Extreme & training · start & finish Can Pastilla
Randa 5×
- Epic
- 89 km
- 1,574 m
- ≈ 4–4½ h
Map and elevation profile
Move along the elevation profile to see where you are on the map.
Randa 5×: five climbs to Cura from sweet spot to threshold
Summary:
A demanding, structured climbing session for strong club riders, sportive riders preparing for the Mallorca 312 and long-course triathletes with roughly 3 W/kg or more. The stimulus is long, progressive sweet-spot to threshold work on a real climb: five ascents of the Ma-5018 from Randa to the Santuari de Cura (4.7 km at 5.5%), one of them at low cadence for strength, with every descent as recovery. Total: 89.4 km, about 1,570 m of climbing and 4–4.5 hours. Key safety point: ride the narrow, fast Ma-5010 single file with no efforts, and turn at the top only inside the Cura car park and at the bottom in Randa from a standstill.
The route:
Km 0–6.2: Leave the shop through Can Pastilla onto the Camí de Son Fangos (km 1.8), pass Es Pil·larí and follow the Camí de les Barraques to the Ma-19A, the old Llucmajor road (km 6.2). Never use the parallel Ma-19: it is a motorway.
Km 6.2–16.6: The Ma-19A climbs gently from 47 m to about 170 m by the Camí des Camp Pelat (km 11.7), the place for your openers. Skirt Llucmajor on the Ronda de Ponent.
Km 16.6–21.4: At the roundabout at km 16.6 take the Ma-5010 towards Algaida: 3.8 km, gently rising, with no shoulder and fast traffic, so ride single file, no efforts. At km 20.4 turn right onto the Ma-5017, which climbs at about 5% into Randa.
Km 21.4–67.9: Every rep runs from the foot of the Ma-5018 in the village (km 21.4, 296 m) to the Santuari de Cura car park (km 26.0, 540 m). The first 1.5 km is the steepest at about 7%, then 4–6% through the hairpins, past the turn-offs to the Gràcia and Sant Honorat sanctuaries. Turn inside the car park, descend the same road and turn again from a standstill at the bottom. Reps start at km 21.4, 30.7, 40.0, 49.3 and 58.6; the last descent ends at km 67.9.
Km 67.9–89.4: Home is the same way (single file again on the Ma-5010, no efforts): all asphalt, mostly downhill after the Camp Pelat (km 77.7).
The workout
≈ 4–4½ h · 89.4 km · 1,570 m · 5 × Randa–Cura
Intensity profile: width = time, height = % FTP
- Warm-up55 minZ256–75 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3km 0–21.4
Add 3 × 30 s at 100–110 rpm. Ma-5010 single file with no efforts; into Randa at or below 80% FTP.
- Openers on Ma-19A2 × 3 minZ3–Z488–92 % FTPRPE 6km 6.2–11.7
3 min easy between, done by the Camp Pelat junction (km 11.7). Old Ma-19A only, never the Ma-19 motorway.
- Rep 114–22 minZ385–88 % FTP88–92 % LTHRRPE 5–6km 21.4–26.0
Settle in: build gradually out of the village, no sprint. Single file on the right; press lap at the foot of the Ma-5018.
- Descent recovery9–11 min + 2 minZ1< 55 % FTP
Turn inside the car park, gilet on. Stay in lane, brake before hairpins, watch for gravel. At the foot turn from a standstill, spin 2 min.
- Reps 2–32 × 14–22 minZ3–Z488–94 % FTP90–96 % LTHRRPE 6–7km 30.7–35.4 · 40.0–44.7
Sweet spot, seated, 80–90 rpm; most riders need about 34 × 28–32 on the 7% start. Never above 100% FTP there.
- Rep 4: strength14–22 minZ3–Z488–92 % FTPkm 49.3–54.0
Seated at 60–65 rpm for strength endurance. Sensitive knees: ride it at normal cadence like rep 3.
- Rep 5: threshold14–22 minZ495–100 % FTP95–102 % LTHRRPE 8km 58.6–63.3
Only if reps 2–4 hit their targets; otherwise sweet spot again. Still never above 100% FTP on the steep first 1.5 km.
- Cool-down45 minZ1–Z2< 70 % FTPkm 67.9–89.4
Ma-5010 single file with a rear light, then the Ma-19A only; mostly downhill after the Camp Pelat (km 77.7).
Training segments on the route click to show on the map
- Openers on the Ma-19A 2 × 3 min · 88–92% FTPkm 6.2–11.7
- 5 × Randa–Cura climb 5 × 4.7 km · 85–100% FTPkm 21.4–26
60–90 g carbohydrate per hour and 2 bottles (0.5–0.75 l per hour, more on warm days), refilling water at Cura or in Randa. Eat at the top or the foot, never in the hairpins.
Less experienced riders do 3 reps – one at 85–88% FTP and two at 88–94% – for about 71 km and 1,080 m.
Very strong riders add a sixth rep at 88–92% FTP (+9.3 km, about +250 m, about 30 min). Option: on the final rep, go all-out for the last 500 m after the final hairpin.
Reps 1–3 should still let you speak in short sentences, rep 5 only one or two words; heart rate lags 2–3 minutes, so don't chase it on the steep start. Reps 2–3 should be roughly 30–60 s faster than rep 1; if rep 3 or 4 is over a minute slower than rep 2, ride rep 5 at sweet spot.
Intensities are guidance – adapt them to your current fitness and to the traffic.
Safety on the route click an item with km to show it on the map
- Ma-19A only, skirt Llucmajor
Use only the old Ma-19A: the parallel Ma-19 is a motorway closed to bikes. Stay on the Ronda de Ponent round Llucmajor: the centre is busy during the autumn fairs (late September to mid-October) and on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday market mornings.
km 6.2–16.6 - Ma-5010: narrow, fast traffic
The Ma-5010 from the Llucmajor roundabout to the Randa turn is narrow, with no shoulder and fast traffic. Ride it single file, with no efforts and a rear light on even by day – on the way back too (to km 72.8).
km 16.6–20.4 - Traffic on the Cura climb
Cura is a popular destination: expect cars, coaches at weekends and sometimes buggy tours on the climb. Climb single file on the right and build into each rep instead of sprinting out of the village.
km 21.4–26 - Descent: hairpins and gravel
The descent has tight hairpins, loose gravel in places and cars coming up: it is recovery, not a race, so stay in your lane and brake before every bend. Check brakes and tyres before the first descent and never eat in the hairpins.
km 21.4–26 - Where to turn safely
At the top, turn only inside the Santuari de Cura car park, never on the road. At the bottom, stop at the foot of the Ma-5018 in Randa's narrow village street and turn from a standstill.
km 21.4–26 - Stay on the tarmac
Stay on the tarmac of the Ma-5018. Ignore the unpaved Camí vell to Cura, the Gràcia access lane and the footpaths cutting the hairpins, which some route planners offer as shortcuts.
km 21.4–26 - Cool summit, short days
The summit at 540 m is windier and cooler than the coast, so put on a gilet before each of the five descents. From November to February days are short: start by 9–10 am and fit front and rear lights.
Tips from our guides
- Cura is a popular sight: expect cars and tour coaches. Climb single file on the right and build into each rep instead of sprinting out of the village. The descent is recovery, not a race: stay in your lane, brake before every hairpin and watch for gravel. Turn only inside the car park at the top and from a standstill at the bottom.
- The Ma-5010 between Llucmajor and the Randa turn is narrow, with no shoulder and fast traffic. Ride it single file, with no efforts and a rear light on even by day. Use only the Ma-19A old road: the parallel Ma-19 is a motorway and closed to bikes.
- Check brakes and tyres before the first descent. To hold 80-90 rpm on the 7% opening at sweet-spot power, most riders need a gear of about 34 × 28-32. Pair your heart-rate strap or power meter before leaving the shop and press lap at the start of each rep.
- No power meter? Reps 1-3 should still let you speak in short sentences, rep 5 only one or two words. Heart rate lags 2-3 minutes, so don't chase it on the steep start. Use your rep times: reps 2-3 should be roughly 30-60 s faster than rep 1; if rep 3 or 4 is more than a minute slower than rep 2, ride rep 5 at sweet spot.
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