Cycling Holidays

Shamrock said:
I'm planning to use these guys... https://www.procyclehire.com/
Click to expand...

I've used them many times and always had a reasonably good bike in perfect working order every time. I gave them a list of measurements (frame size, bb to saddle, stack height, stem length, etc) and the bike was set up and waiting for me when I got there. Some of their bikes are set up with euro style brakes though (right lever = front brake) which takes a bit of getting used to.

Right opposite the Fergus hotel in Puerto Pollenca so easy to take a walk over in the morning and collect your bike.
 
pumaz said:
Still keen on Mallorca and would take Shamrocks advice and stay in Port de Pollença my only concern at this point would be Touch’s point about the weather, while we’re not really sun bathing, sit round pool & bar drinking all day types, we do like to spend a little time sitting on a nice beach, swimming and snorkelling. We’re more out and about exploring types who need another holiday when we get back!!!
Click to expand...

As long as missing out on sunbathing wont ruin the holiday for you, go for it. It'll most likely be fine anyway but just be aware that there is a chance it'll be too cold for sunbathing.
There's loads of other stuff to do in Mallorca too. If I was going there on more of a family holiday rather than a cycling holiday, I'd hire a car. There's loads of nice little villages to explore and roads to see with great views which you'll only get if you have a bike or a car.
I'd also recommend a trip to Palma too. Last time in Mallorca I went for 9 days cycling but my legs were knackered by the last day so I got the bus into Palma. Expected a very touristy/commercial place but it was actually really nice. There's a massive old cathedral and lots of anchient style buildings. Museums, etc. Also a Rapha shop there if you like that sort of stuff - I wasn't impressed by it.
 
touch said:
As long as missing out on sunbathing wont ruin the holiday for you, go for it. It'll most likely be fine anyway but just be aware that there is a chance it'll be too cold for sunbathing.
There's loads of other stuff to do in Mallorca too. If I was going there on more of a family holiday rather than a cycling holiday, I'd hire a car. There's loads of nice little villages to explore and roads to see with great views which you'll only get if you have a bike or a car.
I'd also recommend a trip to Palma too. Last time in Mallorca I went for 9 days cycling but my legs were knackered by the last day so I got the bus into Palma. Expected a very touristy/commercial place but it was actually really nice. There's a massive old cathedral and lots of anchient style buildings. Museums, etc. Also a Rapha shop there if you like that sort of stuff - I wasn't impressed by it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info touch, very useful :)
 
Has anyone cycled around near Madrid? Or maybe Calpe / Girona?

Potentially going to be in Spain early Feb and wouldn't mind taking a few days to cycle. I'd need to rent a bike.
 
@Lethal` I'm off to Denia in April, a tad further round from Calpe.

Based on my research it might be worth contacting Train In Spain and/or Cafe Cyclista for hire.

I'll be taking my own as per usual when off on cycling jollies but they can probably help.
 
Lethal` said:
Why Denia out of curiosity?

Found a couple of hire places that should work in the Calpe area.
Click to expand...

I/we wanted to be a bit further around with options for some flatter rides without needing to do a significant amount of climbing to start. I'd also read/heard roads in & out of Calpe can be quite busy and not overly favourable. Plus TrainInSpain must be based there for good reason :) It's a slightly smaller town which is hopefully a little more relaxing.

We'll have a hire car too so may well drive south on occasion.
 
Cool. Well I've booked a train into the area from Madrid and a flight home. Just got to figure out somewhere to stay and a bike to hire now + potential rental car to get about. I've emailed TrainInSpain to see what they'll charge for their 1-bedroom apartment but not looking for anything fancy and rather keep it fairly cheap.

@BennyC Who did you book with for rental car? There's a load of quotes coming up for literally pennies, e.g. £10 total for 4 days from the likes of Goldcar/Firefly/OK Rent a Car but they seem dodgy, weird extra insurance policies, weird fuel policies etc.
 
Lethal` said:
@BennyC Who did you book with for rental car? There's a load of quotes coming up for literally pennies, e.g. £10 total for 4 days from the likes of Goldcar/Firefly/OK Rent a Car but they seem dodgy, weird extra insurance policies, weird fuel policies etc.
Click to expand...

Their accommodation is basic but pleasant enough, from memory around 450 EUR for the week depending on #rooms and time of year. Right above or very close to the Cafe.

I haven't booked car hire yet, it's on my to do, let me know who you end up with though. I'd probably be inclined to stick to a larger brand like Avis or SixT. I remember in Florida you had to purchase the entire tank of fuel, regardless of what was used, we only had a 1 way 100 mile journey... Hire car charges are still a mystery to me to be honest, the invoices are a nightmare to interpret.
 
You're staying in the Cafe Ciclista accommodation? I haven't got a response from them yet but from a brief look around looks like Calpe itself works out a fair bit cheaper. Some suggestions that the roads out/into Calpe aren't too nice but Strava seems to suggest plenty of people have ridden them anyway.

Car rental is always a minefield. I saved my company $1500 after National or Alamo charged the young driver fee despite it being included in our company code.
 
Lethal` said:
You're staying in the Cafe Ciclista accommodation? I haven't got a response from them yet but from a brief look around looks like Calpe itself works out a fair bit cheaper. Some suggestions that the roads out/into Calpe aren't too nice but Strava seems to suggest plenty of people have ridden them anyway.

Car rental is always a minefield. I saved my company $1500 after National or Alamo charged the young driver fee despite it being included in our company code.
Click to expand...

Nope but I enquired as part of my search. Frustratingly there didn't seem to be much ticking all my boxes, that I/we were prepared to pay.

Denia La Sella Golf Resort is where we'll be. It's just out of town, cycle facilities/storage and split between two is pretty reasonable (500 EUR each, including buffet breakfast ;) ). A bit plusher as we're there for 9 nights.

I think most car hire feels very much like 'I saw you coming...' or 'to good to be true'.
 
Think Lotto-NL Jumbo ride around there quite a bit too.

I know someone with a holiday apartment further south (Los Alcazares past Murcia) we're going to in June. Less than 15 minute drive from the airport (we're getting a lift!). I'm going to investigate hiring a bike at least 1 day when out there, but it'll probably be too hot for me. But I'll report back! Last time I looked the only place locally with lots of quality road bike choice & sizes was Murcia/San Javier.

We'll probably be going back a number of times over the next few years with the little one just for ease until he's bigger & I quite fancy some 'winter sun' at some point which should be ideal cycling weather! :D
 
Last edited:
Lethal` said:
@BennyC Who did you book with for rental car? There's a load of quotes coming up for literally pennies, e.g. £10 total for 4 days from the likes of Goldcar/Firefly/OK Rent a Car but they seem dodgy, weird extra insurance policies, weird fuel policies etc.
Click to expand...

Ended up booking with AVIS yesterday evening, 7 days was around £120 for a VW Polo or equivalent. I've generous luggage allowance with BA Business Class #highroller (in the sale at £200 return :p) so have 2 x 35kg cases, one of which I'll use for the bike and I'll put my SeaSucker in the other so we can plonk the bikes on top if we decided to drive out with them. Saves hiring a MPV at £450+ to fit suitcases & bike boxes in. (We've got a connecting shuttle to take us to the hotel from the airport.)

Actually opted for the excess waiver for another £100 between two for peace of mind, bit of a con but c'est la vie. We'll be collecting in Denia rather than at the airport, the day after we arrive and returning the day before.

A small/mid sized van can be had with Enterprise for £180 for a full 9 days so might consider that if I ever return with more people & bikes but requires going in to Alicante itself to collect 5 miles away which could be a faff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom