Mallorca
Cyclists dream of perfect winding roads with breathtaking views fueled by coffee and pastries. Mallorca might just be that paradise! For the past several years I have been lucky to lead our Mallorca trips and really fall in love with this place. After several years based in a villa, we decided to switch up our home base location to Alaro, a small village nestled amongst the Serra De Tramuntana mountains ( A UNESCO world heritage site). Last year I cycled the Mallorca 312km Gran Fondo and stayed at The Petit Hotel Alaro. The hospitality, location, setting, and staff at The Petit Hotel were perfect. This year we made the switch to Alaro and it was a huge success! Below are a few of things that I loved about our new home base location in Alaro, Mallorca.
The Location
The small village might be the perfect home base for cycling in Mallorca but it offers so much more. You can easily stroll down the street to visit the local bike shop or get gelato, espresso, or a glass of wine in the main square of the village. Alaro is known for its close proximity to excellent hiking trails in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range including a hike up to Castell d’ Alaro. Our hosts; Angela & Mauro, have a beautiful small hotel and are excellent hosts for the week. We book the entire hotel so it quickly feels like home. Mauro will join us on the bike occasionally, sharing his local knowledge of the beautiful island and its history. The only downside is that after a week in Alaro you really start to feel like a local, and it might be hard to leave, it was for us.
The Food
The Petit Hotel Alaro hosts breakfast each morning and offers a great venue for an afternoon glass of wine or beer by the swimming pool. Each afternoon we have a local chef cooking authentic Spanish, lunches that set you up perfectly for an afternoon siesta. In the evening we either explore a local restaurant or eat another home cooked meal in the comforts of the Petit Hotel Alaro. The food in Mallorca is exceptional and the amount of locally made and grown foods is impressive for such a small island. As you cycle around the island you start to notice the extent of their agriculture. Each village has a market day, so every day is a market day somewhere on the island. The Meditteranean climate is perfect for growing olives and the remnants of the aqueducts and terracing implemented by the Romans are still visible today. The island has many vineyards and we spend one afternoon touring a local vineyard and wine tasting. One of the highlights of the trips is an amazing evening of food at Daica Restaurant in Llubi, Mallorca. Here is a brief description of their food philosophy;
“At DaiCa we work to offer a cuisine experience with own its identity. We cook with soul, taking care of each of the details to achieve synergy between the value of local products and the evolution of bespoke techniques, as well as the selection of quality ingredients which allow us to enrich our recipes.”
The meal at Daica is memorable and well worth every minute spent beyond your normal bedtime to indulge in an exceptional multi-course Spanish eating experience. The meals we offer in Mallorca allow you to taste the island and dive a little deeper into the Spanish culture.
The Rides
A new home base in Alaro meant a few new rides. We still rode the classics; Sa Calobara, Cap De Formentor, and the Coastline, but explored some more of Es Pla (inner island). We offered quite a few options to lengthen or shorten the rides and added a few epic options. The riding in Mallorca is challenging, most rides will have 1,000′ of climbing for every 1,000′ of climbing. Everyone was able to get what they needed out of the riding and return to home-cooked meals by our local chef. Mallorca offers the ultimate variety for riding and it is hard to imagine a better place to ride bikes for a week. You learn the quality of the cycling right away as we head out on our arrival day spin. The ride takes us into the mountains and over the Col D’ Orient & Col D’ Honor, introducing us to the many climbs that Mallorca has to offer. The rides are fully supported by van and ride guides offering nutrition, water, and everything else that you might need out on the road. In true European cycling fashion, we make a stop or two each day in our favorite cafes for pastries and espresso. The rides will leave you tired, but grinning from ear to ear after exceptional days spent in the saddle.
How do I get to Mallorca?
Flights from the United States connect in mainland Europe before the final destination of Palma De Mallorca (PMI). We suggest checking your proposed itinerary to make sure that you have a little buffer on your connecting flights especially if you are flying with your bike. Travel in Mallorca is easy and we will pick people up on the arrival day of the trip. Double check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is expiring within 6 months of your travel date you will be denied when checking in for your flight. More information on passport requirements can be found here
Should I travel with my bike?
We offer either Cannondale Supersix or Specialized Tarmacs bike rentals equipped with Di2 for $300. We suggest flying with your bike rather than shipping it for International travel. If you choose to fly with your bike we always suggest taking your derailleur off your derailleur hanger. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have a spare derailleur hanger in your bike case just in case.
What if I want to stay before or after the trip?
Mallorca is an amazing place to explore off the bike. The West Coast of Mallorca offers some amazing places like Deia, a beautiful coastal village with a relaxing vibe and great restaurants. One of the most spectacular resorts is Cap Rocat, which was originally an old fort. Cap Rocat is South of Palma De Mallorca (largest city) and offers high-end accommodations with beautiful views of the ocean. Mallorca is a great place to spend a few extra days with your significant other before or after your cycling trip. Contact us if you need any recommendations.
Trip Insurance & Travelers Insurance
The Cycling House does not provide trip or travel insurance, we recommend Travel Guard as an insurance provider. Travel Guard plans will cover you in case you have any incidents. Their number is; 1-800-826-1300. Please reference ID number 315635. Before traveling you should also look over your health insurance policy to make sure you know your policies limitations in foreign countries. Here is a link to information regarding travel medical insurance.
More Questions?
Feel free to call 406-219-1318 or email ride@thecyclinghouse.com for additional information.
Check out a fun video from our 2018 Mallorca trips, that our very own Daniel Mazza created.