Bike Hire: Cycling on Mallorca

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Bike Hire: Cycling on Mallorca

Cycling on the island of Mallorca

There is no better way to get to know Mallorca and its people than by bike, because Mallorca is far more than just beach and sea. The Balearic island enjoys a pleasant climate in every season, with wide plains as well as rolling hills and mountains, so there is something here for every cycling enthusiast. The beautiful scenery and the excellent road network make it easy to discover even the most remote corners. Ride at your own pace through blossoming meadows and idyllic villages, out to hidden coves and beaches, and seek out cosy cafés. Wherever you feel at home, you can linger a little longer and soak up the peace and beauty of the landscape. Mallorca offers plenty of variety away from the tourist hotspots, whether you are out on your road bike alone or setting off on a family tour on trekking bikes. For a cycling holiday on Mallorca it is best to hire a bike directly on the island, as a hire company offers every common type of bike. You can hire trekking bikes for gentle tours, mountain bikes for the hilly regions or road bikes for training on the road. The bikes are ready for collection in all the usual sizes, and depending on the hire company an island-wide delivery service may even be included.

Bike hire on Mallorca with plenty of benefits

For a longer cycling holiday on Mallorca you can of course bring your own bike, using one of the special bike travel cases made for the purpose. But that extra piece of luggage naturally comes with additional fees, and transporting a bike case involves extra effort too, as the wheels and pedals have to be removed beforehand and the handlebars turned through 90 degrees. It is therefore questionable whether all that trouble is worthwhile. On Mallorca there is a hire shop in virtually every larger town, whether you want a trekking bike, mountain bike or road bike. The bikes come in all the usual frame heights, and hire prices depend on the length of the rental: the longer you hire, the cheaper the daily rate becomes. Normal wear and tear and ordinary defects are also included in the price. That matters, for instance, if you need a new inner tube or a new chain during the hire period. Accessories are frequently offered too, some already included in the hire fee. Alternatively, you can hire this equipment for a small additional charge — items such as helmets, pedal systems, cycle computers, saddlebags, bike locks, spare tubes, pumps or tools. For longer tours this kit is essential. Do bear in mind that helmets are compulsory in Spain. Hiring your equipment on the spot again saves you a piece of luggage on the flight. Bike cleaning is included in the price at many hire companies too. So you simply hop on your bike and enjoy your cycling holiday on Mallorca with excellent service. Whichever bike you choose, all of them are of high quality, kept that way by the work of skilled bike mechanics. Tour guides can also reveal breathtaking viewpoints, romantic coves and cosy resting spots along the way.

Dream cycling tours on the island of Mallorca

You can have your tour planned for you by the various hire companies. It is a good idea to hire a GPS device as well, whether for a road bike or a trekking bike. With GPS navigation you can head confidently towards your destination even in unfamiliar terrain, so bulky maps that may well be out of date are no longer necessary. You also save yourself needless stops to check the route. With GPS you are far less likely to go astray, because if you take a wrong turn you are told immediately. Completely individual routes become possible, both for touring cyclists and for road racers. Beyond that, you can have your entire cycling holiday planned for you or book a complete cycling trip straight away, saving time so you can practically climb onto the bike the moment you step off the plane. These packages then include flights, transfer, hotel or finca, tour guide and countless extra services — bike repairs, packed lunches, yoga classes, technique training or alternative programmes for companions and children. Many specialist providers also let you book individual elements. Whatever you decide, your cycling holiday on the island of Mallorca will be unforgettable. Enjoy the beautiful nature, the varied cycling routes, the sunny weather, the wonderful beaches and the crystal-clear water. On a bike you discover all of these facets in an active way. Relax your body and your mind. Simply discover the finest sides of Mallorca by bike, whether you are a triathlete, road racer, touring cyclist, occasional rider or mountain biker.

Cycling tour operators on Mallorca

The island of Mallorca is made for an active holiday, as its landscape is wonderfully varied. Cycling, sailing, running and hiking are among the most popular activities on the island, so it is no surprise that travel operators have specialised in this segment of tourism. Dedicated cycling tour operators have also set up on Mallorca, offering far more than just the hire of road bikes, mountain bikes, fitness bikes or tandems. The most important cycling tour operators include the following:

If you want to set off on a tour, hire a bike or enjoy a cycling holiday on Mallorca, these operators are the first choice. Which one suits you best also depends on exactly what you want and where on Mallorca your base is. Some operators specialise in particular types of bike, above all in triathlon and road cycling. Many also offer guided tours, workshop services and GPS devices for hire. The odd insider tip is often passed on by these Mallorca experts too, so you can get to know the finest sides of the island of Mallorca. For ambitious cyclists there are also training camps where you can prepare professionally for your season and your sporting goals alongside like-minded riders.

In addition, some operators regularly run test centres where the latest models from well-known brands can be tried out. Particularly if you are thinking about buying a new bike, such test centres offer the chance to try different bikes over longer distances. Professional cyclists discovered Mallorca as an ideal training ground long ago, so it is no wonder they serve as role models for amateur and leisure riders. There are several events for ambitious cyclists, such as the Cinturion Internacional, the Volta Cicloturista or the Challenge de Masters.

Further cycling events are held regularly too, for example talks about cycling trips or the right tyres, or the chance to sample sports nutrition. Such events naturally serve primarily as promotion, but anyone interested can gain a thorough picture of the special offers available. Many keen cyclists want to spend their holiday with the family too, but not every family member is an enthusiast, so some operators lay on alternative leisure programmes for the less keen — visits to a theme park, yoga classes, golf lessons or hikes, for example.

A cycling holiday on Mallorca

Mallorca is now much more than a sunny bathing island, offering active holidaymakers a wealth of activities. Cycling is especially popular, above all because it can be enjoyed all year round in mild temperatures. Cycling on Mallorca has been booming for over a decade, as the tourism infrastructure for keen cyclists has improved enormously. Winter and spring in particular, with their milder temperatures than in central Europe, offer the best conditions for building an optimal training base. Many mountain bikers and road cyclists hire their bike on the spot and make use of the many tour operators. Leisure riders, too, can hire a suitable bike and take on tours of varying length and difficulty.

The Mallorcan landscape is highly varied, so routes can be chosen to match your level of fitness. The east has many flat areas interspersed with hilly terrain, while the west of Mallorca is shaped by the Serra de Tramuntana. This mountain range has many steep climbs suited to the ambitious cyclist, which combine well with fast descents. In general the north and south offer flat routes, while the interior and the east are marked by hilly stretches. So every cyclist finds the ideal terrain for their own ambitions.

A cycle-friendly Mallorca

Mallorca is now far more than Ballermann and high-rise hotels. Over the past two decades the island government has made great efforts to broaden the range of tourism and appeal to new audiences. Alongside culture, sporting activities are an important pillar of tourism, because they also combine well with protecting the environment and gentle tourism, both of which now count for a great deal on Mallorca — after all, nature is the very foundation of tourism. The Mallorcan cycle network is being signposted ever more thoroughly, with signs giving not only distances and elevation profiles but also full details of complete routes and special viewpoints and sights. This makes a family cycling holiday a real pleasure. For ambitious training, too, Mallorca offers plenty of demanding routes and specialist operators from whom you can hire the newest models. Such operators also offer training camps combining intensive sessions with technique coaching, taking care of the entire organisation — flights, transfer, hotel, bike and other services.

Cycling holidaymakers as an important economic factor

Cycling is experiencing a genuine boom on Mallorca and has become an important economic factor. It benefits not only hotels and tour operators but also retailers, restaurants and the whole tourism economy, because once cyclists have fallen in love with Mallorca, they return to the island again and again. At first there were only a few road cyclists on the island, then came the typical professional racers preparing for the season in winter and spring. Those professionals in turn became role models for many leisure riders, who discovered the island’s virtues for themselves. Over time the cycling infrastructure kept improving, so that families too began to pick up a bike now and then during their holiday. Today many people spend their entire holiday cycling on Mallorca. The bikes are hired directly from the many tour operators, and guided tours are offered for every fitness level. The queen stage on Mallorca leads through the Serra de Tramuntana, which runs the length of the island’s entire west side for some 90 kilometres. Here you will find a demanding network of walking and cycling routes. The highest peak of the Serra de Tramuntana is the Puig Major at 1,445 metres, and several other summits rise above 1,000 metres. From the ridge you enjoy a fantastic view over the azure Mediterranean. Savour the nature far from the usual tourist crowds. But before the reward comes the sweat: whether on a road bike, mountain bike or touring bike, the climb up countless hairpins and metres of ascent will be well worth your while.