Do we need a new Mallorca?

[CarlosFerreiro]

I went to Mallorca in October last year and was considering a return this year. As with much of the other comments where I go needs to have a mixture of town and beach/pool/sun for my wife and an easy bike rental setup for me, with quick ways out of town and onto nice places to ride.
I'd had a look at going to the Algarve instead, as I used to live in Portugal, but everything there was just a little bit harder work - limited bike hire choice, hotels not really geared up for cyclists, based in what is really a more touristy area than the Mallorca equivalents......
Are there mainland Spanish locations that would be nearer to the easy 1 week package that Mallorca does? I'd have to say my last time there there were a lot of bikes about but not to the extent of being any issue, at least for a 1 week novelity.

[eins4eins]

You can go to mallorca year round and between december and february the island is super quiet and relaxed. You can ride hours trough the tramuntana without being passed by a single car, only seeing a hand full of other cyclists. The MA10 coast road between Sollér and Andratx - one of the most beatiful roads in the world - is completely empty that time of the year.

We stayed this winter on Costa del Sol but were watching Mallorca weather forecast regularly thinking to go there for a while as well.
It didn't sem very inviting in Jan/Feb or even in March - often strong winds and quite cold. I found that weather forecasts often overeastime wind on the ground or real-feel temperature. Is it comfortable to ride there in the winter?

I have been to mallorca for a few weeks in december and then again in february for a few years now and have been lucky with the weather 99% of the time. Offcourse those are the coldest months and there might be a day with rain or heavy wind, but usually its very stable. Even more stable than march or april.
Most of the time light clothing, eg short kit, gilet and warmers, is all you need. Even for the mountains.

Everything is so much more relaxed and easy during that time, that i can't understand why anyone would go there in april when all the madness happens.

[Requiem84]

You can go to mallorca year round and between december and february the island is super quiet and relaxed. You can ride hours trough the tramuntana without being passed by a single car, only seeing a hand full of other cyclists. The MA10 coast road between Sollér and Andratx - one of the most beatiful roads in the world - is completely empty that time of the year.

We stayed this winter on Costa del Sol but were watching Mallorca weather forecast regularly thinking to go there for a while as well.
It didn't sem very inviting in Jan/Feb or even in March - often strong winds and quite cold. I found that weather forecasts often overeastime wind on the ground or real-feel temperature. Is it comfortable to ride there in the winter?

I have been to mallorca for a few weeks in december and then again in february for a few years now and have been lucky with the weather 99% of the time. Offcourse those are the coldest months and there might be a day with rain or heavy wind, but usually its very stable. Even more stable than march or april.
Most of the time light clothing, eg short kit, gilet and warmers, is all you need. Even for the mountains.

Everything is so much more relaxed and easy during that time, that i can't understand why anyone would go there in april when all the madness happens.

I thought it was quite chilly in April. The ascents were ok, but descends were really cold. Was either cycling with long sleeves, or had a wind jacket with me all the time.

Reason to be there in April for me personally was that I did the Mallorca 312.

I am getting the comments here that April might not be the most representative period. Perhaps I should give it another go in the winter.

[zirxo]

You can go to mallorca year round and between december and february the island is super quiet and relaxed. You can ride hours trough the tramuntana without being passed by a single car, only seeing a hand full of other cyclists. The MA10 coast road between Sollér and Andratx - one of the most beatiful roads in the world - is completely empty that time of the year.

We stayed this winter on Costa del Sol but were watching Mallorca weather forecast regularly thinking to go there for a while as well.
It didn't sem very inviting in Jan/Feb or even in March - often strong winds and quite cold. I found that weather forecasts often overeastime wind on the ground or real-feel temperature. Is it comfortable to ride there in the winter?

I have been to mallorca for a few weeks in december and then again in february for a few years now and have been lucky with the weather 99% of the time. Offcourse those are the coldest months and there might be a day with rain or heavy wind, but usually its very stable. Even more stable than march or april.
Most of the time light clothing, eg short kit, gilet and warmers, is all you need. Even for the mountains.

Everything is so much more relaxed and easy during that time, that i can't understand why anyone would go there in april when all the madness happens.

Same here, I've been to Mallorca multiple times at the end of January beginning of February and the island is really quiet and doesn't feel touristy at all.
I've also had luck with the weather and can probably count the number of days with leg warmers on one hand. Just bring a gilet or windjacket for the longer descents.

[Nohands83]

I've been in Feb a couple of times, but it's a bit of a gamble with the weather - I've had a week of 16/18 degrees and full sun but also several days of rain. As it's an island it seems to be a bit more susceptible to different weather systems. Costa Brava or Calpe offer more stable weather at that time of the year in my experience, and some great roads.

[nunokas]

I went to Mallorca in October last year and was considering a return this year. As with much of the other comments where I go needs to have a mixture of town and beach/pool/sun for my wife and an easy bike rental setup for me, with quick ways out of town and onto nice places to ride.
I'd had a look at going to the Algarve instead, as I used to live in Portugal, but everything there was just a little bit harder work - limited bike hire choice, hotels not really geared up for cyclists, based in what is really a more touristy area than the Mallorca equivalents......
Are there mainland Spanish locations that would be nearer to the easy 1 week package that Mallorca does? I'd have to say my last time there there were a lot of bikes about but not to the extent of being any issue, at least for a 1 week novelity.

As a guy from Algarve, knowing a bit of Mallorca (October/November is perfect) and South of Spain (Málaga/Ronda), I'll tell you it is a matter of scale. Algarve region has a lot of potential for winter cycle destination

[CarlosFerreiro]

In February I did get as far as finding a hotel and gravel bike hire and making up some routes from the Albufeira Gravel Challenge, but that time would have been a solo trip and made things a bit easier to deal with. And then I got injured.
So I know it can be done, but Mallorca just makes it very easy to take just about any flight and hotel package that suits and know you can sort out bikes and routes once you are there, and not have to put in any effort. I can see the novelty wearing off, but I've not done the multiple year visits, so......
Mas tenho saudades do Algrave tb......

[RoadDonk82]

Algarve region has a lot of potential for winter cycle destination

How is traffic and driving culture there?
That's one thing I absolutely love about Spain - it's very relaxing on a bike as drivers are slow, respectful and very careful.

[nunokas]

Algarve region has a lot of potential for winter cycle destination

How is traffic and driving culture there?
That's one thing I absolutely love about Spain - it's very relaxing on a bike as drivers are slow, respectful and very careful.

Generally, the Spanish are better on that regard. It depends alot on traffic intensity, big city/country side...
It's better more to the south of the country (Alentejo/Algarve) but the cycling culture and sensibility is still...developing

[nunokas]

I'm curious about Sardinia... Is it comparable to Mallorca?

[Greeners]

I just went this past April. What an absolute shit show. The number of cyclists on that island was overwhelming and not the greatest or relaxing riding experience. I was with a smaller group of friends and my brother went also, so that aspect was great. Don't get me wrong we all had a great time, things got a little quieter middle of the week and once we got out of the towns. But every town square was overrun by cyclist and the Repsol gas station at the top of a couple of the popular climbs was a mad house.

If I ever go back it will have to be during low season.

I fear this may be changing times for the island, where cyclists are concerned. I went out mid-March this year & it was ramping up with tourists & cyclists already. Our plane seemed to be mostly cyclists, most of the shops & restaurants in Alcudia were either just opened or getting ready to open, but it was very busy with cyclists already. I have to say I like seeing all the other cyclists out on the roads as it's such a contrast to where I am from in the UK, but I can only imagine how busy it must get in peak season. I have been down Sa Colobra in late September when the road is clogged with buses, cars & cyclists - not good!
Finally it may becoming a victim of it's own popularity.

As for the quality of roads, on the whole it is a great place to ride, stunning scenery, great road surfaces for the majority of the island but after 8 trips over the last 6 years I know most of the roads & routes. Use the trains to get you about if you find the roads are limiting your options. We got a train from the north down to Palma in order to ride the MA10 back up the island. The train cost was prictically nothing & the days ride of the entire MA10 was very memorable. Also I generally use holiday lettings in smaller towns than choose to stay in the popular/larger towns which gives a better cultural balance & value for money during a stay.

I've just returned from the Pyrenees & that is my new place to go back & revisit.

[RoadDonk82]

I've just returned from the Pyrenees & that is my new place to go back & revisit.

Can you say what area and what routes did you like?
We have spent a month in Andorra and even though it took us just 3 weeks to ride all the roads/climbs in the small country we really enjoyed it and are coming back as well.

[Requiem84]

I second that question on Andorra/Pyrrenees.

Looking for a nice little town with some good coffee bars and lots of nice climbs on close proximity .

[RoadDonk82]

When it comes to Andorra: it's really small but has some very nice climbs and loops. Be prepared to average around 3000m of climbing for every 100km. The best climbs are imo:

1)La Rabassa loop
2)Col de Ordino
3)Port de Abus (you get to around 2350m altitude).
4)Beixalis from Encamp (very steep but nice switchback road with no cars)
5)Engolasters from La Vella (there is descent in between the two climbs and a very nice lake at the top, you can continue via very good gravel road for amazing views)
6)La Gallina (super steep from both sides)
7)Els Cortals

The most picteresque place is Vall d'Incles.

The best place to stay is imo La Massana/Ordino. La Vella is not bad either but it's hard to find a good place at reasonable price. Flats in the town often don't get much light during the day and are noisy at night. Canilo or Encamp might be nice if you find a place not on the main road but with access to shops/restaurtans. It's easier in Encamp than in Canilo. Most pros stay around El Tarter/Soldeu. Staying there means you ride the same road every day when leaving/coming back. It's not ideal. I guess they choose it because of the altitude. Those are typical ski towns so there isn't anything going on during the summer.

Our stay was divided between La Vella and La Massana and if we are coming back it will be La Massana/Ordino for sure.
If you are into night life/bars though then La Vella is your place.
From La Massana/Ordino you have a choice of 5 climbs directly from the town but Andorra is so small you can choose any climb and easily ride there and back from any place in a few hours at most.

You will encounter pro riders and groups every day you are out which is very nice.
Drivers are more reckless than in Spain but outisde the main road that goes through the country it's not a problem at all. Most climbs are completely devoid of traffic.

If you have any questions I am happy to answer. Maybe we can make a separate Andorra thread not to derail the Mallorca one

[Greeners]

I've just returned from the Pyrenees & that is my new place to go back & revisit.

Can you say what area and what routes did you like?
We have spent a month in Andorra and even though it took us just 3 weeks to ride all the roads/climbs in the small country we really enjoyed it and are coming back as well.

I stayed just outside of Lourdes. We rode the Tourmalet, Spandelles, Aubisque plus some generic days riding the Gavarnie valley & local area along rivers & via the various towns/villages. I really liked the area, the arcitecture & general quiet of the towns. We sailed to Santander & drove up into FRance, that drive really gave us a good feel for the Pyrenees & the green sights on the mountains, the Alps are quite grey & rocky by contrast.