Some advice for Sa Calobra (Sorry)

alpineaddict · June 2015

Hi folks...

Firstly, sorry for yet another post on this, but this is a cycling forum after all, and I am here for hopefully some great advice

As some will know, I am still, after 12 months, recovering for a dislocated ankle, and am currently sitting at around 30-35 miles rides... I have had to lay off 'out of the saddle' work for a couple of weeks due to aggravating my ankle too much, however, I am hoping to get back next week to some hill work in prep for my upcoming trip to Mallorca...

I am staying in puerto pollensa, and planned on doing the ride up to cap de Formentor to ease me in to things, but then I am a little stuck for some good routes... I have looked on RidewithGPS and there are a couple that look reasonable, that could stretch my legs further, in hope of getting up Sa Calobra...

So my question is... considering the distance from PdP to SC and back, would you advise hiring a car and getting over there in transport... and then attempting the climb (cheating I know but I don't think my ankle will allow me the full return distance)... Also, is the main climb, from East to West, or West to East?

On a final note, anyone care to share some decent rides from PdP of around 35-40 miles... Only planning on riding 3 or 4 days out of the holiday... and hope to be up to around 45 miles max by the time I leave...

Thx loads in advance folks... Appreciate any assistance..

First.Aspect · June 2015

Well, it looks like its about 90-100km there and back, with much more climbing than you'll have been used to. If you've managed 50-60km already, I don't think the distance will be so much of an issue.

Given the temperature, you'll be taking it slowly - so that will be about 5 hours in the saddle. Given the state of your ankle, you'll be wanting enough gearing to enable you to sit in the whole time if you need to. 34x28 maybe? You might as well take ibuprofen so you enjoy it.

The ride from Port de Pollenca starts dead flat for 5km at least and the drag up to the mountains is, as I recall, nice and gradual. For the most part 5%ish gradients on excellent tarmac, through the forest. If you are disciplined, you can do that and still be fresh as a daisy at the foot of the Col del Reis. That climb is more or less north to south, but it twists so much it barely matters.

The climb back up is hard, or easy, depending on the number of willymetres. It will take you roughly an hour, give or take. Excitement and enjoyment will get you that far, no problem. My guess is that the 35km back will be the hard part.

pblakeney · June 2015

My advice would be to spin a high cadence using low gears and deliberately go slow to both enjoy it, and pace yourself.
Agreed that the part following the Reiss descent on the return is the hardest part as everyone always thinks they are finished for the day and underestimate the rolling hills.
Forget what some say about the hills being cooler. Sa Colabra can be an oven in the sunshine.

My favourite "short" loop is PP to Pollensa, Campanet, Selva, Col De Sabataia, and return via Lluc.

Enjoy!

Bar Shaker · June 2015

Randa is probably a better induction. It's a round trip of 85 miles and if you do the climb, it's around 1500ft. Not as hard as SC but still a good climb. The whole day was 5500ft of climbing but the plains at the back of Pollenca are pretty flat.

The lighthouse and back is 2900ft and 26 miles. Not really a test of your ankle but a very pretty 'must do' ride with some epic descents.

alpineaddict · June 2015

Thx folks... I guess we'll just have to wait and see how we feel when out there, and how hot it is... If that last 35kms is likely to be the hardest, it is also likely to be the hottest...

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19634204#p19634204]Bar Shaker[/url] wrote:

Randa is probably a better induction. It's a round trip of 85 miles and if you do the climb, it's around 1500ft. Not as hard as SC but still a good climb. The whole day was 5500ft of climbing but the plains at the back of Pollenca are pretty flat.

The lighthouse and back is 2900ft and 26 miles. Not really a test of your ankle but a very pretty 'must do' ride with some epic descents.

100% planning on heading up to the lighthouse, I really do think 85 miles, and this time in my rehab/fitness levels is too much... I think 60 would be the absolute limit and that would be the last ride of the week (hoping to build up to it...) I quite like the sound of PBlakeney's 'PP to Pollensa, Campanet, Selva, Col De Sabataia, and return via Lluc', although not worked out how far it is yet :?

Thx again

craigus89 · June 2015

From Pollenca you could ride up to Lluc and back, or make a loop of it and head south from Lluc and then back on the flat.

pblakeney · June 2015

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19634320#p19634320]Craigus89[/url] wrote:

From Pollenca you could ride up to Lluc and back, or make a loop of it and head south from Lluc and then back on the flat.

That's the reverse of "my" route.

The descent from Lluc is better in my opinion with sweeping bends instead of hairpins to Selva.
40.43 miles apparently.

bernithebiker · June 2015

I'll be in Mallorca next week and it's going to be pretty hot - 36'C ish, so watch out for that, you don't want to be out after 12 if you can help it, and you'll need LOTS of water.

Agree that Randa is a very nice climb with great views, much less difficult than SC, but still a fair way from PP.

daviegb · June 2015

You'll have a great time in Porto Pollenca! Here are a few routes I did back in May - I appreciate they might be at the upper end of what you plan to do, but you could easily alter the routes to suit.

A great flattish ride with lovely views at Arta, Petra & Sineu.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/762824760

This one can be shortened by doing Sa Calobra as a separate ride.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/760299467

If you have car transport, this one is possible from Palma (it's less than an hour by car)
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/759412634

Here's a useful website that will give you plenty of ideas!!!
http://mallorcacycling.co.uk/tag/medium-routes/

I hope you have a brilliant time!

rickwiggans · June 2015

Once you've done S.C. and dropped back down to the main road - stop for a while at the refreshments cabin, regain your legs, and the trip back to PP won't seem too bad - but as others have said, there's a surprising amount of "up" of the back "down" to the sea! Enjoy.

gdf · June 2015

Me and some friends from work did four days in Majorca in April. You (and anyone else) can use the routes we did. Sa Calobra (shortest route from PP, just straight there and back) and Formentor lighthouse are both in here.

Arta/East coast - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=cutnuddyrqfpqzok
Same as above but shorter - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=jxlwvkvbgivsnfey
Formentor lighthouse - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=kbtwabwubjvwdgsd
Sa Calobra - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=pwdvxbdcepfkcpgo
Lluc loop - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=myydtxmmjafhuvao

It was my first trip to Majorca for cycling so I'm not sure how busy it is at this time of year. But even though in April we saw more cyclists than cars in general, we pretty much had Sa Calobra to ourselves on the way back up. Saw plenty of people on our way down but the ascent at about 2pm was very quiet. Barely any other riders or traffic. We had a late check in on the first day so by the time we got sorted it was about 5pm and this was when we did the ride out to the lighthouse and again that was quiet.

rickwiggans · June 2015

Oh, and one other thing - especially at weekend. Get back up before lunch time, otherwise you'll need to run the gauntlet of the tourist coaches - and these guys take no prisoners!

Some advice for Sa Calobra (Sorry)

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