Majorca

With its famed climbs, beautiful scenery and warm climate, a trip to Majorca had been on the bucket-list for some time. When most cyclists in the UK had packed away their bib shorts for another summer, my good friend Jagat and I headed out to Majorca in October 2018 for some late season cycling action.

Getting to Majarco was easy. We flew with EasyJet from Gatwick airport to Palma with our final destination being Puerto Pollensa on the north west coast of the island. Whilst taxis are available, there was an easy bus option that took about 90 minutes. We hopped on the A32 bus from the airport to the town of Alcudia and then took the 352 bus onwards to Puerto Pollensa.

Being the shoulder season, accommodation availability was good and we managed to find a good deal at Aparthotel Flora. Set a few roads back from the beach, it had a decent bar and games room and was a handy location for nearby restaurants.

We had decided not to bring our own bikes as there were several bike hire companies in the town. We opted for Bimont bike and they supplied us with two good quality carbon road bikes. We also made sure that we were equipped with a cycling map of the island. Whilst cycling computers and smartphones will help you navigate just about anywhere, there is nothing like a paper map.

Ride 1

Setting off early the next morning from Puerto Pollensa, we headed southwest along the smooth flat roads of the valley that sits in the middle of the island. The day's ride was to be our biggest ride of the trip at about 110km in length and with over 2,000m of climbing. After leaving the flatlands, we soon started climbing up into the spectacular Serra de Tramuntana mountains making our way to Lluc. Home of a former monastery, it is visited by pilgrims and cyclists alike. Thereafter we encountered a series of undulating roads that eventually led us to the famous Sa Calobra.

Designed by Spanish engineer Antonio Parietti, the iconic Sa Calobra road was built in 1932 and includes the famous 'bow tie', a spectacular 270° loop. The road has 26 hairpin bends and the only way to experience the climb is to descend first to the sea. After an exhilarating ride downhill to the coast, it was then time to spin back up to the time. The climb has a 7% average gradient and whilst there is less than 10km of climbing, the dramatic twists and turns make it a stunning climb.

Having successfully conquered Sa Calobra, we then headed southwards and through the mountains back to the valley below. We sped down into the town of Inca and just as the light was fading made our way back into Puerto Pollensa. An epic day out on the bike!

Ride 2

The next day's ride was to take us in the opposite direction along the Formentor peninsula to the lighthouse at 'the end of' or Cap de Formentor. Although the ride was relatively short at 40km, it punched above its weight in terms of climbs. Short, sharp climbs were followed by fast descents with some great views of Mediterranean sea alongside us. Our efforts were rewarded when we swept down and across to the lighthouse at the very tip of the peninsula. Fueled by coffee and cakes, we then made the return journey eventually returning to the sweeping views of the horseshoe shape bay of Bay of Pollensa.

Ride highlights

• Descending and climbing the iconic Sa Calobra

• Riding to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor

• The well stocked cafe at the lighthouse

Useful links

• https://www.stanfords.co.uk/Mallorca-Editorial-Alpina-Cycling-Map_9788480903639

• https://www.bimontbikehire.com/bikes

• http://www.flora-pollensa.com/

• http://www.pollensa.com/en/