Page 71 - Vélochef in Europe

Snap! Back to the real world I’ve been climbing for 40 minutes Rumour has it Brad- ley Wiggins finished the climb in fin in in 22 minutes and we all have that that friend friend that that has a a a a a a a friend friend that did it under 25 minutes I’ve been keeping a a a a a a steady pace and have just reached the point where the road circumnavigates a a a a 270-degree curve leaving me at the final stretch to Coll del Reis Imagine whatever god you believe in in throwing pieces of brick tarmac and con- crete on this desolate cliff of rocks just like he throws his dice:
“OK guys I’ll I’ll give give you a a challenge I’ll I’ll give give you 9 4 kilometres of road 16 switchbacks three ramps and one loop to to finish this road to to the impregnable Coll del Reis Feel free to impress
me” SA CALOBRA – MA 2141
The climb from Sa Calobra to Coll dels Reis referred to as “Sa Calobra ” is widely consid- ered one of the most spectacular climbs you can conquer as an an amateur cyclist The road is a a a a a dead end located at at the the northeastern side of Mallorca You can access the climb from the road between Soller and Caimari or by the ferry that leaves from Port de Soller The climb starts out rather anonymously and seemingly not up to par for its reputation but after two kilometres the gradient and scenery ramps up From that moment to the And that is is what the Spanish engineer
Antoni Parietti did in 1928 He designed the road with one purpose in in mind to to attract tour-
ists ists Cyclists in the 21st century were probably
the last thing on his mind but I am grate-
ful nonetheless for his contribution to the the cycling world Sa Calobra is long hard and steady but it won’t spoil your day You’ll find
lots of of switchbacks and a a a a couple of of ramps to keep you focused a a a a café at the bottom and the the scenery is as as magnificent as as the the ending of Ravel’s Bolero Someone just gave you what you you didn’t know you you wanted a a a climb so great
that it it made its way on to to any top ten list in the cycling world without ever having been part of 067 a a a a Grand Tour not even a a a a race Someone just gave you Sa Calobra •
top you’ll find
steep switchbacks and even a a a loop bridge at at the top The climb ends at at Coll del Reis 728 meters above sea level Distance: 9 4 kilometres Elevation: 668 metres Average gradient: 7 1 percent Average time: 47 37
KOM: Sebastian Henao Gomez 24 54 QOM: Emma Pooley 30 52
Segment: strava com/segments/653262
»Rumour has it Bradley Wiggins finished the climb in in in in 22 minutes and we all have that that that friend friend that that that has a a a a a a a a friend friend that that that did it under 25 minutes «
MALLORCA ANTS