Mallorca today

bernithebiker

Here's a quick vid of me in Majorca this October, heading up towards the top of Sa Calobra from Soller, then down.

It's a fantastic climb/descent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp7770IvaoA&sns=em

mallorcajeff

christ you were a lot quicker up there than me!!!!!

bernithebiker

Hi Jeff,
Thanks, but according to Strava some riders are going up there in 28 minutes which means better than 20km/h on a 7.1% hill, thats almost 10k long!! Kudos!

I love Majorca and try to get over twice a year. I have a brother that works on the yachts in Palma so i can stay with him near the airport.

We're coming out en famille in July but i hope to be there in the spring too.

Whereabouts are you?

mallorcajeff

Hi Berni

I spend a fair bit of time around Yachts in Palma might even know your brother small world.

I am based in Sa Pobla in the north but spend a lot of time going between there and Sencelles in the middle.

I saw some of those strava times I think maybe a car maybe involved haha fair play to people who can get the climbs that quick although have been passed by some super young fit germans lately going very qucikly up some of the climbs. Only way I would beat them is in a car!

Enjoy your trip!

bigjim

I got completely confused in Sa Pobla this year. They've put a new road in but it was not on my map.
It's getting hard to access Mallorca this year as Monarch have stopped flying and Jet2, don't know about others. Also many of the hotels are shut and those that are open have put prices up. Was not the case a few years ago as I always went out a couple of times in the winter. Crazy situation. locals can't be happy. I'm told expats are struggling to get over to the UK to see family.

mallorcajeff

Hi Jim.
I think maybe the new road was the ring road around the town. They opened the "new" south side of it about a year ago maybe 18 months ago. If you look on google earth you can clearly see the "ring road" i can only think of that as any new road we have had.

Last year was bad for flights. Im coming back on 16th jan and it was 30 euro return, with easyjet. Monarch fly all year round too. There is Ryanair but to be avoided obviously. BA have also resumed a service but only from citi airport I understand. Dont know where you are but i stay in Essex when back and 2 months ago flew back into Southend which was brilliant, 10 mins drive home. I mainly use stanstead and gatwick and have no trouble. There is usually 2 flights a week with the above companies. Easyjets best bet.

Hotels are an issue they recon 20% stay open through winter, shame as its great here now (windy tonight) but roads are empty and yesterday was 18 degrees, Spain will never recover how they think they can run a country that shuts for 50% of the year is beyond me?

fevmeister

Why is everywhere shut jeff what's the situation? I'm guessing its economy driven closures?

bigjim

Jeff
You're right it was the ring road. I sussed it out eventually as I was staying in Alcudia this time and rode though Sa Pobla regularly.
I'm in Manchester and Monarch and jet2 are not flying to the Island this winter. Easyjet are still flying from Liverpool but they are not doing it as cheap, as of course they can charge what they want if they are one of the few. Ryanair not flying to the Island either. I have no problem with Ryanair by the way.
There are a lot more choice of flights from the South of UK as I found out this year when flying in and out of France.
I was reading that the Island did a deal with the airlines to keep flying through the winter but they renaged on the deal. Also the Island Tourist office do not have the best most experienced staff. More Mallorcans with the right family connections, but of course, could all be pub talk.
My sister lives on the Island so I get the goss.

moscowflyer

bernithebiker wrote:

Here's a quick vid of me in Majorca this October, heading up towards the top of Sa Calobra from Soller, then down.

It's a fantastic climb/descent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp7770IvaoA&sns=em

This makes me want to go even more now! What are the logistics like in terms of getting over there with a bike? What airline did you use, and did you then rent a car?

bernithebiker

MoscowFlyer wrote:

bernithebiker wrote:

Here's a quick vid of me in Majorca this October, heading up towards the top of Sa Calobra from Soller, then down.

It's a fantastic climb/descent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp7770IvaoA&sns=em

This makes me want to go even more now! What are the logistics like in terms of getting over there with a bike? What airline did you use, and did you then rent a car?

Depends on the airline. I got ripped off by AirFrance, (75 Euros one way for the bike, ouch, I almost put it back in the car...) but others are more reasonable.

But there are lots of hire companies doing excellent road bikes. I used one in Felantix that delivers to you - it was a carbon Italian frame with Ultegra Di2, brand new for 130 Euros for the week delivered and collected. Kind of makes it hard to justify bringing your own bike.....

All the usual car rental companies but Mallorca isn't especially cheap, we never seem to get less than 200 Euros a week, but if you're cycling, you don't really need one.

mallorcajeff

Most of the island shuts as its so seasonal ( well the tourist areas) everywhere else remains the same, makes no difference to me as i dont go to the tourist areas. Some of them look like the three min warnign has gone off and nobody there at all.

I fly easyjet as a bike is £25 each way, and have a bike box allan to use. Didnt realise flights were only good in the south of UK thats not great.

Mallorca is not a cheap place no, and you would not need to hire a car.

Plenty of bike shops/hire shops. Most seem to be around the 120-130 euros a week. Bruce at procycle hire has just took a delivery yesterday of brand new Ui2 bikes and there is a shop (Bimont) in Alcudia that do nice Orbeas with full Dura ace for about 120 a week.

Team Sky arrived today in Alcudia all the usual camp set up, going up at the weekend see who is about I think Cavs here this week or next. Usually pass them all on the back roads at somepoint over the weekends.

For those that have not been here well recommended.

bigjim

I spend a fair bit of time around Yachts in Palma might even know your brother small world.

My niece used to race with the yacht club in Palma. Nice posh club inside, I actually got in there once. She had an apartment in Palma which was real handy for me. She's moved off the Island now, mostly because of the work situation.
Very selfish I thought. I now have to stay in Hotels.
I'd live there like a shot if I had the money, but property is a lot more expensive than the mainland. My sister lives in a huge Finca near Llucmajor. Pity we don't get on.

mallorcajeff

pity we dont get on haha yeah I know what you mean i have a few people like that.
Yeah I have done soem work on my boss's boats and its all pretty amazing stuff down there.