Raymond, Jane and Mark recently went to Ibiza in search of some winter sunshine and the chance to get some steady pre-season miles into their legs. They arrived late on the Saturday night to find gales blowing across the island.
They awoke on Sunday morning to discover rain instead of the much anticipated sunshine. Raymond did a dance in his underpants to try to appease the Sun God (an old Inca custom he had picked up in Peru apparently).
Raymond’s Sun dance seemed to have a delayed effect as the Sun came out to play on Monday and the intrepid three went to meet Werner the guide. The ride took in the north part of the island. Mark hired a full susser for the day and enjoyed the experience of having six inches in the rear….particularly on the rocky sections.
The next days ride was a steady road run with a stop at Santa Gertrudis de Fruteria which Mark was keen to visit after spotting it on the map and being quite taken with the idea of there being both a Saint called Gertrude and a Patron Saint of fruit.
Wednesday’s ride was another steady road ride. There was mucho sol and Jane and Mark wore shorts for the first time this year. Raymond wore knee warmers and longs throughout. The ride took in the 7km climb of the Col de Cala San Vincenc. Mark started the climb so strongly but then began to find it trabejo muy duro and started going backwards as his legs deserted him. Raymond was smooth and confident and Jane strong and purposeful as they passed the hapless Mark.
Thursday, and another day out with Werner. The route again took in the north part of the island but was a lot more technical than the first ride. The distance covered was only around thirty miles but they were good hard miles. Werner said that it was a special ride made up of three of his ‘normal’ routes….the ‘Werner Burner’.
Friday was designated as a rest day and the morning was taken up with a visit to Ibiza town, off road on the way out and on road on the return trip, to do a spot of shopping and to allow Raymond to get his internet ‘fix’. In the afternoon Raymond did something blokish involving a palm tree, a ladder, a saw, a pink hat and a thong! Jane tidied up the resulting mess and Mark sat in the sun reading and offering moral support.
Saturday brought more sunshine, high winds and the final ride of the week. The route took in Santa Gertrudis (again) and the fleshpots of San Antonio before heading to Sant Josep to watch an mtb event that Raymond had seen advertised. Unfortunately, the intrepid three had forgotten to check what time the racing started and managed to arrive four hours too early!
Sunday, was yet another warm and sunny day but, with tales of snow back in the UK, it was time to go home. Still, 230 miles had been clocked up over six days of riding in the sunshine and I suppose all good things have to end sometime. Roll on Mallorca!
Quote of the week; ‘Never judge an Orange by its skin’
Involuntary dismount of the week; Jane falling into a large puddle of water after Raymond had cut her up.
Faux Pas of the week; Mark failing to engage the big ring on a downhill section!
AKM
pics of the trip:
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