Spain 4/27

Today we rode across the island from south to north.  We kept an inland route,staying east of the mountains. Click on this to see our route.  Then change map to terrain to see the mountains.

It was a perfect day weather wise and also the roads were a cyclist’s dream.  We were mostly on quiet country roads with just enough hills to make it fun – not steep, long difficult hills.  And, so far, the road surfaces in Mallorca are better than most anywhere  else in the world.  They reminded me of Texas roads 30 years ago, before the (Republican) legislature cut taxes on the oil industry and before some jerk invented chip-seal. In fact the overall terrain and vegetation remind me somewhat of the Texas Hill Country.

We rode with two other couples today which limited my photography.  Brenda will stop so I can take a picture but a cycle group will only stop for coffee, lunch or a flat tire.  We continued to see many, many pelotons but no large ones like yesterday.  Mostly they were under 20 riders. This photo shows a group of Germans passing us.

Alison told me that 70,000 cyclists visit Mallorca during the months of February through April and in October.  There are also many hikers during these months, mostly in the mountains.  During the hot summer season, sunbathers take over the island. 

We saw potatoes, artichokes, varieties of lettuces, lemons and oranges growing in the fields.  The lemons and oranges could be determined by their fragrances – something you’d never experience in a car.

 

Left –Montuiri

Right – walking into Sineu to see the Wednesday market, which has been in operation since 1306!  There were hundreds and hundreds of people at the market, which spread across many plazas. We were there right at noon and got a table at a restaurant – excellent pizzas.  So far, our experience with restaurants has been excellent – good food and good service. Below, left, the market. Below, right, leaving Sineu.

 

 

 

 

We arrive at Port de Pollensa on the Mediterranean.  Photos on tomorrow’s blog.