The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Mallorca 2019 - A Cycling Gem

May 4th to May 18th

Ride Director: Nelson Diaz
Ride Co-Director: Kathleen Diaz
Ride Driver: Russ Hanson
Report by: Andrea Diamond

Mallorca is a feast for the senses. The scenery is spectacular, from dramatic cliffs plunging into stunningly clear turquoise waters, to soaring mountains with limestone peaks reaching up to a brilliant blue sky. We were fortunate that one of our participants was a geologist who gave us an impromptu lesson on limestone formations one evening. As we pedaled along the road, we enjoyed the fragrant scent of honeysuckle, as well as tantalizing aromas emanating from fields of garlic and other produce. We cycled past pastures where the tinkling of bells worn by the sheep was music to our ears. The nearly perfect weather caressed our skin with warm sun and gentle breezes. For all of these reasons, it's no surprise that Mallorca is a cycling mecca, drawing riders from around the world.

The roads are excellent and drivers are courteous. Pelotons of cyclists and pace lines whiz past recreational riders. The varied terrain on this mountainous island provides challenges for every level. Our ride had several difficult climbs, a couple of which were on required riding days, but the most challenging climbs were on optional riding days during multi-day stays in various towns. One participant in our group tackled Formentor (aka Tormentor), a category 4 climb, two days in a row! This was an optional ride which made her double feat even more impressive. On one of our optional days during our stay in Port of Pollenca, there were 2 ways to get to Sa Calobra, a hidden gem on the coast: cycle through the mountains or take a ferry. I heard the ride was beautiful by bike, but many of us took the ferry and the view from the boat was breathtaking. During the course of the tour, there were opportunities for hikes or just hanging out at the beach or spa, depending on the day. Our rides took us through charming villages (including Fornalutx, voted the prettiest village in Spain). There were street markets in several towns we visited where shoppers could browse and buy to their heart’s content.

When we were off the bikes, Mallorca provided plenty of treats for the taste buds. Our group dinners were fantastic and included many local dishes. One highlight was the special dinner we had in Soller where we were served a seemingly endless array of courses, basically amounting to a tasting menu of local cuisine. Happy hours provided plenty of wine and snacks, but there were opportunities to dine out on our own and try some of the local restaurants. Ordering seafood and paella is a must!

As the “A” in BAC indicates, there was plenty of adventure. We were in Port de Soller during the Es Firo festival, a re-enactment of the 1561 battle between the Moors and the Christians. The event was an explosion of color, noise and festive costumes. Some members of our group got close enough to the action to get their faces smeared in blackface by the invading Moors. Other thrills included passports lost and miraculously found, and a couple of our riders nearly got arrested by the Policia when they accidentally ended up on the auto route! The trip was well organized with excellent routes and guidance by our leader, Nelson Diaz. He was ready to handle all of these emergencies, though they fortunately resolved on their own. This was a trip to remember. Mallorca is truly a gem. Put it on your bucket list!