Albion Tours Mallorca, More Club 59 than Club 18-30
http://www.albionmotorcycles.com/
As the nights begin to draw in I recently found myself with a few days off from work and no plans. It was an opportunity to get out on the bike but I hadnât been abroad for a while and felt the need to get away. I recently read an article in MCN about Albion Motorcycle tours in Mallorca and remembered reading a similar article in Classic Motorcycle last year. I checked the website and emailed the owner Hugh Birley who confirmed there were bookings available, there was nothing stopping me.
I booked a budget flight to Palma for the following day and suddenly found myself embarking on an impulsive holiday on my own, not something I usually do. A few things began to trouble me, riding on the other side of the road, Mallorcian roads and I confess I knew nothing about the island. Iâll be honest, Mallorca is somewhere I have avoided, my impression was that it is a beautiful island spoiled by crass hotels and lairy Brits on club 18-30 tours, the last place Iâd want to be. On the way to the airport my thoughts turned to the flight, I imagined a painful flight with drunken stag and hen parties in silly costumes but to my surprise and slight disappointment there were none in site. I have grown to realise that Mallorca is an island that like many holiday destinations has some spoilt areas but is overwhelmingly a place of natural beauty. And thanks to those club 18-30s the flights are regular and cheap, the morning flight was only a few hours and I checked into my hotel before noon. Hugh had recommended the Hotel Horizonte a 15 euro taxi fare from the airport, the hotel and flight were very reasonable considering I had only booked them the day before. In the afternoon I took a stroll around Palmaâs old town which was a pleasant surprise. Narrow cobbled streets lined with tapas bars and boutiques open out into squares where there are plenty of cafes and busy outdoor markets. The Gothic sandstone cathedral although impressive is rather imposing in the narrow streets and is best appreciated from nearer the port marina. The Arabian baths are a small oasis of tranquillity away form the hustle and bustle of the streets and as the sun sets, the cafÃ?s and bars keep the streets alive as the floodlit Bellver castle commands over the town.
After a relatively early night, Hugh picked me up from the hotel at 9am. Hugh is amiable chap who set up Albion tours around 3 years ago after a successful career in PR within the music industry. We picked up another rider Graeme Reeves who was staying at the Augusta hotel nearby and we headed to Albion HQ about a 20 minute drive from the hotel. Graeme is also a NOC member who runs a dominator 650 SS and had been enjoying full day rides with Albion for most of the week. Albion offer a number of bikes that include a 1974 Norton commando 850, 1964 Triumph Bonneville 120, 1958 BSA Goldstar replica, 1977 Ducati 900 GTS, 1974 Motoguzzi 850T and 1971 BMW R75 to name a few, oh and a 1953 Vincent Rapide C, just thought Iâd drop that in there.
On this occasion I decided to stick with Brit iron and avoid the left gear shifts of many of the other bikes (itâs been a few years) and I was keen to compare the Bonnie and Commando. Hugh and his fellow guide/mechanic Marcus began the day with orientation on the bikes and sorting out the paperwork, it costâs 175 euros for a full dayâs riding that includes fuel, insurance and any gear you wish to use (jackets, gloves and helmets) which I think is quite reasonable. On day one I was on the Bonnie, as soon as you sit in the saddle you feel that you are sitting low and immediately become part of the bike. The Bonnie feels light and changes direction with ease, turning into corners with very little rider input required. The brakes were reasonable and the power delivery steady although I did feel the bike to be slightly low geared at higher speeds and fine vibration through the handlebars seemed more noticeable than my dommie or ES2. Before I knew it we were riding on back roads lined with olive groves, almond orchards and vin yards. We stopped for a coffee in Santa Maria del Cami before heading through the old towns of Sineu and Lloret de Vistalegre where we had an impressive traditional 3 course lunch. As we set off for home towards Calvia, we descended on winding roads dappled with the sunlight as it filtered though fragrant pine forests. A pleasant mixture of petrol, oil and pine filled the warm air as Hughâs BSA made a pleasing âpopâ every once in a while up front while Graeme looked menacing in my rear view mirror on the Commando. We arrived home all too soon looking very pleased with ourselves, I really enjoyed the Bonnie and although dad would probably disown me for liking a Triumph I thoughtâ? yeah I could own one of those.
The following day Graeme had returned home but I was joined by a chap called Scott whoâs wife had bought him a few days with Albion whilst they had a holiday on the island. Scott recently turned 40 and runs a modern Triumph Bonneville scrambler. Although new to classic bikes he was keen to get the classic bike experience with a view to purchase his first classic bike (possibly a Commando) later this year. Today was going to be Commando day for me whilst Scott started out on the Ducati as he was used to left foot shifting and Marcus lead the way on the Bonnie. I owned a Commando 750 interstate until last year but the difference of the riding position in comparison to the Bonnie struck me as soon as I got on the saddle. You really sit on top of a Commando and the smaller roadster tank made the experience initially feel awkward and top heavy. Undeterred and glad to be on a Norton for the day, I tickled both carbs, kicked it over and the Commando growled into life first time, we were off towards the coast. The power delivery from the Commando is impressive, the power just keeps coming. It feels much faster than the Bonnie and I preferred the gearing. It initially felt slower to turn in the corners and requires more rider input, I suspect this due to the increased weight and slightly longer wheel base but the cornering style (late in, haul over, power on) suited my engaged riding style and if you choose your lines carefully the experience is really rewarding. The front brake settled the bike nicely, immediately instilling confidence and I felt there were fewer vibes than the Bonnie. We rode through Valldemossa, a picturesque hilltop town but we werenât stopping, I didnât mind as the sweeping S bends with newly laid tarmac tore through rocky outcrops and pine forests. The valley opened up to the coastal road which is beautiful and similar in appearance to the Italian Amalfi coast with less traffic, in fact there was very little traffic at all on both days as most of the locals stick to the main roads. As we rounded the coast passing through Banyalbufar the Commando began to lose pace, the left cylinder was misfiring and I suspected a fouled plug. At the same moment the Ducati clutch cable snapped and we decided or rather, the bikes decided it was time to stop for a break. As Scott and I took in the costal view, Marcus worked away to bodge a fix on the Ducati clutch cable but unfortunately he didnât have enough tools to complete the job. Removing the Commandoâs left sooted plug confirmed my suspicions and an attempt was made to clean it. Whether the left Amal was running a little rich or the commando didnât like the slower coastal roads or my riding for that matter, I donât know but we decided it was time to limp home. Marcus expertly rode the Ducati without a clutch as if there was nothing wrong and although the Commandoâs gremlins were initially cured they predictably returned. I was down on power and my fuel consumption poor, we were a few miles from home before I lost all power and drew up in a perfectly positioned emergency lane (that never happens in the UK). I new what was wrong, the tank was dry but Marcus was soon at hand and after filling a discarded juice can with fuel from the Ducati we were off again and home safe, despite the Norton mischief (something I am more than used to) it was another wonderful day. On day 1 I would have said the Bonneville was the best, on day 2 the Commando prevailed, both bikes are very different and I guess not directly comparable since the Bonnie I rode was 10 years older than the Commando. I have to say the power delivery and riding style made the Commando the most rewarding and exhilarating experience for me. So if youâve been dreaming about riding on sunny coastal routes or mountain climbs look no further than Albion motorcycle tours, Mallorca. If you are worried about riding on other side of the road, donât, you follow a guide at all times at your own pace and you will quickly get used to using your left shoulder for life savers. Perhaps you have a friend, a son or daughter that might be interested in a classic bike experience then look no further, thereâs also plenty to do on the island for all the family. And what about the Vincent? I hear you ask. I had the opportunity to ride any of the bikes including the Vincent, but I decided not to. I was worried I would either break it or fall in love with it and use it as another reason to buy an expensive classic that isnât a Norton, besides it gives me an excuse to return for another trip.
Fraser Pryde
