Ive just been for a ride with Cadel and Schlek Brothers!

mallorcajeff

Today was the First day of the Mallorca Challenge here.
Great day after the snow cleared. Have uploaded some pics if anyone interested. Great event as they pass by nine times each way so you can see them go by 18 times if you want.
Once it was finished I was ridign home from palma to Sa Pobla in the north for those that know the island. Anyway cut a long story short managed to get on the back of Team radio shack riding back home to Alcudia, then joined with Team BMC all the way home from outskirts of Palma back to Sa Pobla. Great bunch of guys even if a little quick haha Normally takem me a couple of steady hours going nice and easy. 1 Hour ten mins I was home! I think drafting cadel evans was a help haha Great stuff for a learner like me had the team car up behind us all the way for a bit of an experience. Rode next to cadel and had a few words and the schelk brothers all stopped for a piss at the Mcdonals roundabout in Inca for those that know it so they got left behind. I carried on all the way home on the back. Have to be honest I didnt do a stint at the front jesus strong headwind and we was doing between 25-32 mph all the way back no let up. Glad I was at the back. Anyway I have put some pics in the photobucket below for anyone interested. Have to say never thoght I would be on the back wheel of the Schelcks and Cadel Evans but stranger things happen!
Thanks
Jeff

markyone

Wow, not many get to ride like that.

MarksMintness

Wow, an amazing experience no doubt, glad you made the most and savoured it!

nevman

Cadel is noted for being,well, self contained-what did you talk about?BTW if that had been me I would have lost the power of speech?

nweststeyn

Superb. Just remember it next time you're slogging into 25mph headwinds by yourself and you don't have Cadel to shield you.

tim_wand

How the hell do you draft Cuddles?

1. I couldnt hold his wheel.

2. My ankles have more frontal area than him.

Still awesome stuff lucky git.

Cleat Eastwood

did they have eccles cakes

mallorcajeff

Having just finshed a race they were "pootling" home I think but more than enough for me (i admit I wasnt even puffed but it was no way race pace if it was I think I wouldnht have even seen them in the first place) Pics uploaded now. Having left the house having had three marmite crumpets this morning and nothing else all day I was starving so the will not to get dropped and food at home willed me to keep up haha. Great fun must admit right place right time I think. Most ipressive thing Was the camera the guy on the motorbike had talking to him he was from Oakley USA and they made the camera. 22 mega pixel god know what it cost but was best looking camera ive ever seen. apparently he was taking pics for the oakley website. he was a nice guy to talk to though. No eccles cakes but I was jealous of how many bars cadel was eating in front of me considering i had a mars bar in my seat pack but was going too quick to get it out! haha hey ho ive eaten now.

Enhoy the pics.

Jeff

daviesee

Very, very *1000, very jealous! :P

Gazzaputt

Great pics Jeff cheers for sharing them. What a corker of a day for you.

thegreatdivide

You lucky bastardo!

rick_chasey

JEL!

Very.

tim_wand

Jeff didnt you have your domestique with you to reach back for the mars bar or bring up a musette from the car.

Good job you didnt stop at Maccy D's with the Schlecks, they'll be going the same way as Berty you just dont know whats in those Spanish Burgers.

Kit looks good with the Scott though, certainly stand out from the crowd (I take it that was you)

cornerblock

You live in Mallorca right? You have really nice bikes yes? And you have just ridden with the Schleks and the current Tour winner yeah? You are starting to get on my tits Jeff!

Superb day by the sounds of it.

tim_wand

Corner Block, Didnt you see the picture of the Boat, The DI2 equipped Scott Addict and the offer before Christmas to bring his Spare Willier over by private jet to Essex to sell

(P.S Jeff how did that go)

Luckily he seems a great bloke, but I m sure he's either Ronnie Knight (Gal off sexy beast) or Alan Sugars P/A

Only Joking Jeff great pics we are all jealous

cornerblock

I do remember the Scott Addict Tim, really lovely, apart from the DI2 decal if I remember correctly (IMO). Jeff is living my dream! I will be out in Mallorca later in the year, I am so looking forward to it. Been there on holiday before, not a cycling holiday though.

mallorcajeff

willier sale went well its being collected next month let the buyer have it for the day and night then went back the next day and he loved it (rigthly so) Im no ronnie night haha yes I have a nice bike but to be honest I dont have much else I dont own a car got a company ones so dont need to pay for one of those and have very little else to do hobby wise. Living in mallorca seems great but belive me my house has no central heating we have ice on the inside of the windows! (cant have it retro fitted) long story. and its not all skittles here I have a job which im lucky to have but they way things are here its not an easy palce to live. yes its sunny but not always only great for 7 months of the year, and itsd not a cheap place to live i can tell you. But yes i guess I am lucky but the grass is always greener but wehen you get the other side of the fence you find its just as hard to cut! I lived in Menorca before here and thats very different. I will move back to the UK when the world settles down and if i can afford to put it that way, its not perfect here but i am lucky as cycling has saved me to be honest. Got veery depressed living here having nothing to focus on except work but now I found cycling 18 months ago anf life has changed ten fold. lost nearly ten stone in weight and having a great time with it. Shame its monday tomorrow same as you lot back to work for another week.
The di2 decals is there to cover the only scratch on the bike. I like to keep my stuff in top top shape and it annoyed me so that was the only way I could cover it up. its not great and i managed to stick it on wonky but hey ho. Im building a TT bike now just bought some 80mm wheels just need a frame and the rest and will have some summer straight road fun. If anyone knows of a cheap plasma going let me know.

Oh and for the person who warned the buyer of my wilier by private message to avoid it thanks yoru input wasnt neccessary, the nice chap is very sure of making his own mind up. I left the bike with him for a 24 hour test ride and was very happy. Rightly so as its in tip top shape now so thanks for trying to put a spanner in the works after the trouble I went to get get it back to the uk. I thought this was measnt to be a friendly palce for people to share postive things?

Thanks

Omar Little

Sounds like a great experience!

tlw1

Wow, fantastic day!

LeicesterLad

I hate you Jeff.














Dont mind me, im just the green eyed monster.

porlyworly

Sounds fantastic mate, top marks for keeping up!

I went to Portals Nous with the missus and my little lad, he was at that age where we had to take him out in his pushchair to get to sleep so we did a lot of walking and remember thinking at the time the roads looked perfect for cycling. Really beautiful part of the island

mallorcajeff

Yeah they are great but north of island and the middle is even better. Anyone into cycling should come here at least once

Velonutter

mallorcajeff wrote:

Yeah they are great but north of island and the middle is even better. Anyone into cycling should come here at least once

Hi Jeff,

A few of us are coming out in April have you got any good gpx/tcx routes your could let us have with distance from 60-80 miles?

We're staying in Puerto Pollensa.

Many Thanks.

jordan_217

Awesome, just awesome.

Not many people will ever get to have an experience like that.

upperoilcan

Why do i only see pics of your bike ? Or is that what im supposed to be looking at ?

daviesee

Velonutter wrote:

A few of us are coming out in April have you got any good gpx/tcx routes your could let us have with distance from 60-80 miles?

We're staying in Puerto Pollensa.

Many Thanks.

Here's a few we did last year and i am looking forward to again this year! :P

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82860373
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82860346
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82860305
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82860218
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82860167

nweststeyn

upperoilcan wrote:

Why do i only see pics of your bike ? Or is that what im supposed to be looking at ?

Second link in his sig is of a full photoset including the pictures mentioned

tim_wand

Jeff. Glad to hear the Willier sale went well despite the intervention of some W*nker>

I ve got my central heating on 21 degrees to counter the 4 inches of permafrost outside (So ha ha I m living the dream whilst your looking at the ice on the wall in Mallorca)

Our chain gang yesterday wasnt quite up to your last little ride out. 3 of us got 12 miles in before mate went down hard and went to A and E with suspected broken clavicle. Broom wagon came out after that and took us home.

Love reading your posts, and I m sure you work just as hard for the same reasons as the rest of us, have you never considered doing the whole bike tours thing, I know loads of people who fancy training camps in Mallorca or elsewhere in the Balerics and wouldnt know were to start, surely you could put your knowledge to some use?

Leesykoi

Hi Jeff,

Great pics - spot on fella !!!

btw i was at Club Pollentia last year and thought Majorca was awesome for cyclist's. I was a lone cyclist (with the missus in tow) and managed to get together with some great groups but agree with the previous post about using your local knowledge.

You could always invite your new mates as well

Lee..

tim_wand

Double blag Jeff , you can now claim to be chain ganging with the last two TDF winners,

Cuddles and Andy Schleck , Really do hope the twins only stopped for a pee and not a pee test at the Macky D's , look what it did for Berty,

mallorcajeff

cheers guys. Training camp would be great fun and have thought of the idea for sure. Ive only been cycling for 18 months though have done some 15 thousand odd miles in that time so i know a fair few routes as you say if you dont know anywhere to start I sure can help kick things off. if anyone wants any help or even to meet up im all ears I ride alone all the time. another drawback of mallorca I have lived here for three and half years there abouts and do not have any friends. very insular place and the usual expat brit is not my cup of tea so can be a lonely place at times. Hence riding a lone all the time. Velo I do log most fo my rides and can look on the garmin for some files for you. Will have a look and send soem over if you email me at jeff@evergreengardens.com I will sort somethign out for you. Loads from that area im about 15 min ride away.
jeff