Where is Mallorca?

Mallorca is a Spanish island. It is the largest of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 90 km off the coast of Spain. The island's capital city, Palma de Mallorca, has a population of 200,000.

Check out the Michelin map of Mallorca.

How do we get there?

We do not book your travel but will keep everyone informed as to what arrangements others in the group are making. For our spring 2008 adventure, we ask that you arrive in Palma on April 5th. From Canada, we have had success flying to London and connecting on to Palma. Those flying with points have had to fly via Frankfurt to get the connection.

Your travel agent can suggest various routes to get to Palma, our rendez-vous point. There are no direct flights to Palma from North America so a connection is required in any of the major centres in Europe.

Let us know your itinerary and we will meet you at the airport.

Where is our Hotel?

For the duration of the trip, our group stays at the Esmeralda Park Hotel in Cala d'Or (Spanish for "Gold Cove"), a small town on the southeast coast of the island, about a 45-minute bus ride from the airport.

What is the weather like?

Sun seeking European cyclists have come to Mallorca for the great cycling weather. By April you can expect temperatures between 17C and 25C. This serves us well as we are coming from a Canadian winter and are not ready to be outside all day in the high heat. Cool evenings will bring out a sweater and morning rides may start with arm warmers. The cool mountain peaks will have you carrying a light weight jacket for the mountain top café and following descente.

Check up on the weather in Palma today.

Do I need to be a professional cyclist?

Definitely not. We cater to a varied group of cyclists: Everyone from the new and intermediate level cyclist to the seasoned expert is welcome. We are serious about our cycling and aim to have everyone learn new skills and enjoy quality group riding. Most days there are no support vehicles but we ride in groups and stop together to deal with mechanical difficulties. Everyone will be given a map and can choose to break out and enjoy time alone knowing that there is a team to contact in case of an emergency.

Are non-riding friends or spouses welcome?

Definately, Mallorca is a beautiful place to be anytime and there is plenty to do and see. (We know that cycling offers the best view and access.) You are on holiday and can choose to join our rides or enjoy the day as you please. Non-riders can join us on our cross island bus rides that we will use for remote starts. Ask us about a non-riding price.

How far will we ride?

There are 10 days of riding available in our 12-day trips. We schedule 7 rides and suggest 2 rest days (although some choose to cycle even on the days off).

Each day, riders are divided into groups based on their cycling ability or energy level that day. Each group is lead by our expert guides. You may opt to join Groupo Relaxo, or set off with Groupo Rapido in search of that epic ride, or choose something in between and head out with Groupo-Not-So-Relaxo. Everyone is given a map and told the day's route, but our objective for each ride is to cycle together as a group and improve your group riding skills. We adopt an 'All for one and one for all' approach to group riding.

Groupo Relaxo: 40 - 60 km a day, with coffee stops, sightseeing, lunch and breaks.

Groupo-Not-So-Relaxo: 60 - 100 km a day, going a little further and a little faster, but is still looking for the best café con leche and a break or two.

Groupo-Rapido: 80 - 140 km a day. The emphasis here is on a controlled, smooth group working together to improve riding skills and put in the miles. Brief coffee breaks are common.

Will we run out of new roads in 12 days?

Mallorca has thousands of kilometres of cycling-friendly roads through varied terrain, from switchbacked 12-km climbs to rolling lanes through the orchards. From our base in Cala d'Or we set out for day trips. We use a bus to transport the group to the far sides of the island for remote starts. We will explore the entire island but still won't have time to see it all.

What gears do I need?

Mallorca has something for every cyclist. Mountains along the west coast, rolling groves and orchards in the central region, and on the east coast, flat shore roads along beaches. We recommend a 39 X 23 for Groupo Rapido and perhaps a 39 X 28 for Group Relaxo. The island's old mountains roads built well before the advent of the automobile and designed to ease the burden of work animals carrying loads to higher elevations are not as steep as they are long. It is always better to have the smaller gears and not use them, than to find yourself wishing you had them with 5 km left to go before the summit.

Do I bring my own bike?

If you choose to bring your own bike we will give you useful tips on how to safely pack it. If you are in Ottawa, CycleLogik will pack your bike for you. The airlines allow you to take 2 pieces of luggage. The bike in a box counts as one. On international flights there is no extra fee for bikes but check with your carrier to make sure. Please check with your airline regarding size and weight limits for luggage.

Instead, you may also choose to rent a bike. This gives you the option to bring more things home. We will measure you and have a top-of-the-line road bikes ready for you to rent. These bikes are available at a cost of $200 Cdn. for a 12-day trip.

What services are offered?

Our package is practically all-inclusive (airfare not included): ground transportation to and from the airport and to our remote starts, accommodation, breakfast and dinner buffets. A special evening out is planned and is included as part of the package along with a special cycling jersey and a daily "biker's picnic" of dates, figs, energy bars and sport drink. Trip participants must pay for their own alcoholic beverages,lunches and snacks.

Bike mechanic services will be provided. A massage services are also available at the hotel.

Our group leaders will run clinics on group riding and technique. A skills clinic on descending switchback roads will be given before our first mountain day.

There are bank machines, internet cafés and car rental outlets located very close to the hotel.

What about meals and accommodations?

The hotel is made up a series of three-storey buildings centered around the main reception, bar and dining room. The rooms are suites, complete with kitchenettes, living area, television and balcony. Our package price is based on double occupancy, with a single room supplement costing $250 Cdn.

A breakfast (08h00 10h00) and dinner (18h00 20h30) buffet is available daily. We will enjoy an evening out in a local restaurant for a special evening.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day looks a bit like this:

How do I sign up?

Contact us and we will send you a registration form. Complete the form and return it with a $500 Cdn deposit and you are signed up. Payments can be made by cheque or with your visa through CycleLogik.

Deposits guarantee your spot and it is a first come first serve. Final payments must be made 30 days prior to departure.

Contact us for more information or reservations.

Have you any tips to help me prepare?

This is a full on cycling trip. You will be challenged. The season is young and the winds can blow. The mountains are a cyclist's paradise but you'll work for it. A decent level of fitness, a positve approach, an openness to ideas and suggestions, great riding buddies, and a sense of perspective and humour are all you need. (Don't we all?)

There are plenty of resources on training and fitness. I won't even try to out google you. But here are a few articles and a great source of information to get you thinking about bike riding.

All by a cycling writer I have enjoyed for years, Fred Matheny

• Riding Tips
• Essential Skills for Roadies
• Riding a paceline

Is this trip for me?

It sure is. Mallorca has become a mecca for European cyclists seeking spring warmth, great roads and thousands of fellow cyclists. We are delighted to introduce Canadians to this wonderful cycling destination. In short, if you're a cyclist looking to get a great jump on the cycling season with quality group cycling in unforgettable surroundings then this is the trip for you.