Cycling in Majorca

flyer
flyer Posts: 608
edited April 2009 in Road beginners
I am going to Majorca in a few wekks and have always fancied cycling for a few days.

I want to hire a bike there, is this possible?


Can anyone advise of some good reasnably flat routes?

Thanks

Ian

Comments

  • gavintc
    gavintc Posts: 3,009
    It will depend on where you are staying as to whether you have easy access to the flat middle area. I generally stay at Port Pollence when we visit and it s perfect for the mountains and the flat. Most cycle shops will sell you a cycle map for 5 Euro. It is worth buying. The central area has some superb villages will lovely cafes and a nicer less touristy style. The mountains to the north are not as bad as you might think. Most of the roads have gradients around 8%.
  • gavintc
    gavintc Posts: 3,009
    check out the following

    http://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    http://www.tramuntanatours.com/rentbike.html

    There are other options dependent upon which part of the island you end up. It is worth booking is you want a decent bike as Apr is still in the 'cycling' season.
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    I'm heading out that way at the end of July, Will it be too warm to do much during the day? and if so should i head out early morning?
  • juankerr
    juankerr Posts: 1,099
    [url=Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html]Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html[/url]

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.
  • Sirius631
    Sirius631 Posts: 991
    juankerr wrote:
    Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.

    I'd say book in advance, as I've heard of people being left disappointed when the bikes they were taking with them did not turn up at the airport. Can testify to the class of bike, as I had a carbon Giant with Dura Ace groupset when I was out there in March.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    In July you may sponaneously combust. I wouldn't ride there at that time of year but each to their own. For me late autumn right through to May is beautiful, outside of that I stay up to my neck in swimming pool water with a supply of easy to reach beer, or I just go somewhere else.

    And the hilly bits are the best IMO, although you'll p*ss my folks off as they're always moaning about driving behind ranks of cyclists. Don't listen to them thought, they're old and cranky :wink:
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • flyer
    flyer Posts: 608
    Cheers everyone thanks for the help


    Ian
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    juankerr wrote:
    Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.

    The fact that is English run is surely not a good point necessarily. I mean it can be English run and be shite, couldn't it? I mean, I live in England and don't go to Spanish places just because they are Spanish, I only go if they are any good.

    P.S: I am Spanish :)
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • bigjim
    bigjim Posts: 780
    Just back from mallorca. It pi..ed down, but whatever. Still got out on the bike. Stayed in Can Pastilla and plenty of bike shops around. Good area as close to airport and good quiet flattish routes to enjoy. I was also there last August and it was probably at its hottest but cycled every day with no problems. Early morning and evening the best times as roads are quiet and it is cooler. Remember even in the heat of the day you are always in a breeze on the bike. Just take plenty of water.
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    gabriel959 wrote:
    juankerr wrote:
    Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.

    The fact that is English run is surely not a good point necessarily. I mean it can be English run and be shite, couldn't it? I mean, I live in England and don't go to Spanish places just because they are Spanish, I only go if they are any good.

    P.S: I am Spanish :)

    I 100% agree with what you're saying. It's like the guy that runs Bicisport here in Tenerife. Someone else mentioned hereon Bikeradar that he speaks good English. Well, okay, but he still ripped me off :!:

    Having said that, ProCycleHire looks to be one of the most professional rental bike services on Mallorca, if not the most. Although they don't know it, they are a big inspiration for my own rental bike business here in Tenerife. Hopefully in a year or so I'll be at their 'level'. :)
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    I hired from some German guys, I was staying at Viva blue although booked entirely seperately from the cycling, and right across the street the Germans had lots of bikes, cheap, very well maintained and cheap. They also did buses out to other places on the island so you could ride back, although I never bothered.

    They spoke little English, but I wouldn't worry about that, they gave good efficient german service as you would expect...
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • juankerr
    juankerr Posts: 1,099
    gabriel959 wrote:
    juankerr wrote:
    Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.

    The fact that is English run is surely not a good point necessarily. I mean it can be English run and be shite, couldn't it? I mean, I live in England and don't go to Spanish places just because they are Spanish, I only go if they are any good.

    P.S: I am Spanish :)
    Disculpa..

    I wasn't being a Xenophobe - I just meant that the OP wouldn't have any language problems if he phoned them up. And the service IS demonstrably good.

    I'd avoid the English run restaurants mind... :)
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    Thanks to flyer for starting this thread.

    It has really got me interested in doing something similar either over Xmas or next spring
  • mattisard
    mattisard Posts: 12
    Sirius631 wrote:
    juankerr wrote:
    Ihttp://www.procyclehire.com/pch/index.html

    Good choice of bikes
    Cheap
    English run.
    Easy to get to.

    I just turned up on the day but probably best to give them a bell before hand to get something reserved.

    I'd say book in advance, as I've heard of people being left disappointed when the bikes they were taking with them did not turn up at the airport. Can testify to the class of bike, as I had a carbon Giant with Dura Ace groupset when I was out there in March.

    Yes book in advance, but to be honest we had a bad experience with these guys. They tried ripping us off for a repair that we didnt ask them to do, and were very rude when we didnt ask them to complete the repair.

    There are are a few shops a few km south in Playa Alcudia, one of which is just on teh left hand side as you go into Playa. It is owned by a really friendly guy who speaks excellent english. We hired a Ridley Alu bike for 64euro for 5 days. Try heading their!!!!
  • flyer
    flyer Posts: 608
    Cheers everyone for all the info, its made me even more keen.

    A light breeze, sun and a glass or two of wine, oh ye then there's the cycling

    Cheers
  • dombo6
    dombo6 Posts: 582
    In July you may sponaneously combust. I wouldn't ride there at that time of year but each to their own. For me late autumn right through to May is beautiful, outside of that I stay up to my neck in swimming pool water with a supply of easy to reach beer, quote]

    Not forgetting a plate of salami and olives strategically placed to keep the carbs/protein levels topped up :D
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Salchichon you mean - there is no salami in Spain :twisted:
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra