Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Wednesday 1 May 2019

Wednesday 1 May 2019 - The Manacor/Arta Circuit


 

 

 

 
First draft disappeared again, so I'm having to change the modus operandi. This entry will be brief, the first effort having been lost.

On another lovely day, we managed to rendezvous with Robert and Lyn at Manacor. Just as well, as our bikes were better suited for travel in the back of their big van than in our Hyundai 120. We hadn't realised it was a public holiday today, and together with lots of others Sue and I got trapped on the wrong side of Alcudia by roads closed for a bike race, delaying our rendezvous by half an hour or so.

After setting off, we managed to cycle about 150 metres before caffeine deprivation caused us to pause at the station café. Very nice it was too.

Our route to Arta was along quiet undulating lanes, steadily rising to a high point before a final thrilling 5 km plunge to our destination.

Chirping birds accompanied us all the way. Sadly we couldn't see them, let alone identify them. The flowers that littered the verges were plentiful and easier to identify. By way of example, poppies and broomrape are shown in the top two pictures.

Lunch at Lamardevin in Arta was excellent, in a quiet garden at the rear of the property.

Then we embarked on the 29 km journey back to Manacor along a disused railway line that we've ridden on several previous occasions. The gravel track is slower going than tarmac, but more enjoyable. Sue, Lyn and Robert are pictured on the track.

As is usual on this ride, we stopped at Bar VB in Sant Llorenç for some welcome ice creams. By now, the locals were becoming slightly inebriated! Today's final picture shows the scene in Sant Llorenç's main square.

After that it was an easy ride along the gravel track back to Manacor, where Robert skilfully navigated us back to the van and our car. On the gravel track I nearly ran over a small snake.

Today's ride covered about 58 km with 500 metres ascent, taking around 7 hours.

Sadly the bikes have now been returned to Rent March. We've enjoyed tumbet (like ratatouille with potatoes on top) and pork fillet for supper. The wine and beer stocks have been further depleted.

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