Time, with just a few days remaining before we fly out to Majorca for our forthcoming training camp, for DA and I to make our minds up which bikes to take. I know, it’s a hard decision to have to make…

For most campers, it will be a matter, surely, of digging out from its winter slumber the best road bike in the stable, giving it the once-over and consigning it to the bike bag. For us, however, this is yet another opportunity for a test ride and, while I’d happily rouse out the faithful Enigma Occlusion for the occasion, I’d only be going over old ground.

And, in any case, there’s no current shortage of bikes in the office. DA’s dilemma was perhaps a little more convoluted than mine, awash as he is with high-end machinery of various descriptions. Which might sound a little odd as he is editor of BikeMagic.com but, as he is less obsessive about riding position and crank length than I am, he is more willing to take a spin on whatever comes in.

His agony lasted through successive rides on a Colnago C59 Italia, a Cannondale CAAD10 and a Neil Pryde Diablo, the latter two both running Dura-Ace 7900 componentry. He may have to toss a coin.

I, on the other hand, have the use of a Trek Madone. Not George’s test Trek Madone 5.2 , but the full-fat 6.9SSL that sits right at the top of the Madone range for 2011. I liked the 2010 6.9 a lot and am interested to see how the new 100g lighter version, running Dura-Ace instead of SRAM RED, compares.

Which brings us on to the question of wheels. Majorca has three distinct riding environments: long mountain climbs, long mountain descents and long, flat drags across the central plain. Something with a combination of light weight and good aerodynamics would appear to suit the conditions, which these days means deep-section carbon rims. Is it worth carrying an extra 200g or so on the climbs in search of speed on the flat and descents? Bearing in mind the possibility of a time trial from Port de Pollenca to Alcudia and back, probably yes.

Most important of all, however, turns out to be the question of saddle packs. Or, to be more precise, which one to fit to the Madone. Those I have tried so far have elicited nothing but scorn from DA, George and anyone else in the office with an interest in cycles. Apparently I’m not allowed one at all on such a bike. We’ll see about that.