“Road cycling is the greatest sport in the world but it’s so much more than that. Those of us that are addicted to road cycling know that riding a racing bike, alone or with friends, means so much more than just fitness, shiny equipment, or finish lines. It gives us pleasure, inspiration, solace, culture, camaraderie, therapy, adventure, and fulfilment. Road cycling is part of our identities; it sits at the heart of our lives and is a lens through which we view the world.” – Mondial Magazine
On a 2023 trip to Mallorca, arguably the mecca of road riding in Europe, I realized that this island offers possibly the best road cycling in the world. That’s a bold statement but true. Vehicles seem to understand that with so many cyclists on the roads (over 200,000 cyclists visit annually), they have to drive patiently and carefully. Pros train here and nowhere have I seen more fit people riding bikes anywhere. We created a trip that we feel offers the best of Mallorca, starting with two nights in Palma de Mallorca because it is such a fantastic city, vibrant with great restaurants, a historic centre, beaches, and bike lanes including a superb oceanside bike path that runs all the way along the bay east towards Llucmajor.
I returned to lead a trip in October, 2024, and so enjoyed riding, that I thought to share a blog post on our experience. I include ride stats, just to give an example of the time it took this group (a mix of e-bikes and road bikes, folks in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s) to do these rides.
Day 1
On our first day, I met the group that included friends that have done many bike trips and an independent couple that are warmly welcomed by the others. We distribute bikes (Cannondale race bikes for some and Niner e-race for others) and head out for our first ride along the coast on bike paths, taking in the dramatic coastline north towards Llucmajor. We make it back by 4 p.m. and have a walking tour at 4:30 p.m. with a local guide that is knowledgeable and entertaining. Afterwards, we head to dinner at Toque de Queda, one of our favourite restaurants in Palma, casual yet delicious with superb staff and an affable owner. We stay at Posada Terra Santa, the perfect hotel for Palma in a quiet location, steps to interesting shops and restaurants right in the historic centre.
Ride Stats*: 55 km; 375 m; Moving time: 2 h 30; Average speed: 21 km/h
*We provide our ride stats from this group to give a sense of how long we are pedaling for, so those who might be intimidated by the distance or elevation have a sense of what is typical.
Day 2
Next day, we describe the options; one of our guides leads the long option to Andraxt and the coast and I lead the short option that loops around Espories. We utilize bike paths to leave Palma and after 5 km, are on quieter roads. Our first stop is at Mercat Tramuntana Café in Puigpunyet that attracts cyclists (we meet people from Denmark, France, Germany, and throughout Europe) and has great coffee and delicious pastries. Self-described as “a neighbourhood hangout somewhere between coffee shop, restaurant, deli, and colmado – all with a Mediterranean soul.” This fortifies us for our climb over Coll es Grau at 450 m and then we enjoy a brilliant downhill passing the Museu La Granja d’Espories, a cool 17th century mansion that boasts a museum, restaurant, and gardens. There are also lunch options in the village of Esporles with more cyclists everywhere. We make it back to Palma by 1 p.m. (the group is keen to see more of the city), so I decide to head out again and chase the long group on their 83 km ride. This ride, via Andratx and Banyalbufar is exquisite and rates as one of my favourite rides anywhere. As I sit on the sun-dappled terrace of Vall Hermosa, enjoying a very late lunch with views over the ocean, I find it hard to get back on my bike (but had to). On this night, we head to another good restaurant near our hotel. Sublime.
Ride Stats: 44 km; 575 m; Moving time: 2 h 20; Average speed: 18 km/h
Ride Stats (long): 87 km; 1,515 m; Moving time: 3 h 20; Average speed: 26 km/h
Day 3
On this day, we depart Palma towards Alaro, a village that has a popular cyclists café, Cycling Planet. Then up and over Col Soller to the iconic café of C’An Topa where Paula welcome us to their café. Photos of cycling pros adorn the walls. Then we coast down to Soller and then to Port de Soller on the coast. While Soller is very charming Port de Soller is idyllic and our hotel, the Hotel Esplendido is a 10/10 in every way; read the Telegraph’s review here. Everyone swims in the sea and enjoys strolling the beachside shops and cafés. We dine at Nou Nou on the beach promenade. Everyone is pretty stoked to be in this town.
Ride Stats: 44 km; 600 m
Ride Stats (with add-on): 70 km; 1,120 m; Moving time: 3 h 20; Average speed: 29 km/h
Day 4
We awake to sunny skies again and decide on the out and back to Deia and Valdemossa, two charming villages that each are worth exploring on foot. Valdemossa has more restaurants, packed with cyclists and we opt for Can Pedro, an authentic bistro with friendly owners. It’s a spectacular ride of course and we arrive back to Port de Soller in time for more swimming and beach time. Some of us opt for an add-on ride we keep a secret, but it is sublime. It’s an on your own night for dinner and some opt to take the historic train to Soller, just 15 minutes away and also full of great restaurants. Some of us dine at Gaia, yet another superb restaurant overlooking the sea.
Ride Stats (with add-on): 50 km; 1,120 m; Moving time: 2 h 40; Average speed: 21 km/h
Day 5
It’s hard but necessary to leave Port de Soller; our first stop is in Fornalutx with a great bakery and then a long but rewarding climb up Coll de Puig Major and a fast descent past the lake of Cuber to the turn-off for Sa Calobra, arguably one of the more famous climbs on the island. Unlike most climbs, you start with a descent to the ocean and then climb back up! We continue to historic Pollenca for lunch and a visit. From here, it’s a quick jaunt to Port de Pollensa, another superb beach town with an idyllic harbour. We stay at the top hotel in town, the Hotel Illa d’Or with two swimming pools, tennis courts, contemporary décor, and fantastic staff. The bike room is a thing of beauty for bike enthusiasts. On this night we dine out at a new restaurant on the sea.
Ride Stats: 68 km; 1,100 m; Moving time: 3 h 20; Average speed: 20 km/h
Day 6
We like to save the best for last and the ride to Cap Formentor does not disappoint, as it is arguably one of the most spectacular roads in the world to cycle. From June to September, the road inside the park is closed to automobiles. In May and October, cyclists outnumber vehicles and it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular road to ride. We make it back to Port de Pollenca for swimming and lunch and then most of the group enjoys the pool and hotel amenities/spa, but one of the participants (who has climbed both Mt Everest and K2 without oxygen!) and I, do our alternate ride out to Alcudia along the beachside cycling path, passing sailing and kite surf centres, and miles of sandy beaches. Arriving to Alcudia, it’s yet another historic and vibrant town with lots to see. Our add-on ride on this day has an option to continue further along the coast. As I cruise home late afternoon I am struck by the sheer beauty of this island and decide, THIS is where I want to retire, but until that day comes, I will make an annual pilgrimage to the mecca of road cycling.
Ride Stats: 38 km; 97 m; Moving time: 2 h; Average speed: 19 km/h
Ride Stats (with add-on): 22 km; 100 m; Moving time: 1 h; Average speed: 22 km/h
Who would this trip appeal to? Our group on this trip consisted of several on e-race bikes and while that is not uncommon, the island attracts a very high percentage of fit, experienced riders. Grab your posse and join us!
Why Mallorca?
It’s THE mecca of road cycling in Europe with fantastic scenery, mostly buttery smooth roads, outstanding hotels and restaurants and they love cyclists. Enough said.
Why Great Explorations?
Our itinerary is 7 days/6 nights (one day and night longer than our major competitor) with superior hotels, smaller group sizes (16 vs 26), great bikes, local guides, and almost half the price. (US $3,650 per person vs US $6,999 per person). We’ve been organizing epic bike trips for over 40 years.
Watch the video from our latest trip in October, 2024
View Our Itineraries
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