Blog: sun, sand and sea. That sounds like a nice holiday to most of you, doesn't it? For me, it's usually work, even if I see every single day of it as a privilege. After months on the road all over the world and a fully packed two-door Ford Focus, we are finally back on our favorite island: Mallorca.
Our return caused a lot of fuss, lots of visits to friends and a letter from the Mayor of the town of Felanitx with best wishes on my Ironman Malaysia victory. For two years I have taken this island into my heart and I am happy to be able to spend so much time here. For me, Mallorca is life, tranquility, sports fanaticism, beautiful landscapes and a paradise for cyclists.
Far away from tourism, we enjoy hours of tours through the Tramuntana mountains, along the coast. And if we haven't had enough after several hours in the saddle, we'll go up our local mountain, San Salvador. Depending on the daily mood, you try to set your new personal best, which is sometimes not that easy after 150 km. 😉
Once you have “izquierda”, “derecha”, “coche” and “cerveza” in your Spanish vocabulary, you are ready for this tour.
I try to take one highlight with me as often as possible: every Sunday there is a big ride with the local cyclists. Once you have “izquierda”, “derecha”, “coche” and “cerveza” in your Spanish vocabulary, you are ready for this tour. It's louder than in German cycling groups. You already know from a kilometer away that a Spanish bike group is shooting up. What sometimes sounds to our ears like people are about to fight is normal Spanish conversation volume. But these bike units are a lot of fun. After the new road to Cap de Formentor was completed a week ago, it was time to test it today. The meeting point is at eight o'clock, the first two hours are always a bit tough, because the hills are pushed up like all cyclists, short drinking stop, then fly over the new asphalt to finally roll home nicely. After five and a half hours we are back in our tranquil little town and turn into a café before the boys drive home to their wives, who somehow try not to let the paella get cold.
After two weeks of training in the most glorious summer October weather - 30 degrees and no rain - I still have five weeks of hard training ahead of me before I start my next big trip to Ironman Western Australia. Even if I don't yet know what these weeks will look like, one thing is certain: my coach Jo will once again prepare me perfectly. I just hope that one time or another I'll find time to enjoy a cafe con leche and some bocadillos under a blue sky in one of the local cafes.
Sunny greetings from the island,
Diana