SLOW-VÉNIA Every year it's the same story, well, almost the same. The PCR GRAVIER group - let's call it a collective - plans a trip abroad to go hikingcycling. This year they decided to visit Slovenia. On paper the country looks fully recreational : 60% of the territory is covered by forests, you can find more than 800 animal species (including bears and many beavers) and with only 2 million people in the whole country, traffic is likely to be at record lows.... Good times are ahead! Based on our past mistakes, we decided to lower the sail by reducing the number of kilometres covered per day. This is not a race and we decided to to cross Slovenia as slowly as possible! The objective: maximize the fun, triple our photo-to-km ratio and who knows, maybe pitch our tents in daylight. We can report that the trip was productive. We discovered a lot during those 8 days of roaming. So here are the 10 things that we’ve learned in 'Slowvénia'. 1. Carrying 8 bicycles by train is always easy… Well on paper! 2. Crossing a communist gathering after 30km of cycling is always a good idea 3. The ascent of Mount Stole is as hard as it is beautiful 4. The soča river is very very blue but also really, really cold 5. Sheep are giving free hugs at the top of the Vrsic Pass 6. Reducing the number of kilometres means increasing your chances of pitching your tent in daylight by 200% 7. Long-distance hiking trails are still not intended for bicycles 8. Technology is good, but (waterproof) paper maps are still better 9. Slovenia holds 99% of the world's greatest gravel 10. In Slovenia, we discovered excellent food and beverages, trust us ! Photography: Simon Taulelle and Renaud Skyronka

TRUE GRIT #2 I grew up in a little village in Dordogne which was strewn with fields of tall grass, undergrowth and rivers. I don’t remember the brand of my bike at the time, but it was yellow, and it was my entire world. Now I live in the Var, where I often find myself looping the sun-heated tarmac roads and gravel paths that cover the region like highways for the two-wheeled. The moment I’m on my bike, no matter which one, it’s a feeling of freedom that comes over me. I escape with just the basics: a bottle, a survival kit, something to snack on, and then we’re off on the wild roads. I love the taste of recklessness, dust, and the unknown at the bottom of the slope.You can have everything you need on a gravel bike. Not far from my house I can take advantage of the Massif de Maures, a labyrinth of pathways that I continue to explore to this day. On each excursion I discover, with pleasure, new routes. The ground is dry, and there’s no lack of rocks and stones. Exploring without a plan. Sometimes I like to play a game with myself by taking random turns. I haven’t tired of going to test the grit under my wheels. A couple of turns of the pedals is enough to amaze you. At the heart of the range is a tiny village. I'm a rider who takes no notice of their average. Who doesn’t remember their first time without stabilisers? That feeling of joy that struck them? You can re-create that carefree feeling on a bike, no matter your age. It’s also wonderful encounters and future bivouac projects. Even my scars are little trophies. I take my camera, to capture as many memories as possible and so I can take moments to stop. A Swiss army knife for all eventualities, like meeting bread and cheese from the local stores along the way. My cap. TO BE PIONNIER THE NORTH CAPE Thousands of kilometers north to avoid rabid dogs and make friends with reindeers on an Audax adventure. WHAT IS GRAVEL ? The definition of gravel cycling is wide. Gravel is all things to all riders, it can be what you want it to be. TRUE GRIT #1 Gravel is hard on your whole body and requires skill as there is so much variances in what is under the wheels. BIKEPACKING GUIDE There are many variables in the make-up of every bikepacking adventure. There are, however, some essential elements. SHORT STUFF Rides don't have to be long. At Café du Cycliste the midday breakaway is a multi-surfaced, multi-purposed piece of perfection.

True Grit #1 I am a girl who loves sports and I live in the suburb of Iceland’s capital – Reykjavík. However, I grew up between large mountains in the Westfjords of Iceland. This is my backyard. It’s a privilege to be able to go out your front door and suddenly be in an environment which is the perfect sample of Iceland’s nature with lava, moss and sand but still see the city not too far away. The gravel culture is simply so beautiful. The people, the experience, gravel events and overcoming challenges. Gravel is hard on your whole body and requires skill as there is so much variances in what is under the wheels. It is such a fascinating and, in a sense, crazy challenge to go long and stay on the bike for a long time – take the body as far as it can go and still keep your mental toughness. Gravel takes you to places, both in nature and in your mind. I love the outdoors and especially the mountains. I’m lucky in the sense that I'm happy spending time with myself. A dead end is not so dead to me, it means that my curiosity is alive. Taking unexpected turns. Unpaved roads have fewer cars and are quieter than the paved roads. It’s both good to chat and be silent together. I’ve had it as my life goal to have positive effects on others. First and foremost, it’s this sense of calm, even though you are pushing it, being close to nature, all the travelling and you’re able to go so much backstage. Even though I love solo riding I still love the company of a good coffee ride even more. I never leave the house without an energy bar, because it is not a good feeling to bonk, then water bottle and an extra jacket. Then it’s just the classic; tube and gas. It sucks having to have someone to pick you up. TO BE PIONNIER The Morvan A small corner of paradise where time seems to have stopped. WHAT IS GRAVEL ? The definition of gravel cycling is wide. Gravel is all things to all riders, it can be what you want it to be. Plan a route To get to where you want to go, you need to know where you are going. Ventoux's G-Side There is always a way to escape the madding crowds, in this case it's gravel.

Back To Brittany Sophie Gateau returns to bikepacking adventures up North There’s nothing like riding a few stages of the Love Tour to gradually get the legs turning after confinement. The Love Tour is a convivial event invented by the excellent bicycle magazine “200”. Every summer, at the beginning of July, cyclists are invited to ride one or more stages of the Tour, the route of which changes every year according to an often-crazy theme. A starting and finishing point, as well as a route connecting them, are provided to the participants who form a motley peloton on the roads of France. The theme for the 2020 edition was ‘Moderation’, going from one craft brewery to another. The start of the first stage is in Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes, a small French town located in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany. I arrive in Cancale after a 150-kilometer journey in Normandy which allows me to admire Mont Saint-Michel in all its splendor, freed from its hordes of tourists. The strong headwind from the bay is still there though. After having found Mathias, my cyclist "partner in crime", we head for the seaside campsite, the point of convergence of the merry troop. We are definitely in Brittany. The drizzle and the headwind accompany us on the first 185 km stage which takes us to Trède-Locquémeau, where almost all the names indicated on the road signs begin with ‘Ker’. The peloton disintegrates and regroups over the course of the day, according to the different states of form, the pressing desires for a ‘Far Breton’ cake, and other cyclists’ follies. We finish the first stage surrounded by music at the Kerempont brasserie in Lannion, which had organized a little party for the passage of the Moderation Tour. We still have to reach the campsite, and we hit the road after a (few) beer(s). The typical coasts of Brittany at 36% pass more easily thanks to the drinks. We set up the tents as quickly as possible to discover that the only restaurant in the village is full and that the other eating option is located at the top of a "mountain". With high hearts and with a few companions in the same boat, we pool our remaining provisions to enjoy an improvised picnic accompanied by fries that the manager of the campsite was kind enough to prepare for us. The second stage crosses the Monts d'Arrée and is constantly windy and rainy. We climb in the middle of forests worthy of fairy tales. The brewery at the end of the stage is unfortunately closed. My traveling companions make a beeline for the Châteaulin campsite and miss the small Ar Vu Vihan brewery which was unexpectedly on the way. I find other cyclists there already drinking beers with the brewer in her garden, surrounded by acrobatic hens. After a demonstration of our host's talents as a metal singer, I hit the road with beers in the bag for the friends already installed at the campsite. The third day takes us through never-ending rolling fields to reach the south of Brittany. After robbing the village bakery, we finally leave under the sun. 160 kilometers later, in Theix, I find Robin, a cycling friend who comes to ride a stage with us. The fourth stage is my last day of riding and we form a group of 4 with Nathan and Bruno, our traveling companions for the day. The sun has finally arrived, we take advantage of it, we ride at an easy pace while chatting, we stop to eat pancakes and drink beers to stay in the theme of the Tour. In Couëron on the banks of the Loire, we have to separate. Half of the team continues while I branch off for Nantes to take a train. See you next year and thank you 200 for this great idea! Text & Photos by Sophie Gateau

AN ALP FOR EVERYONE : ZWIFT BADGE HUNTING #2 Following the roaring success of the Virtual Ventoux ride, we’re returning to the world of Zwift with L'Equipe Provence to connect the virtual Alps and the Café du Cycliste Alpe d’Huez badge. The ride will take place on 30th August at 0830 CET and, if the Ventoux ride is anything to go by, it should be a peloton packed with hundreds of riders from all around the globe. Paced by the ride leaders at a steady 2.7-3.2 w/kg, with a second group riding at 2.3-2.7 w/kg, climb the 21 hairpins to the top to earn your limited edition Alpe d’Huez badge. Beat the travel restrictions, join one of the biggest and best group rides on Zwift and earn a free badge in the process. Join the ride directly on Zwift via this link. To claim your limited edition Alpe d’Huez badge signup with Café du Cycliste here : require(['//embed.typeform.com/embed.js']); powered by Typeform Join the L'Equipe Provence Facebook Group here. Share your stories on Instagram: @lequipeprovence @cafeducycliste #doubledraft #badgehunter #lequipeprovence #cafeducycliste #alpedhuez #alpeduzwift

JURASICK PARK – Riding The Jura Mountains The grand traverse of the Jura mountains (‘the GTJ’) is a bike trip that runs the entire length of the natural border between France and Switzerland. It was originally created in the 70s as a long cross-country ski network. Twenty years later, when mountain biking was exploding as a cycling discipline in France, the trails were adapted for summer as the first MTB ‘grand traverse’. As you know from previous adventures, at PCR Gravier we have a real taste for such rough stuff gravel cycling and post-lockdown the Jura mountains were a perfect choice. So we decided to go and mix it up between 6 friends, 6 bikes, over 4 days with a lot of cameras and one big 16mm video camera that weighs 100kg. 1 // G for Gravel To say that the GTJ serves up a lot of gravel would be an understatement. The route lists a lot of tracks certified has gravel but (…there is always a but…), it has to be believed that some parts of the landscape are really still in the dinosaur era here, with the amount of rocky scree that lies in the undergrowth. Our traverse really is ‘all-terrain’ with a fair amount of muddy single-track, rocks and so much wooden MTB ‘North Shore’ that we lost count in the first two days. This is clearly the feature you will come across the most on the GTJ. NB : we also tested the Olympic ski jump at Chaux-Neuve, but the take-off lacked a bit of gravel for our taste. 2// T for Time Out We don’t see these trips as a big sporting challenge, our style is more often to appreciate the places and, to do so, we stop on the terraces of the small villages. This works well as the Jura has at its disposal a good number of small bars and café for us to hydrate ourselves. So much so that the time on the terraces has been introduced into the established PCR Gravier measurement of fun that is the ratio of photos to kilometres. To this we have now added the challenge of stopping on at least two terraces per day. Spoiler Alert : we managed it with flying colours. Whoever said ‘time out’ also said ‘holiday house’. And, as luck would have it, Pierre’s family have one at Mouthe. It’s the kind of house that’s so big you need a climbing rope to mount the stairs between the different floors. Needless to say, our tents stayed in our bags and we find ourselves lounging inside, sipping on the local specialty liquor, Pontarlier Anis. Or as the locals call it “Le Pont”. And then, the cabins. Everyone loves cabins and we can’t talk about the Jura without mentioning the cabins. For us, they manage to come just at the right time : before a storm that nobody had predicted on the first day, or arriving perfectly for a lunchtime stop on our way towards the town of Les Rousses. The cabin stops are the perfect moment to practice your harmonica skills, throw stones, our start a game of ‘little pig’. In summary, as you might have guessed, cabins equal leisure to us. 3// J for Jurasick The landscapes of the Jurassic Park film are well known, but it’s certain that the next sequel could be shot in the Jura mountains. With the two camps that we made - one on the side of the cliff and one in the forest, we can confirm there is no lack of pretty places to pitch a tent. The Jura allowed us to reconcile ourselves with Mother Nature, after she’d been a bit rude with us via her weather behaviour in the past. Maybe confinement has chilled her out, who knows. We have seen dinosaurs, in resin, of course, but at a scale of 1: 1. Although, it’s impossible not to notice that it’s our bovine friends who reign as kings over the park. A cow is less impressive than a T-rex, we grant you. But on the other hand, we have seen all colours and all sizes! In any case, the Jura is a playground well-preserved and protected and the grand traverse is as well marked as it is maintained. In fact, it’s so well done, we want to return quickly!

The Bikepacking Guide : Choosing An Event With developments in bikes, equipment and clothing, it’s almost possible to ride anywhere at any time. As a result, the bikepacking season of events has evolved to become almost a year-round, global affair. So how do you choose which event to enter? Before looking at the events on offer, some self-assessment is recommended. Here are some considerations to take into account before committing : • solo or as a pair? The comfort of having a partner can be tempting, just make sure you pick the right person and ensure you are compatible over all distances and, more importantly, through all problems. • total time taken - pre-trip preparation, travelling to the event (especially if the organisers encourage no flying), getting home and re-calibrating your brain for normal life should be taken into account as part of the overall time an event will take, not just the days in the saddle. • course profile – distance is obviously important but so is elevation and so is rideability (there may be a lot of hike-a-bike on some events). Have a look at riders’ statistics from previous editions and assess your approximate daily progress to know whether you are biting off more than you can chew. • weather – does the expected range of weather match your existing capabilities and equipment. Do you need to buy and carry more or less? How does that suit you? • wanderlust – most importantly you must be inspired by the route or the challenge presented by your chosen event. This is your motivation to get through the difficult times. After you have assessed these criteria you should have a clearer idea of the type of bikepacking event you want to enter. There are two main types of organised events : Audaxes or ‘Brevets’, and Bikepacking Races. Audax events can be open brevets to be done on the date of your choice, or specific date events such as Paris-Brest-Paris. On open brevets, you must self-certify your arrival time at various obligatory points between the start and the finish, e.g. by stamping your brevet card at an official control or obtaining a shop receipt with the date and time on it. Plan for small roads, a multitude of tiny villages, and discussions about long-distance cycling with ‘old school’ riders, without ever really agreeing. 
 Traditional audax events with specific dates are a good place to get your first adventuring endeavours certified by stamps along the way and build your way up the distance ladder – an obligatory task if you want to take on the classic Paris-Brest-Paris, for example. The classic distances are 200, 300, 400 and 600km. They can also be used as training runs if you’ve entered a bikepacking race as the main objective of your year’s adventuring. Bikepacking races are varied but some of the high-profile ones are becoming the modern-day Formula 1 of bikepacking. They feature high entry fees, GPS trackers, grand departs in romantic places, media teams following riders across the route, and cut-off times if you want to be classified as officially finishing the race. Of course, adventure remains at the heart of the matter but it is here that the performance element takes on its full meaning. The Trans Continental Race grabbed the limelight early on in Europe. In America the Tour Divide are the headliners. They are two are the biggest names in the bike packing world, but each season, the calendar grows with new events, each with their invidividual vision and lure. Click here to check out the list of ‘must do’ bikepacking events. MORE FROM THE BIKEPACKING GUIDE

The Bikepacking Guide : The Must-Do List of Events Bikepacking as a cycling discipline is growing and growing, and with that expansion the list of events is becoming as long and varied as the road to freedom itself. To help navigate the global calendar, here is a curated selection of the ‘must-do’ bikepacking events. 1The Atlas Mountain Race, Morocco, February followers of Café du Cycliste will know we have a real love affair with Morocco. Beautiful gravel roads, the heat of Northern Africa, the height of the Atlas. Organised by the same people behind the Silk Road Mountain Race, it may seem like a bit of jaunt to get there, but the first edition looked like a hoot. 2The Tuscany Trail, Italy, May surely one of the most attractive names on the calendar, there is more than just Strade Bianche to this event. One of the more relaxed ones, with no time limit but the terrain is not to be underestimated. 3The Highland Trail 550, Scotland, May speak with any native Scottish person and they’ll wax lyrical about the beauty of the Highlands. Pretty yes, but also brutal. Technical trails, Scottish weather and ‘the midges’…. 4The TransAtlantic Way, Ireland, June the green green grass of Ireland. With the next stop west being America, there’s a lot of sea to make weather systems - you should expect four seasons in one day of riding. The western coast of Ireland is wilder and parts of it are stuck in a previous era. Hard riding despite the lack of high mountains. 5The TransAtlantic Way, Ireland, June the green green grass of Ireland. With the next stop west being America, there’s a lot of sea to make weather systems - you should expect four seasons in one day of riding. The western coast of Ireland is wilder and parts of it are stuck in a previous era. Hard riding despite the lack of high mountains. 6The Tour Divide, America, June one of the original routes and ‘races’. It follows the Great Divide Mountainbike Route which traces America’s Continental Divide from Banff, Canada to New Mexico on the US - Mexico border. The Tour Divide is a true off-road adventure (a trend that is growing in the bike packing world). Plan for endless plains and deserts, a lack of water, bears, several high mountain passes, the full spectrum of weather possiblities, very little sleep, and a huge feast at the end. 7The TCR, Europe, July is best known of the modern-day bikepacking races. Most bikepackers have done or are planning to do it. Such is its lure, it’s literally a lottery to gain your first entry. Plan for major roads, petrol stations, several high mountain passes, very little sleep, and a big party at the end. And no matter how good your preparation might have been, remain humble and respectful before actually crossing the start line and discovering the reality of the challenges this race presents. 8North Cape 4000, Europe, July if you are seeking an alternative to the TCR, North Cape 4000 could be for you. Sophie Gateau preferred to ride past reindeer instead of rabid dogs and didn’t regret it, despite some cold nights. 9The Silk Road Mountain Race, August maybe one of the biggest challenges in modern-day bike packing. James Hayden described it to us as an expedition not a bike ride. Elevation above 4,000m with the meteorological implications, lack of civilisation and rough tracks that go with such heights. One to build up to. 10Torino-Nice Rally the most relaxed and free-spirited of the events listed here. The only rule is ‘don’t be a d*ck’. It’s popularity has lead to a post-card entry lottery. That gives you a indication of the culture of the event. And we can vouch for the route being mind-blowingly stunning. MORE FROM THE BIKEPACKING GUIDE

The Bikepacking Guide : Preparing For An Event Like the discipline itself, the build-up to the main event on your bikepacking calendar is long. Plan the year ahead, pick your events based on your physical condition and training. The point is to do as much work and preparation as possible so that once you start you can concentrate on the most important part : enjoying the ride. An experienced and hard-working bikepacker will usually be ready and able to go on an adventure at any time. To build and maintain such form you need to ride all year round, and train as you intend to race – if going solo, by all means do some of your riding with others, but make sure to test yourself and your equipment alone. On self-made adventures or with friendsyou will not need to be more fit than your usual level as curiosity and the pleasure of the journey will be a sufficient motivation. But these can often be used to build the base for more physical adventures. For sporting events it is, of course, necessary to increase fitness and power. Identify the most difficult event in your calendar and arrange to train for it specifically at least four months in advance, gradually increasing the distances with each outing. Your body will adapt to this particular endurance effort and before the event itself you should be ready to complete one ‘acclimatized run’ that simulates as close as possible the target event itself. A rough outline of the season might go something like this : during winter, it’s good to do regular outings of 200 km and even include some camping to refine your cold weather bivouac skills. From March onwards, participate in Audax type events which will help and motivate you to increase the distances from 200km to 500-600 km. From May, push for one or two trips of more than 1000 km, either self-made like our series of adventures Due North & Due South, or organized, like the Chilkoot Born to Ride. During all these winter and spring outings, riding on the road will help refine your bike set-upand your lists of what to pack for each particular adventure. With training comes experience and knowledge. July is time relax and enjoy the simple pleasure of cycling. Ride smaller distances - a few 100 km outings, let's say no more than once a week. At the end of July you should be in good form. The memory of the long efforts will be engraved in the body, your bike and equipment well-honed from previous adventures, and you should be rested, ready for the big challenge. All is left is to do battle over the 4000 km of a Transcontinental Race, for example. Finally, if you are smitten by this practice and it becomes a long term habit, it is a good idea not to relax too much after your big event. Too much of a break and you will find yourself back near zero. So continue to organize a bivouacs with friends, long days on the road and keep things ticking over into the winter. Because next season always comes around quickly! See more from the Ultimate Bikepacking Guide to plan the trip of a lifetime.

A VIRTUAL VENTOUX RIDE With Zwift about to release a virtual version of Ventoux, Café du Cycliste has teamed up with L'Equipe Provence to gain special access to the digital Bald Mountain before it is available to ride by the general public. On August 2 at 0830 CET, L'Equipe Provence and Café du Cycliste will host a special edition ride to take on the Giant of Provence for an exclusive chance to collect your own REAL Café du Cycliste Ventoux badge. Just like all of L'Equipe Provence rides, teamwork makes the dreamwork. The group will be kept together to use the peloton draft and encourage each other to get to the summit. Leaders will keep a steady pace between 2.7-3.2 w/kg during the ride and provide group instructions so everyone can work as a team. Join the ride directly on Zwift via this link To claim your limited edition Ventoux Badge signup with Cafe du Cycliste here (function() { var qs,js,q,s,d=document, gi=d.getElementById, ce=d.createElement, gt=d.getElementsByTagName, id="typef_orm", b="https://embed.typeform.com/"; if(!gi.call(d,id)) { js=ce.call(d,"script"); js.id=id; js.src=b+"embed.js"; q=gt.call(d,"script")[0]; q.parentNode.insertBefore(js,q) } })() powered by Typeform Join the L'Equipe Provence Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leqpprovencezwift/ Share your stories on Insta: @lequipeprovence @cafeducycliste #doubledraft #badgehunter #lequipeprovence #cafeducycliste #montventoux

MALLORCA RIDING GUIDE ISLAND CYCLING PARADISE Mallorca’s reputation as a cycling mecca is built on solid rock. Literally. From the Coll Se Creu just 40 minutes’ ride from the Café du Cycliste shop in Palma to the Cap de Formentor at the opposite end of the island the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is where cycling gold is to be found. Sunshine, solid climbs, perfectly engineered roads, the Mediterranean and a local community tuned into the needs of the visiting cyclist. And for those who like to be alternative there is a network of lanes and double tracks across the agricultural lands and historic villages that lie to the south of the mountains. Being an island, it’s always easy to find a spot for a sunset, tapas and refreshments over which to pick the next day’s parcours. This is Mallorca. CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE is based on Plaça Rosari in Palma where you can find the full men and women’s collections, bikes to rent, rides to join, quality coffee and racing on the tv. ROAD RIDES Pre-prepared rides to lock and load on to your computer, illustrated with visual references to inspire and navigate you to the best bits of The Island. From the must-do’s, the lesser knowns to the true alternatives, click and select a different daily ride. FEMENIA & SA CALOBRA The must-do. Make the pilgrimage to one of the most famous snake-like roads in the cycling world. VIEW THE RIDE SOLLER & VALDEMOSSA From the plains of Palma, over the peaks to the gold valley where the roads are as sweet as the orange juice. VIEW THE RIDE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE A piece of road engineering perfection, out and back to the lighthouse and the end of the island. VIEW THE RIDE FEMENIA & SA BATALLA Done in either direction this is a smooth, rolling Mallorcan ride into the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. VIEW THE RIDE SA CREU & GALILEA The Café du Cycliste staff pick for a quick escape from Palma into the foothills of the mountains. VIEW THE RIDE GRAVEL RIDES Into the heart of the island, south of the mountains and across the plains, through fields of 10ft tall crops and centuries old villages to complete isolation. This is Mallorca’s G-side. FROM SAND TO DUST Through the marshes to Muro. Leave the sea behind and ride to the interior, across a national park and into the agricultural heartlands. VIEW THE RIDE ON THE INCA TRAIL On the trail means stone walls and double-tracks, joining the dots of the hamlets and villages towards the foothills of the Serra de Tramantuna. VIEW THE RIDE SINEU TO THE MOUNTAINS To the mountains. Time for up, with some technical rocky single track on the way to the ancient castle. VIEW THE RIDE THE ISLAND’S CLIMBS & COLLS From a distance the jagged peaks of the Island’s northern mountains look almost insurmountable. That the original constructors managed to lay any roads is impressive, that they did it so beautifully is a feat of engineering. Sa Calobra may grab the limelight but Puig Major, Coll de Soller and the lower Femenia and Sa Creu all deserve celebration. PUIG MAJOR To the tunnel. The Island’s highest climb with billiard table smooth tarmac, a gradual gradient, big views and a military installation and lake at the top. VIEW THE CLIMB COLL DE SOLLER A gateway from the southern plains into the Valley of Gold. Reserved almost exclusively for cyclists thanks to the tunnel below, Soller is stacked with switchbacks and decorated by olive trees. VIEW THE CLIMB CAP DE FORMENTOR Antoni Pairetti’s road engineering pièce de resistance. It’s a climb, but not as you know it. VIEW THE CLIMB COLL DE SA BATALLA A picture perfect mix of forests, hairpins and rocky ridges. And with a café at the Coll, there’s a reason this is an Island favourite. VIEW THE CLIMB COLL DE FEMENIA Too often overlooked as being simply the way to Sa Calobra, Coll de Femenia deserves its own spotlight. Its panoramas are the perfect introduction to the beauty of the Tramuntana peaks and ridgelines. VIEW THE CLIMB COLS ON FILM Sa Calobra is the toughest climb on the island, measuring 9.4kms in length with an average gradient of 7% and serving up no less than 26 hairpins between the sea and the famous 270 degree neck tie bend before the top. DUE SOUTH To The Island, under your own steam. Discover the shop-to-shop DIY Audax adventure from one riding paradise to another and perhaps be inspired to create your own. READ MORE 1 - THE STORE Located in Palma's Plaça del Rosari, our Mallorca store is 15 minutes’ drive from the airport and 40 minutes’ ride from the Coll de Sa Creu. Find the full collection in-store plus a quality coffee, racing on the big screen and friendly faces to recommend rides and restaurants alike. Find us at: Plaça del Rosarí 5, 07001, Palma 2 - RENT AND RIDE Travel light and book your bike. You can choose from a selection 2 premium bikes - the COLNAGOS V3RS for on road adventures and the STAJVELO ROCCA for exploring paths off the beaten track. VIEW MORE 3 - CAPITAL GAINS Palma is the anchor of Mallorcan history and culture. Old town streets, seaside paths, and that cathedral. Complete your Mallorcan cycling holiday with a visit to the capital. All Island life is here. VISUAL VISIT PRATICAL how to arrive With flights from around 30 different countries, it is easy to fly to Mallorca. Situated only 8km from Palma city, getting into town by bus or taxi is simple and fast. For those on a road trip or adverse to flying, there are daily ferries from Barcelona to the Island. where to stay Where to base your cycling holiday is a question of choice and practicality. Thankfully the island has both. Whether it’s the traditional streets of Soller, the big city lights of Palma or the proximity of Pollença, you can find bike friendly places in every corner. For more information on where to stay, see the Mallorcan Tourist Board website.

Mallorca’s double-tracks are alternative not only in the riding but in their immersion in the Island’s agricultural landscapes for a different view when you are lost in the lanes.  

WHERE TO RIDE ON MALLORCA – FEMENIA & SA BATALLA A rolling ride from Pollença, heading south-west towards Campanet and across to Caimari where the climb starts. Before climbing stop in the village and visit Sa Ruta Verda, one of the most well-respected cycle-friendly cafés on the Island. Sa Batalla has billiard table smooth dark tarmac and at 7.5km long with an average gradient of 5%, climbing does not get much more pleasurable than this. With two finely laid sets of switchbacks and a cycle friendly café on the summit, there is a lot to like about this climb. After cresting Sa Batalla, take the right for the easier side of Coll de Femenia. From the pass most of the hard work is done so enjoy the views across the valley towards the bay of Pollença as the road drops beneath your wheels. key kit Riding inland and under the sun can get intense. Keep cool with the ultra-lightweight Micheline cycling jersey, featuring horizontal mesh for maximum ventilation. VIEW THE JERSEY RIDE INSIGHTS This ride can be combined with Cap de Formentor if you have the time and the legs for a longer day of Mallorcan cycling. FIND OUT MORE 1 - THE ROUTE DOWNLOAD GPX Please login or create an account to download file. 2 - RENT AND RIDE Travel light and book your bike. Via our partners, Bikecamp, just as in Nice, you can choose from the latest range of Cervélo bikes to provide the best equipment for exploring the Island. Tours are also available for those who prefer to concentrate on pushing on the pedals and looking at the landscapes. VISIT BIKECAMP 3 - THE STORE Located in Palma's Plaça del Rosari, our Mallorca store is 15 minutes’ drive from the airport and 40 minutes’ ride from the Coll de Sa Creu. In-store you’ll find the full Café du Cycliste collection, a quality coffee, a big screen to watch the races and friendly faces to recommend rides and restaurants alike. You can find us at: Plaça del Rosarí 5, 07001, Palma other rides Sunshine, solid climbs, perfectly engineered roads, the Mediterranean and a local community tuned into the needs of the visiting cyclist. The North Coast There may be no big names on this ride, but it’s a not-so-secret hidden gem and one of the best stretches of coast road you will ever set wheels and eyes on. VIEW THE RIDE Soller & Valldemossa Escape the city, scale the mountain, savour the scenery. Coll de Sóller delivers a strong challenge in the middle of a great loop starting and finishing in Palma. VIEW THE RIDE Femenia & Sa Calobra The jewel in the crown of Mallorcan cycling. Ride the ridgelines of the Tramuntana mountains and plunge down to the sea before tackling one of the Island’s toughest tests. VIEW THE RIDE To the lighthouse A flowing ride from Pollença that allows you to find your own rhythm despite the hilly terrain. Make sure and stop at the bike friendly café on Coll de sa Battla. VIEW THE RIDE Sa Creu & Galilea A short sharp loop from Palma city that quickly gets you onto quiet roads. A staff pick from the Palma store. VIEW THE RIDE A SA CALOBRA CELEBRATION Sa Calobra leaves a lasting memory. Celebrate your connection with the climb via the badged t-shirt and cap created in hommage to 'la cobra'. T-Shirts FOR HIM & FOR HER SHOP THE CAP Mallorca's most famous climb is also one of the most finely-laid ribbons of tarmac in Europe. As recognition of this, it was the first entry in our Montagnes du Monde global badge series. If you've ridden it, receive your badge reward by entering your ride details. HOW TO CLAIM A BADGE

WHERE TO RIDE ON MALLORCA – TO THE LIGHTHOUSE If Sa Calobra is the king of Mallorcan roads, Cap de Formentor is the queen. Situated in the extreme north west corner and being the end part of the famous MA-10 road, some might argue that Paretti and his road engineers left the best to last. Don’t underestimate this ride as after an initial flat on the depart from Pollença the road climbs, dips and dives its way to the lighthouse. Stop at the café lighthouse and savour the surroundings and the fortune to have a day of nothing else than pushing on the pedals under the blue Mallorcan sky. Time it perfectly in the late afternoon and see the sunset light up the rugged coast to the west. Those wishing to add more after the peninsula can either follow the bay to Alcudia to spin out their legs or head inland to the villages of Campanet, Búger and Muro for some quiet agricultural roads. key kit For many this is a relaxed ride on one of the most scenic roads, make sure you can appreciate the views with a pair of Café x Article One sunglasses. VIEW THE GLASSES RIDE INSIGHTS This ride can be combined with the Sa Battala and Femenia ride if you have the time and more importantly the legs for a longer day. FIND OUT MORE 1 - THE ROUTE DOWNLOAD GPX Please login or create an account to download file. 2 - RENT AND RIDE Travel light and book your bike. Via our partners, Bikecamp, just as in Nice, you can choose from the latest range of Cervélo bikes to provide the best equipment for exploring the Island. Tours are also available for those who prefer to concentrate on pushing on the pedals and looking at the landscapes. VISIT BIKECAMP 3 - THE STORE Located in Palma's Plaça del Rosari, our Mallorca store is 15 minutes’ drive from the airport and 40 minutes’ ride from the Coll de Sa Creu. In-store you’ll find the full Café du Cycliste collection, a quality coffee, a big screen to watch the races and friendly faces to recommend rides and restaurants alike. You can find us at: Plaça del Rosarí 5, 07001, Palma other rides Sunshine, solid climbs, perfectly engineered roads, the Mediterranean and a local community tuned into the needs of the visiting cyclist. The North Coast There may be no big names on this ride, but it’s a not-so-secret hidden gem and one of the best stretches of coast road you will ever set wheels and eyes on. VIEW THE RIDE Soller & Valldemossa Escape the city, scale the mountain, savour the scenery. Coll de Sóller delivers a strong challenge in the middle of a great loop starting and finishing in Palma. VIEW THE RIDE Femenia & Sa Calobra The jewel in the crown of Mallorcan cycling. Ride the ridgelines of the Tramuntana mountains and plunge down to the sea before tackling one of the Island’s toughest tests. VIEW THE RIDE Femenia & Sa Battla A flowing ride from Pollença that allows you to find your own rhythm despite the hilly terrain. Make sure and stop at the bike friendly café on Coll de sa Battla. VIEW THE RIDE Sa Creu & Galilea A short sharp loop from Palma city that quickly gets you onto quiet roads. A staff pick from the Palma store. VIEW THE RIDE A SA CALOBRA CELEBRATION Sa Calobra leaves a lasting memory. Celebrate your connection with the climb via the badged t-shirt and cap created in hommage to 'la cobra'. T-Shirts FOR HIM & FOR HER SHOP THE CAP Mallorca's most famous climb is also one of the most finely-laid ribbons of tarmac in Europe. As recognition of this, it was the first entry in our Montagnes du Monde global badge series. If you've ridden it, receive your badge reward by entering your ride details. HOW TO CLAIM A BADGE

WHERE TO RIDE ON MALLORCA – ANDRATX & THE NORTH COAST The best part of the Mallorca 312 sportive, this would be The Island’s entrant into the competition for the best coast road in the world. Start from Palma and head out via the Col sa Creu or make your way direct by car to Andratx for a shorter ride. From Andratx follow the MA-10 over the Coll de Gramola and then descend through the tunnel to enter the world of the north coast, where tall cliffs and the rollercoaster road deliver a different panorama round every corner. Stop at the roadside Son Tomàs bar in Banyalbufar for a plate of tapas served with a clear sea view before turning inland and eventually joining the MA-1101 for more classic Mallorcan lanes. Join the dots with the towns of Puigpunyent (hint : any name including ‘puig’ implies a bit of climbing), Galilea and Es Capellà on the way back to Andratx for a full flavour of Mallorcan life. Those heading back to Palma can cut south at Puigpunyent and follow the MA1041 back to the city. key kit The north coast, in the shadow of the mountains can sometimes be be breezy. Pack a lightweight Dorothée gilet for an easily portable extra layer. VIEW THE GILET RIDE INSIGHTS The Mallorca 312 is the Island’s biggest sportive, happening in April each year and with three different routes. FIND OUT MORE 1 - THE ROUTE DOWNLOAD GPX Please login or create an account to download file. 2 - RENT AND RIDE Travel light and book your bike. Via our partners, Bikecamp, just as in Nice, you can choose from the latest range of Cervélo bikes to provide the best equipment for exploring the Island. Tours are also available for those who prefer to concentrate on pushing on the pedals and looking at the landscapes. VISIT BIKECAMP 3 - THE STORE Located in Palma's Plaça del Rosari, our Mallorca store is 15 minutes’ drive from the airport and 40 minutes’ ride from the Coll de Sa Creu. In-store you’ll find the full Café du Cycliste collection, a quality coffee, a big screen to watch the races and friendly faces to recommend rides and restaurants alike. You can find us at: Plaça del Rosarí 5, 07001, Palma other rides Sunshine, solid climbs, perfectly engineered roads, the Mediterranean and a local community tuned into the needs of the visiting cyclist. Sa Calobra The jewel in the crown of Mallorcan cycling. Ride the ridgelines of the Tramuntana mountains and plunge down to the sea before tackling one of the Island’s toughest tests. VIEW THE RIDE Soller & Valldemossa Escape the city, scale the mountain, savour the scenery. Coll de Sóller delivers a strong challenge in the middle of a great loop starting and finishing in Palma. VIEW THE RIDE To The Lighthouse Maybe the pièce de resistance of Mallorcan road engineering. An out-and-back ride like no other, plan it for sunset on the way back for some unforgettable Mallorcan cycling. VIEW THE RIDE Femenia & Sa Batalla A flowing ride from Pollença that allows you to find your own rhythm despite the hilly terrain. Make sure and stop at the bike friendly café on Coll de sa Batalla. VIEW THE RIDE Sa Creu & Galilea A short sharp loop from Palma city that quickly gets you onto quiet roads. A staff pick from the Palma store. VIEW THE RIDE A SA CALOBRA CELEBRATION Sa Calobra leaves a lasting memory. Celebrate your connection with the climb via the badged t-shirt and cap created in hommage to 'la cobra'. T-Shirts FOR HIM & FOR HER /// SHOP THE CAP Mallorca's most famous climb is also one of the most finely-laid ribbons of tarmac in Europe. As recognition of this, it was the first entry in our Montagnes du Monde global badge series. If you've ridden it, receive your badge reward by entering your ride details. HOW TO CLAIM A BADGE

MALLORCA COLLS & CLIMBS : CAP DE FORMENTOR Let’s be clear about this. Formentor is not a mountain pass. It doesn’t traverse from one valley to the next. However, it is part of the mountains, in fact it could be argued that it’s the pinnacle of the Tramuntana mountains. It’s where Mallorca’s rocky backbone drops into the sea and it’s a mandatory inclusion in any cycling guide to Mallorca for a reason. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an easy and flat ride along a seaside peninsula. Once you get out of Pollença and onto the headland, the 15km of the Formentor road introduces itself with a 3km climb to the Colomer viewpoint (the KOM is held by a certain M. Contador). If you are on a relaxed day, take the time to walk the shallow steps to see the cliffs trace their way towards the lighthouse, it’s spectacular. The lighthouse has been there since the 1890s and was originally served by only a mule track. Ironically in this day and age, gravel riders would get excited about riding to the end of the Island on gravel. However, such is the beauty of the surfaced road that even the hardiest of off-road cyclists would be willing to exchange their 650bs for their 700c carbon wheels. And so they should : it took more than 200 people six years to finish the road. Enough time for the local Bishop to order an altar to be built so the workers could still attend mass. The famous engineer Paretti’s second-best road (Sa Calobra being the first, of course) allowed for the building of the peninsula’s only hotel by Adam Diehl – much like our own Cap Ferrat it took an entrepreneur to take on the rugged landscape of the headland. Diehl was a Paris-resident and advertised his hotel in lights on the Eifel Tower. The strategy succeeded and attracted the likes of Charlie Chaplin and F Scott Fitzgerald – both, incidentally, also visitors to Cap Ferrat. Mediterranean peninsulas have a certain appeal. At the lighthouse, surrounded by the ocean on the very tip of the landmass, you might experience what the locals refer to as ‘the meeting of the four winds’. It comes from every direction – the Iberian Peninsula, the Alps, North Africa and the Atlantic. Just like the cyclists do, and for good reason. Yes, the cap has beautiful walking trails, some impressive water-side architecture and dreamy secluded beaches, which you should visit if you have time. But look back from the lighthouse as a cyclist and see a prime example of why you came to the Island : the roads. STRAVA SEGMENT THE RIDE : To The Lighthouse

MALLORCA’S COLLS & CLIMBS : PUIG MAJOR If Paretti, the man responsible for most of the roads that traverse the Tramuntana mountains, had got his way you wouldn’t have to climb Mallorca’s biggest cycling climb. Three times he attempted to build a cable car line to the summit, three times warfare of some description stopped the project. Not that cycling visitors to the Island would take the easy option. Puig Major is to Sa Calobra what our own Col de Turini is to the Col de la Madone – the other, bigger option. It’s not as long as Turini but is still a stern hors categorie test from Soller, measuring 13.7km long. Michal Kwiatkowski knows both climbs and holds the fastest Strava time on Puig Major at 33:12, a record that has stood for six years. Mere mortals should aim for somewhere between 45 and 55 minutes. For those not going for a record time or training effort, take the alternative start from Soller to climb via the village of Fornalutx. Sometimes referred to as ‘the prettiest village in Spain’ it welcomes you with its orange groves which help give this side of the mountains the reputation as the ‘Valley of Gold’. Liquid gold. The road squeezes itself between the old stone buildings, past the town square before rejoining the main climb to get back to business. The local authorities know their audience well and have paved this side of the climb to perfection. The views across to the other side of the valley and down to the port of Soller just get better and better with each of the large open switchbacks as you climb towards the tunnel at the summit. The medium gradient of 6-7% allows you to choose your own effort but like many mountain ascents, the road gets a bit steeper in the final kilometers so pace yourself accordingly. The Monnàber tunnel provides a fitting finale to the climbing but this mountain delivers more on the other side. Through the tunnel the Cùber reservoir comes into view between the rocks and, after the effort, it may be tempting to take a dip. Continue on and the water of the second reservoir, the Gorg Blau is closer and even more inviting. It’s known as the ‘mirror between the mountains’ that has inspired local painters and poets alike. Look up to the left and the military dome on the adjoining peak is visible. The history books state that the Americans helped install this base and rumours still abound as to its use by them. Cyclists will notice and – depending on the effort already made – regret that the service road with its stacked switchbacks leading to the peak, is for army use only. Past the reservoirs another tunnel back through the belly of the mountain takes you towards Sa Calobra where an internal debate might rage – more climbing or back home for a dip in the pool? STRAVA SEGMENT Add it as the bigger option to the SOLLER & VALLDEMOSSA RIDE.

MALLORCA COLLS & CLIMBS : COLL DE SA BATALLA Cyclists stopping at petrol stations is usually associated with the discipline of bikepacking. But at the Respol station on the summit of the Coll de sa Batalla you won’t find many bikepackers, only Island-hopping cyclists, soaking in one of the Mallorca’s must-do climbs in the adjoining café. If you haven’t been to Mallorca you may not even have heard of Sa Batalla behind the noise that Sa Calobra and Formentor make. It could be classified as the Island’s ‘comfort climb’ – gentle slopes, a perfect surface and cafés at the bottom and the top. The name of the climb has two possible origins. The first comes from the story of a battle between local bandits and the law in the 17th century and the other is from the sound of bells at the nearby Lluc monastery. That monastery apparently started when a shepherd found a statue of the Virgin Mary back in the 13th century. Just as in the Alpes-Maritimes, the Madonna is to be thanked for roads like these. The climb starts in the quaint town of Caimari. It’s home to one of Mallorca’s best-known cafés, Sa Ruta Verda. They serve great coffee and healthy food and are so cycling-focused the owners refer to their establishment as a ‘feed-zone’. Before or after the climb, it is worth the stop. Sa Batalla can be summarized as the climb of three parts : through the first set of switchbacks, up along and through the ridgeline with a false flat before the gradient increases to the second set of hairpins. The pine trees provide welcome shade from the sun, as well as a reminder that you are now most definitely in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. The passage through the rocks is memorable and offers a view up towards the summit. The beauty is that, at 7.2km and an average gradient of 5%, it can be ridden relatively easily or full gas. As always with cycling in Mallorca it very much depends on what has come before and what is planned for after the ascent, but that is the beauty of the Island. The options are plentiful. STRAVA SEGMENT THE RIDE : Femenia & Sa Batalla

MALLORCA COLLS & CLIMBS : COLL DE SÓLLER The construction of the road tunnel to Sóller in the 1990s was fraught with so much fraud and scandal, that it forced the resignation of the President of the Govern Balear. To this day, it’s maintenance and status as a toll road (or not) causes controversy. Cyclists on the island rise above it, literally, by climbing the Coll de Sóller. The two sides of the climb are notably different, the south being more open and gradual compared to the high sides and tighter switchbacks of the north side. The clever option is to go around and search the shade on the north if the sun is high and hot. Whichever side you choose, the views are stunning. It’s that sun that gives Sóller its French connection. The Port of Sóller served as a trading post between the Island and the French coast where the bounty of the temperate climate of the Sóller valley left for mainland France : oranges, lemons, olives, figs and almonds. On the return, exporters brought with them a bit of French culture via fashion, furniture and goods. So your Café du Cycliste jersey will not look out of place amongst the artisanal shops and cafés in Sóller’s beautiful Plaza de la Constitución. Like so many of Mallorca’s cycling routes, the locals have tuned into the needs of cyclists. Ca’n Topa, the café located right beside the summit sign provides a warm welcome to everyone, from pro riders on training camps to first-timers on the Island’s climbs. After this stop, descending back towards Palma offers a panorama over the rest of the Island like no other. Do it at sunset and the beauty will motivate you to explore more than just the Tramuntana mountains. Sóller Strava Segments: South Side North Side The Ride : Soller & Valldemossa

MALLORCA COLLS & CLIMBS : COLL DE FEMENIA If you base your Mallorca cycling holiday in Pollença, the Coll de Femenia is your entry point to the Tramuntana mountains. And what an introduction. The climb up the valley helps explain why the Island’s dramatic northern mountain spine was awarded UNESCO heritage status. The lower lush landscapes are lined by the dry stone walls, a material which also is used to construct terracing to make the rocky terrain scalable. Human endeavour to manage and climb the slopes, does it sound familiar? The road construction is the same. Like so many of the Mallorcan cycling climbs, Femenia is appealing because the gradual gradient allows you to pick your pace. The climb is 7.5km at an average gradient of 6% and, once again, the surface is nothing but impeccable. As you climb higher the surrounding landscape becomes more rugged. The Mallorcan mountain goats will most likely be watching, balanced on the cliffs above, making the most of the available resources around them. Look out also for the vultures circling on the thermals in the valley to your left. Femenia’s surrounding landscape is perhaps one of the most diverse of all the ascents on the island. Which is a good thing, because the summit itself is rather underwhelming. But, like Coll de Sóller, it’s a gateway to the rest of the mountain range the other great climbs of the Island. Follow the roller-coaster which eventually arrives at the Coll de sa Batalla and then pick your parcours for the return to Pollença. STRAVA SEGMENT THE RIDE : Femenia & Sa Calobra