Ride Director Comments

For additional nights before or after the ride at Hotel Taurus Park write to Tony at reservas.taurus@grupotel.com. Let him know you are with the Nelson Diaz group and you are paying for the reservation.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

Rarely visited by Americans - European cyclists, and now many BAC members, have made Mallorca their favorite destination. Growing more popular each year, this region now hosts more serious cyclists than Tuscany, the Loire Valley, and the Alps combined. A semi-autonomous region of Spain, Mallorca is a sunny and friendly island in the Mediterranean with varied and beautiful scenery, great roads, fabulous food, and courteous drivers. Because it combines mild weather, un-trafficked routes and a full range of terrain, many of Europe's Pro Teams now start their season here. Picturesque villages, hilltop monasteries, rocky alpine mountains, azure waters, beaches, limestone caves and groves of ancient olive trees that dot the rolling interior all make up the diversity that is Mallorca. Whether or not you've already cycled in Italy, France or Ireland, BAC members can continue to be among the first Americans to learn why Europeans love riding in Mallorca. This will be the 15th time this popular trip has been offered.

COVID REQUIREMENTS

Participants should be vaccinated for Covid and be prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by the Ride Leader, if requested.

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Prior to the final payment for the tour, an infectious disease plan will be developed and communicated. The plan will identify possible actions for dealing with persons with an infectious disease on the tour that could affect their ability to ride or the health of others in the group. The plan will include items such as isolation protocols, testing, masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.

RIDE RATING

This is a 2B ride.  The required riding includes 2 days with 3200' of climbing (with a couple of short sections at 12%), which exceeds the 2B rating. The longest day is 53 miles, the shortest is 20 miles, with an average of 35 miles. Some of the optional rides are a 3B/4B (3200' to 4400' of climbing).

Please Note: There are high quality bicycles for rent at the Hotel Taurus Park with Fred Rompelberg Cycling Camps (FredRompelberg.com) and this is a recommended alternative to bringing your own bike.  Participants must make arrangements for renting bikes directly with Fred Rompelberg.

Tandem and ebikes are welcome.  For those bringing bike boxes there is storage at the first hotel we visit which is also the last hotel.

Possible rides for layover days include:  Sa Calabra, Mallorca's answer to the Alpe d'Huez; Port Valdemosa, a terrific and scenic ride on a small old road to and from Port Valdemossa; Cap de Fomentor, a beautiful ride which requires a light for a straight but unlit tunnel; and other lovely interior and coastal loops. Other layover options include touring a beautiful limestone cave within walking distance of our agriturismo, boat rides along the coast, and a train ride from Port de Soller through the mountains to Palma. Our layover days allow flexibility for rest days, weather, challenging riding, hiking or merely passing the time at many of the outdoor cafes. 

WEATHER

May is a very pleasant time to visit Mallorca when spring is in full bloom. The average high temperature is 73 degrees with an average low of 59, making it a great month to enjoy a sunshine holiday.  There is an average of 1.5 inches of rain for the month of May.

LODGING

Hotel Taurus Park in Palma 3 nights (first two and last) with dinners; Hotel Sis Pins in Port Pollenca 3 nights; Hotel Monnaber Nou, a countryside Agriturismo in Campanet 2 nights with dinners; Hotel Los Geranos in Port de Soller 3 nights; Hotel Mar I Vent in Banyalbufar 3 nights. Except for the Agriturismo, all  lodging is by the ocean.  If interested in etrta nights at the beginning or end of the trip pease email the Ride Leader.

LOGISTICS

We meet outside of Palma (PMI airport code) at Hotel Taurus Park, in Playa Palma, 5 km south of the Palma airport on Saturday, May 4. Taxi is the preferred method of transportation between airport and Hotel Taurus Park, the welcome meeting start time is 5:30 pm.The last day of riding is Friday May 17, leaving Palma on Saturday, May 18 after breakfast.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

$3580 based on the exchange rate of $1.19 = €1. The tour cost includes 14 nights lodging with buffet breakfasts, 7 group dinners, BAC happy hours, van and driver, maps, route sheets, and gps files. Initial deposit of $1500 is due at sign-up.  The BAC fee of $100 is also due when signing up for the ride. Final payment of $2080 is due on February 1, 2024.  It is expected that the final payment will be adjusted (up or down) based on the exchange rate at the time

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. Singles are accepted as long as they pay solo supplement if no roommate is found.  Solo supplement is $665 extra. Please contact the Ride Leader if you want to be solo, since extra rooms may be difficult to reserve in May, as it is getting into high season.  The Ride Leader will help with the single's search for a suitable roommate. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by February 1, 2024. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements..  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.

SIGN-UP

To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1500 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description