Our 'Classic Rides' series features the most iconic routes and climbs. From Stelvio to Mont Ventoux, from Angliru to Wu Ling in Taiwan. They all pass by once and after reading this series, your bucket list will be complete. Today in Classic rides: Sa Calobra on Mallorca or Coll dels Reis. If you go cycling on Mallorca, then this climb is actually mandatory. For anyone who has ever ridden this monster, it will be a feast of recognition. If you haven't ridden it yet, you'll want to go there now.
Classic ride: Sa Calobra
At the top of the Coll dels Reis is a sign indicating the highest point. 'Only' 682 metres above sea level. That can hardly be anything, can it? To get there, you actually have to conquer (several) other climbs first. For example, the Puig Major, the Coll de Femenia or the Sa Batalla. You then eventually come to a t-junction with an aqueduct/viaduct from where you also have to negotiate a small climb.
At that t-junction, by the way, you will find a little tent with a terrace where riders crash after completing Sa Calobra, as this climb is popularly called. The fact that they crash on top of the climb has an obvious reason. After all, you have to descend before you can start the climb. And let that be precisely the beauty of this classic.
270 degrees the other way
After you pass the top of Sa Calobra, you drive a few hundred metres on a fairly straight road. When you see a restaurant looming further on the right, you know, we're going to start! And what a start it is. The first bend is a 270-degree bend to the left. You read it right, 270-degree turn. You turn right and so, after a 3/4 of a lap, you drive further to the left. Because three times right, is also left.
The road is good, but narrow and you really have to keep your full concentration on descending, as one bend after another follows on from the other. Only after a few kilometres of descending do you have a bit of a view of what lies ahead. For the rest, it's sometimes blind going through the turns, and that while the gradient averages 7-8% going down. Good brakes are no mean feat.
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Trust
Seen from above, the road seems to crawl through the landscape like a snake. On the bike, it's not crawling but really diving down. When I rode down Sa Calobra the first time, it was insane and bizarre at the same time. I was happy with the powerful brakes on my bike, but I also had a feeling of elation. How fat this was! When at one point you have to steer through a rock tunnel with a blind curve behind it, relying on your senses is all you can do. Enjoy.
Up again
Once arrived in the town of Port de Sa Calobra, it's recovery from the descent (or afterglow for the real enthusiasts) and turning around for the way back. The climb up, because to get back home there is only one way...back up. The winding roads you shot down over are now going to hurt you. Because the sign at the bottom of the climb speaks volumes: 9.5 kilometres at 7%.
When I (Sander) first started cycling in Mallorca and rode up Sa Calobra, for a moment I didn't know what was happening to me. It was raking, absolutely raking. The climb is relatively irregular. Additional disadvantage: because you have first descended and usually go straight up again, it hurts the legs extra. Thereby, the toughest part is saved for the last two kilometres.
Uphill is never really enjoyable. All the times (3 times in total) I never enjoyed looking around. Very strange, because that is exactly what you should be doing. But then again, those legs.
Almost upstairs
So the wonderful thing about this climb is its many loops and snake-like location against the mountain. The architect of this piece of infrastructure should have a statue. Especially when you are almost at the top, because then you turn 270 degrees again and you have to give the last push on the pedals for the photo at the sign. When you finally do the short descent to the terrace, you are a happy man.
Descent anxiety
Sa Calobra is not for people with a fear of going down. Then you won't get there (unless, of course, you take the boat to the port and then go up, but yeah...then the fun is gone). It will also be no fun for less experienced cyclists. But if you have a bit of legs and you dare to cut the corners well, this is one to enjoy for a very long time.
In his peak days, this was also one of Bradley Wiggins' training climbs. Back then, he rode up them in 26 minutes. These days it will be more the other way round. As a tour winner, he can afford it. These days, the KOM on Strava is held by Sebastian Henao, who coasted to the top in just under 25 minutes. A certain Emma Pooley is the fastest lady of all time, with just over half an hour on the clock (30:23).
Recommended route
If you want to ride this classic, your starting point will probably be in Sollèr or in Pollença. We made a nice route from the port of Sollèr, where you can settle down afterwards for a drink and certainly a good bite. You deserve that!
