Majorca May 2017 by Roy Jackson
Saturday 6th May 2017
Ruth gave Sue and John, Steve L and Roy a lift to Penrith to catch the 10:45am train to Manchester Airport. The group was joined a little later by Michelle and Peter.
The plane took off 45minutes late due to problems with a battery in a wheelchair! A further delay at Palma, because a mini bus driver had to pick up five more passengers from a Liverpool flight. So a very tired group didn't arrive in Can Picafort until 11:30pm!
Sunday 7th May 2017
The morning was spent getting fixed up with bikes. Michelle and Peter hiring electric bikes from Dieter.
After meeting up for lunch at Raphas, the group rode round the bay to Alcadia, stopping at the cafe overlooking the bay for a drink, the group met Anne and Derek, then rode back to Can Picafort, calling at Hurzellers Boutique on the way back. The evening was spent in Raphas Bar.
Monday 8th May 2017
11am start with temperature at 280c.
Riding past the Stables to Red Rum for coffee, then to Palenca for lunch. Then via old Palenca back to the Stables for afternoon tea, arriving in Can Picafort about 6pm.
In the evening everyone met at the Concord for a nightcap.
Tuesday 9th May 2017
A very warm day – 280c.
After at 10:30am start the group rode via the cabbage patch round past Sa Pobla to the Coves at de Campanet for coffee. Then via Campenet Village to Buger for lunch at the Bakery.
The route back was via country lanes passing the Windmills to Muro, then several hills with a headwind made it a hard ride back to Can Picafort, with the last few miles on the main road.
Wednesday 10th May 2017
Very warm again.
10:30am start, riding out past the windmills and seeing a horse and sulky being driven round a dirt track. Then through Muro to Sinau, where Maggie and Stewart went to the market and the rest of the group went to the cafe beside the Velodrome, where Steve and Roy did several laps. The along quiet lanes to Llubi where the group met up with Maggie and Stewart again for lunch.
Then more country lanes passing Sa Pobla and the windmills, finishing on the main road, where Steve L collided with a wall, causing a few grazes to an arm and a leg.
Peter and Michelle swapped bikes and had a ride to Alcudia.
Thursday 11th May 2017
Another warm day and a 1030am start! It should have been 10am but Roy was late!!
Steve L had stomach cramps during the night so decided not to ride – as did Sue and John as John wasn't feeling too well either.
The rest of the group, with Peter and Michelle on the “E-Bikes”, first to Sa Pobla, then to the Coves de Campanet for coffee. Then very pleasant country lanes passing Polenca to Cala san Vincenc where we stopped for lunch and were joined by Sue and John. Peter was disappointed because he was looking forward to a sardine lunch and the cafe had run out of them.
The group returned via Alcudia and passed a house with turkeys on the gate post, once owned by Bernard Mathews.
The evening was spent at Raphas.
Friday 12th May 2017
Overcast and much cooler.
Roy, Janet and Ivan left at 1030am. Starting on country lanes with lots of wild flowers on the verges. Some long hills and a strong headwind made it a hard ride to Petra for lunch. Sunshine after lunch and a welcome tailwind.
Maggie and Stewart went via Maria de la Solud and then up the long climb to Lae.
John and Sue and Steve L went for a ride together later. John and Steve L feeling a bit better.
Saturday 13th May 2017
Another warm day.
Peter and Michelle flew home.
John was not feeling well and stayed in his room.
Roy, Steve L and Ivan left at 1045am heading for Muro, and after about 5 miles the road was closed because the cycling part of the “Iron Man” event was taking place. Turning around and taking the first, then then right again, they reached Muro by a new route, passing fields full of lettuce, cabbage and barley. Coffee stop in Muro. Then towards Sa Pobla and visit to the S'Albefura Nature Reserve. Quite a few wading birds but non that anyone could identify. Next to Alcudia, then to Can Picafort for a late lunch at Scandals.
Janet went for a ride with her cousin and husband to Lluli, Sinau, Maria de le Salud and Muro for lunch, returning to Scandals for tea.
Maggie and Stewart rode to Petra, then a 3.5k climb up Bon Any Hermitage, then back to Petra for lunch.
Sunday 14th May 2017
Another hot day.
John and Sue had another day off.
Roy and Steve L took the coast road to Alcudia, then Polenca for coffee at Daina Hotel, then the long climb up the road to Formentor as far as the viewpoint. After an enjoyable run down it was lunch at a Chinese Restaurant in Polenca. Then a ride back along the coast road.
Ivan and Janet cycled along country lanes in the direction of Arta.
Maggie and Stewart spent some time at the market in old Alcudia.
Monday 15th May 2017
Bright sunshine once again.
Sue and John, who was feeling better , Ivan and Janet, Steve L and Roy left at 1030am. Country lanes to Sa Pobla and coffee in a cafe on the edge of town. More lanes to Polenca Golf Club, where it was the chefs day off, so lunch was a drink and a large bag of crisps each. After lunch a pleasant ride back, calling at Max Hurzellers in Can Picafort on the way back.
Maggie and Stewart rode as far as Montiuri, clocking up 90k.
Tuesday 16th May 2017
John and Sue, Roy, Steve L, Janet and Ivan, Anne and Derek left at 1030am in warm sunshine along the bay road to Alcudia and Red Rum for coffee. With Anne in the lead the group followed the Red and Blue cycle tracks to Polenca, then to Cala San Vicenc. First to stop at the La Moraleja 4* hotel to look at the vintage cars in the showroom. A Rolls Royce, 2 Jaguars, a Cobra and several motorbikes. Then down the hill to the cafe by the river, where the group were joined Steve L's daughter, Angela, and her partner Steve. They were having a short break in Cala.
Taking a different route back, passing Bernard Mathews villa again, a stop was made at the Stables for a cold drink and to cool off. The temperature was 280c
Maggie and Stewart rode to Alcudia and went for a walk up Talaia d' Alcudia 444metres.
Wednesday 17th May 2017
Janet and Ivan, Sue and John packed up their bikes and spent the day in Can Pickafort.
Stewart and Maggie had a ride to Petra.
Roy and Steve L rode in very hot sun to Muro where they had a drink and a rest in the shade. Then to Santa Margalida and back to Muro for lunch at the Patisserie. Then back to Can Picafort to return their bikes to Dieter.
Thursday 18th May 2017
The group boarded to Minibus at 7:50am to Palma for the flight home. John and Sue returned by train from Manchester. Steve and Roy getting a lift home with Angela
Saturday 6th May 2017
Ruth gave Sue and John, Steve L and Roy a lift to Penrith to catch the 10:45am train to Manchester Airport. The group was joined a little later by Michelle and Peter.
The plane took off 45minutes late due to problems with a battery in a wheelchair! A further delay at Palma, because a mini bus driver had to pick up five more passengers from a Liverpool flight. So a very tired group didn't arrive in Can Picafort until 11:30pm!
Sunday 7th May 2017
The morning was spent getting fixed up with bikes. Michelle and Peter hiring electric bikes from Dieter.
After meeting up for lunch at Raphas, the group rode round the bay to Alcadia, stopping at the cafe overlooking the bay for a drink, the group met Anne and Derek, then rode back to Can Picafort, calling at Hurzellers Boutique on the way back. The evening was spent in Raphas Bar.
Monday 8th May 2017
11am start with temperature at 280c.
Riding past the Stables to Red Rum for coffee, then to Palenca for lunch. Then via old Palenca back to the Stables for afternoon tea, arriving in Can Picafort about 6pm.
In the evening everyone met at the Concord for a nightcap.
Tuesday 9th May 2017
A very warm day – 280c.
After at 10:30am start the group rode via the cabbage patch round past Sa Pobla to the Coves at de Campanet for coffee. Then via Campenet Village to Buger for lunch at the Bakery.
The route back was via country lanes passing the Windmills to Muro, then several hills with a headwind made it a hard ride back to Can Picafort, with the last few miles on the main road.
Wednesday 10th May 2017
Very warm again.
10:30am start, riding out past the windmills and seeing a horse and sulky being driven round a dirt track. Then through Muro to Sinau, where Maggie and Stewart went to the market and the rest of the group went to the cafe beside the Velodrome, where Steve and Roy did several laps. The along quiet lanes to Llubi where the group met up with Maggie and Stewart again for lunch.
Then more country lanes passing Sa Pobla and the windmills, finishing on the main road, where Steve L collided with a wall, causing a few grazes to an arm and a leg.
Peter and Michelle swapped bikes and had a ride to Alcudia.
Thursday 11th May 2017
Another warm day and a 1030am start! It should have been 10am but Roy was late!!
Steve L had stomach cramps during the night so decided not to ride – as did Sue and John as John wasn't feeling too well either.
The rest of the group, with Peter and Michelle on the “E-Bikes”, first to Sa Pobla, then to the Coves de Campanet for coffee. Then very pleasant country lanes passing Polenca to Cala san Vincenc where we stopped for lunch and were joined by Sue and John. Peter was disappointed because he was looking forward to a sardine lunch and the cafe had run out of them.
The group returned via Alcudia and passed a house with turkeys on the gate post, once owned by Bernard Mathews.
The evening was spent at Raphas.
Friday 12th May 2017
Overcast and much cooler.
Roy, Janet and Ivan left at 1030am. Starting on country lanes with lots of wild flowers on the verges. Some long hills and a strong headwind made it a hard ride to Petra for lunch. Sunshine after lunch and a welcome tailwind.
Maggie and Stewart went via Maria de la Solud and then up the long climb to Lae.
John and Sue and Steve L went for a ride together later. John and Steve L feeling a bit better.
Saturday 13th May 2017
Another warm day.
Peter and Michelle flew home.
John was not feeling well and stayed in his room.
Roy, Steve L and Ivan left at 1045am heading for Muro, and after about 5 miles the road was closed because the cycling part of the “Iron Man” event was taking place. Turning around and taking the first, then then right again, they reached Muro by a new route, passing fields full of lettuce, cabbage and barley. Coffee stop in Muro. Then towards Sa Pobla and visit to the S'Albefura Nature Reserve. Quite a few wading birds but non that anyone could identify. Next to Alcudia, then to Can Picafort for a late lunch at Scandals.
Janet went for a ride with her cousin and husband to Lluli, Sinau, Maria de le Salud and Muro for lunch, returning to Scandals for tea.
Maggie and Stewart rode to Petra, then a 3.5k climb up Bon Any Hermitage, then back to Petra for lunch.
Sunday 14th May 2017
Another hot day.
John and Sue had another day off.
Roy and Steve L took the coast road to Alcudia, then Polenca for coffee at Daina Hotel, then the long climb up the road to Formentor as far as the viewpoint. After an enjoyable run down it was lunch at a Chinese Restaurant in Polenca. Then a ride back along the coast road.
Ivan and Janet cycled along country lanes in the direction of Arta.
Maggie and Stewart spent some time at the market in old Alcudia.
Monday 15th May 2017
Bright sunshine once again.
Sue and John, who was feeling better , Ivan and Janet, Steve L and Roy left at 1030am. Country lanes to Sa Pobla and coffee in a cafe on the edge of town. More lanes to Polenca Golf Club, where it was the chefs day off, so lunch was a drink and a large bag of crisps each. After lunch a pleasant ride back, calling at Max Hurzellers in Can Picafort on the way back.
Maggie and Stewart rode as far as Montiuri, clocking up 90k.
Tuesday 16th May 2017
John and Sue, Roy, Steve L, Janet and Ivan, Anne and Derek left at 1030am in warm sunshine along the bay road to Alcudia and Red Rum for coffee. With Anne in the lead the group followed the Red and Blue cycle tracks to Polenca, then to Cala San Vicenc. First to stop at the La Moraleja 4* hotel to look at the vintage cars in the showroom. A Rolls Royce, 2 Jaguars, a Cobra and several motorbikes. Then down the hill to the cafe by the river, where the group were joined Steve L's daughter, Angela, and her partner Steve. They were having a short break in Cala.
Taking a different route back, passing Bernard Mathews villa again, a stop was made at the Stables for a cold drink and to cool off. The temperature was 280c
Maggie and Stewart rode to Alcudia and went for a walk up Talaia d' Alcudia 444metres.
Wednesday 17th May 2017
Janet and Ivan, Sue and John packed up their bikes and spent the day in Can Pickafort.
Stewart and Maggie had a ride to Petra.
Roy and Steve L rode in very hot sun to Muro where they had a drink and a rest in the shade. Then to Santa Margalida and back to Muro for lunch at the Patisserie. Then back to Can Picafort to return their bikes to Dieter.
Thursday 18th May 2017
The group boarded to Minibus at 7:50am to Palma for the flight home. John and Sue returned by train from Manchester. Steve and Roy getting a lift home with Angela