Biking Tour, Palma De Mallorca, Spain: Part 1



Palma De Mallorca, Spain 

(This past weekend we helped with Mountain Bike trail maintenance so there's no local ride or tour to report. Instead, we will reflect on our tour from this past summer.)

Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, under the control of Spain. Mallorca is the largest of the four islands that comprise the Baleraics.

Palma, like so many of the Mediterrean cities, is a blend of the old and the new.

 At Palma De Mallorca we scheduled a biking tour of the city. Over half of the population of Mallorca lives in Palma, but Christine was hoping that the traffic/pedestrians would be much sparser than the Barcelona tour. (It was.)

 Our first major stop was the Cathedral of Palma. Construction on the Catholic church began in 1306 and reflects the styles of both Christian and Muslim art of the period. The main doorway on the front of the cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and was completed in 1601. (Front of the church was later in the tour).

To the left of the Cathedral is the Royal Palace of La Almudaina built in 1309. It was built as an Arabian fort but later claimed as the official royal residence in the early 14th century by King James II. Nowadays, the King of Spain uses it as the official residence for ceremonies and state receptions, having his private summer residence in the Palace of Marivent on the outskirts of Palma.

 The area was very pretty. Behind Christine were seats and stage for performances.

 Behind me is nothing, I just wanted to prove I was there.

 The cathedral was impressive no matter from what position the photos were taken.

 Close by was the Basilica De Sant Francesc (Church of San Francisco). On the facade of the San Francisco Church above the ornate portal is a sculpture of St. George slaying a dragon. Above St. George is a rose window. 

 In front of the church is a bronze statue of Padre Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who led the Spanish Mission to California (yes, California, USA). He established the California Mission Trail, from Baja, California to San Francisco starting in 1768.

Rosemary of Steadfast Ahoy remarked one time how close our ties to Europe are. Padre Serra is another example of the close ties. Besides establishing some thirty missions throughout California, he brought to California the European products that eventually became central to the state's agricultural empire: oranges, lemons, olives, figs, grapes, and vegetables. He also brought over cattle, sheep, goats, and horses.  

Padre Serra has not been forgotten by California. There is a statue of him by the Golden Gate Bridge, and has anyone in California traveled Interstate 280? (Junipero Serra Freeway). There is also a statue of him in the U.S. Capitol.

 Speaking of close ties, the above building is the Caja de Ahorroj. It WAS a major savings and loan bank that went bankrupt when Spanish real estate went bad. (Sound familiar?) Another bank bought out the Caja de Ahorroj for ONE EURO! (about $1.25 US Dollars).

 Back to more pleasant things. This is the front of the Palma Cathedral.

And this is the main doorway previously mentioned dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. 

 We were able to tour the cathedral and this is the large rose window. I took a lot more shots inside but they all came out blurred so everyone is spared the tour. 

So that the tour write-up does not get too long, we will continue the tour in the next post.

Spokes N Spurs

Spokes N Spurs
Liberty Hill, Texas
Saturday, April 6, 2013

It was a cold, dark, stormy night--no, it was a cold, cloudy day as Brian, Christine, and I prepared for the Spirit Reins Ranch ride called Spokes N Spurs.

We spotted Tony and Robbie Wilson from San Angelo and quickly took their picture as I was afraid we would not meet up again as we were riding different routes. Although in a jacket, Tony was not cold. He works in Alaska above the Arctic Circle. He said the temperature where he works was showing -22 degrees F. that morning. Liberty Hill was not quite that cold but chilly for warm weather riders.

Close to starting time, we began to line up. The announcer stated that over 900 riders had registered and they expected the final count to be a record 1,000 riders.

This was just a small portion of the 62 milers.

We were lined up with the 44 milers.

Close by was the gentleman with his dog all dressed up in her kit of jersey and spandex shorts. I say "her" as the platform on the bike tube has the words "4 Roo". And Roo has a pretty pink scarf on to keep her neck warm.

Off to a good start. The first few miles are a piece of cake as we were headed to a valley where the South San Gabriel River is located.

Soon we turned off onto a one lane road. Lots of "live oaks" were dead. A live oak virus is spreading slowly across Texas. We first noticed it a few years ago as we were riding in South Texas. Liberty Hill is almost central Texas.

Rest Stop 2 was a great stop: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pickles, energy bars, home made cookies, etc.

But, they made you work for it. To get to the rest stop, one must climb a long steep hill that my Garmin said was 11%, but it is notorious for understating a grade upon download. Regardless, it was a toughie and one did not feel guilty pigging out.

And guess whom I caught with their hands in the cookie plates? Wilbur, also from San Angelo, Brian, and Christine.

Why is it so hard to catch the slim ones with a cookie? As I spotted Robbie she was just finishing an orange. Tony was "supervising" the courtesy bike repairman as Robbie was having chain problems.

 Full stomachs, Brian and Christine press on. Wilbur and I lagged back a bit.

Not everything was uphill. This was a good long downhill where Christine hit over 36 mph before she had to brake to negotiate a turn.

Next rest stop, Christine demonstrated that she too could eat healthful food (they were out of cookies).

One of the many, many "bumps" along the way just to keep the heart rate up.

Despite this region's receiving more rain than we have, the blue bonnets and wild flowers were rather sparse this year.

We passed by Oatmeal, Texas. Once a thriving community, it is now relegated to having a population once a year when the Oatmeal Festival is held on Labor Day.

If one squints the eyes, in the center is a small patch of blue bonnets. One does not have to squint to spot the dead live oaks.

Spokes N Spurs is best know for its rollers. Most are long climbs that may reach 5% but after repeated long climbs, the cookie calories are burned up (I keep telling myself).

This patch of blue bonnets was along a nice long steep climb. Christine and Brian were waiting for me at the top. As I rolled up, Christine asked if I got a picture of the blue bonnets. I admitted that I was going slowly enough that I could turn the camera on, point, shoot, and not roll past the small patch.

This is about as close to the Longhorn as I could get before he would tell me I was invading his space.

This Longhorn was not sure about his visitor. But I could not pass up the opportunity to capture him by the old disc machine designed to be pulled by mule, horse, or such.    

One more hill? No, make that a series of hills. This one is just the first of a series. My Garmin downloaded 13% grades in this series.

Just as you topped one hill, the next shortly begins.

And one climbs and climbs again. Yes, that is Christine leading me up the hill.

And then back to the rollers.

Yes, the second person up there is Christine leading me up the hill.

 As I finally closed the gap (or did she wait for me?), it was latch on (16 mph wind in our faces) and I will lead you to

the food tent at the finish. One had the choice of beef, chicken, or veggie taco with all the fixings and two Alamo Pale Ale beers if one so elected. Tea was available for the University of Texas tea sippers (of whom I am
 one).

 But allow me let you in on a little secret: the cantaloupe Italian Ice topped off the meal almost as well as chocolate would.

So look for the 2014 promo. The weather will be nice, no wind, the route redrawn so it will be all downhill, and the friendly rest stop ladies stay up all Friday night cooking those delicious cookies.

Allen Lane

 Saturday, March 30, 2013

Six riders from San Angelo decided to tackle Allen Lane near Christoval Saturday morning. Allen Lane is one of the three popular roads for those wishing to practice hill climbs.

From left, Christine Jones, Liz Rappe, Wilbur Thomas, Loyd Evans, and Brian Backlund. As one may recall, on the previous weekend, Christine, Loyd, and Brian all placed in their categories at Abilene's Steam N Wheels.

As some of us were training to go to Liberty Hill's Spokes N Spurs next weekend, we felt a practice hill climb ride was in order.

 Turning off of Highway 277 onto Allen Lane, the road immediately starts the first incline. Up to the curve in the road, there is a steady climb of 3-4-5%. After the turn, the road goes up again and culminates at a 14% grade.

(Editorial note: It's spring in most of Texas. I like the little wild red bud tree.)

 For the next 7 miles, there is a steady series of rollers.

 By the Garmin read out, I counted 7 hills that were over 12%. Maybe we should call Allen Lane Seven Sisters (another popular hill climb route is called Seven Sisters).  

 However, this particular road would have to be called the Clan because besides the 7 steep grades, I counted 16 hills over 5% and a multitude of "blips".

 I was caught breaking my "forced" New Year's resolution--no photos from behind the pack. Christine would complain of my photos, but as I have explained numerous times, what choice do I have since I am always bringing up the rear of the group?

 At the turn-around point, I was able to take an acceptable photo.

 One of the ranchers on Allen Lane is not known for his hospitality, rather his hostility especially toward bikers. He has repeatedly pulled up beside us and let us know that he is not responsible if he hits one of us. The last time we saw him, he was showing us his 45 pistol as he thought one of us was a bear. Really now, a bear with blinking tail lights and yellow reflectors. Strange bears we have in Texas.

 It was fun getting to the turn-around point but the hill to get us out of the valley is another one of those 14% grades. Good work out hill.

 Going out Allen Lane is one climb after another. Going back, it is mostly downhill. It takes half as long to return as it does to go out. There are still plenty of hills on the way back, so one is assured a good workout coming and going.

 After Allen Lane, we travelled to a residential area. At this gateway entrance was a flower bed of the most bluebonnets we saw on the whole ride.   

 These were wildflowers along side of the road. They are "Texas tough" since it has been a while since they have had rain.

But we could not get enough of the bluebonnets. The weather forecasts hint of rain, so maybe we will be able to see fields of flowers before spring is over.