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TOROS DE GRAVEL

Name: TOROS DE GRAVEL

Date: 20 March 2019

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Toros de Gravel

DISTANCE

140KM

ALTITUDE GAIN

1500M

LOCATION

Sineu

COUNTRY

Mallorca

CHALLENGE

Moderate

DATE

TBC

% OF GRAVEL

95%

BIKE TYPE

Gravel

TYRE WIDTH

47mm

Toros de Gravel

Posted By Gravel Union On the 20th March 2019

The Island of Mallorca is well renowned for its quality of cycling … though this reputation is based on its road cycling. Only a small number of locals knew about the quality of gravel riding that could be found on the island ... well that was until October 2018 and Toros de Gravel ... then the secret was out!

All year there had been whispers of this new event happening on Mallorca. There had been talk of warm days, dusty trails, swimming in the sea and cold beers. It was increasingly obvious that to miss this inaugural edition you were really going to miss something special.

The event for some of us had started a few days earlier. Our home had been a tented village around a pool at the Sineu velodrome … if this was how events take place on Mallorca I never want to ride anywhere else!

After 2 days of riding great gravel in the sun we thought we had experienced what Mallorca had to offer, we had merely scratched the surface.

From Sineu the route would initially take us south before swinging westward to the coast, this would be the mid-point of the day before winding our way back. At a reasonable 142km and 1500m of climbing we knew the ride would be challenging enough but not so much we couldn’t have some extended breaks.

As we set out that morning the mist had rolled in and with low light the early kilometres were atmospheric. After not long the groups had formed and you could see who you would spend the rest of the day riding with. A mix of social media superstars, print journalists and manufacturers of the finest cycling nutrition … I personally found myself in good company.

Gravel riding is a subjective term. Hailing from the Midwest of the US where it takes place on their expansive gravel road network but elsewhere it can be interpreted differently. In Europe we are far more used to it being like the early days of mountain biking. Toros certainly offered some sections that were technical enough to compare to some of the modern trails of mountain biking. 650x47c Sendero tyres from WTB were the save of the day. I had thought before leaving home they would be overkill, by lucky coincidence they seemed to be perfect.

Through a mix of farm tracks, quiet tarmac lanes and some excellent singletrack we had found the sea … time for a swim! Perhaps we spent too much time here swimming while chatting and enjoying some beers but when you come from a much colder climate you enjoy it when you can.

Our time spent swimming soon caught up with us not long after leaving that spot … or more so the event sweeper did. This was a first for me never having enjoyed an event with such a carefree approach, but it was good to get a little motivator to move. It was obvious that the faster we completed the event the sooner we could enjoy the event after party.

The rest of the riding did not disappoint ... more sublime gravel trails and techy singletrack before arriving at the velodrome just after dusk and of course the obligatory laps at speed to round of the riding portion of the day.

The after party went on long in to the night (and early morning). We ate from amazing food vendors, attempted to drink the bar dry and all the while being entertained by an outstanding fireworks display performed by local demons … something hard to explain but needing to be experienced.

Toros de Gravel has put Mallorca on the gravel riding map and made it now a must visit location.

Find out more at https://www.torosdegravel.com


Image credit @mr.pinko