Guide, the eminent Martin. He had created a tour around Campos. Helt nytt område för mig och vi fick uppleva en otrolig variation med grusväg, stig, single-track och fantastiska vyer. Utan honom hade vi aldrig kunnat finna många av dessa pärlor. Vi hade privat buss som tog oss dit och hem. Vissa valde dock att ta landsväg åter istället. Vi kom fram samtidigt, då vi andra var “forced” dricka en öl eller två i Campos.
Wednesday turned out well as a rest day, many went down to Palma for a little walk and shopping. The Rapha store received a visit. Others took the opportunity to relax in Alaró and soak up the sun by the pool.
On Thursday some chose to drive Berg on asphalt. A tip is to bring two pairs of wheels if you have rough tires for gravel. Those of us who didn't want to drive mountains took a trip to Albufera, the national park very close to Alcudia. It offered quite a few adventures, such as losing the battery for the SRAM AXS and a broken chain! But everything worked out and we had a great day. As it was getting late, we chose to take the train home from Sa Pobla. In the evening, there was wine tasting and a lecture by Dan from the new Bodegan, see Rotes. Home-made Tapas were served to it in can Fressa's own wine cellar, said Portassa. Yum!
Sineu was on the turn Friday. Martin had created a tough adventure in the mountains around the city, a lot of real Hike-a-Bike but also very nice roads. Double figs were required. Mallorca has an excellent train network that allows bicycles, a great way to avoid transport and use the whole island.
Saturday it was the end and we had saved the best for last. Parc Llenfant north of Arta, where we were driven by our private transport. Unbelievably beautiful but also very tough, steep slopes and some HAB but well worth it. After lunch in Arta, via Verde was used, a disused railway which is now an excellent dirt road and then some exciting small dirt roads back to Manacor before the train home to Alaró. In the house we had arranged with a Paella chef who created a great meal that was enjoyed with better wines from sa Portassa.
Everyone packed their bikes for the trip home on Sunday, and plans for the next trip began to be made.
A few words from the participants.
“I thought the tours were good. Very varied. It is very good to alternate between gravel and asphalt so that you strain different parts of the body. Gravel requires a lot of focus on the surface, and then it's nice to be able to rest your head every now and then."
“I think the arrangement itself was great. The house was REALLY good with a fantastic setting and a generous and nice hostess. I especially like that you don't make the arrangement too big. When you land in large sports hotels with corridors, you lose the sense of the group of friends."
We run next time during Easter 2022, 8-18 April.
