Words John Whitney Photography Shutterstock
DESTINATION
Buttery smooth ribbons of pristine tarmac, carved into limestone, loop under and over each other like overcooked spaghetti. This is Sa Calobra, a 9.8km mountain pass built in the 1930s by Spanish-Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, to access the isolated harbour at its base.
Almost a century later, it’s the prized scalp of any cycle tourist to the Balearic island of Majorca – both the ultimate physical challenge that can be found anywhere across this European cycling hotspot and a feast for the eyes. Cruise up its 7.1% slopes and tick it off your bucket list once you scale its summit at 723m. Or go full gas and place as high as possible on the Strava segment, which is packed with illustrious names thanks to its popularity as an early season training destination with pro teams (Tom Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers currently holds the KOM, with a scarcely believable 22 mins 46 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of the competition). Ineos habitually base themselves out of Alcúdia, a vibrant, historic coastal town which you won’t go far wrong with on your visit (it has ferry links with Barcelona, for those coming from the Spanish mainland). But we’ve opted to drop anchor in Port de Pollença, a few kilometres up the coast, primarily for its proximity to the spectacular out-and-back ride to the Formentor lighthouse in the far northern tip of Majorca. It’s a punchy ride, at 42km and 807m elevation, but its modest distance is perfect for a post-flight tune-up on arrival day.
Lively Pollença is the perfect spot to explore the Serra de Tramuntana, the mountain range running down the western flank of Majorca that includes both Formentor and Sa Calobra, as well as Puig Major, the island’s highest road climb, reaching 1,492m, though to get to this height requires passage of a military road and a permit, so you’ll likely top out at 892m. For the very fit, few places are out of reach anywhere in Majorca on a day ride, but it’s undeniable that in Tramuntana you’ll find the best riding, particularly around Pollença, where you’ll hear so many British accents you may forget where you are for a moment.
Big dates
Unquestionably the biggest mass participation ride in Majorca is the Majorca 312 (Saturday 27 April in 2024). It runs out of Alcúdia, with distances from 167km to the full-fat 312km. Standard entry throug
