MALLORCA 312
More than just a Sportive – We will not be running in 2018
We have designed an awesome 3 days of cycling wrapped around the 167km route of the Mallorca 312 event. It gives you a great feel for the island – riding Friday, Saturday & Sunday – not just flying in for a Saturday Sportive.
This trip is designed for groups of friends rather than individual travellers and ideally works as a minimum of 3 nights (Fri-Mon). This schedule of riding, is suited to someone riding the 167km event – those riding the 312km will require a more chilled out pre-post event ride. We will of course assist!
The Event
In true Mallorcan style, the Mallorca 312 is one of those undiscovered European events that is worth slotting in your diary. That said, this event is starting to get some true momentum. It’s two events from the same start point, catering for the serious and stupidly serious cyclists. For the first 90km the route is the same with cyclists climbing to the island’s highest road point, Puig Major. You head from Alcudia, along the sea front and up into the Tramuntana mountains where majority of the more challenging climbs are. Just before Valldemossa, those who have signed up for the 312km race continue round the rugged northern coast while the sensible ones (doing the 167km race) head inland towards Alaro and then back to Alcudia. For those on the 312, once you hit Calvia, it is about getting into groups and working together on the flatter central & eastern side of the island.
Both distances start and finish in Alcudia. The start of the race runs with a police escort and professional riders managing the pace, before everyone is let loose after about 20km. Last year the field was around the 1,800 mark, and with no one around at the start except the cyclists & organisers, there is a wonderfully eerie calm before the storm…. In true Spanish Sportive style, a big cheer goes up and everyone heads off. This year the field is expected to be capped at 3,000 cyclists. Once you have finished, there is music, complimentary ice baths & masseurs, before everyone showers and sits in the sun with a cold beer.
167km – perfect for those wanting to compete in their 1st sportive or training for the Alps (2,580m vertical, times between 5-9hrs)
312km – this complete tour of the island requires some planned training & group cycling (4,300m vertical, times 10-14hrs)
We will register you for the sportive, for more info see www.mallorca312.com
Your accommodation & meals – 2 options
Option 1 – We have found a large country Mallorcan finca (dating back to the 1700’s) that have been converted into rather nice hotel. Set in over 100 acres of almond & fig trees the wonderful private outbuildings have sheep and goats grazing freely. You can enjoy the views of the bays of Pollenca & Alcudia along with the rustic surrounding areas. Located within 10km of the start, it will allow to relax in a tranquil environment as well as enjoy some incredible cycling. Each evening you will enjoy diner in the hotel, tasting a number of local dishes and no doubt toasting your successes.
Option 2 – We stay in a 4 star hotel on the beach, on the edge of Port de Pollensa – 10 minutes walk into the port means you are close enough to the action, but far enough out that you have all the hotel facilities you desire. The hotel is equipped with a secure bike area, has an outdoor pool, bar & restaurant and we provide masseurs for a post ride rub down. The hotel is 15km from the start, so we will transfer everyone to and from the start/finish area along with your bikes. In order for you to get to know the area we have included a 3 course meal in local restaurants on each of the 3 nights.
Example Itinerary – 3 nights & 3 days on the bike
Friday 24th April – Transfer from Palma airport to the hotel (private transfers). Our mechanic will be available before the afternoon guided spin out on the bikes. For the early arrivals there is a 50km hilly ride to the lighthouse (600m of vertical); Enjoy an early evening meal before prepping the bikes ready for Saturday’s event.
Saturday 25th April – An enjoyable 167 or 312km of riding in the Tramuntana Mountains. Massages & dinner in at the hotel or in a local restaurant .
Sunday 26th April – Sa Calobra round trip (110km or 95km with 2,100m of vertical) followed by a celebratory meal back at base.
Monday 27th April – Breakfast & transfer to Palma airport
Flexibility – arrive earlier or later….
If you want to arrive earlier, please let us know. This trip works well if you want to arrive on the Thursday or Friday, but is a big shame not to stay and do Sa Calobra on the Sunday. We can also arrange hotels and luggage transfers should you wish to ride off & see other parts of the island.
Flights & Transfers
Fly to Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) – Jet2, Easy Jet, BMI, Thompson, Monarch, and the wonderful Ryanair are ones to check out first. There is also a BA flight from City Airport. Airport transfers are not included in the price – once we know everyone’s flights will team people up & provide private transfers with separate quotes. The hotel is about 45 minutes away from the airport.
What we would normally include
Accommodation, breakfast, evening meals, race transfers, race entry, race registration, collection of bib numbers, guiding each day, a mechanic and a lot of love (bike hire as required)
Not normally included
Flights, insurance, incidentals, drinks, lunch time meals, transfers
Prices
Packages available specific to your individual requirements
Guest Comment From 2014
“The dust has settled now after almost a week back home, and we are back to the daily grind. However, I keep drifting back to the wonderful holiday we had in Mallorca. I just wanted to reiterate my thanks to you, the whole event side was just brilliant and it was one of the best experiences of my life – quite a way to mark my 50th. You looked after all the details so capably, and it was so refreshing to be able to just focus on what I was doing. Our ‘r&r’ at Portixol after was everything we expected it to be – so making that all happen so seamlessly was also fantastic.”
email dan@marsh-mallows.com if you want to join us
I look forward to welcoming you to Mallorca
Dan Marsh – owner & founder