Cycling Majorca advise

jamesd

A group of 6 of us are looking to fly over to Majorca next April for a few days.

We are looking to not join a tour group but to book flights/hotels/bikes ourselves so I am looking for some advise.

2 of us have garmin 1000's so would hope to plot in routes beforehand and follow the garmin's then over there, I assume booking with bike tour guides would be expensive.

We are hoping to fly on a Wednesday and then come home on the following Monday, can fly from Dublin/Shannon/Knock as located in the midlands.

wilhelm roentgen

I have been a few times, heaps of info here.

http://mallorcacycling.co.uk/

Port de Pollenca or Alcudia are good places to base yourself, loads of bike rental places, cheap hotels etc............

No need for a tour guide IMO, easy to find your way around the island. And sure isn't that the best way sometimes, no agenda.

Enjoy it, you lucky sod.

07Lapierre

https://www.tramuntanacycling.com/en/

ford2600

jamesd wrote: »

A group of 6 of us are looking to fly over to Majorca next April for a few days.

We are looking to not join a tour group but to book flights/hotels/bikes ourselves so I am looking for some advise.

2 of us have garmin 1000's so would hope to plot in routes beforehand and follow the garmin's then over there, I assume booking with bike tour guides would be expensive.

We are hoping to fly on a Wednesday and then come home on the following Monday, can fly from Dublin/Shannon/Knock as located in the midlands.

Flight into Palma? I'd spend a night there, great town.

Have a quick look at a map and go and get lost. West side of island is mountainous, circa 600.climbs and quite.

The worst can happen is a 300km circumnavigation of island!☺

I'll pm a nice route or two I've done if you wish

Grassey

I'm just back from 10 days there. Based myself in Port Alcudia again, it's a good spot to base from and plan multiple routes from. That side of the island is quieter too so less cars to bother you on the roads. Some nice routes starts round there too, Fomenter, climb to Lluc, etc

I'd recommend renting bikes as it works out comparable to flying them but without the added hassle. I got a carbon campag wilier for €140 for 8days and I think flying the bike was €120... I'd also suggest renting a car rather than relying on buses or taxis. We got a car for €50 plus diesel for the trip, really only used to get to apt and back and stock up in decathlon, but an awful lot cheaper and quicker!

jamesd

wilhelm roentgen wrote: »

I have been a few times, heaps of info here.

http://mallorcacycling.co.uk/

Port de Pollenca or Alcudia are good places to base yourself, loads of bike rental places, cheap hotels etc............

No need for a tour guide IMO, easy to find your way around the island. And sure isn't that the best way sometimes, no agenda.

Enjoy it, you lucky sod.

That's an excellent website, loads of info there for us.

OleRodrigo

If you're staying in Port Alcudia, there's a shop called Sport Bequi that have their own cycle map with plenty of routes marked out. You'd need a few holidays to get through them all.

Although I took the Garmin, there's something satisfying about pulling a map from your jersey pocket, imo.

http://www.sportbequi.com/in/

JK.BMC

Sorry to jump into your thread OP, but can anybody tell me if there are direct flights to Palma over the winter? What about February? Cant see anything at the moment. Thanks

shansey

Stayed in Port de Soller. Good rental shop there has most Trek models. I got a great map that even had the gradient of the climbs marked out.

Do the ride to Sa Calobra.. its amazing! 29 hairpins or something like that..

Tom Boonen

Would recommend the Villa Concha Hotel in Puerto Pollensa. Superb bike storage facility, two washing machines. Been there 7 times so am confident giving it a thumbs up. Puerto Pollensa is an ideal base, numerous routes, quiet roads. No wonder Brad Wiggins bought a place there.

I rented a Canyon CF locally......€105 for 7 days......sale of the century!!!!


Would happily live in PP.

jamesd

Flights book now - Do most people head off cycling over there at 6am while its cooler in April ?

jamesd

Can anyone recommend a bike rental shop in pollensa, need 4 bikes. Do they deliver to the hotel and collect afterwards?

jon1981

I used these www.pollensacycling.com ... they are walking distance to most hotels in Pollenca. They allowed us to pick them up the night before we were renting them and take them back to the hotel. Service was good, they know the area well and can advise on routes.
Not sure if they drop them to the hotel, though i'd rather go to the shop so that I can size up properly. Contact them, they are very responsive.

jamesd

Looking at their site now - is it all Kuota bikes they hire?

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a bike rental shop in pollensa, need 4 bikes. Do they deliver to the hotel and collect afterwards?

I assume you mean Puerto Pollensa as opposed to Pollensa? I hired two bikes from Rent March Bike Hire in Puerto Pollensa about two weeks ago, cost 225 euro for 8 days for 2 Orbea Orca with cycle computer and saddle bag(tube,pump & levers). They have a good selection of Trek and Orbea models. Their shop is easy to find on the way into the town centre. I'm not sure if they deliver as I preferred to get measured for the bike and get the correct pedals etc at their shop.
We stayed at the Duva Hotel and they had their own cycle hire shop (Pro Cycle Hire) on site. Other guests of the hotel hired bikes from them and seemed very happy. Brilliant area to cycle. One thing, if you head to Cap Formentor, bike lights would be a good idea for the tunnel. Enjoy

Quickpip

Just to add the Duva Hotel was also superb for cyclists. Secure Garage, bike shop, bike cleaning and laundry facilities. Just 10 min walk out of town and a great start for any number cycle routes.

jamesd

Quickpip wrote: »

I assume you mean Puerto Pollensa as opposed to Pollensa? I hired two bikes from Rent March Bike Hire in Puerto Pollensa about two weeks ago, cost 225 euro for 8 days for 2 Orbea Orca with cycle computer and saddle bag(tube,pump & levers). They have a good selection of Trek and Orbea models. Their shop is easy to find on the way into the town centre. I'm not sure if they deliver as I preferred to get measured for the bike and get the correct pedals etc at their shop.
We stayed at the Duva Hotel and they had their own cycle hire shop (Pro Cycle Hire) on site. Other guests of the hotel hired bikes from them and seemed very happy. Brilliant area to cycle. One thing, if you head to Cap Formentor, bike lights would be a good idea for the tunnel. Enjoy

We booked here - Hoposa Hotel & Apartaments VillaConcha
Nanses s/n, 07470 Port de Pollensa

Good location?

jon1981

jamesd wrote: »

Looking at their site now - is it all Kuota bikes they hire?

I believe so yes. I only have an Aluminium Cube to compare against but I liked the bike. They are walking distance to the seafront in Port de Pollenca. Also let them know in advance if you need helmets, they are 2euro extra.

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

We booked here - Hoposa Hotel & Apartaments VillaConcha
Nanses s/n, 07470 Port de Pollensa

Good location?

Yeah absolutely fine. Close to the centre. You are only about 5-10 mins from Rent March. Easy access to bike lanes taking you towards Alcudia or towards Pollensa old town and from there up to the bigger climbs to Luc, Sa Calobra, Soller etc. The main restaurants,pubs and nightlife are more towards the Marina and specifically Placa Miguel. There is a large Eroski supermarket just at the roundabout as you head towards Pollensa or Formentor. Main Bus stop/taxi rank at the Marina.

Quickpip

Someone else mentioned paper maps/Garmin for routes etc. I used the maps.me app for android which was very accurate and free. It was actually cold at the top of the climbs at the start of October so maybe bring some arm warmers/light jacket. I was ate by Mossies when I was there. The Duva had a few ornamental ponds so that's what i'm blaming. So maybe bring some mossie repellent. Can't think of anything else.

jamesd

Quickpip wrote: »

Someone else mentioned paper maps/Garmin for routes etc. I used the maps.me app for android which was very accurate and free. It was actually cold at the top of the climbs at the start of October so maybe bring some arm warmers/light jacket. I was ate by Mossies when I was there. The Duva had a few ornamental ponds so that's what i'm blaming. So maybe bring some mossie repellent. Can't think of anything else.

I've a garmin 1000 so planned to use it but have an iPhone for backup, would a wind proof gilet and arm warmers be good? Any need in April for a light rain jacket? I have mossie spray so haven't taught of bringing it.

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

I've a garmin 1000 so planned to use it but have an iPhone for backup, would a wind proof gilet and arm warmers be good? Any need in April for a light rain jacket? I have mossie spray so haven't taught of bringing it.

Yeah I'd bring them. Better looking at them than for them As for the Garmin sounds good. I'd be terrified of damaging/losing it so I just stuck with the Sigma Computer the bike shop provided. I took my android phone for emergencies and that also had the maps.me app. I did have a couple of punctures during the week there so carry 2 tubes on your spins. I didn't risk taking my C02 pump with me(I don't think its allowed on flights anyway) but the mini pump provided gave me enough pressure to get back home and to the shop.
If there is a group of you someone should bring a track pump and a few tools/chain oil etc Highlights for me were Sa Calobra, Coll de sa Batilla and Luc Monastery and Cap de Formentor. I didn't have the legs to head onto Soller and further afield, but if you were reasonably fit and in a group make a whole day of it. Some great little villages Like Campanet, Moscari, Selva, etc to explore if you want a quiet recovery day. Definitely enjoyed my stay and will be back. So enjoy!

jamesd

Was Sa Calobra tough ? , Coll de sa Batilla looks fine and had planned on and Luc Monastery and Cap de Formentor.

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

Was Sa Calobra tough ? , Coll de sa Batilla looks fine and had planned on and Luc Monastery and Cap de Formentor.

Definitely tough. However apart from a few of the hairpins the gradient never gets very steep. In fact the climb from the main road to get to the sa calobra descent is much steeper(which caught me out a little)! It's just a long steady climb with lots of turns.
The toughest part for me was actually getting to it, as this involved a steady climb from Puerto pollensa. There is a petrol station/shop/cafe at the top of coll de sa batilla and again cafe at the turn off for sa calobra.
If you go home by col de femenia it's a great fast spin home. Oh and watch out for the buses on sa calobra!

jamesd

Looking at rentmarch now - do they do bike damage insurance? Did you take it out ?

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

Looking at rentmarch now - do they do bike damage insurance? Did you take it out ?

Yes to the first and no to the second. Email address is on their site for any details.

dexty

+1 for https://www.tramuntanacycling.com/en/

Fantastic site, and they have great Strava routes on there than you can preload to your Garmin (Or I have them all saved on my Strava if someone wants to PM me). It really is cycling Mecca if you have never been. The island is basing it's tourism on cycling so there is big respect for cyclists on the roads too.

Bike hire, Max Heuzler is by far the biggest, they have places all over the island. But they can be a bit impersonal. You need to book now for next year too, they sell out fast even though they have 1000s of bike. It's all cash there (no card payment for bike hire) too but at least you don't have to pay in advance. €170 get you a carbon Di2 Ultegra for the week. Puerto Pollenca is prob the best place to stay, really nice, Duva Appts. You can also book a shuttle bus to the far side of the island (Antratx) through https://www.tramuntanacycling.com/en/ and cycle back. @90 miles and @10K of climbing. Bus leave at @6.30am. (€24)

And Sa Colobra is just amazing too! I am there again in a large group the first week of May '16!

mp2012

JamesD,

We stayed at the VillaConcha last year from 22rd - 26th April and hired our bikes from here http://www.sportbequi.com/in/stores/, the shop is in the hotel, you access it from a corridor in the hotel. You just leave your bike in the bike store each evening. We had great service from them, we hired 6 bikes, Wilier GTR's and had no problems at all. Plenty of advice / information from them if required. We are going back next year for the May bank holiday and will be staying in the same place and using the same shop.

HardyEustace

We normally stay in Peurto Pollensa but this year for a change we stayed in the Eix hotel (adults only) in Alcudia.

The hotel is under new management and I just couldn't recommend it highly enough. The staff are lovely, the hotel is clean and bright and the location is fantastic.

There is no problem with storing your bike in your room. The rooms have plenty of space and a nice balcony.

I think it's also ideal if you have a mixed group of cyclists and non-cyclists as it's very near the beach and shops for those that aren't out on the bike.

Tom Boonen

mp2012,

Could not agree more. I rented a Willier during a holiday to PP in 2014. Their opening hours were a bit hit and miss.

Would strongly advise bringing your own pedals, I didn’t and promptly fell off.

Also…..if going over to Cap de Formentor bring some lights. There is a 300/400 meter tunnel on the way which is not lit.

Quickpip

Tom Boonen wrote: »

mp2012,

Could not agree more. I rented a Willier during a holiday to PP in 2014. Their opening hours were a bit hit and miss.

Would strongly advise bringing your own pedals, I didn’t and promptly fell off.

Also…..if going over to Cap de Formentor bring some lights. There is a 300/400 meter tunnel on the way which is not lit.[/quote

That tunnel scared the crap out of me. Pitch black in the middle. I had to resort to whistling in case there was any slow moving cyclists ahead. I mustered a great sprint in case a car came behind. Of course it wasn't until the other side I realised I had kept my shades on 😅

jamesd

mp2012 wrote: »

JamesD,

We stayed at the VillaConcha last year from 22rd - 26th April and hired our bikes from here http://www.sportbequi.com/in/stores/, the shop is in the hotel, you access it from a corridor in the hotel. You just leave your bike in the bike store each evening. We had great service from them, we hired 6 bikes, Wilier GTR's and had no problems at all. Plenty of advice / information from them if required. We are going back next year for the May bank holiday and will be staying in the same place and using the same shop.

Can you take your bike out from the store at any hour? We had planed to be on the road about 7 or 8am ish in the mornings.

07Lapierre

I'm in Majorca at the moment. We're staying in Hotel Hoposa Uyal in Porte de Pollenca. A beautiful hotel which caters for cyclists very well. They have a secure garage which is equipped with work stands, pumps and tools. They have bike racks and an area for washing bikes. The garage also has a washing machine and dryer! And that's just the garage! The rest of the hotel is pretty good too!

07Lapierre

We came across this place yesterday....

http://www.pinarelloexperience.com/

pricey, but there some bikes when you see them up close!

mp2012

Yes, you can take the bikes at any time that suits you. You enter from the hotel and just push the release button from inside. There were plenty of people using the garage with their own bikes staying at the hotel as well as hired bikes.

Tom Boonen

The garage in the Villa Concha is open 24/7. On our summer holiday I tried to hit the road by 6.45 am and be back for breakfast with the family by 9.45/10.00am. (Tpyically I cycled to Luc and home via Sa Pablo and Alcudia......circa 75k)

Being able to wash gear and have it dried and ready for the next day is a huge plus.


I mentioned the tunnel on the way to Formentor as being a potential hazzard, forgot to mention the goats that stroll out onto the road also. You have been warned.


........As for the Pinarello "shop" in Puerto Pollensa. Interesting place, more like a boutique than a bike shop. Daily rentals up to €100 per day but you can get a bike for €30. There is better value to be had elsewhere IMHO.

Anyhow, Mrs Boonen and myself are already planning our 8th holiday to VillaConcha in 2016.......

jamesd

Excellent so where ever we get our bikes from we can park them in the garage? Are they safe there once just locked to something ?

With 5 of us traveling what is the best way to get from the airport to the Hotel ? A VW golf hire car plus the zero excess insurance works out at about €250 ish where as I see 2gocycling do airport transfers for 5 people for €100 each way.

mp2012

We got the hotel to organise it for us, just gave our flight details and they arranged it all. The cost was €95 each way for 5-6 people. Collected and dropped to the door, we just paid the driver directly. Again the hotel were really helpful for any queries we had.

07Lapierre

http://pollensashuttle.com

Price was €15 per person and €6 per bike.

Tom Boonen

jamesd wrote: »

Excellent so where ever we get our bikes from we can park them in the garage? Are they safe there once just locked to something ?

With 5 of us traveling what is the best way to get from the airport to the Hotel ? A VW golf hire car plus the zero excess insurance works out at about €250 ish where as I see 2gocycling do airport transfers for 5 people for €100 each way.

**The garage is safe. The hotel will rent a lock but not the best lock I have even seen, no harm in bringing one if you wish but I was relaxed with the garage**

Quickpip

jamesd wrote: »

Excellent so where ever we get our bikes from we can park them in the garage? Are they safe there once just locked to something ?

With 5 of us traveling what is the best way to get from the airport to the Hotel ? A VW golf hire car plus the zero excess insurance works out at about €250 ish where as I see 2gocycling do airport transfers for 5 people for €100 each way.

I booked the bus transfer through the travelrepublic website. They used the Transunion bus company which seems to be the biggest on the island. It worked out around £23 for two people return from Palma to Puerto Pollensa, so around 16 Euro per person. When you came through arrivals you headed for the transunion kiosk and they gave you the bus number. The buses are located right outside the main terminal.
Luckily we didn't have to wait long until we got underway and we were the first to be left off(1st time ever). You could be unlucky and have to wait for the bus to fill before leaving and potentially be the last person to be left off, its just the luck of the draw. Our flight arrived quite late anyhow so tbh I wasn't that bothered as it was straight to bed anyhow. On the way back, you had to contact the bus company 24hrs before your flight and they then told you what time the bus was picking you up at your hotel.

Grassey

jamesd wrote:

With 5 of us traveling what is the best way to get from the airport to the Hotel ? A VW golf hire car plus the zero excess insurance works out at about €250 ish where as I see 2gocycling do airport transfers for 5 people for €100 each way.

€250 is pricey! I rented a Kia cee'd for €50 plus another €50 for diesel for 10 days there 2 weeks ago. I'd recommend going for car over a bus/taxi transfer. If you decide to do some travel in the evenings (or head to decathlon or alcampo) it's handy to have your own wheels!

Hauki

How is the weather in Majorca in early December? I've been few times in Tenerife during Nov-Dec and would like to try something different this year.

jamesd

Grassey wrote: »

€250 is pricey! I rented a Kia cee'd for €50 plus another €50 for diesel for 10 days there 2 weeks ago. I'd recommend going for car over a bus/taxi transfer. If you decide to do some travel in the evenings (or head to decathlon or alcampo) it's handy to have your own wheels!

Who did you rent with there ?

jamesd

75 weeks to go!! Going looking at planning out some routes soon.

jamesd

Bumping up this:
Looking at what I need to pack now:
Helmet
Water bottles * 2
Cycling shoes
Pedals
Does anyone bring a small bike pump with a gauge?
High 5 tube of tablets
High 5 Gels
Light rain coat with sleeves - or arm warmers with waterproof/windproof gilet?
Bib shorts * 3
Short sleeve jersey * 3
Light cycling socks
Chamois cream
Sunglasses
Garmin 1000 and charger and out front mount
Cheap rear light for the tunnel to lighthouse
Should I bring my own saddle bag with 2 tubes/levers?
Does anyone bring a co2 pump and purchase the canisters there?

pab345

Hi, heading there in May with club for first time though a few others have been before. We all bringing our own saddles to ensure we are comfortable on hire bike. I'd recommend you do same, last thing you want is to spend time on a saddle that's cutting the arse of you.

I'd also make sure you have all measurements of the bike you ride so that you can be certain to match set up on hire bike. Might mean bringing a small tape measure with you.

07Lapierre

jamesd wrote: »

Bumping up this:
Looking at what I need to pack now:
Helmet
Water bottles * 2
Cycling shoes
Pedals
Does anyone bring a small bike pump with a gauge?
High 5 tube of tablets
High 5 Gels
Light rain coat with sleeves - or arm warmers with waterproof/windproof gilet?
Bib shorts * 3
Short sleeve jersey * 3
Light cycling socks
Chamois cream
Sunglasses
Garmin 1000 and charger and out front mount
Cheap rear light for the tunnel to lighthouse
Should I bring my own saddle bag with 2 tubes/levers?
Does anyone bring a co2 pump and purchase the canisters there?

They sell gels in ,Majorca? do you really need to bring these?
This the Tunnel to Cap Formentor? its a very short tunnel, you wont need lights...its only about 200meters (if even that) long.

jamesd

pab345 wrote: »

Hi, heading there in May with club for first time though a few others have been before. We all bringing our own saddles to ensure we are comfortable on hire bike. I'd recommend you do same, last thing you want is to spend time on a saddle that's cutting the arse of you.

I'd also make sure you have all measurements of the bike you ride so that you can be certain to match set up on hire bike. Might mean bringing a small tape measure with you.

Add your reply here.

I have not taught of bringing my brooks saddle, tempted now as its so good.

ford2600

Anytime I hire a bike on holidays I arrange to pick it up evening before rental. 8pm wouldn't be late closing in some places

Allows you to get fit right, pump tyres etc and often a short ride. No messing in morning when shops are often full with other renters.

Hauki

Just to add my 2 cents, I usually bring a small LED rear light with me just in case there's tunnels on the route, if I take a wrong turn, weather gets bad or if the days ride extends to evening for any reason. It weighs nothing but adds a lot of safety in case of something unexpected happens.