Majorca, I love it.
Comments
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We've just booked a week in Soller for our honeymoon next year. I've managed to negotiate a day cycling and currently in talks over a second!!!
What's the craic re. kit? Are you better taking your own shoes and helmet or can you rent them? Also, when you rent the bike do you specify what pedal system you use.0 -
We've just booked a week in Soller for our honeymoon next year. I've managed to negotiate a day cycling and currently in talks over a second!!!
Well done! Especially on a honeymoon, that's a bigger achievement than the Puig Major. Although if I could lend a word to the wise, don't ask for an additional day, ask for a morning, say you'll be out at 6am and back by 10am so you can still have a full day out , always goes down better
What's the craic re. kit? Are you better taking your own shoes and helmet or can you rent them? Also, when you rent the bike do you specify what pedal system you use.
For shoes, they are very personal to you, so yes, take your own, I don't think anywhere will rent you shoes. Helmets, I've always just rented one at the time as there isn't that many different sizes. And you're right, when you rent a bike they will ask you what pedal system you use and they will fit the appropriate pedals for you - always important for me as I use SPD not road pedals. Although most places will allow you to take your own pedals if you feel the need to.
I did see a bike rental place in Port de Soller when I was last there, can't remember the name of it unfortunately!
PS. You can over to Orient, back up to Escora and then down and up Sa Colabra, pretty much an epic ride in itself, and still leaves you the Puig Major climb for another day as well as riding towards Valldemossa. I hope you love climbing!0 -
Yeah, makes sense re. shoes.
Think there is a cycle hire place in the hotel, but looks like a few places online deliver to hotels if they're no good.
I've heard mornings are better to try and avoid the tourist buses and heat. But good thinking as that will definitely go down better than 2 days!0 -
Best to bring your own pedals, shoes, helmet etc just means you are "bike ready".
Previously did not bring my own pedals and had a nasty fall outside the hotel. Was as if I was welded to the bike. Rookie error.
Enjoy the honeymoon.
M4S.0 -
Thanks for the replies. Managed to get in contact with BR. The English part of their site doesn't work very well and doesn't let you send an online enquiry, however the German version does and they got back to me within 24 hours so we are just finalising bike choices now for the group, although BR do state that they cannot guarantee a particular bike, just whether it is alloy or carbon.0
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Many of the hire companies here mess up with pedals (or run out) so its always an idea to bring your own.
I wouldnt use a rental helmet, frankly, as you may not know if its been crashed and its integrity may be compromised. Of course 95% of the time if it was crashed I guess youd see it, but why bother being the 5%?Fitter....healthier....more productive.....0 -
- I'm going to Alcudia in January for the second time, brilliant for the hills - Polenca is 5k nearer the hills - you can get 6 days in Jan including flight/2 floor/2 bedroom accomodation for £260.I am thinking for going for the first time any advice , where did you base yourself, did you hire the bike etc, much appreciated. That picture has just made me want to go even more looks amazing.0 -
"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
I recognise Cap de Formentor and Sa Calobra there. Fantastic riding.0
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Looks like you took the coast road south of Soller, although I can't place if it's near Deia, Banyalbufar or Estellencs?
And the Col de Soller.
We have just finished a tour based out of Palma that went really well, 26'C and sunny most days, quiet roads, great scenery, great food, excellent Canyon CFSL9 hire bikes, what's not to like?!
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Looks like you took the coast road south of Soller, although I can't place if it's near Deia, Banyalbufar or Estellencs?
And the Col de Soller.
We stayed at Port de Pollenca. One day we cycled around the cove to Platja de Muro, where one tour operator allows you to buy a ticket on their bus and bike trailer to Andratx. You're correct it's the coastal road to Soller and we passed through those villages you mentioned.
One photo is looking down on Soller from the top of Puig Major (the best decent ever)
One photo is the top of Coll d'Honor looking down towards Orient. (nice cafe at the top)
One photo (with the team dressed in green) is on the hill on the right as you go up Formentor. The one with the look out tower on top.
The others are Sa Calobra."The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
- I'm going to Alcudia in January for the second time, brilliant for the hills - Polenca is 5k nearer the hills - you can get 6 days in Jan including flight/2 floor/2 bedroom accomodation for £260.I am thinking for going for the first time any advice , where did you base yourself, did you hire the bike etc, much appreciated. That picture has just made me want to go even more looks amazing.
We also based ourselves in Alcudia last year and paid £165 each flights and SC accommodation. We hired from Max Hurzeler just up the road. Alcudia was a great base for cycling and also enough going on at night-time too.http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....0 -
One photo is looking down on Soller from the top of Puig Major (the best decent ever)
I would tend to agree there! It just goes on and on forever, it's fast but never so steep that you feel that it's getting out of control, just mile after mile of descending, fantastic!
Unfortunately I've only done it as a descent, I'd still like to do it as a climb, despite being back in Mallorca twice since then it's never worked out.0 -
One photo is looking down on Soller from the top of Puig Major (the best decent ever)
I would tend to agree there! It just goes on and on forever, it's fast but never so steep that you feel that it's getting out of control, just mile after mile of descending, fantastic!
Unfortunately I've only done it as a descent, I'd still like to do it as a climb, despite being back in Mallorca twice since then it's never worked out.
Our head guide got 104th place on the Puig climb on Monday (out of 11 216 riders). Not bad for a solo effort with no wind assist.
He's also 49th on Col d'Orient, only 2 minutes behind Michael Kwiatkowski, (again solo (I could only stay with him for 500m!), only slight wind).0 -
Just how do-able are Puig Major and Sa Calobra in 1 ride?
As I said earlier in the thread, will be staying in Soller next year for honeymoon and looks like I only have 1 day to ride (easy now...). I really wanted to tick off both climbs but I have a nagging voice in the back of my head thinking it might be too much. Plan was ride out of Soller straight up Major, across and down Calobra then return back retracing my steps. Route looks about 40-50 miles with about 11,000 ft climbing.
My fitness isn't really an issue, but I have no experience of BIG climbs riding in Northumberland. Biggest hill I hit is about 600ft. Usual rides are 60 miles with between 2-4,500ft climbing.
I might be worrying about nothing, but would riding both in a morning be biting off more than I can chew?0 -
Just how do-able are Puig Major and Sa Calobra in 1 ride?
As I said earlier in the thread, will be staying in Soller next year for honeymoon and looks like I only have 1 day to ride (easy now...). I really wanted to tick off both climbs but I have a nagging voice in the back of my head thinking it might be too much. Plan was ride out of Soller straight up Major, across and down Calobra then return back retracing my steps. Route looks about 40-50 miles with about 11,000 ft climbing.
My fitness isn't really an issue, but I have no experience of BIG climbs riding in Northumberland. Biggest hill I hit is about 600ft. Usual rides are 60 miles with between 2-4,500ft climbing.
I might be worrying about nothing, but would riding both in a morning be biting off more than I can chew?
Although it's easier said than done, if you were to start at Sa Calobra then ride to the top, and then carry on riding up to the top of the Puig Major (i.e. the tunnel) then back down into Soller, then it's absolutely more than doable.
The problem is the way Sa Calobra is situated starting in Soller means you'd have to climb the Puig Major first, then descend all the way into Sa Calobra, then turn around and do the climb back up from sea level again. So you're basically doing the entire ascent of the Puig Major twice.
Only you can say if you're up to doing that! Personally I've done Puig Major and I've done Sa Calobra, on seperate rides, Puig Major was Port de Pollenca to Soller then get picked up. With Sa Calobra I got dropped off at the bottom, rode up and over and down the other side to Selva where I got picked up.
Having thought about it some more, if you have all day. spend a good while in Sa Calobra for lunch, then do the ride back, it is more than doable - Sa Calobra is a tourist trap mind, be prepared to be fleeced rotten.
Perhaps get thyself to the Pennines? If you can ride up over Waskerley to Stanhope then over Chapel Fell and back over Bollihope common then Mallorca will be a mere nothing 11,000 ft of climbing sounds a lot but it's not like climbing in the UK where the gradient goes from 5-20% and back again on a regular basis, it's all a nice steady grade, so before long you've climbed a virtual cliff face without really noticing. 0 -
Yes you can do it. Just pace yourself.
If you have a full day then you may even enjoy it.
Based on a full day then I would recommend a left turn to Cala Tuent just before Sa Colabra.
It adds on a few miles and another hill or so but when you get to the crossroads in the village you turn left and there is a wonderful restaurant at the end of the road. Spend a few hours there to recover.
On the way back you can drop into Sa Colabra to do the climb proper. I would also recommend parking your bike and wandering through the shopping area to go through the tunnel. Very nice. That does mean cold legs for the climb though.
The Puig is a major climb but what makes it hard is the length. I don't remember any steep parts but that may be rose tinted glasses.
Sa Colabra varies more and that is what makes it interesting. If you haven't done many hills then it will be an epic ride.
Word of caution. I quite often find the climb from the junction up to the top before the Sa Colabra descent quite challenging.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I stayed in Soller (Port de Soller, in fact) in May and I did that ride twice. Pretty sure its more like 6-7000ft of climbing. Anyway, its do-able if you are used to your local hills. Road surfaces on those two climbs are great and the Puig in particular is very gradual so you can stay out of the red.Just how do-able are Puig Major and Sa Calobra in 1 ride?
As I said earlier in the thread, will be staying in Soller next year for honeymoon and looks like I only have 1 day to ride (easy now...). I really wanted to tick off both climbs but I have a nagging voice in the back of my head thinking it might be too much. Plan was ride out of Soller straight up Major, across and down Calobra then return back retracing my steps. Route looks about 40-50 miles with about 11,000 ft climbing.
My fitness isn't really an issue, but I have no experience of BIG climbs riding in Northumberland. Biggest hill I hit is about 600ft. Usual rides are 60 miles with between 2-4,500ft climbing.
I might be worrying about nothing, but would riding both in a morning be biting off more than I can chew?
There are two smaller climbs up the other sides of the respective summits that are easily forgotten about. Save some gas to get back to the tunnel, in particular.
Soller is fantastic, btw.
Kingfisher restaurant. G&T. Rude not to....0 -
I'll be in Port de Soller too, come to think of it. Looks awesome.
I've used a couple of route plotting websites that both had it down as 11k, but I did doubt that figure having seen the climb profiles. If it is 7k then that sooth's the doubts a lot. I'm used to the local hills and try and cram in as many as possible when given the chance. I'm fairly confident, it's just the lack of experience of anything big that is causing me the doubts.
Cheers for the input.0 -
Port de Soller is a great choice and makes a nice change from Pollensa.
Enough going on between the Port and the main town to keep things interesting, there's some real Mallorquin flavour, and you get to ride the road to Deia, Banyalbufar, Estellencs and Andratx which is sublime!
(Of course I think Palma's even better, but then I'm biased!)0 -
I'll be in Port de Soller too, come to think of it. Looks awesome.
I've used a couple of route plotting websites that both had it down as 11k, but I did doubt that figure having seen the climb profiles. If it is 7k then that sooth's the doubts a lot. I'm used to the local hills and try and cram in as many as possible when given the chance. I'm fairly confident, it's just the lack of experience of anything big that is causing me the doubts.
Cheers for the input.
if you ve all day, why not climb out of SC, down to selva, turn right across to alaro, bunyola, all flat roads (ish) and very beautiful, final climb up the brilliant but short soller and home, lots of great cake stops on the way, esp the one at the top of femenia, not the garage one though, but the one tucked below the road, would be to your right.0 -
Any hotel recommendations for a stay in Port de Soller? I've struggled to find anything where it says they'll let you bring bike in the room or have a basement or something to lock them in. Preferably within walking distance to a decent bike hire place and somewhere to eat.
A group of us stayed in Puerto Pollensa (Daina apartments - can recommend them, as well as Pollensa Cycling) earlier this year and really enjoyed it. We may want to change it up a bit next year with different climbs/routes we didn't get to do.
Any help is appreciated!0 -
That route but through Orient to Bunyola is very nice.I'll be in Port de Soller too, come to think of it. Looks awesome.
I've used a couple of route plotting websites that both had it down as 11k, but I did doubt that figure having seen the climb profiles. If it is 7k then that sooth's the doubts a lot. I'm used to the local hills and try and cram in as many as possible when given the chance. I'm fairly confident, it's just the lack of experience of anything big that is causing me the doubts.
Cheers for the input.
if you ve all day, why not climb out of SC, down to selva, turn right across to alaro, bunyola, all flat roads (ish) and very beautiful, final climb up the brilliant but short soller and home, lots of great cake stops on the way, esp the one at the top of femenia, not the garage one though, but the one tucked below the road, would be to your right.
But if I was going to Mallorca for the first time and only one day then I would have to do Sa Colabra. Just cos.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
But if I was going to Mallorca for the first time and only one day then I would have to do Sa Colabra. Just cos.
Agreed. Sa Colabra is a PITA just because there's only one road in and out, but it's a must.0 -
Is it served by a ferry?
Looking on Google Maps it looks like you can get a ferry from Port de Soller to Sa Colabra, would I be able to get the ferry there with bike and ride back?0 -
You could. You could also get a bus back.Is it served by a ferry?
Looking on Google Maps it looks like you can get a ferry from Port de Soller to Sa Colabra, would I be able to get the ferry there with bike and ride back?
Do it properly. You will suffer but you will be glad that you did.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
But if I was going to Mallorca for the first time and only one day then I would have to do Sa Colabra. Just cos.
Agreed. Sa Colabra is a PITA just because there's only one road in and out, but it's a must.
From our experience. If you're going to descend down Sa Calobra and climb back out again. You need to do it very early before the tourist buses arrive en-masse.
They struggle on the hairpins, get in the way and slow everything down. Getting stuck behind a tourist bus ruins a cycle down such a classic route.
The descent down Puig Major to Soller is unbelievably amazing, the road is silky smooth, very wide and no surprises. You can carry a lot of speed down there. Think the descent is 14 km in length ?"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby0 -
Pretty much agree with all of this. Dropping back down to Soller is an absolute hoot. There are a few blind bends near the bottom of the climb though, and a few driveways to watch for. But other than that its a great place to do your best Sagan impression.But if I was going to Mallorca for the first time and only one day then I would have to do Sa Colabra. Just cos.
Agreed. Sa Colabra is a PITA just because there's only one road in and out, but it's a must.
From our experience. If you're going to descend down Sa Calobra and climb back out again. You need to do it very early before the tourist buses arrive en-masse.
They struggle on the hairpins, get in the way and slow everything down. Getting stuck behind a tourist bus ruins a cycle down such a classic route.
The descent down Puig Major to Soller is unbelievably amazing, the road is silky smooth, very wide and no surprises. You can carry a lot of speed down there. Think the descent is 14 km in length ?
The Sa Calobra descent isn't really one you can do at any speed regardless of tour busses, to be honest, because there are just too many tits in a trance. But there are a few stretches where you can get into a nice rhythm without risking your life. The tour busses are a pita, but were more of an issue when I was coming back up.
Personally I couldn't drag myself up and out of bed in time to beat traffic, and the OP will be on honeymoon, so I'd say even less likely!! However, my impression was that if you time it between ferries, traffic is not so bad.0
