By: Henri 👱🏻‍♀️
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Sa Calobra by Road Bike, Mallorca’s Classic Climb

On day 1 of our 2020 Mallorca trip we headed straight for one of the island’s classics: Sa Calobra. With two friends from Munich who happened to be there too. Last year I couldn’t have imagined ever riding this. This year it was day one (definitely not my idea). But for good reason, it’s one of the most beautiful roads you can ride a road bike on.

The Climb via Selva and the Famous Petrol Station

The ride from Selva up to Lluc Monastery is already a first serpentine dream, the Coll de Sa Bataia. 400 meters of climbing at an average 5%, a great warm-up. Stunning views into the Tramuntana mountains keep the motivation high. At the top, a short break at the world-famous Repsol petrol station, with its sea of road cyclists and endless gear to check out.

From there it’s another 16 km of up and down (mostly up, it feels), with the deep blue ocean on the right and stunning mountain landscapes around. Eventually you reach the top of the 718-meter Coll dels Reis. And there it is, the 10 km of switchback-packed descent down to Sa Calobra. Landscape-wise simply spectacular. But also a dead end, so every meter going down is shadowed by „I have to climb all of this back up”. Doesn’t take anything away from the pure descent joy though, surrounded by crowds of cyclists hurtling down. The good news: buses are only allowed from 1 pm, so the early bird wins here.

Sa Calobra tarmac, mountains and ocean
Ocean, mountains, tarmac, doesn’t get any better.
Sa Calobra switchback dream
Switchback dream Sa Calobra

Climb up Sa Calobra, 10 km, 700 meters of climbing, 7% gradient

Once at the bottom, energy stores need refilling, because those 10 km in the other direction add up to 700 meters of climbing at an average 7%. The ride up is a properly sweaty affair. The only thing keeping me motivated is the promised cake at Lluc Monastery on the way back. On the way up, plenty of very athletic-looking riders cruise past me. Some of it feels like national teams using the road as their personal lap track. I’d swear one young guy on a red bike overtook me twice on my hour-long climb. But whatever, what counts is making it to the top, done and very happy. Then with cake-thoughts powering me forward (as much as that works after roughly 2000 meters of climbing already in the legs) onwards to Lluc.

The monastery café is a cake paradise, every flavor you can think of, including a proper gluten-free selection (which makes Anton happy too). Back to Alcudia via the descent down to Pollença, less steep and perfectly suited for an „I can’t actually go anymore but home we must” kind of ride home. 117 km and 2200 meters of climbing, a perfect cycling day and Mallorca kickoff.

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  • Henri is a road cyclist, bikepacker and Lapierre Ambassador on the Xelius, Pulsium and Crosshill. More than 10,000 kilometres a year take her along new routes, through unfamiliar landscapes and to places that look different from the saddle. At You, Me & Cycling she writes about cycling routes, weekenders and travel stories for everyone who is up for an adventure on the bike, without having to be a pro. Find her on Instagram as @henricyclinginparadise.