Cycling holiday in Canary Islands or Majorca

billyhead

Folks,


Can decide between the above as to where to go for a weeks road cycling in late Summer. I am told Lanzarote is too windy. Can anyone offer feedback as to the best island to go to and recommend a self catering hotel and where to rent a road bike on whatever choice you suggest. Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

rodneyTrotter.

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,


Can decide between the above as to where to go for a weeks road cycling in late Summer. I am told Lanzarote is too windy. Can anyone offer feedback as to the best island to go to and recommend a self catering hotel and where to rent a road bike on whatever choice you suggest. Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

You could also consider Gran Canaria

I've cycled there on holidays many times . Perfect weather and roads. Certainly less windy than Lanzarote . Also the Freemotion chain are a great rental shop with high end bikes .
Pro cycling teams are often there too so you never know who you might meet.

kayaksurfbum

Go to Majorca.

Spent 10 days cycling in Lanzarote over Christmas. Its very windy, which you can put up with, but its now totally over crowded and the roads are crazy busy. Tour buses, trucks and rental cars(F*ckin fiat 500's running you off the road). I will never go back there. Speaking to people over there they told us that 2016 has been mental busy. Its now the go to place for Brits that used to go to Tunisia and east med resorts. I cycled in lanza six years ago and loved it, very quite roads. Allot has changed since.

A club mate spent Christmas in Gran Canaria and he said the same as me, really busy roads compared to other years.

Galego

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,


Can decide between the above as to where to go for a weeks road cycling in late Summer. I am told Lanzarote is too windy. Can anyone offer feedback as to the best island to go to and recommend a self catering hotel and where to rent a road bike on whatever choice you suggest. Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

Does it really need to be an island?

Northwest of Spain would be my choice.

http://bikeasturias.net

Disclaimer: I am biased. I am from there. ðŸ˜

barryf42

look at mallorca and go to playa de muro area or port alcudia area - easy access into the hills. nice scenery and friendly towards cyclists on the road - some websites to look at are below

mallorcacycling.co.uk
seemallorca.com/cycling/guide
tramuntanacycling.com

you will get information on routes and bike hire etc. you can fly with both EI and FR

OleRodrigo

Whatever about the wind on Lanzarote, the hills aren't too high. Tenerife or Gran Canaria would be better choices. The traffic is fine once you pick the right roads. I agree with the previous post, its tourists in cars that are a concern, rather than locals who are always respectful.

Better still is Mallorca which would probably be cooler than the Canaries at that time of year.

They are all great for cycling, but Mallorca would be my favourite. You wont go wrong with any of them.

07Lapierre

+1 Majorca!

cunavalos

If you are going late summer it opens up a lot more options. Bear in mind the Canaries are a 4.5 plane ride away. Parts of spain and france should be plenty warm enough at that time of the year and much closer with the likelihood of cheaper flights.
Because of the year round climate flights to the canaries never really dip into the budget price range but bike hire and accommodation should be no problem. For Gran Canaria look at the Maspalomas / Meloneras areas as opposed to Playa Ingles

I went to Majorca in mid October several years ago and the weather was still good for cycling and would have no problem going back.

I was on a non cycling holiday in Santander and the Asturias in September this year and would definitely recommend going back there with a bike. The airport was the easiest i have ever been in to get out of and there was a cycle path all the way to the city centre from the arrivals lounge.

Girona would be another good option for that time of the year and you could find a very cheap flight to the area.

jamesd

Did Majorca last year in april and September and loved it, weather was perfect for cycling and relaxing and the cycle routes are unreal.

C3PO

Don't rule out Portugal either - fabulous cycling in the hills above the Algarve!

1bryan

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

A club mate spent Christmas in Gran Canaria and he said the same as me, really busy roads compared to other years.

I was there for the first half of december and it was exactly the same as it always is. Grand.

It's about timing your spins. Leave at 9am and everything is quiet. Leave mid-morning and you'll find it much busier.

And, as someone else said, it's about picking your routes.

Gran Canaria is a great place to cycle. Hoping to go back in early April.

billyhead

Thanks for all the replies folks. Think I might go for Majorca and basing myself in Alcudia. Can anyone possibly suggest accommodation and bike rental places to stay and rent a rod bike respectively?

cats pyjamas

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks. Think I might go for Majorca and basing myself in Alcudia. Can anyone possibly suggest accommodation and bike rental places to stay and rent a rod bike respectively?

When I'm on my own I stay in the Siesta Apartments - cheap and clean. With family we use the Sol Alcudia which is nice but can be busy. Cycling friends have used the Delfin Azul which they like a lot. In general you cant go too far wrong with hotels in Alcudia. Its an older/family crowd rather than young lads/ladies on the tear.

For bike hire I use Sports Bequi -good bikes and nice staff. I have used another crowd, which I wont name, and found them terrible.

Stevieg2009

Majorca can't go wrong if it's good enough for the pros that will do

jamesd

I stay in puerto pollensa - get my bike from rentmarch.com and stay here : http://hoposa.es/hotels-destinations/puerto-pollensa/hotel-apartments-hoposa-villaconcha/

Tenzor07

Going by current weather, i'd say head to one of the Canary Islands, at least the weather is consistently good and the quality of roads is very good.. Though even in late summer it's pretty hot there... Most people go for cycling holidays in Autumn/Winter to GC/Lanza...

harringtonp

Majorca +1. Stay in Puerto Pollenca, pretty, stylish, flat road and hills.

Was there twice last year on family holidays. Threw my helmet, shoes, pedals and a few other bits into hand luggage. No bikes prebooked. PP is small and compact and if you're staying in a central location 15 minutes of walking will bring you to at least 5 good bike hires places. Unless you're there when something like the Majorca 312 is on, you'll always get a good bike at a decent price. Single day rent 20-30 euros, longer works out cheaper.

jamesd

Anyone here heading over to Majorca for the first week in April ? 2 of us heading over for a few days cycling.

Steve SilverMint

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks. Think I might go for Majorca and basing myself in Alcudia. Can anyone possibly suggest accommodation and bike rental places to stay and rent a rod bike respectively?

I've used Bike Experience Mallorca three times and can't fault them. They have some top quality Giants and Cervelos. I particularly enjoyed riding the Giant TCR i had last year. The TCR was built for tackling the hills of Mallorca.

barryf42

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks. Think I might go for Majorca and basing myself in Alcudia. Can anyone possibly suggest accommodation and bike rental places to stay and rent a rod bike respectively?

I have stayed in the viva tropic, which is the same place that Sport Active use and this year, I am using the hotel ivory between port alcudia and playa de muro - got both off booking.com as it allows me to view and compare. if you check mallorca cycling touts- they have a link to all the bike hire companies also - allows you to check and compare .thanks

sy_flembeck

jamesd wrote: »

Anyone here heading over to Majorca for the first week in April ? 2 of us heading over for a few days cycling.

You looking for bodies or just curious?

jamesd

sy_flembeck wrote: »

You looking for bodies or just curious?

If anyone was staying in the same area as us they are welcome to join us for the cycles - will do the sa colabra , lighthouse and trying to pick another nice days cycling.

jamesd

Heading over in 2 weeks time for a few days - has anyone done Valldemossa via Port Valldemossa and back to Pollenca ?

(https://www.mallorcacycleshuttle.co.uk/valldemossa-back-to-port-pollenca.html)

fat bloke

I'm on the bus to Palma as I type after four days in Majorca. Was absolutely stupefyingly fantastic. Loadsa climbing, 450+k. Not one beep or glare or gesticulation. Lovely rental di2 Pinarello Gan. The only question I have is when can I come back.

I stayed in Illetas last summer and rented a bike from Liberty Sports. Fairly easy access to some nice routes around Calvia and the climb from Es Cap Della to Galilea is one of the nicest climbs I’ve done. A bastard, but a nice bastard.

bilbot79

I've cycled in both and someone who enjoys nature and scenery it's Majorca hands down

Although Lanza will be a cheaper expedition overall, it just offer anything as special as the coll de soller

nilhg

jamesd wrote: »

Heading over in 2 weeks time for a few days - has anyone done Valldemossa via Port Valldemossa and back to Pollenca ?

(https://www.mallorcacycleshuttle.co.uk/valldemossa-back-to-port-pollenca.html)

We did the bus to Andratx and cycle back trip last year when we were over there, great day on the bike, the intention was to go down to Port Valldemosa and back up but we missed the turn off the main road and didn't bother going back, said we'd leave it till next time.

Go for it I'd say, a very enjoyable excursion and a chance to see some of the island that might be out of normal range otherwise

https://www.strava.com/activities/975622420

jamesd

nilhg wrote: »

We did the bus to Andratx and cycle back trip last year when we were over there, great day on the bike, the intention was to go down to Port Valldemosa and back up but we missed the turn off the main road and didn't bother going back, said we'd leave it till next time.

Go for it I'd say, a very enjoyable excursion and a chance to see some of the island that might be out of normal range otherwise

https://www.strava.com/activities/975622420

Thanks , just booked it there now as the last few times we were over it was lighthouse day 1, Sa Calobra day 3 and then flat but scenic on day 5 so wanted something new different.

BMCC1

jamesd wrote: »

Heading over in 2 weeks time for a few days - has anyone done Valldemossa via Port Valldemossa and back to Pollenca ?

(https://www.mallorcacycleshuttle.co.uk/valldemossa-back-to-port-pollenca.html)

Just back from Majorca. Stayed at the opposite end (Palma) but cycled up as far as Port Valldemossa - that descent is such a blast - you have to do it. Probably the most fun descent I have ever done - and no cars!

jamesd

BMCC1 wrote: »

Just back from Majorca. Stayed at the opposite end (Palma) but cycled up as far as Port Valldemossa - that descent is such a blast - you have to do it. Probably the most fun descent I have ever done - and no cars!

Hair pins or straight down ?

mr spuckler

nilhg wrote: »

We did the bus to Andratx and cycle back trip last year when we were over there, great day on the bike, the intention was to go down to Port Valldemosa and back up but we missed the turn off the main road and didn't bother going back, said we'd leave it till next time.

Go for it I'd say, a very enjoyable excursion and a chance to see some of the island that might be out of normal range otherwise

https://www.strava.com/activities/975622420

I'm over in May and the current plan is to do this as our long spin but possibly add in the drop into Port Valldemosa and Port Des Canonges. doing all that though would mean > 4,000m elevation, which might just be a bridge too far for us! time will tell...

fat bloke

BMCC1 wrote: »

Just back from Majorca. Stayed at the opposite end (Palma) but cycled up as far as Port Valldemossa - that descent is such a blast - you have to do it. Probably the most fun descent I have ever done - and no cars!

Puig Major down to Soller is pretty frickin awesome too. Fast as you like.

i learned to my cost however how slippy damp hairpins can be. Came a cropper on the Col de Soller descent (Palma direction). Was taking it nice and handy, just a fraction too much lean and.... well, I won't be sleeping on my left hand side for a week or so.

BMCC1

jamesd wrote: »

Hair pins or straight down ?

Hair pins followed by more hair pins. Really narrow mountainside/rustic roads. The roads are so narrow it puts most people off taking cars down - but perfect for riding.

07Lapierre

I'm off to Majorca on Thursday!

nilhg

mr spuckler wrote: »

I'm over in May and the current plan is to do this as our long spin but possibly add in the drop into Port Valldemosa and Port Des Canonges. doing all that though would mean > 4,000m elevation, which might just be a bridge too far for us! time will tell...

That's the beauty of the day, you can decide as you head back which you want to take in and which you don't.

mr spuckler

nilhg wrote: »

That's the beauty of the day, you can decide as you head back which you want to take in and which you don't.

yeah that's what we're thinking, unfortunately the shuttle won't have us in Andratx before 9am-ish so will be getting going a bit later than we'd like. having the freedom though to stop as and when you please for lunch / coffee etc is a very appealing aspect of the day. if we go for the big one I expect we'll be looking at a 6pm or 7pm return to Port de Pollenca.

bilbot79

07Lapierre wrote: »

I'm off to Majorca on Thursday!

I'm off on Friday 😀

Steve SilverMint

Pack your mudguards lads the forecasts not great

barryf42

next thursday this time - arrive there for 10 days with bike -yipee

bilbot79

Steve SilverMint wrote: »

Pack your mudguards lads the forecasts not great

I know. The forecast just got worse as the week went on!

Pain in the h***!!

Wishbone Ash

fat bloke wrote: »

...i learned to my cost however how slippy damp hairpins can be. Came a cropper on the Col de Soller descent (Palma direction). Was taking it nice and handy, just a fraction too much lean and.... well, I won't be sleeping on my left hand side for a week or so.

...and if you're renting, the brakes will be the opposite way. Had a few squeaky bum moments with that over the years.

mr spuckler

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...and if you're renting, the brakes will be the opposite way. Had a few squeaky bum moments with that over the years.

yep, I had a bit of a shock on my first descent last year!

07Lapierre

bilbot79 wrote: »

07Lapierre wrote: »

I'm off to Majorca on Thursday!

I'm off on Friday 😀

We’re here, bikes assembled...... now, just waiting for the RAIN to stop! yep it’s raining, although the forecast is good for the rest of the week.

Kaisr Sose

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...and if you're renting, the brakes will be the opposite way. Had a few squeaky bum moments with that over the years.

What’s standard for you. I always had rear on RHS, but Genesis came from UK with it on the LHS and I just kept it that way. I pull both still have a tendency to use RHS more. When I get out on good bike again I wonder how I will fare...

jamesd

07Lapierre wrote: »

We’re here, bikes assembled...... now, just waiting for the RAIN to stop! yep it’s raining, although the forecast is good for the rest of the week.

Ah no, hope it improves for ye as nothing worse.

Flying out Sunday week.