I have always been aware that Mallorca is a top destination for cyclists having been on many holidays there. Indeed, many of the professional teams use it for preparation for Le Tour, the Giro and La Vuelta because the island is able to offer good weather, fantastic road surfaces and a variety of terrain. So whilst Sue & I were there a few weeks ago on holiday I decided to hire an electric bike and put the backroads of Mallorca to the test. I was not disappointed.
Our base for the week was a house in the middle of the village of Sant Joan. Sant Joan lies in the middle of Mallorca and is about as far from the coast as you can get on the island.
It's also home to our friends Richard and Catalina who live and work in the village and it was on Richards's recommendation that I chose to hire a bike from Bike Experience Mallorca. The booking process was easily done on line and the delivery was prompt and to my door - I opted for a Giant Explore E+ 1 Pro with a Yamaha motor and a 625amh battery. I decided that 3 days rental was going to be enough for me and give me time to sample some of what Mallorca had to offer for the discerning cycle tourist! So I selected for a first ride of 55km taking in the villages close to Sant Joan and set off just before 10 0'clock as the temperature was rising! The cycling was made easy with a gentle breeze blowing me along and the flat road that headed west passed golden fields of barley.
There was very little traffic and the occasional lycra clad cyclist would raise a hand in acknowledgement as they passed me and the sun rose higher and the temperature with it! As I got close to Porreres I decided that it was time for some liquid refreshment so stopped in the village square for a nice cold glass of beer. With my thirst slated and aware that day was getting significantly warmer, I headed for Felanitx before turning north to Petra and back to Sant Joan. The village square in Petra was bustling with hoards of German cyclists eating and drinking in the many cafes that surround it so I joined them briefly for a swift half. By the time I arrived back at the house I was so hot that my first action was to flop into the swimming pool to cool off. The ride was better than I'd expected - quiet roads, picturesque villages and some delightful scenery. In view of the previous day's heat I decided that my second ride should be a little shorter so from Sant Joan I headed north west to the village of Lloret and returned on some single track roads which were betted suited to a mountain bike than a touring one. Again the scenery was stunning with the golden fields edged by red poppies set against an azure sky. My only encounter with any traffic came in the form of a local farmer on his tractor, piled high with boxes of some produce or other. His walnut brown weathered face looked somewhat bemused when he saw me and his expression definitely said, "Mad dogs and Englishmen etc" - regardless, we exchanged a friendly wave.
For the third ride I chose another circular ride from Sant Joan only this time taking the very back road to Sineu, a small town with a railway station with links to Manacor and Palma. It also hosts a weekly market which swells the town in high season every Wednesday. People are bussed in from all over the island and there are a huge variety of stalls ranging from local produce to live chickens and goats. Sineu is also a popular stopping point for cycle tourists and the local cafes and bars are well geared up for their arrival with bike stands outside almost every establishment. As they had put all this effort into welcoming the cyclists I felt duty bound to stop and rehydrate in a cafe overlooking the main square. Suitably refreshed I headed home, again enjoying the warm sunshine and the magnificent road surfaces.
The bike was collected the following day with the same efficiency and punctuality as its delivery. Mallorca is a perfect destination for cycle touring and the "amuse bouche" that I tasted over the three days has left me hungry to taste the seven course "gourmet meal" that is definitely waiting to be devoured there!
Meanwhile in London, the Highgate Viking has been out and about.....
We can't wait for the report of his trip.....
