Distance: 43.9 miles / 70.7 km
Elevation: 2,861 feet / 872 m
Colls: Coll de sa Batalla (576 m)
It was a late start to the day today as I needed to do some shopping beforehand. The Lluc Monastery is a really nice destination to visit on a day like this because it’s not too far. Irrespective of which route you choose to take, there is a coll of at least 515 metres you need to ascend in order to get there.
I opted to ride to the Lluc Monastery clockwise via Campanet and climb the Coll de sa Batalla (576m). In the opposite direction, you climb Coll de Femenia (515m). If you can, I’d recommend you try and fit both climbs in to your itinerary whilst on the island. If it’s a really hot day, I recommend climbing Coll de sa Batalla as most of the ascent has tree cover. Today, the temperature was 28°C, which challenges my fair skin somewhat.
Campanet
There is more than one way to Campanet from Port de Pollenca. Today I chose to ride along Alcudia Bay and then west through the parc Natural de s’Albufera. This route is fairly flat but has some good views of the Tramuntana mountains.
The original plan was to eat in Caimari, but I was really hungry long before then. The main square in Campanet has loads of options for food, so I decided to take a break here. One café in particular (Bar Es Club) was really popular, which normally means it’s a good choice. It even has some racks to hang bikes from, which is a bonus. From here I had a beer and a burger which was most enjoyable. You’ll soon learn that I eat a lot of burgers.
If you don’t want to stop for a meal, there is a small supermarket (Trady’s) should you need some supplies. There’s a really good selection of drinks, crisps and confectionary for sale. Like most shops in Mallorca, it closes for siesta at 2pm. On every day except Sunday, it reopens at 4pm. Like the cafe, there are bike racks outside and even a basic table and chairs set.
If looking for somewhere to eat in Caimari, I recommend Sa Routa Verde (see day thirteen).
Coll de sa Batalla
Coll de sa Batalla is a category 2 climb from Caimari to Lluc. The total distance is 7.9km at an average gradient of 5%. There are a couple of hairpins which are quite a bit steeper than this, but they soon ramp back down again. It took me 37 minutes to climb today, which is a couple of minutes slower than my personal best.
The summit has both a petrol station and a café if you need some food. Since I’d eaten not long ago, I grabbed just a beer on this occasion. I notice on my comments from a previous ride that I thought the chocolate cake was shite. I think that means I don’t recommend it.
Lluc Monastery
Lluc monastery is Mallorca’s most sacred site. Within the grounds, there is a chapel and pilgrims’ quarters, as well as a rockery and botanical gardens.
If you wish to see some of the sights I’ve photographed below, you have to climb up some stone stairs just past the cafe. The path to the stone carved in to the cliff face is particularly rocky, which can be a problem in cycling shoes.
I’m not especially religious, but nonetheless it’s worth having a look around. Most of the pilgrims’ quarters were closed on this visit, but if I remember correctly there is a museum with an art gallery and sculptures.
Coll de Femenia descent
The MA-10 coast road from Lluc back to Port de Pollença is mostly downhill and one of the most enjoyable descents on the island. Whilst my average speed was over 27mph for 15 minutes, it’s some way off the top of the Strava leaderboard. Look out for goats if you are some sort of speed demon – they seem to love getting in the way!
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