Bright warm sunshine and clear blue skies? That can only mean one thing, can’t it? It must be summer time in Mallorca. Not so fast. The Balearics get around 300 days of sunshine every year. That means there are plenty of sunny days over the winter too.
The big advantage of cycling in Mallorca once the crowds have left is that it can feel as though you have the island to yourself.
The island has two main cycling seasons from late March until May and then for a few weeks in the Autumn. So what’s it like cycling in Mallorca in the winter, perhaps in December and January? Read on for the lowdown.
The Island Is Perfect Size for Cycling
Mallorca has a circumference of 312 km. That’s the magic figure that its major, annual cycling competition has adopted. The event’s called the Mallorca 312 and begins in Playa de Muro in the north of the island.
You don’t need to be the sort of bike nut who heads to the infamous Sa Calobra road to enjoy riding around the island. Mallorca is a place you can take things at a slower pace. That means you can keep fit and enjoy the ride without feeling you have to pack in as many cycling kilometres in a day as you possibly can.
On Mallorca, nothing is very far away. The roads are in great condition and often have clearly marked cycle lanes.
We think the north of Mallorca has the edge over the rest of the island as a place to stay for your break, particularly if you choose Alcúdia and Pollensa,. Firstly, it’s very beautiful, boasting stunning scenery. It’s also the most popular part of the island during the cycling seasons so it has an excellent cycling infrastructure.
There’s plenty of free parking. This opens windows of opportunity. Renting a car is really cheap on the island over the winter. You’ll almost always be able to pick up a bargain big enough to fit bikes in the boot.
Practise Mindfulness in Mallorca
One of the best ways to see the island is by bike and one of the best ways to reach the thousands of cycling routes is by car. It’s not just tourists who enjoy cycling in Mallorca. You’ll find plenty of locals do as well. Many will sling their bikes in the boot and head for a route in another part of the island.
The early mornings in winter can be bright but bracing. The outside temperature can read zero when I set off from Alcúdia or Pollensa. By mid-morning, it can have crept up to a more comfortable 15 or 16 degrees.
The island is full of pretty, narrow country lanes. You might see the occasional tractor or horse and trap. You’d be lucky to see one car a day on many of the little roads that criss-cross around the island and connect Mallorca’s farmland.
Riding through the Mallorcan countryside is a time to be mindful. You can take in the smells, listen to the birds and marvel at the vast array of wildflowers. All this and you’re getting fit into the bargain.
I’d compare the sensation of bombing down the country roads as similar to the one I have schussing down a mountain on a skiing trip. There’s one big difference though. Cycling is much cheaper. There’s no charge to use the roads.
Pretty Small Towns and Villages
There are plenty of places to stop off for coffee and a sandwich. Time it right and make a long lunch your goal at the end of your cycle.
One of my favourite places to drive to, then start and end my cycle is Sineu. The village is home to one of Mallorca’s most authentic markets on Wednesday mornings. A plethora of cycling possibilities fan out from the town. You can end your ride with a beer at the wonderful Ten Mallorca Boutique Hotel.
Head on further south to Algaida. Stop for a traditional lunch at the Hostal Algaida. You’ll find the small, famous mountain called Puig de Randa a few kilometers away. It’s a steep climb to the summit but it’s worth it for the views.
There’s a great restaurant in the Santuari de Cura at the top too. Get the window seat for panoramic views around the island.
My other favourite rides are further west where I enjoy skirting along the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana from village to village. I prefer looking at the mountains rather than climbing up them. Campanet, Selva, Mancor, Lloseta, Alaró and Bunyola are all perfect coffee stops combined with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Cycling in Winter Is Invigorating
Breathe in the fresh, cool country air while you’re cycling in Mallorca over the winter and you’re going to feel alive and invigorated. It’s a real privilege to be able to cycle around some of the most beautiful countryside in the world and have it pretty much to yourself.
We’ve cycled plenty of routes around the island. We tend to work in lots of breaks for coffee and lunch. Talk to us so that we can help you plan and show you the secret places only the locals know about.