Why not swap cold, gray Germany for spring-like 22 degrees Celsius with sunshine and good vibes on Mallorca? No sooner said than done. And so, on April 13th, the BR team will be starting their third training camp together. After their Mallorca debut in 2023, we're heading to the 17th German state, aka "THE" Germans' favorite island. We'll experience what that means at the airport... So that we don't forget where we're flying to, a testosterone-fueled group of boys gives us an authentic welcome at the gate in Düsseldorf: Ballermann beats and jokes included. Maike has the misfortune of being in the middle of the action, luckily only on the plane and not at the Bierkönig. Anyone who flew at dawn unfortunately missed the spectacle.
It's almost as if half of Düsseldorf is leaving for Mallorca this morning. The BRIDGERUNNERS are now one big family. <3 Luggage and bike cases checked in, security cleared, and off we went. Tiredness and (still) weak legs were compensated for upon arrival with the first rays of sunshine on our skin. Thanks to the perfect organization of BR's "in-house advisor," Johanna, we were off to the north of the island in no time at all on a private shuttle.
Our destination: Pollença. A BR-tested location from 2023 (speaking of "tested": last year we had to climb over fences to get to the track, so this year we've at least got our manners and are taking the front entrance). We train on the track twice a day, morning and afternoon. Those who want to push themselves can do intervals – either with Nicola, Torben, or Niklas. The agenda includes tough sprints and the occasional 2000m or 500m interval. No pain, no gain. For all other cases, LIT or a long trail run will do the trick – please ask Johanna and Stefan for a report on the "mountain goats" experience.
After the track, it's a quick goose-step to La Mar Dolce, the bakery of hearts. Because whoever runs the fastest gets the croissants first, right? :) MNSTRY has also sponsored some gels, energy bars, and protein powder to keep you fueled. Dreams! And for those tired brain cells, there's a nutrition workshop on top. This BR all-round program is almost all-inclusive.
Besides the track, Pollença scored twice: the sea is just around the corner – check! The landscape – amazing. Double check! In the surrounding area, with the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains, we can expect not only rolling hills, but also dizzying climbs and loooong descents that will make just about any cyclist's heart beat faster. Finally, let's get rolling again. Different groups set off every day. Whether for a lively tour to Sa Calobra, an after-work ride to Cap Formentor, or an inland coffee cruise to Sineu, there's something for everyone here. Especially the Tokio Hotel fans among us! Because: "I have to go through the monsoon, beyond the world, to the end of time, until the rain stops..." has taken on a whole new meaning. Or how about Natascha Beddingfield's 2004 banger: "Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you...", dear Kathi, Vici, Natascha and Mirko? ;-)
As always with the Bridgies, helpfulness is a top priority. And so, the "stranded" are quickly whisked away to warmer conditions by the helper crew of Hanniel, Nico, Torben, and Holger, and the bikes are escorted back. How convenient to have friends like that.
Besides all the kilometers and elevation gain, sweat and endurance, there was of course plenty of fun too. The organizing house throws the first party on Monday evening: Aperol supper meets pool time, peeps! While most of the house's residents leave around midnight (and hope that the guests follow suit), Casa Benni & Co. celebrate happily until the early hours. Holger, "private chef," becomes DJ Holger, who not only outdoes himself on the grill that evening – just multi-talented BRIDGERUNNERS are on the starting line. And so the night from Monday to Tuesday will remain a blur in my memory... To end the BR training camp in the same fitting manner, Casa Benni invites you on Friday evening. Unfortunately, we have to move to a different house next year – to be continued.
Kudos to everyone who made our time there so unforgettable!
Text: Miriam Ziebell
Photos : Azib Hamidi , Hanniel Hu , Torben Flatemersch
