The island of Mallorca is the largest of the three Balearic Islands, which are located south of the Spanish mainland in the Mediterranean. The highest point is the Puig Major at 1445 metres. It forms the centre of the Tramuntana mountain range, which stretches along the rather sparsely populated west coast. The island's cycling centres are Alcudia and Paguera. The mountains in the east (near Cala Ratjada) are also ideal for cycling. The centre of the island is flat.
The climate In principle, cycling on Mallorca is possible all year round. The official cycling season is from February to May and from September to the beginning of November. The temperatures are then pleasantly lukewarm. In summer it is too hot for cycling. In the winter months, the weather can be extremely variable. There are periods with temperatures of up to 20 degrees. But it can also rain at low, single-digit temperatures. Many hotels are closed in winter. Nevertheless, it is easy to find cheap accommodation.
Getting there Hardly any other holiday destination is as easy to reach as Mallorca. There are daily flights to the island from all major cities. In the low season, return flights sometimes cost less than 150 euros.
Trans Mallorca
How much adventure does an island full of deckchairs offer? Plenty! "Supervised ecstasy" was the title of our report on the M-Bike station's Mallorca crossing, which is offered once a year. It took years to put together the five-day route. The guides tried out every trail, spoke to landowners and checked accommodation. The tour is a concentrate of all the great things that Mallorca has to offer for bikers. It leads from Cala Ratjada via the famous Lluc monastery to Sóller and the final destination of Inca. Date 2015: 18 to 24.10. www.m-bike.com
Hire a mountain bike or take it with you?
The bike The big question is: should you take your own bike with you or hire one on site? There is actually no reason to go through the stress of taking your bike with you. There are first-class mountain bikes for hire all over Mallorca. A high-quality all-mountain bike costs around 30 euros per day. For a whole week, depending on the model, between 100 and 140 euros are charged. Taking a bike on a plane costs a similar amount. Exactly how much depends on the airline. Air Berlin transports the bike free of charge if the bike case does not exceed 23 kilos and it is the only piece of luggage.
Maps and books for Mallorca
Maps and books Exploring Mallorca on your own? The route guide "Mountainbiken auf Mallorca" (Delius Klasing Verlag) shows you where to go. However, it is possible that one section or another may have been closed in the meantime. It is best to ask a local before setting off. The best orientation is provided by the two-part MTB map set from Bike International
Good addresses for mountain bikers on Mallorca
M-Bike station
www.m-bike.com
The centre in the idyllic coastal town of Cala Ratjada is an excellent address for road cyclists and mountain bikers. From bike hire to guided multi-day tours, it offers an all-round package.
Bicycle Holidays
www.bicycle-holidays.com
By far the largest cycle tour operator on Mallorca is better known by the name of its founder: Max Hürzeler. The focus is on the road bike target group, but some stations also have bikes.
Bike International
www.rad-international.com
Paguera at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains is the ideal starting point for bike tours. Bike hire, guided tours, trail park? This centre is the perfect starting point.
Cami-Bike
www.camibike.com
The Serres de Llevant mountain range in the east of the island is compact but very beautiful for biking. It is the home territory of Cami-Bike (formerly Roxy-Bike). The station in Cala Millor offers everything bike holidaymakers need.
Bike and Kite
www.bikeandkite.com
The village of Pollenca nestles photogenically in the bay, which forms the northernmost foothills of the Tramuntana mountains. Bike and Kite has bikes for hire and also offers downhill tours with a shuttle.
Coast Adventure
www.coastadventure.net
The centre in Alcudia offers a comprehensive programme for all types of bikers. One highlight, for example, is the bike and yoga week. Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza in one tour? No problem. Of course, there is also a hire station.
Joko Biketours
www.joko-mtb.de
Not a station in the usual sense, but a globally active organiser of mountain bike tours. It goes without saying that a week in Mallorca is also part of the programme. Sweating all inclusive!
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 4/2015 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
