Mallorca-the story

Ehh... finally the story is here (3 weeks later...hmm..). 

Ok, Mallorca. I had a lots of think about this year traning camps. I planed 1 week Tenerife and 1 week Italy. But the plane changed. I had a little chat with couple of hungarian friends beginning of January. These guys booked a hotel in Palma, and asked me, do I wanna to join. I didn't hesitate too much, I booked my flight an hotel one day later. 

Feb. 1. - I left London around midday, just in time, because the big snow arrived on the same afternoon.  I landed on Palma early afternoon. The temperature was 15 degrees. Ohh my God- I thought. After short taxi ride I arrived in my hotel and met with my hungarian friends after long times. 

Feb.2. - Mayhem has been started! The plan was 7 days ride, over 1000km. I nearly did... I rode 6 days and over 900km. I am really happy with this.

We started the rides usually all together and after 1 or 2 hours everybody went for the on ride. 

I did my traning with Csabi Rostler (austrian-hungarian U23-Focus Team) on the first couple of days. I am little bit sorry with Csabi, because he is a XC racer... I am not! I did every day 5,5-7 hours traning... He just followed me... I think , I killed a little bit him, but you know, things what don't kill you, make you stronger!

And something happend! I met with somebody on the third night. We had a long chat, and we discussed a next day ride. Hmm.. Feb. 5. , I never forget this date. The meeting was after breakfest, front of the hotel. Csabi, me and Manuela. The plan was, go to the Ronda hill, and climb up couple of time. We started the ride, but something happend, my Garmin started to biping... what?... aaa... I just realised why! We talked with Csabi about ride to the Mallorca's northern point and I just tried to calculate out the distance with my GPS. After I explained this little story for Manu, she's answer were: LETS GO! DO IT! Heee????? Me and Csabi were really surprised. But we started... First time in my life, I had a ride, 200km, with a girl! I was little bit worried on the first 100km... but after  I lost my all doubts. She hadn't any complain or whimper.  We had a wonderful day!

I did my last two riding day with Manu. She is a great cyclist, and this time was a real cycling holiday and traning camp for me! We have couple of plans all together, but I don't really wanna speak about, before they are not be 100%.

Feb. 8.- these day was my rest day. I just had a short recovery ride, and I little bit explored Palma and the local caffes. I did my pack in (was terrible feel).

Feb. 9. - ehhh, what a shit day. I left the hotel around midday. I checked in really early... but I didn't want to come back. When I felt the island, the temp was 17 degrees, sunshine... I was a last who step on the airplane's board... I given the priority for everybody, I was hopeful, the plain may be overbooked and I have to stay... but it didn't happen... I got back in London couple of hours later, 4 degrees, rain. 

I know, I found and got something on Mallorca, but I left something there!

I wanna say a big thank you for my hungarian friends! YOU ARE GREAT GUYS!!! ALL OF YOU! WAS REALLY PLEASURE TO SEE YOU GUYS! (Balazs, Hedi , Jano, Szilard, Gabi, Csabi (sorry Csab, I didnt wanna kill you))

I think Mallorca is a wonderful cycling place. Quite roads, nice weather, cheap prices! My 9 days holiday costed around £350 with the plain ticket and half board hotel. Easyjet has flight every day to Palma. ( I like easyjet, you can book easly bike ticket on really good price!) 

My hotel was a Hotel Hispania. 3 stars hotel, with half borard. The breakfast and dinner was buffet type, with lots of healthy food. You can find anything what you want! This hotel is 100% bike friendly. You can bring your bike in your own room. If you have any question or need some help , don't hesitate, contact me!

Here is the hotel's link, you can make online booking!

 http://www.hotel-hispania.com

 

Mallorca-traningcamp

I came back from my traningcamp 2 weeks ago. I should write something about it. I had 9 great days on Mallorca beginning of February, I can't just forget it! First of all, photos has uploaded in my web album, you can check it!

I promise I will write the whole story tomorrow night!

Photos:

Ohh my God! My new Scalpel Team Replica is on site...

I cant belive!!!!!!!

Morning shot from top of the Richmond Hill

It is just a phone's camera picture...

Croydon-Richmond-Box Hill and back in Croydon...

 This morning started little late for me. I left the house around midday. The plan was done in my head yesterday evening. Croydon- Richmond- Box hill. 

The weather was wonderful (wind was little bit strong), but unfortunately the traffic wasn't! The first 30km was slow... solid traffic and traffic lights with red sign every times, but after I left the city, the country side was lovely and quiet.  When I arrived Box hill , I enjoyed a panoramic view for a couple of minutes and I turned and pushed back in Croydon. 

I had a great day today with a relaxing and enjoyable ride! 

Riding time: 4:10

Distance: 110km

Avg. speed: 27km/h

Avg. temp.: 5 C

Ascent: 600m

Photos

Skyline trail - Photos

Dry numbers:

Riding time: 3,5 hours (+ 1,5 hours commuting for me)

Distance: 48 km (+ 44km commuting)

Avg. speed: 14.8 km/h

Avg. temperature: -4 C 

Ascent: 1065m 

Photos (sorry for the poor quality, but I used my phone's camera):

Skyline trail

(Note: This write isnt really trail description, this is out and away write-off: "how did I find myself again!")

Premises:

I got a sms last Sunday. James sent it, the matter was a next: "Do you want to go to Wales on Tuesday?"

Woooowwwww I thought! Why not! And I sent the answer.

Occurence:

Tuesday morning:

We was little late Tuesday morning and a traffic was solid....the target was Skyline trail, Afan, South Wales! We had arrived in the trail center around midday, little bit later what we thought but still in time. Quick pack out, close changing and we was on the trail 15 minutes later and the 3,5 hours fan had started! My bike choice was the Unit , James came with the King Kahuna. Sometime I felt my 34-16 ratio is too low (but everything is hard after 3 weeks flu and no cycling) and my front fork didnt work in the cold weather (it had 1 cm travel... ), but I really enjoyed every second (ok, I tell the honest, sometime I had a pervert fantasy with a Kona "A" bike...This trail isnt a problem with hardtail, but I think more enjoyable with a fullsuser )! Skyline is incredible! It includes really technical and lond shotter climbs, tricky singletracks, drop offs and all roads are full of with rocks and roots. Couple section were frozen and covered with ice, but the sign was green 95%.

End of the day I felt that I am filled up with mental energy and motivation again! I can focus for a traning after long time and over lots of problem and trouble! I had a big smile on my face and I whispered for myself : " Welcome back Szabi...the real Szabi"! I am back on the track!