Diary Mallorca

Since one of the editors (Sander – @Sunny_cycling) is going on a few trips around Mallorca this week, we’re keeping a mini diary. It’s fun to read, to get inspiration and to see where you’ll be cycling yourself. Sander has his basecamp in and around Pollença, on the north side of the island. From there you can go anywhere and tick off a number of beautiful routes!

Diary Mallorca day 0: picking up the bike

This week is Mallorca week. Not a week like ‘normal’, where I’m on my bike every day to tick off all the climbs. No. This week is about getting back into it a little bit. After longer physical discomfort and a recovery from an operation, it’s desirable to build up slowly. Mallorca is perfect because you can be in the mountains, on the hills, and also enjoy a nice ride on flat terrain.

For this edition, I have stored my basecamp in and around Pollenca. This town in the north of the island is a good base, and for this reason:

• The port of Port Pollença has enough bike shops to arrange a good rental bike. Unless of course you bring your own bike. Then it’s also handy, because if you need to fix something, you can get help there.
• There is plenty to do in Pollenca itself and in the fishing village after the ride. Pollenca is charming and is strategically located
• The latter is important. From Pollenca you can drive ‘left-hand turn’ into Tramuntana. You then have a nice climb ahead of you and you can also easily head towards Sa Calobra. Head left and you’ll end up at Cap de Formentor. A must-do if you’re on the island
• If you want to warm up first, you drive south and then go through the beautiful side road to Campanet.

Get used to it

To get my rental bike (with a young family and two children, there is little space for a bike bag in the car), I drop off my bike at Pro Cycle Hire in Port Pollenca. I have rented bikes there before and the English owners are extremely friendly; the mechanic is helpful and the prices are fair. The coffee is also of good quality. Since I haven’t cycled for 2 months, it really takes some getting used to. But in the end I’m on a solid Colnago.

Cycling in Mallorca is generally pleasant. Residents and visitors are used to cyclists. Car drivers often give enough space (1.5 meters, even during the Corona pandemic) and so you get there quickly. To warm up, I drive a little bit along the harbor past the water and then towards the mountains and the village of Pollenca. The main road is a bit busy, but at the Cala St Vicenc exit you have the option to take the Cami Vell. This runs parallel and is a nice alternative. You end up getting to Pollenca anyway.

Also on the south side, in the area between Port Pollenca, Pollenca and Alcudia, you will find plenty of these alternative roads. Often very quiet, excellent asphalt and you can just enjoy the surroundings.

Once I’ve driven it home, I park the bike against the tree by our house. After the 15-kilometer test drive, I’ll still have a few things to fix before tomorrow. Then we’ll see how the flag really looks when it’s up.

Learn more

Would you like to go to Mallorca on a cycling holiday yourself? Then send us a message via the site or check out our previous article about Mallorca here. If you want to know more about this trip, follow Sander on our Instagram or on his own account. @sunny_cycling