A newby perspective on cycling in Majorca
Sa Calobra
By Guest contributor
In the mind of a cyclist, Mallorca probably conjures up images of the famous iconic routes, most of which involve some challenging climbs - and descents: the Formentor lighthouse, Sa Calobra, the Orient, are a few that immediately come to mind, among many others. All of which can arguably be a bit daunting for the less experienced among us, right?
Well, good news: there is a lot more to explore and enjoy in Mallorca, even if you have no aspirations to emulate your favourite professionals, or those pesky highly proficient cycling friends. It is perfectly possible to ride in Mallorca, whatever your ability, and enjoy every minute of it.
A route for every level of competence
Mallorca has gained international recognition as one of the best cycling destinations in the world. It is not uncommon to bump into professionals – or more precisely to see them fly past you – while riding on your favourite routes around the island, especially in the north-east. Pollensa, Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia, Playa de Muro, Caimari or Campanet are all ideal locations to base yourself for a cycling holiday, and also for some serious cycling-star spotting.
The choice of routes is almost infinite. As a relatively inexperienced rider, one of my favourite rides from Pollensa is Cala San Vicenc, an ideal first-day destination with a gently undulating and perfectly smooth road. The descent towards Cala Barques gives you your first view of the north coast scenery, but keep going and when you get to the top of the road and turn left, the blue of the sea on the next bend down towards Cala Molins is nothing short of breathtaking. I highly recommend having a beer or a coffee at Bar Mallorca and taking the obligatory picture of you and your shiny bike with the bay in the background, before starting back – all part of the experience.
If you are not a fan of steep climbs, you can still have a fabulous time in Mallorca selecting routes that have the right mix of flat and gentle to medium gradients – and more importantly, at least for me, gentle descents!
S’Illot, Alcudia
If you are based in the north-east, you will be spoilt for choice. Pollensa town, Puerto Pollensa, Alcudia town and Port Alcudia, Platjia de Muro, Can Picafort, Campanet, Caimari, Sa Pobla are all places you can reach easily, staying mostly on country lanes.
Of course, you can mix and match, throwing in a bit of climbing here and there. The area around S'Illot, on the outskirts of Alcudia, is worth exploring and the effort of climbing is rewarded by spectacular views. If you feel daring and strong, keep going all the way up to La Victoria, where you can enjoy a drink or a meal on a panoramic terrace.
For those of you who wish to get a taste of the Tramuntana without stretching it too far, starting from Pollensa or Puerto Pollensa, the Col de Sa Bataia climb, via Campanet valley and Caimari, and Col de Femenia descent back into Pollensa, is a fantastic loop that, while challenging, is perfectly doable even for the less experienced rider. The feeling of accomplishment will be a priceless incentive to improve and ride further next time.
Steel is real – even more so for us non super-confident riders
A top-quality steel bike offers superior handling and a more forgiving ride than carbon, without compromising on lightness. At 7.7 kg, the unique Independent Fabrication SSRs, which you can rent only from nplus1bicycles.com, compare easily, and favourably, with the best carbon alternatives available on the rental market.
What is the advantage? The handling precision, responsiveness and shock-absorbing properties of the stainless steel frame give you that extra confidence you need when facing a descent or negotiating sharp bends on narrow country lanes. You can relax and enjoy riding a unique bike in a fantastic setting.
Reading the 5-star reviews on Google may help you decide to go for it – make the most of your rental experience by trying something different.
Guiding, anybody?
Who needs a guide when you can use one of the many apps that will show you the way around? Well, probably you do. While on holiday, you can do without having to concentrate on a map and wasting valuable time getting lost – because you will get lost, trust me. A competent local guide will know the best routes away from traffic, the best coffee and empanada stops, the best time of the day to get to a specific destination. You can just follow and enjoy the scenery without a care in the world. It is a treat for any cyclist, but even more so if this is your first trip to Mallorca and/or you would feel reassured by not riding on your own. Being guided is the best way to feel safe and make the most of your cycling holiday. Any questions, just pop an e-mail or a whatsapp message to Gary and he will get back with all the answers. Happy riding!
gary@nplus1bicycles.com
+34682889304