Are you spending your training camp on Malle, are you looking for sporty training tours, don't yet know what to do on your rest day and finally want to be able to swear in Spanish? You can get help here!
Overview map for initial orientation: 20 road bike highlights on Mallorca
The favourite tours of current and former professional cyclists
TONY MARTIN: from Santa Maria to Puig Major
MICHAEL RICH: from S'Arenal to Cap Blanc
ERIK ZABEL: from Badia Gran via Santanyi to Port de Pollença
ANDREAS KLIER: from Sa Torre via Llucmajor to Puig Randa
LINUS GERDEMANN: from Santa Maria to Deià
Number 1: Tony Martin
Professional with Team Jumbo-Visma
Start/Finish: Santa Maria del Camí
Route: 160 km, 3,400 metres in altitude
"Mallorca is my first choice for training - even if the weather isn't always good. There are many roads with little traffic. My very challenging favourite route leads from Santa Maria through the coastal mountains - via Valldemosa to Sollér and from there up the long climb to Puig Major. If you're feeling really strong, you can make the detour to Sa Calobra - for me the most beautiful mountain road on Mallorca. On the descent you have gigantic views of the sea - the climb is all in your head, because you can see early on where you still have to go up. After the detour, it's down to Pollença and back to the starting point via Sa Pobla and Inca on small roads."
Number 2: Michael Rich
Former professional with Team Gerolsteiner
Start/Finish: S'Arenal
Route: 100 km, 500 metres in altitude
"For time trial training, the classic route on the south coast is my favourite: from Playa de Palma to the Cap Blanc lighthouse, on via Cala Pi, Sa Rapita to Campos; from there via Porreres and Llucmajor back to Playa de Palma. On the 90 to 95 kilometres you can let it roll nicely - the way back is mostly against the main wind direction and is a good exercise in willpower. Unfortunately, more and more beautiful small roads are being built and are becoming less attractive for racing cyclists. A favourite meeting place for cyclists is the 'Glashaus' at the lighthouse. But I also like the many quaint cafés in the small towns like Campos, where you're more likely to meet local pensioners than tourists."
Number 3: Erik Zabel
Former Team Telekom sprinter
Start/Finish: Bardia Gran
Route: 230 km, 1,800 metres in altitude
"For me, Mallorca is like a micro-continent - as a cyclist you have everything: flat, undulating and mountainous routes. And the wind is like a strong training partner. And my long 200-kilometre training ride is like that too, starting from my house in Badia Gran and first running along the entire south coast to Santanyi and then heading north along the east coast to Cala Millor and on to the main road via Artà to Port de Pollença. I always try to include a long climb - like the ten-kilometre ascent to Lluc Monastery. From there, I take the shortest route home via Inca, Sencelles, Algaida, Llucmajor and Sa Torre. Due to the strong thermals in the centre of the island, there is a special midday breeze - if you are unlucky, there is almost always a headwind. We never used to stop on this circuit. Nowadays, it's customary for the young pros to go to the café for half an hour after four hours. I wasn't thrilled about it, but our coach says that a coffee stimulates fat burning even more."
Number 4: Andreas Klier
Ex-professional, among others with Team Garmin-Cervélo
Start/Finish: Sa Torre
Route: 135 km, 1,400 metres in altitude
"My favourite route leads from my front door in Bahia Azul-Sa Torre (ten kilometres south of Arenal; editor's note) via Llucmajor to Randa, where I then ride up the five-kilometre Cura climb (monastery on Puig Randa; editor's note). At the top, I turn round and cycle via Montiuri, Sencelles and Santa Maria to Alaró. From there it gets a bit more undulating. From here I cycle the six kilometre long mountain to Orient - it's beautiful! After the descent, I usually take a coffee break in Bunyola. Then I take the direct route home via Santa Maria, Santa Eugenia, Algaida and Llucmajor. The route has around 130 kilometres, two mountains, beautiful scenery and a good coffee break - in other words, everything an old pro or cycle tourist needs."
Number 5: Linus Gerdemann
Former professional with Team Leopard-Trek, among others
Start/Finish: Santa Maria del Camí
Route: 130 km, 3,000 metres in altitude
"I live in Monaco in winter and have trained a lot on the Côte d'Azur. But Mallorca is unbeatable for clocking up the kilometres. My favourite route leads from my base in Santa Maria del Camí into the mountains in the south-west of the island via Galilea, Es Capdella and Andratx and further north to the coastal road towards Valldemosa. From there you drive through one of the most beautiful corners of Europe. My favourite place is Deià, where there are lovely cafés and good restaurants. I like it there so much that I start looking for a property. I then cycle back to the hotel via Port de Sollér. The tour is so demanding that I don't want to do it straight after my holiday."
The most important Spanish words in a small dictionary
Mallorcans don't expect tourists to speak to them in Mallorcan - but they are happy if you at least try to speak a few words in Spanish*. Especially when it's as simple as the pedal - which means "pedal"
All about the bike
Racing bike........................(la) bicicleta de carreras
Brake lever ....................... (la) maneta de freno
Bicycle frame .................................. (el) cuadro
Rim ..................................... (la) llanta de rueta
Helmet .................................................... (el) casco
Allen key.............................................(la) llave allen
Chain ..................................................(la) cadena
Open-end spanner.................................. (la) llave fija
Hub ..................................................... (el) cubo
Have plates ........................... tener un pichazo
Pump ...............................................(la) bomba
Tyre .......................................... (el) neumático
Saddle .................................................... (el) sillín
Seat post .............................. (la) tija del sillín
Gear lever..................... (el) cambio de marcha
Bolt........................................... (el) tornillo
Screwdriver.................... (el) destornillador
Spoke.................................................(el)radio
Valve ................................................ (la) válvula
Where does it hurt?
Leg ....................................................(la) pierna
Elbow............................................(el) codal
Hand .................................................... (la) mano
Wrist ..................................... (la) muñeca
Butt...............................................(el) trasero
Knee ....................................................(la) rodilla
Sore muscles ...................................(las) agujetas
Neck pain...........(los) dolores cervicales
Back ..............................................(la) espalda
Help with injuries
Pharmacy ........................................ (la) farmacia
Doctor ................................................... (el) médico
Disinfectant ................ (el) desinfectante
Fracture ............................................. (la) fractura
Plaster ................................................. (la) tirita
Ointment................................................(la) pomada
Fall.....................................................(la) caída
Bandage ........................................... (el) vendaje
How to assert yourself in traffic
"You idiot! You cut me off!" means "¡Estùpido, me has cortado la calle!" Less rabid people simply say: "I had the right of way!" "¡Yo tenía la preferencia!" If there's been a crash, the only thing that might help is: "Now I'm calling the police." "Ahora mismo llamo a la policia." But maybe you need help? "We've had an accident, can you help us?" "Hemos tenido un accidente. ¿Nos podéis ayudar?"
Conversations among cyclists
There are hardly any on the bike anyway, so don't be afraid of a ride with the locals. There's no need for long sentences, you don't have the breath for that at your first training camp anyway. "Not so fast!" means "¡No ir tan rapido!" "I'm sweating like a pig!" "¡Estoy sudado (women say sudada) como un cavallo!" (A noble Spaniard sweats like a horse, of course). Whoever is finished and can't do any more - "Estoy molido/a. Ya no puedo mas." - should have a quick drink. "Shall we have a beer?" means "¿Tomamos una cerveza?"
*Taken from: "Mallorca, Insel des Radsports" by Christoph Elbern and Max Hürzeler, Delius Klasing Verlag 2007
Weather tips for road cycling on Mallorca
Werner Heidotting has lived on Mallorca for decades and runs a private weather station. TOUR asked him in an interview what tips he has for road cyclists.
TOUR The weather on the island seems to vary greatly.
HEIDOTTING That's right. There is a large-scale weather situation, and on the island there is often a small-scale weather situation, sometimes with significant differences. Clouds often hang in the Tramuntana mountains. Then it is better to cycle to the southern part of the island. The weather there can be beautiful. The Serra de Tramuntana retains the rainfall coming from the northwest, so that more than 1,200 milli metres of precipitation fall there every year. In the more easterly areas of the island, it is only 300 to 500 millimetres. Temperatures also differ significantly. Average annual temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees are reached in the plain, while in the Tramuntana mountains it is only 12 to 13 degrees.
Is there a predominant wind direction in spring?
Normally, westerly to northerly winds prevail; strong winds or storms usually come from the north-east.
What will the weather be like between March and May?
The weather cannot be reliably predicted more than a week in advance. In the past, there have been long periods of fine weather in spring, but in 2010 there was also snow in March. Let's hope for the best!
Link tips: www.intellicast.com, www.wetteronline.de
Special rules in road traffic
Road safety education: There are some special traffic rules for cyclists on Mallorca that differ from those in Germany
DRIVING ON THE RIGHT:
Cyclists must always ride on the right. If available, they must use the hard shoulder. However, this does not apply on descents. Cyclists may use the entire width of the road if this is necessary for their safety. Groups may only ride in rows of two on wide roads.
DUTY TO HELP:
Helmets are compulsory outside built-up areas.
PROCEDURE:
If cyclists are travelling in a group, they are seen as a single vehicle. If the first cyclist enters a junction or roundabout because no vehicle is coming, the whole group can follow.
DARKNESS:
Reflective clothing is mandatory outside built-up areas if the lights have to be switched on. It must be visible for 150 metres.
LINKSABBIEGEN:
When turning left outside built-up areas, cyclists must keep to the right-hand side of the road and initiate the turning manoeuvre from there (exception: there is a turning lane).
Tourist highlights
10 tips for those who want to see more than their own hotel on their day off.
Number 11:
Cala Figuera
The small, photogenic fishing village near Santanyí nestles with fishermen's huts and boathouses in the narrow rocky bay of the same name.
Number 12:
Palma Cathedral
"La Seu" - "the bishop's seat" - as it is popularly known, is the city's landmark and one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Spain.
one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Spain.
Number 13:
Santuari de Lluc
The place of pilgrimage with its church and botanical garden is located in the Tramuntana mountains and is considered the spiritual centre of the island. The sanctuary (Santuari) is not a monastery; it is administered by padres and not inhabited by monks.
Number 14:
Market in Sineu
Rural picture-book Mallorca - on Wednesdays, a cattle and flea market is held in the medieval alleyways and squares of Sineu.
Number 15:
Palma Sports Museum
In the Misericordia building, Plaza Hospital 4, the museum presents sports equipment and medals from Mallorcan athletes from 9 am to 2 pm, such as the bikes of six-time world champion Guillermo Timoner, the racing bike of Simó Febrer Serra and even a racket from Rafael Nadal. Admission is free. Closed at weekends and on public holidays.
Number 16:
Cuevas del Drach
In the quiet month of March, the 1,700 metre-long stalactite cave system on the east coast is as mystical as it was when it was discovered in the 19th century. Admission for 15.00 euros in March daily at 10.45 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 3.30 pm. www.cuevasdeldrach.com
Number 17:
Artists' village Deià
A pretty little town 200 metres above sea level on the edge of the Tramuntana mountains, where artists such as Peter Ustinov, Ava Gardner, Pablo Picasso and Anaïs Nin settled in the last century. www.ajdeia.net
Number 18:
Gardens of Alfàbia
In Bunyola, in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, there is a country house, park and garden that date back to the time of the Arabs. Admission 7.50 euros, open in March Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Saturdays until 1 pm.
Telephone 0034/971/613123
www.jardinesdealfabia.com
Number 19:
Indoor pools
Palma Polideportivo Son Hugo, Calle Concordia, 50 metre pool and fitness studio, open 7.30 am to 10.30 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm
Telephone 0034/971/757150
Alcúdia Piscina Municipal, Avenida Corneli Àtic, 25-metre pool with sauna, Turkish bath and fitness centre with spinning. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sundays and public holidays 9am to 1pm.
Telephone 0034/971/897765
Number 20:
S'Albufera Nature Park
The bay of Alcúdia is home to the largest wetland biotope in the Balearic Islands. Thousands of migratory birds rest here in spring and autumn. Free admission, open in March from 9am to 5pm. The entrance to the park is on the road from Alcúdia to Artà (C-712), one kilometre further on is the Sa Roca reception centre.
We were also able to win a nominee for the second part of our travel special. We sent Brägel to Mallorca so that the Lapp could show us his most beautiful laps. you can find more information here ->
