Take a trusty time trialler (and Bikebox employee), a Team GB athlete in training, a rock-hard Ironman regular and a committed cycling club member, pop them on a plane to Majorca and watch the miles pile up on Strava
Nipping to Majorca to notch up a few miles sounds like a dream cycling break to us. What inspired your trip?
Kirsty: We recently went to a bike show and learned about Jet2holidays cycling holiday packages. I’d never considered a package holiday before but Jet2holidays got us a great deal on the flights, transfers and half board right in the centre of Pollença. We also got bike box transport for £1!
Was the trip for business or pleasure?
Kerry: I qualified at age group for Team GB in duathlon and triathlon and will be heading to Spain and Germany to compete over the next few months. This was a chance for me to get some good training in while having some fun with friends who share a love for cycling.
Kirsty: I time trial competitively, Orna competes at Ironman distance and Lynne is a member of York Triathlon Club, so we all wanted to get some miles in.
What was your total mileage for the trip?
Kirsty: We ended up hitting about 400 over the six days; it averaged around 60-80 miles per day. We cycled to Sa Calobra, up Puig Major, from Port D’Andratx to Pollença, tackled the lighthouse ride and the Orient route, and enjoyed some ad lib routes when we got a bit lost!
Where did you stay?
Kirsty: We stayed in Aparthotel Duva & Spa. It was a really good apartment with half board and bike security in the basement.
Kerry: The buffet breakfast and dinner were excellent with lots of choice. Great for refuelling after a day on the bike.
Did you have to do any training before you left?
Kirsty: No, I’m on my bike six days a week anyway.
Kerry: Although I don’t spend as much time on the bike as Kirsty, I have a good base level of fitness and this trip was about improving that.
What was your highlight of the trip?
Kirsty: Sa Calobra was amazing. Not cycling-related but I managed to sprain my ankle in the last night after I fell off the kerb from too much gin. The girls had to carry all my luggage home, including the bike boxes!
Kerry: Hard to choose between Sa Calobra and the Port D’Andratx to Pollença route. It was such a great trip and I can’t wait to go back again. It’s always great to make memories with your friends on bikes in a beautiful country.
And what about the toughest moment?
Kirsty: When I broke my cleat at the bottom of Puig Major!
Kerry: Going up Puig Major… it’s such a long drag. As a sprint distance athlete, it took some soul-searching to get up that!
Did you learn any valuable lessons that you would take along to your next trip?
Kirsty: Definitely: book it as a package holiday.
Kerry: Totally agree with Kirsty on that. And hire your bike box from Bikebox Online… I hear the VeloVault box is excellent!
How was the springtime weather?
Kirsty: We were lucky – it was over 20 degrees every day. We all bought matching Castelli rain/wind jackets from Wiggle and didn’t get to wear them.
Kerry: We were so lucky with the weather; it was perfect for cycling. A little chilly when we first set off on a morning but every day was shorts and t-shirts weather. My sponsors at Giant in York had given me some cycling kit, which got plenty of use.
With thanks to Jet2holidays for their help and advice. We wish Kerry the very best of luck for her upcoming sprint triathlons (first up, the age group ETU Duathlon European Championships in Soria, Spain on 30 April).