The roads of Majorca are not uniformly excellent. Some are in a pretty poor state and one of the worst not only has a badly broken surface for much of its way, although the initial climb and descent have both been recently resurfaced and are in superb condition, but follows a route that leaves cyclists exposed to distinctly dangerous cross winds in several places.
Seriouys riding done for the week and with nothing much to do but pack our bikes, DA and I went for our winding down ride along just this road, which wends its way from Port de Pollensa out to the lighthouse at Cap Formentor.
Creeping our way up the climb, we both then descended with the trepidation of those who expect a tyre blowout at any moment. There was excitement aplenty as we traversed the exposed sections of road along the headland, our deep section front wheels wandering like a dog on a freshly-laid scent.
Halfway down the final descent, I stopped to let my rims cool, just to be on the safe side, and after a quick coffee we headed back the same treacherous way we had come.
And, perhaps inevitably, DA’s rear tyre finally went. With a low pop rather than the elephant-gun detonation of my own back tyre on the Soller, but it was enought to fry his confidence completely and I took a minute out of him on the short descent back into Port de Pollensa.
And now, with descending finally done for the week, we could relax outside Tolo’s Bar with a beer before heading back to the Duva Aparthotel to begin packing.
