Since many of the popular routes looked challenging for our group, we decided to rent e-bikes. This allowed everyone to feel comfortable with the level of the rides since we could each adjust our own bike assistance levels. David and Lloyd, being bike aficionados, took the opportunity to try out the Cadillac of e-bikes, the "Trek Domane+." Jen and Dom opted for a slightly cheaper option but still very nice rides, with the Niner RLT E9 RDO (quite a mouthful). We rented from Rent March in Port de Pollença and we were really happy with their service.
Ride #1: Cap Formentor (42km, 870m)
We arrived at our Airbnb in Port de Pollença on Sunday and picked up our bikes at 9am on Monday. After a few adjustments, we were off on our first ride to the popular tourist destination: Cap de Formentor, a lighthouse on one of the island's peninsulas. The ride consists of several steep climbs and winding roads but offers great views of the Mediterranean and the island's rugged cliffs. The e-bikes made the ride even more enjoyable because, instead of staring at the asphalt and huffing and puffing, the e-bikes allowed us to keep our heads up, appreciate the scenery, and check out the pelotons and hardcore cyclists along the route.
At the end of the route, you are rewarded with a view from the (rather ordinary) lighthouse. We intended to eat at the lighthouse, but there were SO many bikes and cars that we decided to shorten our lighthouse visit and double back to an alternate spot on the side of the road. We enjoyed our sandwiches with a view of a beautiful bay.
Ride #2: Alcudia and Ermitage de la Victoria (27km, 270m)
Unfortunately, Jen’s dad got sick on day 2, so we adjusted the itinerary in the hopes that he would be able to rejoin us later for the Lluc Monastery ride. We decided to do a shorter ride along the coast to the lovely walled city of Alcúdia, where we lucked out as it was market day. We stopped for a quick glimpse of some local offerings, then continued along the Ermita de la Victòria peninsula and up to a smaller monastery, where we relaxed for a bit before heading home.
Ride #3: Lluc Monastery (63km, 855m)
This ride, like the first day, was both great and busy. Shortly after departing Port de Pollença, we started climbing along the main road to Lluc Monastery. It was gently at first, but gradually became steeper over the next 30 km, where our e-bikes proved very handy. For most of the climb, we shared the road with cars, but traffic was light and we were very impressed at how aware, patient, and considerate the drivers were with cyclists. This route had many bikers and even though we were on e-bikes, many of the non-bike pelotons and elite cyclists passed us going uphill with ease. Halfway, we stopped at the Lluc Monastery for a quick lunch and short visit.
After lunch, we began our return trip home with a thrilling 20 minutes stretch of continuous downhill riding along winding, low-traffic roads. After that, we chose smaller, quieter back roads for the rest of the way, which had almost no cars and made for a beautiful scenic and peaceful ride through remote farmhouses and open fields.
Ride #4: Port de Pollença to Sineu (47km, 290m)
Today, we moved from our apartment in Port de Pollença to another one closer to the center of the island, in Sineu. Sharon and Colleen took a taxi with all our baggage, while we biked there to meet them. Although we made a real effort to find the best route, it turns out Google isn't always reliable when it comes to bike-friendly navigation. On multiple occasions, it tried to send us down paths that weren’t rideable: dirt trails, staircases, even fields. About halfway through, we gave up on the route and decided to stick to the main road instead.
Ride #5: Inca Grocery Shopping (29km, 210m)
Since there were no major grocery stores in Sineu, and both David and Lloyd were under the weather, Jen and Dom decided to ride to a nearby town, Inca, to get some food supplies for the week. Sineu is away from the mountains, so this was an easier ride going through lovely backcountry roads.
Ride #6: Puig de Bonany / Petra (27km, 250m)
The week was tough since we each took turns with bad flus and colds, but since this was our last bike rental day, we all decided to take a short ride to Puig de Bonany. It was a lovely flat ride with a good steep hill at the end. The ride was lovely, and the view at the top of the hill was beautiful. We sat there, had some snacks, and came back. Close to Sineu, we were greeted with a nice view of the town with the church, which we had not really seen yet as we had never come into town from that direction.
Town Exploration
We did a lot of biking, but we also explored the towns we stayed in. Our first place was in Port de Pollença, a small and touristy coastal town with a lot of bike shops. It's quite lovely, and you can enjoy nice walks along the water at night with all the shops and restaurants lit up.