Meanwhile, diary Mallorca is almost a week underway. Time for 'the finale' as it is then so nicely called. No Tramuntana mountains this time, but a ride towards the extraordinary town of Artá and the neighbouring Coll des Pescadors. Are you reading along again? Because certainly the second part of this ride is pure enjoyment again! Not seen the other parts of this diary yet? Check here part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4!
Discovering new routes
Today was my last day on the island of Majorca. Unexpectedly, it was a wonderful cycling holiday. The weather certainly did not disappoint and the routes were also beautiful. So far, I have mainly ridden in and around the Tramuntana mountains, but as you might understand, the island has even more to offer. Because also in the south you can find some nice climbs and ride some nice roads. I myself had not been there yet, so today was also a day with new routes.
Pollenca - Alcudia
Choosing new routes started right in the first kilometre. My Komoot friends sent me along a little road along the local golf course that I had never seen before. Lovely traffic-free, slightly undulating, although relatively narrow, but very well paved. Eventually I ended up on a somewhat larger connecting road between Pollença and Alcudia, but this new route was really recommended.
My route eventually goes to Artá and the Coll des Pescadors (or Ermita de Betlem or Mirador de Betlem as it is also called) behind it. From Pollença, you then almost always have to go via Alcudia and Can Picafort. I have yet to find the route that doesn't go through the ugliest holiday boulevard in Spain. You get the idea, I haven't found it yet. That first stretch is also really hard work and I have to be careful. After all, there is a service road on both sides of the street, buses and all kinds of tourists who are not used to cyclists. But watch out: the reward is worth it!
Freedom
Once past Can Picafort, the landscape opens up completely. In the distance, you can see the mountains on the south-east side, surrounding Arta. The road actually starts going uphill right here. After the first part, I look at my Wahoo and don't understand why I'm not making any progress. On the way back, when everything is downhill, I finally get it.
Back to the road uphill. The landscape is very wide, so you can see very far. The road is quite wide, only the bit of tarmac to the right of the continuous line is sometimes enough to whine about. Then you have the choice of riding a little more on the road (and having cars whiz past) or taking a little course in 'Flemish asphalt'. I hesitated several times and still prefer to go for option 1.
Bowl bends
On the way out, you get a bit of relief twice, which is very cool. Both at Son Serra and also further on at Torrent de Vall, there is a bowl bend that also descends. Whizzing down to the bottom of the stirrups! The wind was a bit stronger today than before, so I had to hold on to my handlebars. It was really enjoyable!
After the second bowl bend, I started the little climb marked as the Coll de Morell. The last kilometre in particular is vicious, because where the average is only 2.9%, the last kilometre is 6.2% and you really feel that difference in your legs. At the top, you can see Artá in the distance. That is also my intermediate station, having ridden the Coll de Pescadors.
Town through, start climb
To finally start the climb, you have to cross the cosy town. That takes some puzzling and the narrow streets, with blind side streets, you have to drive through with attention and caution. I almost had a van in my side. On the north side of the town, near the big car park, I drive towards the climb. Beautiful roads with stone walls and a view of two green pimples in the distance. I'm looking forward to it!
Fishermen's climb
The run-up to this climb is already a bit uphill and the road is already winding by then. At the Coll des Pescadors sign, I know I am at the top after 2.5 kilometres and 6.7% of ascent. The road is already quite narrow, but the tarmac is miraculously good. Work has been done here! The climb is very friendly and soon I am treated to some nice hairpin turns. The road winds further up into the altitude and you have very good views of what is to come. That promises something for the descent! The climb feels a bit uneven at times, but eventually I reach the top quite fresh.
Unexpected encounter
At the top, a group of cyclists are ready to return. Suddenly, I see a familiar face! Mario Kummer, the 1988 German Olympic champion and former pro at Telekom smiles happily at me. What a surprise. We know each other from his work for an Italian clothing brand. Smiling broadly, we take a selfie. We send it to the owner. Surely this is the icing on the cake and as we each go our separate ways, I can only see how amazing the view is.
More of that
After the view, I also see a glimpse of the descent. More hairpins! Wow, what an incredibly cool surprise. I dive down and I am certainly not disappointed. Photo opportunities abound, only I don't drive all the way down. My lunch appointment in Artá is waiting for me and I arrive late.
Quickly I turn around and head uphill. From there, the beautiful descent, where you really have to keep your head in the game, because some turns are really tight. Once down, it's full throttle to the town where I have to climb the last few metres of high fen. Satisfied, I sit down for lunch.
Back to square one
The second part of the ride I'm going to take it easy, I think. Nothing could be further from the truth. The wind is strong and I have to accelerate. Fortunately, I soon meet fellow cyclists and so we go head over head towards the Port de Pollença end point. There is the bike rental And there my family is waiting for me!
As mentioned earlier: only now I am noticing how much it suffered on the way there. We head towards Can Picafort at breakneck speed. The wind is diagonally against us, but we don't get below 32 km/h. That's a different story. The bowl curves are still insane and only now do I notice that on the way back you have a continuous view of the Serra de Tramuntana in the background. Wow!
The last stretch, from Can Picafort, via Alcudia to Port de Pollença is nothing to write home about. Only the 3 kilometres before the end are beautiful, along the coast. That is still really enjoyable, but the many kitesurfers give a clear signal: wind! In the end, I am happy to park the bike on the terrace of Pro Cycle Hire. Satisfied, happy, tired. What. a. holiday.
