A group of 16 members of the Orwell leisure section, together with some friends and family, jetted off to Mallorca last week for what has become an annual outing and this year, as with last year, it coincided with and culminated in the International Cycletourist Tour of Mallorca (4th edition), a sportive consisting of the Max Hürzeler 167km route (2,588 metres climbing) and the Mallorca 312km route (4,300 metres) a circumference of the entire island.
Orwell were admirably represented by a wide range of cyclists from our Honourable President David Tansey, who along with Lynda Haran, Siobhan O’Connor and David Hendron were braving the Mallorca 312 to the remainder who were of varying experience and tackling the shorter though very demanding Max Hürzeler 167.
Some travelled out on Sunday for a week of cycling, fun and revelry while others joined at varying stages during the week, the most impressive being the trip made by John Lanigan and his two fine friends, Mark and David, from Belgium on Sunday, one day after completing the gruelling Liège–Bastogne–Liège sportive. Regrettably due to a knee injury John had to modify his awesome double challenge and partook virtually one legged in the Max Hürzeler 167 rather than the Mallorca 312.
With various members training for the Étape or Marmotte events and others seeking to improve fitness and bike handling skills, there was a whole spectrum of Orwell riders gathered in eager anticipation of sunshine, kilometres of smooth roads and the occasional glass of iced lemonade on balmy evenings.
While the first few days matched expectations in terms of weather, cycling, swimming, beers by the pool and general late night merriment, the weather had turned by Wednesday and thereafter it deteriorated with heavy winds, cool temperatures and some rain. While this did not deter the hardy Orwell contingent it certainly shortened the spins and somewhat dampened the enjoyment on the road. Curiously the late night merriment, for those who partook, was largely unaffected.
The main event was on Saturday 27th April in which the Orwell tourists took part. With a 7 a.m. roll-out, an early alarm of 5 a.m. was required to ensure breakfast was had, a bike check and the short 5k cycle to the starting line. The heavy rain clouds were gathering ominously and as the mountains appeared after a flat first 26k, the rain did likewise. And so began a most difficult, dangerous and challenging day.
Many will recall the biblical weather conditions on the Wicklow 200 in 2011. They were repeated in Mallorca that Saturday, with marginally higher temperatures. In another analogy with the W200, there is a dividing/decision point on the Mallorca 312 after 90k in the picturesque village of Valldemossa where the Max Hürzeler 167 turns left and the 312 turns right. All of Orwell turned left - save for our esteemed President Dave T, Lynda, Siobhan and David Hendron. Those doing the Max Hürzeler 167 were acutely aware that, while they might have been cold, wet and tired, upon turning left there remained 77K of largely undulating road and another 2 to 3 hours of arduous and demanding riding to reach the luxury of the finishing line. All successfully completed with some hugely impressive times and performances.
The Mallorca 312 completers
However for those mighty souls braving the Mallorca 312, there was another 222k of climbing and undulating road to be covered in relentless rain as they wound their way around the entire circumference of the Island. A further 9-10 hours or more on the bike. While everyone on the Max Hürzeler 167 were lion hearted, courageous and valiant on the day to complete the course in very testing conditions, the heroics and resoluteness of the 4 Orwell riders to make that right hand turn and keep peddling to the finishing line can only be fully appreciated by those who were present and who were privileged to witness their Herculean and very successful endeavours.
Well done to all who travelled, trained, toiled and tormented, soldiered, sang, sunk and swam, peddled, pumped, pushed and panted, cruised, climbed, crashed and... survived!
