Majorca by Road Bike

Today you arrive into Palma and take a short taxi ride to Can Pastilla around 6miles, 10km from the airport. Take a walk around the lovely coastal town or even visit the Aquarium.  The time now to relax before your adventure starts tomorrow. You could also take the bus into Palma a wonderful historic city to explore.

First of all, there is time to “take it easy” as you cycle easily long the road of bars and restaurants before you head out of town and into slightly undulating terrain which will start to get your circulation going and warmed up. Now you can take the glorious hairpin roads to the Randa Monastery. Now from Santa Maria, you cycle towards two gigantic mountains, which are reminiscent of the Dolomites, and reach the pretty little town of Alaro.

Then it is time to take a few more deep breaths and set off again to make the ascent of the Coll d′Honor through varied terrain and on to the little mountain village of Orient. Firstly undulating before the final ascent up some hairpin bends to the summit.  This is a well-known climb for cyclists so if you want to test your fitness levels during the ascent, you are bound to meet one or more cyclists who will be ready to play a “little game” with you to see who is fitter! You know this often happens!  Quickly wipe the sweat from your brow, adjust your cycling goggles and soon it′s off we go again rushing down to the valley below. Passing through Llucmajor, Algaida and Sant Jordi, you cycle back to Can Pastilla.

Today we had off to the over the side of the Island. You wind your way at a leisurely pace out of Palma and head towards the centre of the island. The terrain is flat and invites you to get up some speed if you wish. Today you can enjoy the lovely views across the lush interior with wonderful views of the mountain world of the Serra de Tra­muntana on our left.  In Santa Maria del Cami or, at the latest, in Inca, you can surrender yourself to all the delights which Majorcan cuisine has to offer in one of the authentic wine cellars. The road then goes through Sa Pobla to Can Picafort and then it might be time to change your cycling shoes for flip-flops as you reach your destination. The final destination is the beach maybe!

“That’s typical Majorca!” is what you will say after completing today’s tour through the Es Plá plain! You can find out everything about the everyday life of the inhabitants of Major­ca in earlier times at the Ethnological Museum and after that allow a broad grin to spread across your face as you cycle over the slightly undulating terrain and over roads with very little traffic on them. This is an area where many holidays makers just do not reach.

An obligatory stop for all cyclists should be Petra! On the market place, you will always be able to meet like-minded people with whom you can chat about cycling. With the latest issue of a cycle racing news magazine in your cycling vest pocket, you can head off towards the island’s geographical centre. The picturesque little town of Sineu is perched high above the plain and can be seen from a great distance thanks to its striking silhouette. After cycling through this dreamy little town featuring the windmills which are typical of this region, you get back to the coast. Then you quickly take the Tauro Pass again and it’s off on the exhilarating descent down to Puerto de Mogán. And with wonderfully beautiful impressions of the coast in your head, it’s finally time to go back to the hotel.

Before you can listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the Cap de Formentor, you must first “warm-up” by taking a little loop heading inland. From Port de Pollenca the winding pass road leads you up into the rugged mountain landscape of Formentor. Then stop to admire the panoramic view at the viewing point of Mirador de la Nao is simply breath-taking as the sea rages some 200 metres below. With constant rises and falls and with stunning views of the Mediterranean, the road winds its way further upwards towards the lighthouse on the cape. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the magnificent views of the wild coastal landscape in the sunshine at the lighthouse.

The return trip is no less spectacular. From Port de Pollenca onwards you can enjoy breathing the sea air again as well as the sublime blue and white colours of the sea, sky and clouds. A dream of a coastal road then takes you back through Alcúdia and on to Can Picafort.

Starting from the Bay of Alcúdia you go via Sa Pobla to Selva. The ascent to the Coll de Sa Bat­aia to the Lluc Monastery is your welcome to the mountain world of the Tramuntana. Sudden­ly your climbing skills are in demand. Around 10 kilometres of road is ahead of you which contain everything you would expect from a mountain pass: Tight corners, beautiful views and steep inclines. The rest of the journey towards today’s highlight is undulating and sprinkled with beautiful views.

Suddenly you have to slam on the brakes and turn off to the right. The most spectacular road on Majorca, which includes the famous “tie knot bend” (of 270 degrees) awaits you: Sa Calo­bra. Like a snake, this tangle of a road winds for eight kilometres down towards the sea. Once again you ride up via the Coll de Puig Major, the highest pass on the island, then down from the Gorg Blau reservoir towards the valley and the charming little village of Fornalutx and on to Sóller.

Without the “detour” to Sa Calobra, this stretch is shortened to 44  miles 70 km and reaches alti­tudes of 950 m above sea level.

With the sea on your right, it’s straight back down to business and along with the blockbuster of a road. Full of variety bends and great views, you will really work up a sweat as you pedal along this glorious coastal road to the picturesque village of Deia so beloved by artists. Next stop is Valldemossa, a mountain village which is no less beautiful set in a glorious Mediterranean landscape. Then a little further westwards awaits the Torre d′es Verger, the oldest defensive tower on the island with a sensational view of the north coast.

With a continuous view of the sparkling blue Mediterranean, you then cycle to Andratx. If you have not already done so, you really should have a rest now and recharge your energy reserves. This is because the following kilometres include some really demanding as­cents and fast descents which will once again increase the lactate levels in your thighs and set your pulse racing. To make up for this, the final stretch towards Palma is just pure enjoyment!

Today you can choose from a total of four different routes of between 40 and 100 kilometres in length and at altitudes of 700 to 2,100 m above sea level.

It is all too easy for us to understand that you might not feel like flying home again at the end of your holiday. So why not stay a few more days, whether it is to do some more cycling or just to take it easy and relax.