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Cycling as dominant demographic in north west mallorca

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  1. gembo
    Member

    We are based in Puerto Pollenca so this is not representative of the whole island. But the volume of cyclists here is massive.

    Yesterday we cycled to the lighthouse at cap de formentor. Possible 2000 cyclists totally bossing it over vehicles. A German chap said to me at the lighthouse rammy for parking - Better for cyclists than drivers. I said Always.

    Today we had lunch at a garage after a quite frightening trip back up from Sa Caolabra (because of the buses coming at you on the way down on roads that are only a bus width with sheer drops to your right) there was quite a heavy shower, although the weather has been sunshine this week apart from that. (Last week big amount of rain). Anyway the garage had possibly 150 cyclists having lunch and getting warm next to the stove. Fortunately a woman from Hamilton spent most of the time we were there standing in front of it. This allowed me to tell the Ayrshire Bacon joke.

    Away from the hills in little village squares the whole area is dominated by cyclists. This part of the island nearer Puerto Pollenca is reasonably flat and there are many little roads where the speed limit is 40kmh and the routes are signed for cycling and the surfaces are always good, sometimes immaculate. Whilst predominantly road cyclists there are lots of women road cyclists. There are also hybrids, lecky bikes, retired folks, and the local workmen all on bikes.

    Apart from all the beautiful meadow flowers and the almost overpowering scent of Hoya in the air, my highlight was most definitely in an EU bus shelter in the village square of Caimari, someone had written in large red pen Rosa Luxemberg. I might be one of the few on the island to appreciate that grafitti.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  2. urchaidh
    Member

    This allowed me to tell the Ayrshire Bacon joke
    - snorts tea all over monitor.

    Whilst predominantly road cyclists there are lots of women road cyclists.
    - grabs popcorn and gets comfortable.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  3. gembo
    Member

    Nice sign on Mallorcan quiet road, 1.5m between car and cyclists riding two abreast

    Posted 6 years ago #
  4. Nelly
    Member

    Gembo - all I can say is chapeau for the ride up to Formentor.

    That road is a beezer, incredibly scenic but tighter than a knats you know what.

    Its the right time of year though, it is very car and bus choked in the summer and I wouldnt want to risk some daft tourist pinging you off the side of those sheer drops.

    On the Formentor road at the far end of PP, there is a Spar shop - Formentor Store, IIRC (we stayed next to it a few years on the bounce). Its a good spot for a late and cheap beer if you are kipping at that end.

    Best seafood is Bodega Can Ferra, up a wee alley behind the roundabout at harbour.

    If you need any other tips for eating out in PP, drop me a PM.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  5. fimm
    Member

    I belive the Sa Colabra climb is the big climb in the area? Not that I've done it - and it sounds particularly evil because it is the access to a sea side village so you have to cycle down first and then do the climb.

    That was the descent on which Mr fimm claims to have got stuck behind some motorcyclists who weren't descending as fast as he wanted to but weren't going to let some bloke on a pedal bike through!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  6. Harts Cyclery
    Member

    Volume of *sports* cyclists...

    Not so many citizen cyclists, but a fair few in the towns and in PP.

    I was one of the sports cyclsits last week. Smashed a few miles in the gaps in my family holiday to try and make up for one of my worst winters of training in recent years. I'll be racing in a few weeks so we'll see how it goes!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  7. GDR
    Member

    Gembo-my 2 sons are arriving there today. They went last year and had a blast doing all the killer routes (they are only 24 years old and disgustingly fit). Last time they booked bikes from Pro Cycle Hire. This year there was barely a bicycle to be had even looking as far afield as Soller so they are lugging their own bikes. A sign of the popularity of the place. I went a few years back and the only hassle I had was from a hire car driven by a Brit. Typical!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  8. Harts Cyclery
    Member

    Alas a German was killed by a drugged local driving a Porsche Cayenne whilst I was there. She smashed into a group of 9 of them and the poor chap died later that night.

    Never far away from a dangerous driver, no matter where you are.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  9. bill
    Member

    We went walking and canyoning to Mallorca last October. Was really jealous of the surface of their roads! But then was disappointed when we had some time in Port de Pollenca and tried walking towards Cap de Formentor. We got to the roundabout by the military base but the road didn't look particularly walking friendly, so gave up.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  10. paddyirish
    Member

    The ferry out to Formentor beach is worth a look a very pleasant journey.

    Was going to recommend the Pisco Sour at Manduca to gembo, but unfortunately it is closed :-(

    Posted 6 years ago #
  11. Colin
    Member

    Gembo
    Glad you’re enjoying the wonderful cycling there. In the unlikely event that you are at a loose end, the Vulture Conservation Centre is well worth a visit near Campanet, and riding the Ma3334 from Arta towards Petra is exceptional.
    Wandering round Parque Natural de s’Albufera with a pair of binoculars will also be very rewarding.
    Cheers
    Colin

    Posted 6 years ago #
  12. paddyirish
    Member

    +1 for s'Albufera. Cala St Vincenc (beach with big seas) and Alcudia Old Town (not the port) including the Roman remains are lovely. Pollenca (again not the Port market ( I think it was on Sunday) was great as well.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  13. gembo
    Member

    All correct, weather also lovely, scents of jasmine, orange blossom, Hoya etc. Took terrible tourist coach with clipboard to andratx yesterday and cycled beautiful roads to soller. Filled our bottles in the fountain and watched the tram wending through the tables and chairs whilst eating beautiful tapas. Alas we then cycled 12km to top of Puig Major, well the tunnel, there are lots of scary tunnels you need to take shades off for. That was tough in the heat. Spotted the German guy (quite famous) he has a titanium right arm and a titanium left leg. Awesome. My bike I hired from pro cycle which has chap from Inverness working at it, also titanium.

    Descent from Puig major takes ten mins and then we are back at the sa caolabra descent. Nice little coffee bar there. But need to be back up from as caolabra before noon as the buses are terrifying. Going to Petra today, hopefully more leisurely though the alpha males have bunted in lots of monasteries. Was in Campanet twice the other day as took wrong turn in square where all the cyclists were.

    Lot of burly bald Scotsmen with beards and tattoos cycling around. Only reaallly seen them descending, not climbing

    Posted 6 years ago #
  14. HankChief
    Member

    Asking for a friend...

    What would be the sales pitch to one's significant to convince them that the next family holiday should be in this road cycling utopia?

    And what would you suggest that they & the kids do whilst you enjoy yourself on the smooth tarmac?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  15. bill
    Member

    It's lovely to read @gembo's reports. Keep them coming, please.

    scents of jasmine, orange blossom, Hoya etc

    Really jealous of this! Their eucalyptus trees/leaves also have a lot more scent than the Edinburgh ones.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  16. paddyirish
    Member

    Also love gembo's descriptions.

    @hankchief

    For the friend I'd be selling the watersports, markets, reasonably priced restaurants serving fresh Spanish foods and and the usual kid friendly alternatives. For the kids the swimming pools and ice creams. Palma is only an hour and a bit away from Puerto Pollenca and good for a day trip, with the quarium good for a rainy day(though everyone else will think so too) and the Soller Railway.

    For specifics on places to stay and so on, ask me at work.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  17. gembo
    Member

    We cycled into the middle of the market at sineu yesterday which was funny. Some soft rock going on live next to cafe and the old men getting merry in the cafe at 11 a.m. I love to encourage live music by applauding so managed to liven up the scene.

    Porto Pollenca is a resort in the off season which is quite mellow. I can only assume gets mad in summer. But probably need to stay there if family looking to be occupied. They have this funny paddle tennis game that combines elements of squash so you can play the ball off the back and side walls.rallies go on all day. Really and til about 10pm.

    Walking and water sports also to the fore. Eucalyptus trees lovely. Palma has lots of interest and there is a well established rail network on Mallorca.

    Yesterday many red kites outside of Petra on a long straight gentle climb to the coast. Saw them in dive formation going in for the worms or wee mice. They have splendid tails and wings but tiny talons so do not kill much bigger than mice.

    This dive formation was mirrored by the fire brigade planes diving into the bay to fill up with water to extinguish the forest fires. We observed this whilst drinking a gin and tonic at the beach bar. Very elegant. I also watched a mallard duck doing the same on the hotel swimming pool. It was chased away by the staff.

    I would come back here but only either Easter or October time high season too hot. And too busy.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  18. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I love to encourage live music by applauding so managed to liven up the scene.

    I do believe you.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  19. Frenchy
    Member

    Did the duck at least get to finish its G&T before being ejected?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  20. gembo
    Member

    @iwrats, the one that had the whole town clapping was after the obligatory Bob Marley number, Now that's what I'm taking about, had the whole square applauding the band.

    @frenchy the duck barely hit the drink before it was shooed away

    I hear sunny in embra for my return today

    Posted 6 years ago #
  21. gembo
    Member

    @hankchief the wee tram in soller that wends between the tables in the square and then down to the port is also very picture skew. Good mountain climbing if Mrs Hankchief likes that. Family cycling feasible. Saw a woman rollerblading up the hill on the road into sineu if Mrs hankchief is keen on the speed skaters. Also spotted electronic scooters and skateboards. Vineyards, horse riding. Hanging out with michaelmdouglas and CZJ, caves of drach are amazing, troglodyte houses, churches, cathedrals, Robert Graves grave if Mrs HC likes I Claudius? Quite a bit on one small island and strava KOMs for you. Our fittest chap managed to come 3000th behind Fabian cancellara's KOM on full climb up to monastery at Randa another 29000 behind him. One second quicker and he would have been in the 2000s. Did I mention this place is full of bikes.?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  22. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @gembo

    Picardy Place could have been our very own Mediterranean town square if it hadn't of been for those pesky unidentified enthusiasts for Islands of the Dead.

    If this sun keeps up the WoL will be but a dusty track for post-break commute 1.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  23. Nelly
    Member

    Think it was warmer round here than Majorca today.

    Certainly felt like it as I sweated my way round Midlothian (trying out a GPS route, got lost 4 times) then on to North Berwick.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  24. HankChief
    Member

    Thanks @paddyirish & @Gembo. I'm not sure why you're implying that it is me that needs to convince Mrs Chief. I clearly said it was for my friend ;-)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  25. sallyhinch
    Member

    Wait, your friend is taking Mrs Chief on holiday to Mallorca? I hope they're a very good friend ...

    Posted 6 years ago #
  26. gembo
    Member

    Was baking by the poolside this morning but I have not put a jumper on nor long trousers. Flight back very clear once over the Pyrenees. Whole of bay of biscay, mont st. Michel, jersey looks tiny from 36000 ft, Isle of Wight, Bristol Channel, the Wirral, lakes, all clear and well defined geographical features. Went through RBS on way home plenty bikes cutting through traffic.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  27. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @gembo

    Feel free to continue this thread with tales of whet you would have done had you seen sense and declined to board the aircraft.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  28. neddie
    Member

    What's the weather like during the October school holidays?

    Is it true there can be a lot of rain coming off the Med?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  29. paddyirish
    Member

    @neddie - we have been in late April and October hols. Would say air temperature cooler (still peking above 20 degrees), but water temperature warmer in October. There was a little rain, but mainly of the passing shower variety, though it could be very heavy.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  30. gembo
    Member

    @iwrats, joined the Mallorcan communist party apparently led by Betsy. Only saw two hammer and sickles and had one report from my pal also out there of a slogan Tourism=Colonialism

    Try to get a job in the Aloe Vera farm? Commute from Santa Margalida on a lovely route.

    Run my Mindfulness and Malt Whisky course.

    Applied to be the psychologist for the Mallorca futbol team.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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