Mallorca – ¡Sí, por favor!

Mid-October finally arrived: my first time in Mallorca. Sun, sea, golf course (yes, really!) and of course, road biking. Technically, I was on my gravel bike, equipped with 34-mm tires for the road, and for me it was the perfect choice! No matter how rough the roads got or when I veered onto a gravel path - my bike handled it all.

As tradition demands, I rode the Sa Calobra. You simply have to do it, otherwise, apparently, you’re not allowed to fly home. Then there was Cap Formentor, which is almost car-free until the end of October. Sounds peaceful, except for the fact that half of Europe seemed to be on bikes too. Gran Fondo vibes included. But wow - it is absolutely stunning!

Mallorca has so much more to offer. I discovered Orient, Randa, the breathtaking coastal road between Valldemossa and Andratx, and Sant Salvador. And by then it was clear: I had fallen in love - with these tiny roads and climbs.

Spontaneous – yes, that’s me!

Back in Switzerland, a week of routine – and bam: flight booked, Mallorca Round 2. This time: no golf, no sightseeing, just biking.
Orient and Randa back on the list, because true love deserves care. Plus a coffee in Petra, discovering the Coll de Sóller (absolutely beautiful!) and many other small climbs and roads.

Then came that moment when your brain throws a crazy idea and your legs hear it too late: why not ride all the way around Mallorca?

The Big Day – all around

The days before I had already racked up some kilometers, so hardly optimal preparation. But I got up early, no alarm needed. 4:00 a.m. - oatmeal with fruit. 5:30 a.m. - wheels rolling.

Arenal at dawn: While some were just finishing their party night, my adventure began. The first 115 kilometers were flat and quiet in the darkness. Meanwhile, my body kept chiming in: too tired for this distance, exhausted from the many kilometers, and probably still a little traumatized from the sleepless night after a minor emotional drama (yes, even I have had heartache). In Arta I stopped for the first time: coffee and Ensaimada, the traditional sweet pastry – exactly what I needed!

Then I continued through Alcudia and Pollenca, popping up bottles and grabbing a small snack after 160 kilometers. Up to that point, the ride had been fast and almost too easy: 1,000 meters of climbing in 5 hours 40 minutes. And that’s exactly when I realised the pace might have been a little too optimistic.

The Never-Ending Uphill Story

Coll de Femenia? 7.6 km | 420 m ascent - done.

Puig Major? 8.2 km | 340 m ascent - yep, even that. Surprisingly well, actually.

Coll d’en Vela? 4.0 km | 201 m ascent - short but tough, check.

Then came the coastal road. Beautiful, but endless. With climbs like:

Coll de Sa Pedrissa? 6.7 km | 292 m ascent - long and tough in my state, but amazing views.

Coll de Sa Gramola? 3.5 km | 167 m ascent - another one. Sure. Why not.

And then roughly twenty more mini climbs. On the map they looked like little waves. In reality, they felt like the Himalayas. Somehow I managed to get over them all. Along the way, I even ran into a familiar face. I looked like a sun-soaked salt rock, but hey - a quick “Hola!” and a selfie were still possible.

After 270 kilometers , I stopped again just after Andratx for a Coke and an attempt at some food. Nothing went down, so I just kept riding.

The last 30 kilometers flew by surprisingly fast – and then it was done:

299 km | 3,800 m ascent | 11 h 24 min
And yes, in reality, it was over 300 kilometers – I tend to start a bit late and hit stop a bit early ;)

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

I’m already thinking about what’s next. Islands? Continents? You never know. But my gravel bike knows: there’s more to come.

After a few more magical days mit sunsets and ice cream, it was back to Switzerland – where winter is already knocking. Time for warm gloves, dreaming of Ensaimadas, and planning the next adventure.

Mallorca, see you again. Absolutely!!