It would seem that finding a gap in the rain clouds has been an unusual challenge over the last month on the island. Our claim of ‘320 days of sunshine a year’ must soon be under threat.
So it was that the second e3 Systems Cobham SATCOM charity cycling event of the year had to be delayed by a week, leading to an annoying clash with the first day of the Palma Vela – and losing us a few keen riders to other windy start lines.
Nonetheless, around 30 captains, engineers, project managers and agents joined us for another fantastic ride in aid of Yachting Gives Back – this time from the cafe at Club de Vela Andratx up to the spectacular Es Grau restaurant, perched 1000ft above the rocks on Mallorca’s northern corniche just short of Estellencs.
Although bright, it wasn’t quite the colourful autumn day that we’d all hoped for, compensated to a degree by the shocking pink Rapha cycling jerseys given out by e3 Systems and Cobham SATCOM to all the riders, making them almost glow against the spectacular backdrop all along the route.
This is a tough 40km mountainous ride anyway, but particularly so when the working season or scorchio-summer days get in the way of any cycle training that more typically might take place over the cooler winter months. Perhaps it’s the least cycling-fit time of the year for many. For some, it was the first time they’d sat on a bike in an age…
Nonetheless, there are still some very fit and talented riders around and it wasn’t long before some competition crept in, with James Brill (A2B Marine), Dan Rawlins (SY Hyperion) and Alex Mannock (MY Zarkava) breaking off the front and disappearing up the hill, followed at a less frantic pace by all the other panting riders for the well-earned coffee break at Es Grau.
The super-fast decent back to Puerto Andratx was safely enjoyed by all, ending with a hosted lunch attended by Nick Entwisle of Yachting Gives Back, for which the two events this year have now raised over €5000. As these initiatives are entirely funded by e3 Systems and Cobham, every cent of the donations for taking part goes towards the fantastic work that Nick and his brilliant team do for those on Mallorca living on the edge of poverty – of which there are depressingly many.
On behalf of e3 Systems and Cobham SATCOM, we would thank each and every rider for joining us and to acknowledge their generosity – both in spirit and in Euros – that has made these charity rides such enjoyable and worthwhile events. Yachting gives back indeed.
Roll on the next instalment in Spring 2022!
Photos by Christopher Scholey
