Mid 40s age group female triathlete here… I am tempted to take a shot at climbing Sa Calobra in Mallorca this week, am I a complete idiot? Am I going to end up a human speed bump in the road by halfway up? I don’t consider myself any kind of climber, but have done Duplessis at Tremblant multiple times without issue. Hmmm…
Go early in the morning before all the buses get there.Just ride within your limits and you will get to the top!
Sa Calobra is just a beautiful not really tough climb, with the right gear don‘t expect a problem.
Did this a few years ago, 2.2w/kg for an hour in 34/28 got me up without dramas. Its average of 7% for just under 6 miles. In some ways its harder going down, need to keep eyes open for coaches too! Great piece of road engineering to admire. Go for it
Why not? As long as you pace yourself and have good gearing it looks sloggable. It is 75% of the IMMT bike loop elevation over 9.5km (vs 56) and those 10% parts are going to be a kicker (haven’t done it, just looked at an elevation chart).
What’s the gearing on your bike?
Edit: removed the part on being bailable since I missed the descent to the base of the climb on the chart
What’s the gearing on your bike?
34/50, 11-28. Sounds like this might actually be doable.
It is an easy climb. Getting there is way tougher. Every year I go allout once during my training camp there. This year I finally managed a sub 30min. Took me 353W avg with 72kg.
And no you cant just turn around, since you go down First and then up.
take your time and you will make it no problem.
Mid 40s age group female triathlete here… I am tempted to take a shot at climbing Sa Calobra in Mallorca this week, am I a complete idiot? Am I going to end up a human speed bump in the road by halfway up? I don’t consider myself any kind of climber, but have done Duplessis at Tremblant multiple times without issue. Hmmm…
You’ll be fine. I’ll second the going early recommendation. Stop at the bottom, have a coffee and check out the short hike thru a tunnel to the beach. Spectacular scenery.
Did it myself for the first time in May. Anyone who says it’s not a hard climb is either a pro or crazy. It’s hard and it’s really fun. That said, if have the proper gearing and go steady you will get in a rhythm and be fine. Anyway, once you get to the base you gotta make it all the way up as there is no other way back. Also agree fully with other comments: go early in the day before the tour buses are on the road and save something for the other climbs getting to and from this one. Enjoy.