Ride in the footsteps of co-owner Sander on his cycling holiday to 'cycling paradise' Mallorca. Over the past few days, you could already follow along with part 1 and part 2. Today we continue with Part III of Diary Mallorca. Enjoy, because this edition is one to keep! Cycling in Spain and especially cycling in Mallorca is a treat.
Cycling to the very tip of Mallorca
It seems like Mallorca only has dead-end climbs. Sa Calobra, La Victoria and now again. The ride to Cap de Formentor is one that ends in the sea. Well, the road ends at the Formentor lighthouse. You can argue about it, of course, but this is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful ride in Mallorca. A must-ride if you find yourself cycling in Mallorca. From Port de Pollença, it's almost 18 kilometres of enjoyment. Today it was on the programme!
Cap de Formentor
Started early, won a lot
Another early start to the day. The weather forecast is a bit so-so. You have to take that with the proverbial grain of salt, because 'bad weather' here is still about 20 degrees with clouds. Short-short is the dress code, with a cardigan along for the first part. As I cycle towards Port de Pollença, I already encounter a few cyclists. I think more people have the nefarious plan to ride this route and rightly so. From Port de Pollença you initially ride along a wide boulevard towards the start of the climb to Col de la Creueta, which is clearly signposted.
Wonderful start
The first kilometre of the Col de la Creueta is one to savour. Already within a few hundred metres you have the first hairpin bends and right away the view is great. You look out over the bay between Pollença and Alcudia. When I start climbing up, it is still relatively quiet. I've picked up a local who slides up in my wheel. The percentages are really friendly and for me this climb takes about 20 minutes. Good to get into it and you also have brilliant photo opportunities right away here. I know the climb pretty well, as I've also done it many times on Road Grand Tours (RGT Cycling) indoors.
The road winds nicely up the hill and you are quickly surrounded by fellow cyclists. Gradually I end up cycling with two Brits, from Somerset. Exchanging names isn't really even necessary. We have a common ground, the bike. As a result, we talk to each other for almost half an hour. Lovely.
Waving to the lighthouse
Once on top, I make a quick stop for a few photos. Here is also the option to turn right, to the last part of the Sa Creueta. I save that one for next time. My new British friends need some tinkering with their saddles. This, of course, produces some familiar jokes. We continue together and are immediately spoiled with some nice hairpin bends. A joy to ride for the experienced descender.
Spacer
The descent is relatively short and then follows a somewhat longer intermediate section that is partly flat and partly false flat uphill. Here you often come across a group of goats, so it takes a bit of watching out. Once again, the local goat is present. Fortunately, these four-legged friends are used to it. They step aside in time.
What is also lovely: the clouds have slowly started to clear and the views are getting more beautiful by the minute. As you meander along a kind of long, pointed peninsula, you have views of the sea sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right. Sometimes you just have to stop to enjoy the view. Both I and many others with me do so for a while. Insane it is.
Friendships are so made
Climbing to the pinnacle
From about 7 kilometres before the end, you are presented with the maximum gradient of 9%. You don't actually feel it at all as the road keeps undulating up and down. It goes in a rhythm of 1.5 kilometres uphill, a few hundred metres downhill, then 1.5 uphill again and so on. The last stretch is then downhill again, with another vicious climb 500 metres before the lighthouse. The last kilometre you can descend nicely, but you can also take your time for the ultimate shot of the lighthouse. Made countless times before, but it's still stunning. Additional advantage of this day: the last 3 kilometres are closed to car traffic. That's pretty unusual, which makes today extra beautiful!
Beautiful from afar!
Formentor in all its beauty
Turnabout
Because the Formentor is a climb with a dead end, it is also really a turning point. Cyclists stop here for a can of cola (from the small kiosk) a quick pee and for photos. You can also see some kind of friendships forming. Groups of cyclists ask to take photos of each other. I am addressed because I am wearing an outfit of a certain brand. It turns out that the person addressing me is an ambassador. What follows is a nice conversation, with cycling as a nice subject. That's kind of the atmosphere you want. Other than that, this really is a 'quintessential' photo spot.
A beautiful interplay of lines This picture was taken a lot
The road towards Formentor is also the way back to your starting point. Superb
Way back
The advantage of such a dead-end-climb is that you have already explored the way back. You can also scan some photo spots on the way there. That is a real advantage, especially for content creators. The weather is really fantastic this day. Everyone I talk to briefly is talking about it. Even the locals agree: this is the perfect day.
We roll back down and right away you have to go up again. The view there is beautiful and from the hip I shoot some more photos. This goes on continuously for the rest of the descent towards the last bit of the climb to La Creueta. The result is quite good.
Up and then down again
At the bottom of the final stretch of climbing, it's back to 'gear up'. Because after a longer descent, the legs have to get used to the bits of climbing again. It is still a vicious stretch and I am glad when I reach the top again. This time I don't take time to shoot photos. I have also agreed to meet the rest of the family at the beach in Pollença. So I quickly shoot downhill. The descent is pretty clear but it is getting really busy at this time of day (11am). Lots of cyclists and also lots of cars. Not everyone seems to remember the rules from the traffic exam. So be careful. Especially when the yellow-red regional bus comes around the corner.
View in the descent of Port de Pollença
Once down, I ride to a little tent on the beach. I park my bike, order a coffee and sit on the edge of the terrace with my feet in the sand. When the rest of my travelling companions (wife, kids) arrive a little later, the fun is complete. What. a. day. Cycling on Mallorca. I can recommend it to everyone.
