We go cycling in Mallorca at least twice a year. Our group is mixed ability with ages ranging from 27 to 55. Experience over the years ensures that we know what we want to do and we don’t waste valuable time or energy. We now feel we achieve the 5 best cycling days possible in Mallorca. March 2024 will be the 17th or 18th trip for most of us.

Staying in Port Pollensa is ideal because it is close to great routes; has excellent cycling services; nice restaurants; nice beaches; great coastal walk and good choice of accommodation (we choose either Club Pollentia; Fergus Pollensa Park; Hoposa Daina; Hoposa Uyal or the Villa Concha – just depends on price and availability, they are all ideal with good facilities and are used to the needs of cyclists. We have tried other places and enjoyed them also (Palma, Alaro, Caimari, Port Alcudia etc), but PP just has it all and easily accessible.

For our 5 days cycling in Mallorca, ​we tend to have three big days and two easyish days and usually start earlier rather than later to beat most of the other cycle traffic and ensure we get the choice of the best cakes!

We always take out bike rescue. Sh*t can happen and I for one am not going to waste any time hanging around on the roadside because I was too tight to spend the €20 for 5 days bike and body breakdown cover. As the age of the group has increased, so has our mechanical knowledge and so has the number of aches! Broken spokes, small spills, sore knees and backs have all reared their heads but the group has not suffered as the rescue guys are brilliant in collecting the person with the issue which allows the rest of the group to continue.

We always use Mallorca Cycle Shuttle for airport transfers and our Andratx trip. Nice guys and very professional. The owners, managers and most of the drivers are cyclists themselves. We have used other services, some which have been slighty cheaper and some slightly more expensive but for cyclists there is nobody more accommodating or understanding.

Day 1
The Bay of Pollenca route. Out to Cap Formentor, back through the port, through old town Alcudia and onto la Victoria and the start of the military base. We get to see the bay from both sides and there are numerous 

Day 2
Andratx back to Port Pollenca with the addition of the brilliant Port Valldemossa climb and returning via the Col de Sa Bataia and Caimari (stopping as always at the lovely Sa Ruta Verda for fresh juices and bagels), through the lanes and back to Port Pollenca. Is rightly known as the best route on the island.

The highlight of a trip full of highlights. We tend to do this one nearer the start than the end of the visit in case the weather does not work out (leaving room to reschedule it) and while our legs are still good.

Day 3
Puig de Randa. A fairly gentle day. Undulating there and back roads apart from the excellent monastery climb. Excellent views of the whole island from the top.

Day 4
Sa Calobra day. This year we will be using the  Sa Calobra Express for two reasons: firstly to aim for a PB on the snake and secondly instead of coming straight back via Lluc as we usually do, the plan is to make the most of the day by taking in the Cala Tuent additional section then heading up the short side of Puig Major, down into Sóller via the new surface for 15 amazing downhill km, then up and down the Col de Sóller (stopping at the café C’an Topa at the summit for homemade cake) and then into the Orient Valley before making our way back to Port Pollenca via the lanes.

Day 5
Last day of riding will be a big loop that takes in the quiet climb of Santa Margalida as well as the lovely towns of Muro, Petra and Sineu whilst visiting car free lanes and making the most of our last day!
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After spending time in France and Italy which we also enjoyed, neither compares to cycling in Mallorca which has for us an unbeatable combination of routes, climbs, surfaces, weather, courteous drivers, car free roads and a wide range of excellent services for cyclists.

Peter Jones. London. 15th December 2018. (Updated again for 2024).