DVX Mallorca
This past week, 26 enroute.cc and Diversion community members flew to the cycling paradise of Mallorca for the first ever DVX cycling trip.
Beyond the beaches and clear water it is famous for, Mallorca has become the go-to cycling destination in Europe. A diverse landscape of rugged mountains, coastal roads, flat farmland, and quiet villages means it has something for every type of rider. A winter and spring destination for professional teams, the Strava leaderboards are filled with the best riders of this generation.
We made our home in Port d'Alcúdia in the northeast corner of the island. Easy access to the mountains to the west, flat marshland to the south, and a beautiful beach made it the perfect base for a wide variety of rides.
We all arrived to the JS Sol de Alcudia hotel on Sunday, May 17th, a perfect base with a pool, spa, and tons of room for our bikes and 26 riders.
Day 1 — The Warmup
After sorting through some last minute bike tweaks and dividing into three groups, we headed out for a warmup loop through the rolling inland hills. After working through the marshlands and flats surrounding Port d'Alcúdia, we made our way up to the monastery at Puig de Son Sastre. At 181m of climbing over 2.68km, it was a good first test, with classic switchbacks all the way to the top. Many of the hills on the island have monasteries built at their summits, and the views here did not disappoint.
After soaring down the descent, we rolled back through the town of Sineu and finished at Micelio Organic Coffee and Brunch in Port d'Alcúdia. A beautiful patio and a cold plunge made it the perfect end to the first day.
Find our Strava route of Day 1 here
Day 2 — Cap de Formentor
Setting off early, the group headed north to tackle one of the most famous routes in cycling. A climb up Col de Sa Creueta sets you up for a fast descent, before the road narrows and the town restricts access to cyclists and city buses only for the final 11km to the lighthouse. Stunning cliffs, blue sea, and more than a few goats greeted us at the top. One of the most beautiful rides in the world. It was very special to see everyones reactions to the beauty and views and more than one person said that this was the most beautiful and memorable rides of their life.
On the way back, we stopped at the beachside town of Cala Sant Vicenç for another stunning view of the ocean, before lunch in Pollença.
Find our Strava route of Day 2 here
Day 3 — Ride to Palma
Day 3 was our longest, taking the scenic route through the mountains before descending into Palma. Our destination was the Pas Normal Studios store in the city.
We started with the Coll de Femenia, a 7.67km climb with over 500m of elevation. Even in the early morning, the heat was present. After some rolling hills, we refilled and refuelled at the famous gas station at the top of Col de Sa Batalla.
The descent that followed was one of my favourite of the trip. Winding, fast, and with incredible views down a valley into the heart of the island. A flat tyre at the bottom did nothing to diminish it.
A snack stop in Alaró, then the climbs of Coll de s'Orenoia and Coll d'Honor followed. Beautiful new tarmac and empty roads carried us to the summit before we descended southwest toward Palma. This route captured everything that makes the island special, from lush forest climbs to rows of olive trees, rocky hills, quiet villages, and open road.
Once in Palma, the Pas Normal crew welcomed us with pizza, drinks, and genuine hospitality. A special thank you to assistant manager Xavi for opening the space and helping plan a memorable evening.
Check out our Strava route of Day 3 here
Day 4 — Rest Day
Some opted for the beach and the pool after the big effort of Day 3. A small group headed out for an easier ride to the Ermita de Betlem, southeast of the hotel through protected marshes, farmland, old towns, and olive tree filled climbs. A beautiful view of the monastery and ocean waited at the top, along with a small juice stand. We returned to the pool to recharge after an 85km rest day.
Check out our Strava route of Day 4 here
Day 5 — Sa Calobra
Ask anyone about cycling in Mallorca and one climb comes up. Sa Calobra. 9.41km, 660m of climbing, and a reputation that precedes itself.
What makes it a big day is the approach. We first tackled the Coll de Sa Batalla again, shaded and perfect as a warmup. Our group pushed up to the famous gas station at the top to refill before the main event.
Sa Calobra is unique in that you descend all the way to the ocean before climbing back out. A fast descent shared with cyclists, cars, and tour buses kept things interesting. We stopped to take in the view at the bottom, then turned around and went up.
The switchbacks, the views, and the heat are all exactly what you expect. We climbed in full sun but kept smiling. We were in cycling paradise.
After the summit, we raced down the Col de Femenia and into Port de Pollença for a well earned lunch. A tired, energetic group had earned their pool time and the buffet dinner that evening.
The best day of the trip. The climbs, the views, and the effort all lived up to every bit of the reputation. A must for anyone visiting Mallorca.
Check out the Strava route of Day 5 here
Day 6 — One Last Monastery
On the final day, with tired legs, we made our way to the Ermita de Bonany. Passing through the tight, quiet streets of Petra, we completed our last climb and took in 360 degree views over the central plains of the island. We descended to a final coffee stop in Sineu at the well known Sa Mola 13.
Over coffee and banana bread, we talked about the riding we had done and the trip we want to do next year.
The final evening was a group dinner to send everyone off. Over 500km in six days. Tired and satisfied in equal measure.
Check out the Strava route of Day 6 here
Trip Logistics
Bike Rental
We worked with Catalina Mallorca, a fantastic bike rental company based in Palma. The standout was the Standert Kreissage, a German aluminium frame with full electronic shifting and carbon wheels that proved ideal for climbing and fast descents. For anyone visiting the island and looking for a unique rental experience, Catalina is worth seeking out.
Website: https://www.catalinamallorca.com/
Hotel
We stayed at the JS Sol De Alcudia, which was a perfect launching off point for all types of cycling routes. Breakfast and dinner buffets helped fuel us, for our big days, while beautiful beaches, beach clubs, restaurants and views gave us things to do on an off day or after our rides. For cyclists, we suggest staying in either Port D’Alcudia or Port de Pollenca, so you can do some of the best routes on the island.
Conclusion
A big thank you to everyone who came, to our ride leaders and planners, and to enroute.cc for making it happen. A special shoutout to Devan Franz for all the photos and support during the trip. A true legend.
DVX Mallorca was a first for us, but certainly wont be the last.
Stay tuned for more trips ahead.
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