In October, 2019 we had the pleasure of accompanying Black and White Hospitality on their fourth annual charity bike ride as part of a 10 strong support team. This year they set out to tackle the mountains of Mallorca, but our journey in the support vehicle started in Bristol. 

 

We left Cadbury House Hotel Bristol on Monday and headed to Dover. After an overnight stop we went to Folkestone for the shuttle to Calais; driving on to Clermont for a second overnight stop. From Clermont to Barcelona and the overnight ferry arriving in to Palma, Mallorca on Thursday morning. We were based at Duva Apartments and Sport Hotel in Pollenca in Northern Mallorca. 

 

For the next 3 days we drove the support car that followed a team of 48 riders who tackled the gruelling mountain route of one of Europe’s most renowned cycle roads; used by the likes of Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and other professional cycling teams for training. The Black and White team ‘Mallorca Challenge’ entailed riding 250 miles in 3 days and included the infamous Sa Calobra a category 1 climb over 9.5km. 

 

As support vehicle we carried the kit, water and snacks needed for planned, regular stops on each daily route. On board we also had bicycle pumps, inner tubes, tools boxes and phone chargers with power packs for the cyclists. 

 

Not forgetting the all-important First Aid kit – there was plenty of hand strapping required to prevent blisters and the essential mosquito wound spray to protect riders who had cuts and grazes. 

 

It was a gruelling test for the riders in temperatures as high as 68 degrees in the full heat of the day. But the whole team of cyclists took on the challenge and together raised a total of £41,000 for PROPS a Bristol based charity which supports adults with learning disabilities. 

 

In total the support vehicle covered 2,698 miles – from Bristol, through the mountains of Mallorca and back. It was wonderful to be involved and witness the physical and mental determination of everyone involved. Huge congratulations to the team for their fundraising, which now brings to £175,000 the total raised by Black and White Hospitality in the last four years. 

 

Next year they are planning to cycle from Bristol to Champagne (a great place to celebrate when they arrive)!