Cap de Formentor Lighthouse – what they DON’T tell you! #cycling #shorts #mallorca

Cap de Formentor Lighthouse – what they DON’T tell you! #cycling #shorts #mallorca

Overrated, stuck in traffic, idiots and cars, dangerous. A selection of the usual comments I get whenever I post about the cats for mental lighthouse ride from people desperate to show they know best, but only proving they know nothing at all. In a couple of weeks, I'll have been living in New Yorker for a year, and I'm lucky enough to call the lighthouse ride my local training lab, even earning the hallow title of Straa local legend. So, here's what you need to know to make your ride on one of the world's greatest routes truly unforgettable. First things first, timing. Yes, there can be traffic, but it's easy to avoid. Get on the road before 8:30, or even 9 any time of the year, and you'll be fine. In April, May, September, and October, that early start is crucial. Outside of those months, you got more freedom. Late afternoon can work, too. But for me, morning is the best. From June to October, the road from Fermenta Beach to the lighthouse itself closes to cars after 10:00 a.m. Great news, except buses replace them. Better, but still a hazard. Remember this only affects the second half of the ride and you'll still deal with traffic on the cold lacroetta which is a shame for late starters as the descent is so much fun and nothing is worse than spending a one chance at riding a bucketless descent peering through the back window with a sea arona. For many riders this is their first taste of Morca and it does come with hazards. There are technical corners throughout right from the very first moment of the first descent. Keep your outside pedal down, hold back from the apex and don't assume the road is clear. Treat every corner like there's something coming around it because there's a good chance there is. A special mention goes to the big lefthander halfway down the final descent back into town. It's fast, it's blind, and buses swing wide into the opposite lane, so take it easy. Other things to look out for are rocks on the road and goats. This ride probably has more goats per capita than anywhere else on the island. Luckily, they don't spook easily, but you'll still need to steer around them. Lastly on safety is the wind. It's generally nothing crazy, but will always be a fair bit stronger and gustier than in town. So, given the choice, I'd leave my deep section rims at home. Don't expect much in the way of refueling stops. There's a hot dog stand at the top of the Kueta, cafes at Fermenta Beach, and the lighthouse itself. Just be warned, captive audience pricing. I don't begrudge the Lighthouse Cafe trying to earn a living, but €5 for a bottle of water does wrinkle, and it's hard not to leave there feeling like you've had your pants down. If you're feeling up to it, I'd always recommend making a detour to visit the watchtowwer at the end of your ride. From the Keta car park, head uphill another 150 vertical meters to reach the beam bomb. The views are incredible. Some of the best on the island and well worth the trip. The road surface is rough, so take care. So, there you have it. If I'm sounding negative, it's only because the beauty, the corners, the descents, those speak for themselves. I've ridden it over 50 times now, and it still never gets old. So, next time someone tells you it's overrated, just remember they're a thick idiot.