Majorca Cycling - Any Suggestions?

[tab123]

In one month my partner and I will depart for a vacation in Spain. We will be staying on Majorca for a week and have rented road bikes. Any suggestions for rides? Restaurants suggestions are welcomed as well! We are staying in Fornalutx, which is near Soller.

I cannot wait for this vacation. I did not have enough vacation time in 2008.

Now if only the weather would cooperate so that I can get in some real training.

Thanks
Karen

[Thorn]

I'm jealous....I like Mallorca.

#1 Ride...Cap de Fomentor. Start riding in Port de Pollenca and take the only road out the penninsula. Absolutely gorgeous--switch backs, water. Considered by some to be in the top 10 bicycle rides, world-wide. ( http://www.cassandrathorn.com/PhotoRoot/2006/2006Mallorca/0320CapDeFormentor/ )

But the road from Soller up to the monostery at Lluc is a nice road. I've not ridden it, but I'm told the ride down to Sa Calobra is worth the trip (at the time I wasn't strong enough to get from Pollenca to Soller with a side trip down to Sa Calobra). ( http://www.cassandrathorn.com/PhotoRoot/2003/2003Mallorca/16JanRideToPortDeSoller/ )

Hiking-wise, there is a really nice hiking trail that starts in Biniaraix (between Fornalutx and Soller) It is an old mule track for the olive groves and you can hike up towards L'Olfre. It was a great walk with nice views if you need a break from riding (
http://www.cassandrathorn.com/PhotoRoot/2003/2003Mallorca/18JanHikeTowardsLOfre/ )

Oh, and there are a couple of threads here on Mallorca, but you need to spell it Spanish, not British :rolleyes:

Enjoy!

[tab123]

Thorn, thank you for the great suggestions!

[NbyNW]

tab - do you know where you'll be staying?

DH and I like quieter towns, so we based ourselves in Binissalem, which is about as close to the middle of the island as you can get.

We've driven most of the island, and all the roads are beautiful. I will probably bring my Dahon the next time we go.

The road up to Lluc (from Soller or from the central plains) is a good climb but gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. And if I recall correctly there is a cafe there where you can get some nice snacks and coffee.

Re: food, a lot of cafes and pubs have a standard pa amb oli, which is their local bread with olive oil and a bit of garlic, usually layered with tomatoes, olives, serrano ham, and maybe cheese. You can usually ask for whatever variation you like. It's delicious, and cheap.

From there you can go pretty high end, sky's the limit. I wrote a couple things down last time I was there, but it was a few years ago -- I'll have to find them and get back to you.

I don't think we ever had a bad meal there.

The historic train that runs from Palma to Soller is a nice relaxing diversion, as well.

Have a great time!

[tab123]

We are staying in Fornalutx, near Soller. We rented a house a few minutes from the town center. Thanks for the information. Karen