Mallorca Cycling Holiday planning.

bill_gates

Hi all, I am looking for some advice. I've been lurking and participating on a few other threads on the forum over the last few weeks or so but wanted some answers to the following as I depart in just over a week to Mallorca for my first overseas holiday that has cycling as a theme. :-)

• Where is the best place to hire bikes from in the north of Mallorca, I'm staying in Alcudia. What notice do they need to guarantee I'll get a hire bike and who should I contact? How does it work in terms of having a bike for an early morning start, etc?

• What should I take with me in terms of kit, i.e I expect I will take pedals, shoes, helmet, Garmin and any other clothing items but do I need to take tools, tubes, pumps, bottles, food/hydration, etc with me?

• Is there any organised group rides I can join for a day as I want to do a day that might take in Sa Calobra and Mrs Gates will not participate that day so I wanted some company. Alpine style climbs are fairly new to me but I'm moderately fit.

• I'm planning 3 days cycling out of 10 days on the island. Two of the days will be fairly recreational with Mrs Gates in the peloton, she can't/won't manage any major climbs. Can anyone give some links to .gpx routes for a few options on family/easier social rides for two out of my three cycling days. The third day will likely be myself from Acludia to Sa Calobra and back (not likely to take in Puig Major as I can only manage one climb in a day with the distance to cover to get there taken into account).

• Finally. Any major dos and don'ts to consider?

All help appreciated. :-)

Grill

If you're there for ten days then you should cycle ten days.

If you can only manage one climb a day then there's no way you'll make Sa Calobra as you need to do Lluc or Selva Gorge to get there...

jackbacon

I went to Mallorca twice last year. Both times I hired from Pro-cycle hire in Porto Pollenca. I hired a Van Nicholas both times and wasn't disappointed - not sure what their availability will be at a weeks notice. The bike comes with pedals, bottles, pump and spare tube/tyre levers - I took my own shoes, helmet and garmin. I hired for the whole time I was there rather than on a daily basis.
They do rides from the shop twice a week IIRC - I didn't go on their rides though.

Riding in Mallorca is amazing - far better than the UK. Drivers give you so much width and respect and the roads are excellent. In terms of routes from Alcudia, its easy to get into the mountains via the the Col de Femenia which is a great climb and will take you towards Sa Colobra. You can come back the same way or down via the Col sa Batatia and then through Selvia/Campanet back to Pollenca. If you go south from Alcudia, you go out onto the plains of Mallorca which are quieter from a cycling point of view but are still worth visiting and relatively flat. I can recommend the route out to Cap Formentor too - some decent climbs but go early in the morning to avoid the traffic.

You won't be disappointed with it - I'm going back in July and can't wait. It's worth cycling early in the morning - the roads are quieter and then you get the afternoon for spouse/family time. I cycled in July and October last year (it was just as hot in October) - take plenty of fluids with you.

Hope you have a great time

PM me and I'll be happy to send you links to some of the routes I did

Pantani98

Pro-Cycle Hire also have a place in Alcudia now. It's not quite as well equipped as the shop in Puerto Pollenca but plenty of bike to choose from.

You can hire a Willier Triestina from Sport Bequi if you'd prefer. Big difference between Sport Bequi and Pro-Cycle Hire is that PCH let you pick up the bike the afternoon before and don't charge for that day, so that let's you set off early doors.

Organised rides set off from Tolo's bar in Puerto Pollenca about 9am, but some times that group can ride pretty hard. Other times not so much, and it does tend to split up and go in all sorts of directions. A good way to meet other riders though.

Don't bother with nutrition/hydration. You can get that from the aforementioned bike shops.

If you are going to ride Sa Calobra set off early. The heat can be a killer.

Enjoy.

sloppyschleckonds

Pantani98 wrote:

The heat can be a killer.

Bloody hell, I didn't realise people had died while holidaying from the heat. That's madness.

Take plenty of water, and stay out of the midday sun.

ednino

I used Pollensa Cycling Centre in Puerto Pollensa. Good lads, very helpful & very accommodating for what time I could have the bike & have it collected. Bike came with a pump & saddle bag & they gave me a free water bottle.

rodgers73

If you book with Pro Cycle make sure you confirm with them that they've got you logged on their system. I booked last year, all looked fine, turned up and found the website had failed. They just shrugged and said "it does this all the time". Ended up with a crap old bike they dragged out of the back. Was that or nothing. Got charged the same rate too. By contrast both times I've hired through German hire companies the service has been flawless.

luv2ride

Pantani98 wrote:

PCH let you pick up the bike the afternoon before and don't charge for that day, so that let's you set off early doors.

I did this on all 3 occasions I hired from them, and got in a nice evening shakedown ride before going out for a long ride the following day. Each time I went was in July or August with family, so early morning rides when it was cooler were best, then spent later afternoon and evening in pool with the kids Great place to ride...

mallorcajeff

As its peak season here bike hire places are pretty booked out. Hurzeler have just u der 5000 bikes on the island and they are all out.
I work for pro cycle hire this year and were booked out. Most are booked in sept last year for this season.

I would go to sport bequi for a wilier or bimont bike shop on the burger king roundabout for a dura ace equiped orbea orca for about 100 euro for the week. Great bikes too.

bill_gates

I didn't realise it might be hard to get a bike hire then. I hope I've not left it too late, is it best just to send out a few emails to see what is available?

mallorcajeff

Pretty much but if you dont get any luck online there are a few shops that will have walk in availability for sure. The two mentioned above will have. Thomas at bequi iv very helpful.

bill_gates

Our hotel has a tie-in with Vivabike. Anyone had experience with them, they have Cannondale Supersix and Synapse available and the hire rates seem to be comparable to all the other outlets.

markhewitt1978

Bill Gates wrote:

• Where is the best place to hire bikes from in the north of Mallorca, I'm staying in Alcudia. What notice do they need to guarantee I'll get a hire bike and who should I contact? How does it work in terms of having a bike for an early morning start, etc?

Pro-cycle hire in Port de Pollenca, an easy ride North of Alcudia. You can book through their website. Not sure what you mean by early morning start? You would normally hire a bike for several days and keep it at your hotel.

• What should I take with me in terms of kit, i.e I expect I will take pedals, shoes, helmet, Garmin and any other clothing items but do I need to take tools, tubes, pumps, bottles, food/hydration, etc with me?

They will usually supply pedals for you unless yours are super unusual, take yours shoes of course, helmets can be hired. Where I hired from (Rent March) they had water bottles for sale, but you could also bring your own. Obviously you need to buy your own food and water!

• I'm planning 3 days cycling out of 10 days on the island. Two of the days will be fairly recreational with Mrs Gates in the peloton, she can't/won't manage any major climbs. Can anyone give some links to .gpx routes for a few options on family/easier social rides for two out of my three cycling days. The third day will likely be myself from Acludia to Sa Calobra and back (not likely to take in Puig Major as I can only manage one climb in a day with the distance to cover to get there taken into account).

This time last year I was way unfit compared to how I am now but I still managed Puig Major, albeit with plenty rest stops, so I wouldn't worry about that. Go to Sa Colabra, climb back up, to the Puig, then descend to Soller and get picked up, is my recommendation.

whoof

There are some dwonloadable rides here
http://www.cyclemallorca.co.uk/routes/
+1 for MAx Hurzeler for bike hire.
The climb to the monastery at Luc is nicest from Inca
For an easy family day. Ride through the lanes to Pollensa and then to Cal Sa Vincenc. Take some trunks and swimming goggles and swim in the clear water of Cala Molins bay looking at the fish.

markhewitt1978

[quote="whoof"
For an easy family day. Ride through the lanes to Pollensa and then to Cal Sa Vincenc. Take some trunks and swimming goggles and swim in the clear water of Cala Molins bay looking at the fish.[/quote]

+1 the lanes are quiet and flat(ish) and Cala St. Vinenc is lovely for a family day out.

durhamwasp

• Where is the best place to hire bikes from in the north of Mallorca, I'm staying in Alcudia. What notice do they need to guarantee I'll get a hire bike and who should I contact? How does it work in terms of having a bike for an early morning start, etc?

We hired from Max Hurzeler - they have 2 locations in Alcudia (we also stayed there) and needed to leave a passport with them for the rental. Had to pay in cash for the hire, and got a saddle bag for free at end of hire. One of us hired a bike from Bi-Mont Cycle shop for one day.

• What should I take with me in terms of kit, i.e I expect I will take pedals, shoes, helmet, Garmin and any other clothing items but do I need to take tools, tubes, pumps, bottles, food/hydration, etc with me?
We took our own shoes, helmet, gps computer, multi tool and spare tube. Pump, spare tube and levers were included in the rental however, and helmets could be rented too. Pedals were provided for free.

• Is there any organised group rides I can join for a day as I want to do a day that might take in Sa Calobra and Mrs Gates will not participate that day so I wanted some company. Alpine style climbs are fairly new to me but I'm moderately fit.
We just did our own stuff, there are so many cyclists on the road you can't believe.

• I'm planning 3 days cycling out of 10 days on the island. Two of the days will be fairly recreational with Mrs Gates in the peloton, she can't/won't manage any major climbs. Can anyone give some links to .gpx routes for a few options on family/easier social rides for two out of my three cycling days. The third day will likely be myself from Acludia to Sa Calobra and back (not likely to take in Puig Major as I can only manage one climb in a day with the distance to cover to get there taken into account).
http://www.strava.com/activities/132214385
http://www.strava.com/activities/132214047
http://www.strava.com/activities/132213608

• Finally. Any major dos and don'ts to consider?
The Soller route we did was fantastic, if you are hiring a car while you are there I would recommend driving to somewhere like Caimari and doing that same loop.
You will find places to eat/drink all over the place, many towns have small supermarkets to get a bottle of water or energy drinks from.
If you have a phone with maps, make sure to download/update the Mallorca ones before you go, then you can use them for free if you get lost.

All help appreciated. :-)[/quote]

bernithebiker

Here now, and staying in central Palma, perfect weather, 25 and sunny.

Usually take my own bike, but family hol, so hired from a place in St.Jordi, near the airport, brand new Canyon Ultimate CF SL for 115 for 5 days.

Can't really 100% recommend them, so shop around. There's a place in Felantix that's good, and has new Rose Xenons and they deliver.

bill_gates

All of this information is fantastic guys. Very much appreciated the effort with so many good responses. 8-)

AK_jnr

Did you manage to book a bike?

I had to hire a planet x (impressed in the end) as everywhere was sold out. That was booking at the beginning of Jan for April!

Last year I hired a Canyon from their base with no problems but that was later in the year.

Bloody love it out there though.

bill_gates

I've managed to ge ta couple of Canondale via the company that partner with the hotel and took them for two seperate days (I'm not spending the whole 10 days cycling, it's a bit of a sporting holiday but to get some chill-out also). I had a choice of Synapse Ultegra or Supersix 105.

valerider

I'm also heading to Majorca this summer and planning on doing a few days riding in August. The plan is to get some early (7am start) rides in. I am staying in Puerto Pollenca and plan on doing Sa Colobra. I would imagine the quickest way to ride it would be an out and back along the ma-10, especially as I don't want to be out too long in the heat, is this the case? Is it a 4-5 hour ride at a 12/13 mph ave pace?

markhewitt1978

Yeah Ma-10 is the way and it's a good road - I went that way last year, (climbed to the summit above Sa Colobra, didn't go down into it)

It's a hard climb mind, goes up for quite some distance, what pace you could do it at, I've got no idea! Obviously on the way back it's almost entirely down hill, although the prevailing wind tends to blow from the East.

whoof

It might be the quickest but not the nicest. Try heading back around the bay toward Alcudia and then right PMV 2202. Head for Campenet and then Inca. Do the climb in this direction and return down the Ma-10 in a loop. A lot nicer ride and not that much further.

whoof

Should have said Campenet and then Selva then right on the road from Inca to Luc

ilovegrace

Good afternoon BR
Any recomendations for apartments ,self catering would be very much appreciated.
Two adults and one 9 year old , would like to be near sea ,pool at a push .
I am under pressure to sort this so any recomendations will be very much appreciated.
regrds
ILG

markhewitt1978

http://www.robinson-ep.com/_en/_sn/sp_aktiv/biken.php is that the cycle hire place in Cala d'Or? Anyone know how you go about booking with them, or even finding out what they have?

pedalbasher

Hijacking the thread here.

Has anyone stayed in Selva? Hoping to stay in Mallorca with a couple of mates in Aug/Sept and looking to be well positioned for mountain rides along the east, plus a flat day to the central/west.

Are there any places that are particularly recommended for cyclists in or close to Selva? Secure facilities, half board etc.

Thanks

Starsboy

markhewitt1978 wrote:

http://www.robinson-ep.com/_en/_sn/sp_aktiv/biken.php is that the cycle hire place in Cala d'Or? Anyone know how you go about booking with them, or even finding out what they have?

I got in touch via e-mail at: base.mallorca@canyon.com the contact was Carina I asked what was available for the required dates and costs

markhewitt1978

Starsboy wrote:

I got in touch via e-mail at: base.mallorca@canyon.com the contact was Carina I asked what was available for the required dates and costs

Thanks! I've emailed them, they auto replied in German...

It looks like they operate out of a shed? Albeit a very nice shed.

Starsboy

markhewitt1978 wrote:

Starsboy wrote:

I got in touch via e-mail at: base.mallorca@canyon.com the contact was Carina I asked what was available for the required dates and costs

Thanks! I've emailed them, they auto replied in German...

It looks like they operate out of a shed? Albeit a very nice shed.

It's a nice shed with some very nice bikes in it

rodgers73

Alpha Rooms is good for finding accommodation on the island