Some cycling holidays begin with glorious sunshine. Others begin with… torrential rain.
This is the story of The Pedal Revolution’s Tour de Broads Abroad, who joined us in Mallorca in October 2025. It turned into an unforgettable week of spectacular climbs, stunning scenery, plenty of coffee stops, and just enough weather drama to make the sunshine feel even sweeter.
A soggy start…
Mallorca is famous for its fantastic cycling weather, but on the evening of 11 October, Alcúdia decided to surprise everyone with a proper downpour. To make matters worse, the forecast for the following days wasn’t exactly inspiring either.
As Ciclos Major owner Darryl Leese introduced the week’s routes during the welcome briefing, there were more worried faces than excited ones. Judging by the expressions around the room, nobody was convinced those ambitious plans would survive the weather forecast.
Unfortunately, the forecast was right.
Rain continued throughout 12 October, meaning several rides had to be shortened. Our guides kept ride director Liz Rooney updated throughout the day.
Owen and Jarek tried leading their group from Santa Maria through Sencelles while attempting to dodge the rain clouds… with limited success.
David, leading the Latte Group on their planned Sineu–Petra ride, summed up the day perfectly:
“Rain stopped play.”
Still, despite the wet roads, everyone safely returned to the hotel. As Karen cheerfully reported:
“Affogato home and dry.”
That’s cycling—you can’t always choose the weather, but you can always choose your attitude.
Sunshine begins to win
When Liz sent out the routes for 13 October, she finished the email with one hopeful sentence:
“Let’s hope it’s dry.”
Thankfully, Mallorca listened.
Conditions improved, and our groups headed across the island while Darryl followed in the support car together with photographers Helen (The Pedal Revolution) and Monika (Ciclos Major).
Our first stop was near Binissalem, where we caught up with the Café Latte group led by Liz and David. Bottles were topped up, bananas distributed, nutrition restocked, and everyone rolled happily onwards.
Coffee stops are practically part of Mallorca’s cycling culture, so naturally we found more riders relaxing in Santa Maria del Camí. Melissa and Michael had arrived with the Cappuccino Group, while Bruce and Jarek brought in another group shortly afterwards.
From there we followed the Café Latte riders onto the famous Coll de Sóller, capturing plenty of climbing photos as everyone tackled the winding ascent.
From there we followed the Café Latte riders onto the famous Coll de Sóller, capturing plenty of climbing photos as everyone tackled the winding ascent.
While the riders enjoyed a well-earned café stop at the summit, the support car rushed off to intercept Bruce and Jarek’s group, who were heading towards Valldemossa before returning via Deià.
Another quick support stop near Sóller meant energy gels, electrolyte drinks and fresh water all round.
The guides confidently reassured everyone:
“Only Tunnel de Monnàber left… a quick café stop at the aqueduct… then home.”
Whenever anyone asked if it would be difficult, the answer was always the same:
“Easy. False flat.”
Conveniently, nobody mentioned that reaching Tunnel de Monnàber involves one of Mallorca’s longest climbs—around 15 kilometres.
Funny how guides sometimes leave out the finer details…
The Formentor Challenge
By 14 October, confidence had returned.
Today’s destination was every Mallorca cyclist’s bucket-list ride: Cap de Formentor Lighthouse.
To make the ride enjoyable for everyone, Ciclos Major divided riders into five smaller groups, allowing everyone to ride at their own pace.
Photographs began beside the beautiful bay between Alcúdia and Port de Pollença before everyone started climbing towards Mirador de Colomer.
Darryl personally inspected everyone’s climbing technique. Purely for photographic reasons, of course…
After a short break came the spectacular descent through the forest, followed by rolling roads, a handful of bends, and the final climb to the lighthouse itself.
Every rider earned the obligatory finish photo.
On the return journey we captured a few more pictures—just in case anyone back home questioned whether they’d really made it all the way.
Meanwhile Karen, Steven and Kerstin opted for a more relaxed ride to Cala Sant Vicenç.
Eventually everyone reunited at the legendary 1919 Café in Port de Pollença.
Coffee.
Ice cream.
Cycling stories.
Even more photos.
Perfect.
That evening’s team meeting looked very different from the welcome briefing a few days earlier. Amazing what a little sunshine—and several days riding around Mallorca—can do for morale.
Recovery rides… Mallorca style
Recovery day arrived on 15 October, although “easy” is always a relative term when you’re on a cycling holiday.
Robbie guided the Café Latte group through Llubí and Sineu, while another group headed back to Cala Sant Vicenç, where the local cats seemed determined to welcome every arriving cyclist from the village bus stop.
Naturally, another café stop was unavoidable.
La Scalinata in Pollença provided excellent coffee and irresistible Mallorcan pastries before the rain briefly returned as riders left town.
Fortunately, by the time everyone reached the hotel, the roads were dry once again.
Those somehow still full of energy even joined Melissa for an optional swim session before everyone gathered again that evening on the Palace Hotel terrace to swap stories from another fantastic day.
Conquering Sa Calobra
For many riders, 16 October was the biggest challenge of the week.
Destination: Sa Calobra.
The route led through Pollença, Campanet Valley, Caimari and Sa Batalla before climbing the legendary Coll dels Reis, followed by that unforgettable descent to the sea.
After coffee at the famous aqueduct café—better known among cyclists as The Love Shack—it was time to climb all the way back out again before returning via Coll de Femenia and Pollença.
Around 115 kilometres of unforgettable riding.
That afternoon, golden hour brought an impromptu beach photoshoot celebrating an incredible week together.
Romantic photos.
Family photos.
Action shots.
A little bit of everything.
One final ride
The final full riding day took Robbie’s Affogato Group through Mallorca’s peaceful country lanes towards Muro.
The support car caught up with them near Santa Margalida, where there was even time to admire the famous one-man quarry—and make friends with some curious local livestock.
Another coffee stop in Sineu meant fresh pastries, water refills and energy gels before everyone tackled the climb to Monti-Sion, rewarded with magnificent panoramic views across the island.
Lunch in Porreres followed, although ongoing roadworks meant Darryl and Helen earned an unexpected workout by hauling the refreshments trolley through the construction zone.
Support crews never have an easy day either.
Medals, memories and “see you next year”
That evening The Pedal Revolution hosted its awards ceremony.
Neal and Helen presented every rider with a medal, accompanied by a few perfectly chosen—and often amusing—words about each recipient.
The next morning, suitcases were packed and bikes carefully boxed.
Time to head home.
After a week that began with heavy rain and finished with sunshine, smiles and unforgettable rides, one thing was certain:
Mallorca had worked its magic once again.
We hope everyone had an amazing time—and if you’re already thinking about your next cycling adventure, don’t worry…
We’ll be back in October 2026.
See you on the road, TPR!
