Throughout its history, RFW (or The Rocko) have enjoyed their cycling both on the local patch, and away from home. Sometimes it is as part of an organised event or race, sometimes it's as a social outing, and sometimes just an opportunity for an individual to cycle somewhere new and exciting. Here are some recent examples.
Mallorca 2017
4 members of the Rockingham Wheelers visited Mallorca for a week in March 2017.
The group stayed with Brian Mosnak and his son Jaro, also RFW members, in Porte de Polenca in the north east of the Island. This was close to where the famous Tollers bistro is located and where team Sky visit when training on the Island. Two of a certain Mr Wiggin’s Pinarellos can be found hanging from the ceiling on display. The accommodation was very good, with a spa, swimming pool and fantastic food. Food is important when cycling all day, and the choice and quality was very good. Pasta was a particular favourite, as was the steak. Over the course of the week, many trips were made out across the island on hired road bikes. These were top spec carbon framed bikes with suitable gearing for the Island. Formentor Lighthouse, Muro, Manacor, Puis Major, Petra and Alcúdia were amongst the locations visited. Petra was notable for its town square – full of cyclists eating and drinking at lovely cafes. Alcúdia was a bike shop paradise with Assos, Specialized and Castelli outlets to be found amongst others. Palma was a good destination for a rest day mid-week, with plenty of shops and tourist attractions. A ride across the mountainous range on the west of the island from Andratx to Sóller and then on to Polenca was the highlight of the week. A long but enjoyable ride with lots of climbing and fantastic descents. The tunnels were also an interesting feature without lights! The island is geared up for cyclists with good roads and many cycle lanes. The motorists also show great respect for cyclists – I experienced this courtesy many times when in the lowest gear on the small ring, where the cars waited until it was safe to pass without any heckling. I would recommend Mallorca to any cyclist, regardless of their level of fitness. The island has every type of road from long flat stretches – ideal for interval and time trial training through to challenging long duration climbs with lots of switchbacks. One climb from Sa Calobra up to the summit at Coll dels Reis is particularly notable. If you’ve never been to Mallorca to cycle, give it a go. If you have and have experienced as I’ve described, you'll want to go back! Rob Maddison, with Nathan Joyce, Pete Wilson and ANO |
Amstel Gold 2015A team of four enjoyed the sun and scenery of SE Netherlands (the hilly bit!) in a 150km sportive, the day before the professional race. There were well over 10,000 other cyclists participating, it was amazing just by the sheer scale, as well as the landscape, weather and the people.
The after-party was very, well, Dutch!
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