Mallorca, Spain Trip

A group of 5 went to Mallorca, Spain for a training week. We organized this through Stephen Roche cycling camps. If you don't know about Mallorca (which I didn't until this trip), it is an island of Spain east of Valencia. It is known to be a popular destination for professional cyclists to train there because of the challenging terrain and outstanding weather. Mallorca has over 315 days of sunshine per year so it is a very popular vacation destination and has become a popular place to cycle. This time of the year was a perfect time to go and train because the tourist season hasn't started yet so there are not a ton of people on the roads. The weather got up into the mid to high 60's during the day. I rode in shorts everyday and started the day with arm warmers but quickly took them off.

Stephen Roche has set up a terrific camp with group leaders each day at varying cycling paces, a very nice hotel with buffet breakfasts and dinners. As we flew over the island, you can see the vast mountain ranges on the island and soon realized we were in for some challenging days ahead.

I was immediately in awe of the terrain as soon as we ventured on our first ride from the hotel. We passed beautiful pastures of green grass, herds of sheep with their little bells on, and gorgeous views of the countryside. Day 1, the group set out at a moderate pace to warm up the legs. I had not been riding outside since the fall so I didn't know what to expect. I had some technical problems with my bike for the first 25 miles of the ride so it was frustrating. I didn't want to stop to slow the group down so I put up with it until we stopped at the halfway point to make adjustments to my derailler. The climb to Soller was beautiful with over 20 switchbacks and was immediately in a great place. My legs felt strong and was just happy to be there. After 50+ miles, I went out for a transition run of 3.25 miles, then a cold plunge in the pool, some stretching, then lunch, and a good nap. Dinner followed and back to bed for the night.

Day 2 was a shorter day of just 30 miles but a few harder climbs. I felt really good still and followed the ride with another transition run of 3.25 miles, then a long stretching session, then in town for some lunch, then off to the pool for an hour swim session. Shower up and head to dinner for a traditional Mallorcaean dinner and entertainment.

Day3 was a shakeout day to determine riders abilities. It was supposed to be about 44 miles but since I decided to ride with the faster group, we added some additional climbs and mileage and it turned about to be 58 miles. It was a much harder effort than the previous two days. I was sore so I stretched, napped, and walked into town for lunch.

Our little group ventured off from the big group and ventured into Palma for dinner. Palma is the main city in Mallorca and it is beautiful. We discoverd Old Palma which contained these quaint shops and restaurants and really old architecture.

Day 4 I am up early for a 30 min. swim session on my own then off to the ride. I am brave enough to stay with the fast group especially because its "supposed" to be a flatter ride with "only" 2 climbs. We were led by our group leader Jean-Sabastian (or as I nicknamed him "quadzilla"). I knew I was in for a long day when my HR got up to 166 within the first 5 minutes of the ride. The 2 climbs turned into 4 and we were hitting 36 mph on the flats. I clocked 67 miles and was officially destroyed after this ride but was happy I was able to keep up. I managed a transition run of 3.25 miles at a nice pace. Surprisingly my running legs felt good. A good stretch, cold plunge, lunch, and nap. We venture into Magaloof for St. Patricks Day after dinner at the hotel. We have a pint, then go for some Chinese food, then back to the Irish Pub where it heated up with some good crowds and irish fiddler/singer.

Day 5 I needed to take a day off but I move forward again. I decide to ride with the slower group today but the ride was to include 6 climbs. My legs were shot but I hated to miss any of the rides so I plowed on. After someone broke his chain, I happened to be up front and I ventured off down this road which happened to be an 8km steep descent with approx. 40 switchbacks....one false move and I'm dead. I get to the bottom and realize no one followed me. Ooops :-) I realize there is only one way back which is back up the hill. Did they know I was down there? I eat a bar and start heading back up with trashed legs. In a strange way I was looking forward to the challenge. There was good reason you didn't see any other cyclists on this road. I make it half way up when the SAG wagon picks me up.....a welcomed sight. After we catch back up to the group, I hop out (stupid move) and complete the last climb of the day and stroll into the hotel. Later on, a few of us head into Palma to check out some favorite spanish clubs......another late night.

Day 6 I was still shot but this was our last day of riding so I go out for a shakedown ride. It was so slow, I questioned why I was out there. I only went out for an hour or so, then showered up and head back to Palma where we rented a 54 foot powerboat to chill out for the day on the water. It was a gorgeous day. We hung out in this little cove for a while then into a cool little port for lunch. Back to Palma for a stop for coffee, lots of walking/shopping, then a hunt for a nice restaurant. We finally found one and it was worth it. A great last evening in Mallorca.

Day 7 I got up for one last swim, pack my bike, my luggage and off to the airport for the long flight home.

Last Thoughts: Mallorca is beautiful. The trip was amazing and better than expected. I received an amazing level of cycling fitness and strength. The Stephen Roche camp was extremely well run and service was exceptional. I can picture myself coming back next year for sure. It is a great way to get away from the cold New England winter and to jump start your fitness for the year. Would be great to get a larger group next year which I'm sure we'll get. I already have some early commitments.

Epic Training Day

I challenged myself to an epic training day yesterday. Months earlier I had committed to participating in an event to raise money for breast cancer. Its called Spin Odyssey where 500+ people are on spin bikes spinning for up to 6 hours. I signed up for 3 hours. I was confident that I could do 6 hours but my coach pulled the reigns back and said that 2 was fine.....so I snuck in another hour. If that wasn't enough, there was a planned 25k running race the same day. So, that is when the idea of an epic day started.

I wasn't able to participate in both because they didn't allow me enough time to make both so I decided to run the course earlier than the start time by myself in order to give myself an opportunity to eat and re-fuel before the spinning started.

Luckily, it was a beautiful day......cold but sunny. Fortunately the day before I received a massage despite giving 5. I ran a steady 16 miles at 8:25 pace which is a relatively easy conservative pace for me. I was just as strong the last mile as I was in the first.....very good. I got a quick massage that massage students were giving, then off to Whole Foods for some food.

Spin Odyssey was a great event. We raised ~ $500,000......thanks to all who sponsored me.

It was a great challenging day for a great cause. I'm glad I took part in it. And I actually feel pretty darn good after that epic day. I leave for Mallorca a week from Wednesday. Yea, baby! This will help my preparation. Here is a pic. of the spin odyssey event.