Mallorca in January
Discussion
Mrs B is away for a week with work. I have some extra holiday that's rolled over. EasyJet flights are stupidly cheap. Internet says temperatures are between 5-12c, either way, better than the UK and rainfall is low. Why not?
Never been before. Looking for recommendations where to stay (bike friendly). Would want to tick off the climbs so would need to take proximity to those into account.
Hire a bike or take my own? I love riding MY bike but is it worth the hassle for a few days?
Over to you...
Never been before. Looking for recommendations where to stay (bike friendly). Would want to tick off the climbs so would need to take proximity to those into account.
Hire a bike or take my own? I love riding MY bike but is it worth the hassle for a few days?
Over to you...
RATATTAK said:
Have you thought of Lanzarote ?
I'll have a look. Was trying to avoid Canaries to keep costs down and we're going there early Feb for some winter sun / all inclusive binging. I hired a bike last year and cycled up El Teide but feel guilty disappearing out on the bike while away together. Be careful if you think about going back to Tenerife, my mate has a place out there and we have been in Nov, Dec, April and May. He has been stopped at Vilaflor before due to snow on the road to the crater, temperature toward the coast are obviously better than the UK.
I have been in Lanzarote in December as well and it was an unseasonal 22 degrees, normally mid to high teens. There are plenty of cheap villas around Playa Blanca see Lanzarotelates.com cheap car hire via www.autoreisen.com/car-hire/Lanzarote and a decent bike hire place in Playa Blanca.
I have been in Lanzarote in December as well and it was an unseasonal 22 degrees, normally mid to high teens. There are plenty of cheap villas around Playa Blanca see Lanzarotelates.com cheap car hire via www.autoreisen.com/car-hire/Lanzarote and a decent bike hire place in Playa Blanca.
I've been to Lanzarote many times over Xmas and end of January and done a lot of mountain biking whilst there.
Weather has always been warm enough for shorts and t-shirt cycling.
If you end up there I can recommend bike hire and tour guides based in either Teguise, Puerto del Carman and Playa Blanca (for road or MTB)
Weather has always been warm enough for shorts and t-shirt cycling.
If you end up there I can recommend bike hire and tour guides based in either Teguise, Puerto del Carman and Playa Blanca (for road or MTB)
It's a 50/50 call in January I'd say. Warmer than the UK, yes, but any wet or icy weather will make the mountain passes dicey at best, or could mean it's too risky to ride at all. Expect some very cold winds on the higher spots too, especially Formentor. If it stays dry and relatively warm you'll have a great time.
Pollenca (town, much better than the Port) or Soller are your best bets for towns to stay in if you do go.
Alternatively, I've just come back from Girona. Amazing rides and much more of a cycling community with the pros living there over winter. Plus it's inland, so conditions perhaps more favourable. Maybe worth a look.
Pollenca (town, much better than the Port) or Soller are your best bets for towns to stay in if you do go.
Alternatively, I've just come back from Girona. Amazing rides and much more of a cycling community with the pros living there over winter. Plus it's inland, so conditions perhaps more favourable. Maybe worth a look.
"Rich & Tom" of the twittersphere (father and son into cycling in a big way) are heading to Mallorca for the festive500 period (again)
As it is at least their 6th time, there must be some appeal
https://twitter.com/richpips/status/10543801158183...
As it is at least their 6th time, there must be some appeal
https://twitter.com/richpips/status/10543801158183...
Off again in a few weeks. I wouldn't bother with Easyjet personally. BA on economy plus will let you take a bike on for free as a part of your normal 23kg allowance and will usually work out slightly cheaper, especially with avois. Easyjet is something like another £40 each leg. Hire cars are hilariously cheap on some of the travel sites. Something like £15-£20 a week for a small crossover.
Last time I went I stayed in Port de Soller. Lovely place and some mega climbs not far away. Some great bars/restaurants all within walking distance around the bay too.
Last time I went I stayed in Port de Soller. Lovely place and some mega climbs not far away. Some great bars/restaurants all within walking distance around the bay too.
Edited by whatleytom on Monday 22 October 20:24
I'd personally hire a bike out there. The baggage handlers are not the most careful and you also get to try out something you've not ridden before, there's no better place to test ride something! There are loads of hire places there. I got mine from a guy who was an ex German CX racer who did BMCs, something I've never ridden in the UK.
One thing that's worthwhile doing is taking a set of small lights, that way you won't get squished in the tunnel on the Cap Formentor road and also you can get out really early in the morning then if you're doing a monster one. Aim to be out of the way of places like Cap Formentor or Sa Colabra by about 11am otherwise your enjoyment of any descents is going to be spoilt by hordes of busses and cars.
I went for the first time earlier this year, it's like a magical bike theme park wonderland. The only issue is you'll want to go back straight away... The drivers are considerate, the roads make ours look like the surface of the moon and the scenery is epic.
One thing that's worthwhile doing is taking a set of small lights, that way you won't get squished in the tunnel on the Cap Formentor road and also you can get out really early in the morning then if you're doing a monster one. Aim to be out of the way of places like Cap Formentor or Sa Colabra by about 11am otherwise your enjoyment of any descents is going to be spoilt by hordes of busses and cars.
I went for the first time earlier this year, it's like a magical bike theme park wonderland. The only issue is you'll want to go back straight away... The drivers are considerate, the roads make ours look like the surface of the moon and the scenery is epic.
I went for the first time in mid-April with a group of 80+. Yes, truly magical cycling. We stayed in ApartHotel Duva in Port Pollenca. Our package allowed all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner but I think you can stay as self-catering, with a kitchenette in the rooms. We were lucky to have 7 days dry and sunny - the group has been going for 8 years and said normally you can expect a couple of wet days even in April so I imagine mid-winter will be a matter of chance. 3 or 4 in the club like it so much that they've bought apartments out there. Around 70% of the group hired bikes, though some were staying just 4 days which makes bringing your own bike uneconomic.
I went at the back end of January in 2015 and it was still -2 at the top of Puig Major, had a couple of days that were affected by rain, but lower levels it wasn't too bad, just be prepared and take layers. Warmish at sea level but soon cools off. Not much open when I was there compared to end of feb. I stayed in Alcudia old town, just a few bars available but obviously great base for riding.
SoliD said:
I went at the back end of January in 2015 and it was still -2 at the top of Puig Major, had a couple of days that were affected by rain, but lower levels it wasn't too bad, just be prepared and take layers. Warmish at sea level but soon cools off. Not much open when I was there compared to end of feb. I stayed in Alcudia old town, just a few bars available but obviously great base for riding.
Eek. I'm thinking of going late FebGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff