Joining Maria at the luxury Mas de Torrent race base were Cafe athletes Cynthia Carson and Luis Brenes, plus riders from our store in Mallorca and our HQ, coming together in a spirit of adventure for this community-focused ride.

“A community gravel ride can be either super chill and relaxed, or a great chance to push your training session a little harder than if you’re training alone,” Maria said. “At Komorebi, you could find a cycling partner for any mood, but I took the opportunity to try to stick with the stronger Café du Cycliste riders and make the ride count!”

“Komorebi” is the Japanese word meaning 'sunlight falling through trees', and the gentle spring conditions obliged. “The first segment of the course was the most technical part, and took us into a forest and some hills where you could feel that essence,” said Maria. “The rain had been hitting hard during the past weeks so the terrain in the shadows was still wet, which made it even more unique.”

While the atmosphere was relaxed and inspiring, the 90-kilometre course with 1,300m of climbing presented significant challenges: “I don’t feel very safe crossing wide streams, so when I see one a few metres in front, I don’t hesitate to jump off my bike and run into the water with it on the shoulder!” Maria said. And at points the course was not very forgiving on the new Café kit: “I do feel bad for riding like an animal through the forest and scratching some of the new clothes!”

Aside from a some wet socks and a few scratches, there was nothing but smiles at the end. A good mood and good food, old friends and new friends united by good gravel. Bring on round three!