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Hey All
Off to Majorca at beginning of of march - been googling for info - but I was wondering if any one else has been out there recently doing road riding (With my wife and she likes road more than MTB) and can let me know
1) Can you still use a old style paper based drivers license to rent cars
2) Are you likely to be fined by the fuzz if you dont have a bell or rear reflector on your road bike (we qre taking our own bikes out with us)- are there any other weird rules we need to be aware of
3) any recommendations on some good road loop rides up to 50 miles long (We will have a car so we can get around the island)
Thx
(1) no idea as I don't have one
(2) I didn't have either the three times I've been, and I don't recall seeing them on any of the decent rental bikes I looked at or any of the other swarms of Mamils bikes I saw
(3) There's some excellent maps with recommended rides but I guess you'd need to provide some idea of what sort of mileage/duration/climbing you're looking for to provide any reasonable suggestions. Sa Colabra and Cap Formentor are the two go-to rides for semi-serious MAMILs but both are a tad climby. Edited to add, neither of those routes are loops!
1. As above. Can you even still have a valid paper licence?
2. As above regarding reflectors. I don’t remember being told anything different than usual by the hire place. Ride on the right though obvs.
3. Cap Formentor can only be done as a there and back for obvious reasons. Plenty of parking in and around Port de Pollensa for that one and definitely worth doing,for the views. There’s loads of stuff to be found online for routes, though it’s best to know what you want before recommending.
Honestly it's one of the words cycling bucket lists. Lob a tyre lever down a road and you're hitting a classic ride. Where are you staying? Port Pollenca is the popular base for the rides mentioned above and a nice destination to boot. In March you'll be approaching peak cycling season and probably be able to join guided rides of the classics for a few euros.
Yes - Majorca is swarming with MAMILs about that time.
One of our groups went around that time last year and have sworn it'll be the last time due to the amount of cyclists on the roads. Apparently roads/climbs around Sa Calobra/Soller etc was rammed with cyclists; they likened it to a very busy sportive with the typical squirrel-like riding etiquette of the MAMILs.
Majorca bicycle map wp https://amzn.eu/d/cti0hYK
Get one of these. All the best roads are marked and colour coded depending on how busy they are with traffic. A selection of the best routes are also marked.
One of our groups went around that time last year and have sworn it’ll be the last time due to the amount of cyclists on the roads.
Seems to have been a fairly common story last year from friends who went. I think cyclists got caught up in the "tourists ruining locals lives" campaigns, but it's still on my bucket list.
Not sure if I might consider autumn rather than spring
Went in the summer and did my riding super early / close to sunset so don't know about crowded roads but thought it was probably the best selection of road rides I've ever done (vs Ibiza and Alps)
The best route I did involved heading north out of Andratx to the coast and then following the coast road along past Estellencs and Banyabulfar. That section of road at sunrise was pretty awesome IMO (bit bumpy in places early on but you get a really long stretch of twisty undulating tarmac along the coast that is nice and smooth)
For a cycling forum there's a lot of neggy comments here about cyclists! Weird.
Anyway... Mallorca is epic for road cycling, just amazing!
It does depend a lot of where you're based, and how far you want to ride. Formentor Lighthouse (if you're near Pollensa) is one of the shorter routes, but arguably the prettiest.
I've stayed Port de Pollensa, Pollensa old town, and Port de Sóller. All very beautiful with good access to routes.
I'm going over in April. It'll be my first cycling holiday and looking forward to.it. I've been told by friends that the South of the island is a bit quieter. As a result, we're going to be staying in Palma.
I echo all the above comments, lovely place to ride a bike, if a bit crowded at times. I like the "garage loop" - from Port Pollenca taking the back roads to Sa Batalla up to the Repsol garage and down Femenia.
With regards to bells and reflectors etc, I've not seen or heard anything about the police with those and I haven't had either on my bike the times I have been. I would recommend at least a rear light as some routes have tunnels, Puig major and the lighthouse (Cap Formentor) for example.
I have heard about (via other forums) the police fining riders for having earphones/headphones on. Something to watch out for if that's your thing.
As a result, we’re going to be staying in Palma.
We always stay in Palma (Arenal), it does seem a bit quieter than the times we've ventured up to Pollenca.
Actually think there's more route options down that way, all the climbs in the Esporles and Galilea areas make for a few different route options. Easy access to the flatter middle bits also.
Bit of a trek to get to Calobra et al, typical 100 mile day there and back but makes for a great last day epic.
For a cycling forum there’s a lot of neggy comments here about cyclists! Weird.
No one has been negative about cyclists, just saying it can get very busy with cyclists.
For a cycling forum there’s a lot of neggy comments here about cyclists! Weird.
No one has been negative about cyclists
Well, sort of.
with the typical squirrel-like riding etiquette of the MAMILs.
And TBH, i'd agree with that, the last dozen or so training camps i've been on the golden rule seems to be only ride with people you know. And if you ride with strangers, be careful. I've learnt this the hard way.
if you ride with strangers, be careful. I’ve learnt this the hard way.
Agreed. Lots of massive groups who seem to think rules of road don't apply to them.
It's great riding out there other than that
I like the “garage loop” – from Port Pollenca taking the back roads to Sa Batalla up to the Repsol garage and down Femenia. - this is as good as it gets for a short route.
Formentor is like Butlins on a bike if you hit it at peak time in the summer.
March will be relatively quiet so dont think you'll have too many problems with crowding.
The best road on the island is from Andtrax back to Soller, from my experience.
Sa Colobra is iconic and worth doing.
The monasteries are worth a ride - Randa is my favourite, but San Salvador is also worth it.
This is all about the climbs, but the quiet flats are just as nice if thats what your into.
If you are based in Port Pollenca I can send some routes. Last Easter I got the bike shuttle to Andraxt and cycled back to port Pollenca, was an awesome ride. Sa Calobra is great, so is the mentioned petrol station ride. Cap For mentor is great but do it early morning or later evening gets very busy with cars.
Was based in Pollenca last autumn my rides are public and were led by Legro's training camp. You're welcome to them and I can provide strata links. There are some lovely lanes across the island and the road surface is superb. Personally, I think Sa Calobra is over rated. Cap Formentor for the sunrise is worth the effort.
Andtrax back to Soller
I'd agree, the ride from Valldemosa via Deia down to Soller with the sea on your left is spectacular, then up the Puig and back down to Pollenca with a stop for orange juice at the Sa Calobra turn, is a fine route. A very long day though 🙂
"If you are based in Port PollencaI can send some routes. Last Easter I got the bike shuttle to Andraxt and cycled back to port Pollenca, was an awesome ride. Sa Calobra is great, so is the mentioned petrol station ride. Cap For mentor is great but do it early morning or later evening gets very busy with cars."
Any routes you have would be appreciated , we will have a car so can get around the island to start in different places as well.
we will based in an airbnb at Port de Pollenca near Platja d'Albercuix , we are going first week in March , it seems as if a lot of the bike hotels are still closed that week , so i dont think its going to be crazy busy - as its still fairly cold temperature wise , so i am guessing we will need to take arm leg / warmers water proofs etc (But it will be warm compared to UK)
Range wise the other half is looking for 50 miles max rides - i may be able to get out for a longer ride like the andratxc to pollenca with a shuttle
Re paper driver license mine may be held together with sticky tape but its still valid at least here int he UK any way...
A few rides (all quite long, but will give you an idea of the popular routes). All rides start at the Duva roundabout - first one in Pollenca.
Petra https://www.strava.com/activities/12645382759
Randa https://www.strava.com/activities/12653698334
Alaro https://www.strava.com/activities/12660570562
Soller via Orient https://www.strava.com/activities/12670034311
Soller direct there and back https://www.strava.com/activities/12678386823
Formentor, Alcudia, Luic https://www.strava.com/activities/12684786238
Of those, I'd recommend going to Randa, lovely climb, great views and cafe at the monastery.
as its still fairly cold temperature wise , so i am guessing we will need to take arm leg / warmers water proofs etc (But it will be warm compared to UK)
Majorca can be highly variable, much more so than the Canaries or Southern Spain for example. Definitely take waterproofs. Also be aware that the roads can be like an ice rink after it's rained.
I've been mid/late march two or three times. Worst case i had snow, torrential rain and a closed road/landslide. Got some good weather too though.
Best trip early season trip i got a lovely tan and didn't even need to unpack legwarmers and just used armwarmers for the first 30/60 minutes rolling out of town... and it was deathly quiet. Might have been as the previous year was ^^^ that one...
Saying that, pretty much every time i've been, unless very late, i'm seeing reports of snow, rain and suchlike in the couple of weeks before i go!
Get the shuttle early from duva and do this, it's great.
Check out this route on Strava: https://strava.app.link/KZz4vnrIZPb — Andratx
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/q1C3RsKIZPb
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/RQwsWbNIZPb
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/JfmU4nSIZPb
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/p88RjdWIZPb
Well, sort of.
with the typical squirrel-like riding etiquette of the MAMILs.
And TBH, i’d agree with that, the last dozen or so training camps i’ve been on the golden rule seems to be only ride with people you know. And if you ride with strangers, be careful. I’ve learnt this the hard way.
If your agreeing then I guess you understand it's not being neggy about cyclists, merely informing that some with very large groups on roads some cyclists don't demonstrate safe group riding. Maybe that's partly because they don't typically ride in large groups when home.
But it sure can be scary!
I have general ridden on my own in Mallorca and despite a few choppers had no real issues. Latched onto a few groups on occasion and riding has been fine, you don't know them so be cautious but all is good. I have found it a very safe place to ride with my son, he was 12 when he first went.
2023 was probably my best year weather wise for March, arm warmers and maybe a gilet first thing but temp got over 20c every day.
Last year not so good but only one rainy day, still had time to nip out pre breakfast for a couple of hours so didn’t miss a lot. Spent the rest of the day milling around Palma, had worse days!
Stayed in Sineu which is right in the centre last September. Only riders we encountered were Visma and Ineos on training camps. It’s away from the usual bucket list locations but very good roads and scenery with near zero traffic.
I stayed in Pollensa and there are so many good rides in the area, lighthouse is a good start.
If your riding to Alcudia from Pollensa there is a cycle path, after countless near misses with Germans who refused to share the path I found out that its only a cycle path in one direction (Alcudia to Pollensa)!
I was literally playing chicken every time I took that route!
Stayed in Sineu which is right in the centre last September
With a lovely outdoor velodrome that is free to ride. Recommended, then a cake in the cafe in the main square. In October the square was rammed!
I'm booking for this year already. Second week in October again. Might go for two weeks this year.
There's a nice loop (60km ?) from Soller out to Deià and Valdemossa but just be aware that the return leg goes over the col as bikes aren't allowed in the tunnel.
the ride from Valldemosa via Deia
This was my favourite ride of them all. It's gorgeous! Port de Valldemossa was lovely, and the tight switch back climb out was more fun than Sa Calobra. But it was a longer day out.
I like the cafe bon appetite at the big roundabout at Alcudia on the road from pollensa. Simple and basic , two coffees and two pastries 5euro 40 cents
Booked for April and going with riders that have gone every year since the 90s.
They know all the routes and shortcuts but often tag along to some of the 'shop' rides for an easy day.
Not too bothered about Sa Calobra this time,looking forward to the Valldemossa run though,it's been a while.
OP remember to pack for changeable weather,March/April can be mixed.
Have fun and get out to avoid the big crowds (and motorbikes)
I've still got a paper licence. It has years left on it and won't need updating unless I move house. I hired a car with it recently in France with no issues. Yeah not Spain I know but still Johnny Foreigner...
My dad has hired cars in Norway and the EU on his paper license with no issues (apart from bemusement from millennial hire staff). He has got an international driving permit as well as a belt and braces approach.
merely informing that some with very large groups on roads some cyclists don’t demonstrate safe group riding. Maybe that’s partly because they don’t typically ride in large groups when home.
Biggest issues i've had are with solos to small groups of mates riding. Or people not knowing that rules of the road are subtly different in Spain. (groups are treated as a single entity for most/many purposes in Spain is the main one that springs to mind).