"In Mallorca you can find everything."
Pedro Delgado, the 1980’s Tour de France and Vuelta a España winner once made this statement about why he loves cycling in Mallorca, and we couldn’t agree more. Mallorca is one of the most popular cycling destinations in the world. With clear weather, spectacular scenery, quiet roads, and a great selection of climbs – you can see why professional cyclists flock to this Mediterranean island year after year. Most of the world's top professional cycling teams and many amateurs hold pre-season training camps on the island’s slopes – especially in winter, when the weather is mild and pleasant. If you want to head to Mallorca for a cycling holiday, here are some tips from the pros:
When to go:
Mallorca provides ideal conditions for cycling anytime of the year. The professional teams visit in December and January for their start of season training camps. Amateur training camps start in February and run until November (with April being the peak season). In the period of March to early May, there are more cyclists than motorists on the road. July and August are the hottest months of the year, so it’s not an ideal time to go training.
Stay hydrated:
It’s incredibly important to stay hydrated during the summer months. With temperatures reaching about 30 degrees, pushing the pedals might not be the easiest thing to do when you’re overheated and dehydrated. During summer, pro cyclists start at about 7 am, when temperatures are much cooler. They also carry a 750ml water bottle with them, which is big enough to carry extra liquid, and small enough to fit into most standard bottle cages.
Where to cycle:
The northern region provides the perfect base for cyclists, especially in Alcudia. With easy access to the Serra De Tramuntana mountain range, the short but scenic route to Cap de Formentor (the most northern point on the island), and the flatter routes south of Sa Pobla towards Sant Llorenç des Cardassar make the north a great spot for cyclists. Playa de Palma is another popular area for cyclists, with flat routes and the odd hilly area. In the east coast, the Cala Millor area is probably best, with wonderful coastal routes as well challenging hills in the secure surroundings of Llevant Natural Park. Check out this article on Cycle Mallorca about the best locations for cycling in Mallorca.
Cycling tournaments:
In the beginning of the year, leading professional cyclists flock to Mallorca to compete in the most recognized and demanding world duathlon, Powerman Spain. Even though the Run-Bike-Run challenge is simpler than a triathlon, athletes still have to push themselves to the limits – a 10km Run, 60km Bike and 10km Run isn’t for the faint-hearted. And it’s not only for professionals, amateurs can take part in the 5km Run, 30km Bike and 5km Run. Other tournaments in Spain include the Vuelta (also known as the Cycling Challenge Race), the Mallorca 312, and the Mallorca 167.
Where to stay:
Most pro-teams stay in the east of the island around the resorts of Port Pollenca and Alcudia. These resorts have many cycle-friendly hotels and easy access to the high mountains via the Coll de sa Batalla and the Coll de Femenia. Ferrer Hotels (a sponsor of Powerman Spain), located in the Alcudia region, are perfect for cyclists. Hotel Janeiro offers a bicycle repair shop, bike rental services, as well as secure storage. If you’re thinking of heading to Mallorca for a cycling holiday and following in the pros’ cycle tracks, contact us for accommodation.
