Bit of advice for a first time in Mallorca?

[citizenmtb]

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.

[citizenmtb]

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.

[citizenmtb]

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!

[citizenmtb]

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]

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

[citizenmtb]

I’m heading up there today so fingers crossed it’s not too bad. The weather is forecast to be pretty warm, 17 in Alcudia and 11 in the mountains.

So far done the lighthouse route twice. Once with a massive hanger a mover and a do over to set a proper time 😂 3rd on the PH strava group!

[citizenmtb]

It turned out to be a public holiday on Wednesday so was quite a busy ride. The locals mostly seemed to be in the mountains to build snowmen.

It was pretty hard to regulate body temp as it varied between 17 and 4c. The descent was wet at the top so I took it very steady. Eventually caught the cars that had passed towards the bottom but it was a good if somewhat tiring ride. Coming back up in 45 mins, wished I had a bit more left in the legs to set a better time but the climb out there took a lot out of the legs.

Cruises back and met an English guy who is here for 3 months so considering staying out for a bit longer as I don’t really have any commitments to get back for.