01\ THE SEASONAL SPECTACULAR

Turn up the heat on your holiday training with this Paralym pianapproved circuit to scale new heights of Mediterranean pulchritude The Puerto de Pollença Loop, Mallorca, chosen by Adam Duggleby MBE, double gold medallist for Team GB at Rio 2016 This easily tops my list of the world’s best routes for amazing scenery and challenging terrain. You’ll be climbing for half the ride, but embrace it; these hills significantly improved my fitness in the run up to the Rio Paralympics.

Starting in Puerto de Pollença, you’re going to follow a flat section straight into the Tramuntana mountains, which cover the top part of Mallorca. Then, it’s a steady ascent leading into the Coll de Femenia. None of the climbs here are particularly steep, but they can drag on for five miles at a time. Over the next hour and a half you’ll pass the historic Lluc Monastery, a handful of beautiful reservoirs, and go up to the highest pass on the island at 900m (it can be up to 10°C colder up here, so come prepared).

After that comes my favourite part: the descent into Soller. You’ll be heading downhill for around 20 minutes, hitting speeds of 40mph. If you have a watch with maps, I’d advise you to use it so you can anticipate the next corner.

The next climb leads over the treetops along the Coll de Soller – a series of 30 switchbacks with fantastic vistas toward Palma. The last big climb comes shortly afterward, taking you through the Orient pass before descending to the Campanet valley as you return to the start.

The Rest Stop – You don’t have to wait until you’re near collapse to pause for a refuel. Just after the Santuari de Lluc is a great cycling café, next to the garage. I never pass by without a caffeine fix.

DISTANCE 76 miles TOTAL CLIMB 3020m TARGET TIME 6 hours DIFFICULTY 8/10 ROUTE LINK mapmyride.com/ routes/view/1505048359