Bit of advice for a first time in Mallorca?

Bit of advice for a first time in Mallorca?

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citizenmtb

Original Poster:

1,495 posts

177 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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I've booked to go out to Mallorca, staying in Alcudia port in December and there are a couple of things I'm unsure of what to expect and what kit to take with me.

I'll take any advice anyone has to offer, and any recommended rides. So far only planned a route out to Sa Colabra. But I was wondering the following:

- How much cooler is the temp at the top of the mountains? Anticipating 15-20c at sea level which is summer kit, but will it be much cooler at the top? or descending?

- Any tips on not stacking it on the descents? First time around mountains too.

- Pump. I'm renting a Polaris EVA bike bag, but wondering what to do about a pump. Will a track pump fit in it? or do I need to get a decent mini pump? or find something out there?

- Anyone familiar with a transfer from the airport and pricing? cheapest option so far seems to be a car hire at around £60 for the week.

Cheers guys, sure you will have some valuable input.

Sarkmeister

1,664 posts

217 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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Couple of answers to your questions:

- The hotel I stayed in last year had track pumps and other tools available. Might be worth checking if your does.

- I'd be very careful of £60/week hire cars, especially if it's with Goldcar or similar. We paid more than double that to go with a recognised brand, and avoided the huge queues at the airport and horror stories about extra charges.

citizenmtb

Original Poster:

1,495 posts

177 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks.

Probably should of mentioned I opted for an Airbnb so don’t anticipate any provided luxuries.

I clocked the same thing with the hire cars. Cheapest was like £8/week so I steered well away. It was Europcar at £55-60 with easyJet’s discount link from booking the flights. About £85 direct.

smn159

12,440 posts

216 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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Few of us went in October. As well as Sa Colabra the ride up to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor is well worth doing (but take some lights as it involves a disorienting pitch black tunnel).

We didn't make it to the lakes at Puig Major as the main road up was closed on the day we had scheduled it in but apparently that's a good ride as well.

Good network of cycleways as well

Enjoy!

fromage

537 posts

202 months

Monday 13th November 2017
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I always rent from Inter-rent and generally around 20-30 Euros for the week with no extra charges (full to full).

Regarding temperature have been at the start of December before and generally was around 13-18C at sea level but at the top of the the biggest climb can be get down to around 1-8C but with wind chill that can be much lower and it often snows up there too!

Edited by fromage on Tuesday 14th November 18:11

mie1972

175 posts

152 months

Saturday 18th November 2017
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Car hire - I've used hiper several times, decent prices and no hidden charges. My brother damaged the car last time there, no issue as we had the full damage protection.

http://www.hiperrentacar.com/en/

Mountains are a lot cooler and also can be rainy, take a waterproof/wind proof with you.

The Lighthouse ride is a must do ride, one of the best on the island.



shouldbworking

4,769 posts

211 months

Sunday 19th November 2017
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Stayed in port d'alcudia last month.

We took the bus to/from the airport, think it was 8 quid a person or so. It's a proper coach on that service so having a bike bag shouldn't be a problem.

We weren't really on a cycling holiday but did a flat ride south on the coast, which was dull but quick, and the cap de formentor ride which was simply fantastic, not to be missed.

You've probably already figured out that alcuin is a long way from the mountains. We didn't go to them but if we had it would have been a hire car job to avoid flat boring transition

smn159

12,440 posts

216 months

Sunday 19th November 2017
quotequote all
shouldbworking said:
You've probably already figured out that Alcudia is a long way from the mountains. We didn't go to them but if we had it would have been a hire car job to avoid flat boring transition
Don't think you need a hire car if you're staying in Alcudia. Agree that the ride south from there is pretty featureless for a while, but you can also head North to Pollenca - either alone the coast road around the bay via Port de Pollenca or by picking your way North West through the quiet cycle ways. Once at Pollenca the excellent MA10 takes you straight up into the mountains where the world is your lobster.

Harv-surrey

47 posts

187 months

Sunday 19th November 2017
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Time your descent and then assent of Sa Calobra carefully , you want to be down after the buses and back up before they come back.

Watch out for traffic going down and unless you have alot of decending experience dont be a hero , there really are places to go over the edge and people do

Do the ride out to Formentor lighthouse as thats another nice ride

Been twice this year but always on organised training camps staying in Pollencia

Its a fab place


BMWBen

4,899 posts

200 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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If you're there for a whole week, make sure you get down to the south west end of the island as well. Much quieter roads and some nice climbs.

Also make sure you ride the MA-10 coast road anywhere south of port de soller, it's stunning.

James TiT

234 posts

85 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Put plenty of sun block on your nose and face.

Rogue86

2,008 posts

144 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Above advice is great, would say that Cap De Formentor is arguably more picturesque in terms of views but if you've never done either then Sa Calobra is a stunner too. Some great coastal roads (and restaurants) around Valdemossa but you'll definitely need the car to get there. The Santuari de San Salvador in Felanitx is worth a trip too, some stunning hairpins climbing up to a great view. The Marina at Cala Dor is worth a trip for some food while you're down that way of the Island too.

citizenmtb

Original Poster:

1,495 posts

177 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for all the input. I’ve resorted to booking a car so it’s opened up the possibility for driving out further afield and riding too.

I’ll start sorting some routes!

Master Bean

3,517 posts

119 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Do Sa Calobra early in the morning. I had finished the climb by 10:30am. The touristy buses were only just turning up at the top.

fromage

537 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I have just come back and also went first week of December last year and didn't see any tourist buses at all be it on the flat roads or in the mountains.

Best time of day to start riding seems to be about 10:30-11am as it would have warmed up and will stay roughly the same temperature until 5-6pm.

citizenmtb

Original Poster:

1,495 posts

177 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
fromage said:
I have just come back and also went first week of December last year and didn't see any tourist buses at all be it on the flat roads or in the mountains.

Best time of day to start riding seems to be about 10:30-11am as it would have warmed up and will stay roughly the same temperature until 5-6pm.
This suites me well, I'm not a morning person. Rarely ride before midday.

So far have routes planned for Sa Colabra, Lighthouse and Puig Lakes. All of which look stunning.

I still have some concerns on the descending side of things. More around what if it rains while out. Carbon wheelset on the Propel are downright scary descending hills in the wet with next to zero braking efficiency. Admittedly, compounded most recently by being a single track lane on gravel and mud, but wet alone still isn't much fun. I presume they will dry out once up to temp and not so bad if the road isn't greasy/muddy/gravel?

I'm probably worry over nothing on that front, I'm hardly inexperienced and I've had the Propel over a year, but this article st me up a bit yesterday.

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/my-b...

citizenmtb

Original Poster:

1,495 posts

177 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
One other point that's come up is gearing, currently on 52/36 but I've been recommended getting something lower for the extended climbing. Should I drop to 50/34?

Edit: for some context, 67kg, like to spin around 100-110rpm, 11-32 rear, FTP maybe 250 given it's off season?

Edited by citizenmtb on Tuesday 21st November 23:10

Master Bean

3,517 posts

119 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
citizenmtb said:
One other point that's come up is gearing, currently on 52/36 but I've been recommended getting something lower for the extended climbing. Should I drop to 50/34?

Edit: for some context, 67kg, like to spin around 100-110rpm, 11-32 rear, FTP maybe 250 given it's off season?

Edited by citizenmtb on Tuesday 21st November 23:10
No need for a 34 as the hills aren't steep. I'm less fit than you and managed with a 39 29.

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

197 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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citizenmtb said:
Thanks.

Probably should of mentioned I opted for an Airbnb so don’t anticipate any provided luxuries.

I clocked the same thing with the hire cars. Cheapest was like £8/week so I steered well away. It was Europcar at £55-60 with easyJet’s discount link from booking the flights. About £85 direct.
v

I've got the same thing booked but going to Gran Canaria in January and mountain biking, airbnb and a hire car.

Regards bike bag on plane last year I flew with EasyJet and although they specifically mention only the bike should be in the bike bag I also put my back pack with all the normal tools etc I carry in and then padded the bike with my helmet, knee pads and wrapped a good number of cycling jerseys round all the frame held in place with Velcro tape. It was still well within the weight limit and nothing was said.

fromage

537 posts

202 months

Wednesday 22nd November 2017
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citizenmtb said:
This suites me well, I'm not a morning person. Rarely ride before midday.

So far have routes planned for Sa Colabra, Lighthouse and Puig Lakes. All of which look stunning.

I still have some concerns on the descending side of things. More around what if it rains while out. Carbon wheelset on the Propel are downright scary descending hills in the wet with next to zero braking efficiency. Admittedly, compounded most recently by being a single track lane on gravel and mud, but wet alone still isn't much fun. I presume they will dry out once up to temp and not so bad if the road isn't greasy/muddy/gravel?

I'm probably worry over nothing on that front, I'm hardly inexperienced and I've had the Propel over a year, but this article st me up a bit yesterday.

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/my-b...
The roads out there are very slippery when wet/damp very different to our roads so be careful. Most of the roads up in the mountains (600 Meters +) were soaking wet when I was there last week even though it didn't rain in the 9 days I was there as the winter sun rarely gets high enough to dry certain roads.