I work with the cycling industry in Mallorca occasionally, and I live here too. 10+ years ago there were loads more pro teams spending winter here than there are now. The reason they started going to Calpe apparently was that the local tourism authorities in Calpe were giving free accommodation to pro teams in return for social media content as a way of marketing it as a location...... which seems to have worked. I think INEOS are the only ones with a permanent base here in winter these days, a few world tour teams come for the UCI event at the end of January though.
Regular rider in Calpe (well, just down the road in Moraira) so i can only reference that. There is a steep climb coming out of Benitachell called Cumbre del Sol (400 metres in about 4km) which has featured in La Vuelta s few times. Agree with the running aspect... It's so up and down which can make it hard - first worked problem really - but you can run along the coast for miles. Good swimming in Moraira too (El Portet) is a nice sheltered bay and there is a big swimming race in July. There is a bike shop too, so maybe consider it rather than Calpe? I know the Brownlees used to stay inland near Pego I think? I managed to ride with them back in 2014 for about 10k before Phil Graves put the hammer down and dropped me! Interesting thoughts and i enjoyed the Calpe series!
Nice one! Brilliant place to be based. I think the Brownlees have a place there so will be there fairly frequently. Phil Graves, now there’s a Yorkshire powerhouse! I think he still does some TT on his trusty Ridley
I don't have much experience riding abroad, but Lanzarote is great. I stay at Sand Beach for around £450 a week and there is a pool and gym on site and you can run and cycle from your door. Some beautiful, hilly rides, with lots of costal routes and volcano fields. Lots of excellent rides with cheap and frequent cafe stops. And Costa Teguise has plenty of bars and restaurants. If you have more money, there is club la santa
Back in the day (2003) i went to Denia on a training camp, one day riding out of town heading to the Col de Rates, we were overtaken by the late, great, Marco Pantani, he allowed me to take a photo of himself, then without any effort he ride us off his wheel, Great memories
Girona is the best and I'll hear nothing else, but I went to Mallorca earlier in the season this year and it was a different experience all together. Loads of pros, no buses. Only downside was quite a lot of places were shut, but there's more than enough open. I also got lucky with unseasonably warm weather. Multiple times in lanza but it only wins for the winter months. It's a bit samey and the wind can ruin your day. Girona ticks every box ❤
@@TriathlonDan haha! A mix between Mallorca and Calpe. The amazing food and coffee places in the city can be quite pricey but out in the villages super cheap. Accommodation wise I have paid about £40 a night.
Not a dream destination, but Malaga (we stayed in Rincon de la victoria) is cheap, running all along the seafront, you can swim in the Sea even over xmas and jan, riding is good, loads of coffee stops.
Cafes stops aren’t generally on the main roads when in Calpe they are just off the main roads in the towns / villages so not generally in route roads, just off them but they are there (I know I’m bias towards the area as I love it there but I know this from experience ) Tenerife is great if like long climbs upto 3 hours but worth the effort, but if anyone is every in Tenerife take the ferry over to La Gomera and do 65 mile loop of this island, one the best places I’ve ridden
Majorca is awesome! So many cyclists there, and traffic generally treats you with respect (far away from that in the uk!). Plenty of choice to suit all riders and some iconic rides such as Sa Calobra. I’m looking forward my next Majorca trip, hopefully later this year now 🤞🏻
I’ve never understood why more people don’t pick Bourg D’Oisons in the French Alpes for a cycling destination. The climbs and views are unbeatable in my opinion, been twice and would gladly go again. Bit of a long journey being a Canadian but well worth it.
@@TriathlonDan I’m in a little fishing village in SW Nova Scotia, landscape is vastly different than the Alpes. We have a lot of your British weather here except maybe a tad cooler
Im biased because im from the area but Calpe is a better all rounder if you want to ride your bike, one place I wouldn't consider is Girona, much better to visit the town without a bike. Money wise, you get of course more for your money in costa blanca, however you get more quality in the peninsula 100%
You are correct about local knowledge, hence you missed the climb ' Pego to Alto Miserat ' Tops out at 21% 6.7 km and Avg 9.6% , this is a cat one climb according to veloviewer . Tough old slog , ;-)
I work with the cycling industry in Mallorca occasionally, and I live here too. 10+ years ago there were loads more pro teams spending winter here than there are now. The reason they started going to Calpe apparently was that the local tourism authorities in Calpe were giving free accommodation to pro teams in return for social media content as a way of marketing it as a location...... which seems to have worked. I think INEOS are the only ones with a permanent base here in winter these days, a few world tour teams come for the UCI event at the end of January though.
Excellent insight, thanks!
Regular rider in Calpe (well, just down the road in Moraira) so i can only reference that. There is a steep climb coming out of Benitachell called Cumbre del Sol (400 metres in about 4km) which has featured in La Vuelta s few times. Agree with the running aspect... It's so up and down which can make it hard - first worked problem really - but you can run along the coast for miles. Good swimming in Moraira too (El Portet) is a nice sheltered bay and there is a big swimming race in July. There is a bike shop too, so maybe consider it rather than Calpe? I know the Brownlees used to stay inland near Pego I think? I managed to ride with them back in 2014 for about 10k before Phil Graves put the hammer down and dropped me! Interesting thoughts and i enjoyed the Calpe series!
Nice one! Brilliant place to be based. I think the Brownlees have a place there so will be there fairly frequently. Phil Graves, now there’s a Yorkshire powerhouse! I think he still does some TT on his trusty Ridley
Just seen this comment after I commented . Nothing in Majorca steeper than Cumbre
Some good off road running in Mallorca as well...
Good for toilet stops 🤣👍
I don't have much experience riding abroad, but Lanzarote is great. I stay at Sand Beach for around £450 a week and there is a pool and gym on site and you can run and cycle from your door. Some beautiful, hilly rides, with lots of costal routes and volcano fields. Lots of excellent rides with cheap and frequent cafe stops. And Costa Teguise has plenty of bars and restaurants. If you have more money, there is club la santa
Went to Lanza and sands beach in Jan it was great ! Always loads of triathlon pros out there !
Sounds great! La Santa looks like it would be wasted on me 🤣
Back in the day (2003) i went to Denia on a training camp, one day riding out of town heading to the Col de Rates, we were overtaken by the late, great, Marco Pantani, he allowed me to take a photo of himself, then without any effort he ride us off his wheel, Great memories
Cor blimey, now that’s a photo!
Brilliant content guys. Really appreciate the views...not that i have any chance of going to either cycling anytime soon...but for the future...
Cheers Graeme! I hope to come back next year
6 out of the 10 most celebrated routes in Spain are in Mallorca.
Wow! Nice one
both places i wish i could go to!!
happy riding to both of you!
Me too 🤣 cheers!
Girona is the best and I'll hear nothing else, but I went to Mallorca earlier in the season this year and it was a different experience all together. Loads of pros, no buses. Only downside was quite a lot of places were shut, but there's more than enough open. I also got lucky with unseasonably warm weather.
Multiple times in lanza but it only wins for the winter months. It's a bit samey and the wind can ruin your day.
Girona ticks every box ❤
What’s Girona like costs wise though? Frodo tax ;)
@@TriathlonDan haha! A mix between Mallorca and Calpe. The amazing food and coffee places in the city can be quite pricey but out in the villages super cheap. Accommodation wise I have paid about £40 a night.
@@TriathlonDanjan frodeno has a cafe there which would be worth checking out
@@TriathlonDanyou could always take Liz to girona as it’s got plenty of history as well
Not a dream destination, but Malaga (we stayed in Rincon de la victoria) is cheap, running all along the seafront, you can swim in the Sea even over xmas and jan, riding is good, loads of coffee stops.
Cheers dude!
Cafes stops aren’t generally on the main roads when in Calpe they are just off the main roads in the towns / villages so not generally in route roads, just off them but they are there (I know I’m bias towards the area as I love it there but I know this from experience )
Tenerife is great if like long climbs upto 3 hours but worth the effort, but if anyone is every in Tenerife take the ferry over to La Gomera and do 65 mile loop of this island, one the best places I’ve ridden
Tell that to Lee, steaming though towns fuuuuming 🤣
Majorca is awesome! So many cyclists there, and traffic generally treats you with respect (far away from that in the uk!). Plenty of choice to suit all riders and some iconic rides such as Sa Calobra. I’m looking forward my next Majorca trip, hopefully later this year now 🤞🏻
Brilliant isn’t it! Looking forward to getting back out there, I need the training!
I’ve never understood why more people don’t pick Bourg D’Oisons in the French Alpes for a cycling destination. The climbs and views are unbeatable in my opinion, been twice and would gladly go again. Bit of a long journey being a Canadian but well worth it.
Ah yes, I’ve been! Brilliant location. Where abouts in Canada are you based Chris? I might be over later this year 😬
@@TriathlonDan I’m in a little fishing village in SW Nova Scotia, landscape is vastly different than the Alpes. We have a lot of your British weather here except maybe a tad cooler
In classic literature Mallorca had a legendary status, but does Mallorca exist?Oh........
🤣👍
Im biased because im from the area but Calpe is a better all rounder if you want to ride your bike, one place I wouldn't consider is Girona, much better to visit the town without a bike. Money wise, you get of course more for your money in costa blanca, however you get more quality in the peninsula 100%
Cheers! Yes Girona looks very "fashionable" rather than actually a good place to holiday / train
You are correct about local knowledge, hence you missed the climb ' Pego to Alto Miserat ' Tops out at 21% 6.7 km and Avg 9.6% , this is a cat one climb according to veloviewer . Tough old slog , ;-)
Nice!
Getting recognised now. Is Lee now sponsored by Pepsi?
Ahaha I hope so, he can sort me out some freebies then 🤣👍
Less steep climbs in Calpe.. 🤷♂️ honestly I’ve never found anything in Majorca steeper than Cumbre Del sol …