Is Sa Calobra Really that Epic?

[@connormcc]

In the 3rd of my Mallorca Vlogs I tackle the famous Coll De Reis descent and climb to and from the port of Sa Calobra! Is this climb really as incredible and epic as people say? What are my top tips if you are thinking of riding Sa Calobra Bike Hire From: rentmarch.com/en/ Mallorca Cycle Shuttle: www.mallorcacycleshuttle.co.uk Strava Rides in Mallorca: www.strava.com/activities/8824392913 www.strava.com/activities/8829534385 www.strava.com/activities/8836490220 www.strava.com/activities/8841592347 www.strava.com/activities/8846986740 Useful Links & Ways you can support this channel. I’ve put links below to some of the products and services I use, if you are looking at similar options. With many (but not all) of these links, you can support this channel by using the link below. These affiliate links don’t cost you anything more but do help support my channel. Bikes & Accessories Road Bike - Canyon Ultimate: tinyurl.com/yxkuckfs VEL RSL50 Carbon Wheels: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Gravel Bike - Fustle Causeway: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Hunt 4 Season Wheels: tinyurl.com/4c65d26d Mountain Bike - Cube Analog Hardtail: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Brompton Bike: tinyurl.com/bdefe3h9 Tailfin Aeropack Bikepacking setup: tinyurl.com/2p9ey97z Other Bike Tech See Sense Lights: tinyurl.com/4etunxtu Garmin Edge 1040 Bike Computer: tinyurl.com/4etunxtu Favero Assioma Duo Power Meter Pedals: tinyurl.com/4nzz4zap Bike Maintenance GLF Wax - Hot Melt Chain Wax: tinyurl.com/3d3j9t5a Bike Insurance Laka Bike Insurance: tinyurl.com/4ebpr7bp Bike Nutrition Styrkr Energy Bars: tinyurl.com/4cm4u3un Bike Clothing/Apparel Victory Chimp Glasses: tinyurl.com/yptchrju Victory Chimp Clothing/Apparel : tinyurl.com/yptchrju Camera Tech Fuji XT5 (New Version of my camera XT4): tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera (New version of my DJI Osmo Action): tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Insta 360 X3 360 Camera: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Camera Accessories Rille Camera Strap: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Grill Mount (Mouth mount) for Action Camera: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7 Buy Me A Coffee Buy Me A Coffee: tinyurl.com/4defsxp7

[@RDRides]

Made me smile when you were at the aquaduct and hadn't realised there was a 2.5km climb before the descent. Probably catches quite a few people out!

[@connormcc]

Yea, I hadn’t studied Strava/google maps hard enough before my trip, ha ha

[@peterthomas8053]

The decent from that garage down towards Pollensa is amazing. Flowing bends, a great way to finish of the Sa Calobra challenge, but when you reach the flat road at the bottom, it does go on for a bit.🥵

[@connormcc]

Yea and I had a bit of a headwind, so I didn’t love that descent to be honest, I’d like to try going down Col de Sa Batalla next time…

[@lewisA76]

Really enjoyed this thanks for uploading. Ill be there in April

[@connormcc]

glad you enjoyed! I’ll be there in April too, maybe see you on the road (among the thousands of other cyclists 😂 )

[@lewisA76]

@@connormcc possibly 😂. Staying in Plajta de Muro just the other side of Port de Alcudia

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Well done... Agree with you, the view from the top of the road 'snaking' down is epic.

[@connormcc]

Yea it really is spectacular!

[@dieseldizzy]

Beautiful video. The 360 shots were class. That's one for the bucket list in 2024 for me.

[@connormcc]

Yea it’s a good one for sure… Cap Formentor good too, video from it soon

[@Esskay1]

Great video Connor. Your content is getting better and better.

[@connormcc]

Thanks! The new camera and some new scenery definitely helps !

[@Flint_Westwood]

Great video. I recently got back from Mallorca where I took in Sa Calobra. We rode out from Peurto Pollenca, went up Col Sa Batala (to the garage) then on to Sa Calobra. I would describe the climb out of Sa Calobra as pretty brutal, especially if, like me you don't get the chance to ride propper hills that often. I did get up it, but at just over 1 hour including at stop to switch water bottles. Like you, I got stuck behind a car on the way down so couldn't really let loose but still immensely enjoyable. I would go again. 👍

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Yea next time I think I would ride up Coll de Femenia, Sa Calobra, and then down Coll De Sa Batalla… I found Sa Calobra tough but manageable, I reckon if I wasn’t trying to make a KZbin video then I’d probably manage sub 50 mins… Make sure to subscribe as I’ve 2 more Mallorca videos to come over the next couple weeks, one is the full Sa Calobra descent, and one is Cap De Formentor 😀

[@moobaz8675]

Cracking. Nice vlog. 👍I’ve done the 312 three times but never done Sa Colabra. I will defo do it on my next visit in October.

[@connormcc]

Wow, that’s good going! I’m not sure I’d be for enough to do the 312km, not sure I’d make the cut offs

[@jackowens_]

Nice one Connor. I did Sa Calobra for the first time in August '23 having cycled on the island a few times. Rode over from Puerto Pollensa, up Col de Femenia and and back the same way. Got there early and seemed to beat the traffic. Awesome stuff!

[@connormcc]

Thanks Jack! I bet it was hot in August?! I have ridden the other side of the August and it was seriously warm!

[@jackowens_]

@@connormcc for sure! Another reason for the early start!😀

[@connormcc]

@jackowens_ I’m would love to go back soon, need to tie it in with family holiday, which means school holidays, which makes it’s expensive

[@sebastienferron1896]

WoW … what a nice ride. ! I just came back from Sa Calobra … and you made me relive the road !!!

[@connormcc]

Thanks for the comment! And the subscription, I appreciate it. Yea I was reliving the ride as is edited the video too!

[@huggcycles1545]

I did this on the 22/4/23 but from the other way up the Puig, I was enjoying the decent too the aqueduct missed the only left turn! Let's say 10miles later I was back at the aqueduct. The decent as you say was amazing, but I was running short on time so couldn't return climb, one sorry ferry back to port soller.. I will return and finish what I started! Epic well done!

[@connormcc]

Oh no! I’d love to do it as part of a longer ride through the mountains sometime for sure! I’ll be posting a full descent video soon too, so make sure to subscribe so you see when that is live 😁

[@mwmason]

Nicely filmed and narrated. Great tips too. Wish I'd listened!

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@donniemacnicol]

Did it only a few days ago for the first time - quite some experience. Wonderful video.

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Yea it’s very enjoyable! I even enjoyed editing the video! Make sure to subscribe as I think I’ll post the full descent video soon… also have a Cap de Formentor video coming too

[@zonderweg]

That was stunning. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@connormcc]

You’re very welcome! Make sure to subscribe, more to come 😀

[@zonderweg]

@@connormcc Beat you to it, already subscribed! ;-)

[@connormcc]

@@zonderweg ahh, excellent! Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@steveindorset]

Hi Connor The KZbin Algorithm suggested this vid, I'm glad it did too. Really professionally done, really great viewing, top stuff mate!! Subscribed. 👍

[@connormcc]

Ahh class, it’s good to know KZbin is suggesting me 😂 Thanks for the feedback and for subscribing!

[@dewiz9596]

In 2018, I rode from Alcudia to Col de Reis (via Col de Feminia). . . Down Sa Calobra. . . and back up. . . diwn Col de sa Batslia, Campaney, back to Alcudia. A rain storm that took 12 lives. . . But. . .I was “only” 74 then, with afib. Maybe again next week or so. . . 5 years later, but no afib.

[@connormcc]

Wow! That’s impressive! Not sure I could ever manage that! Enjoy your trip next week!

[@delgunn]

Cycled it from Alcudia last June….temperature was in the high 30’s….amazing ride….next time I’ll do it when it’s a bit cooler

[@connormcc]

Ooof, yea that is hot! I road Col de Soller one year in August in temps like that, pretty tough going 😂

[@markbaker5139]

Great video, Connor. Just back from doing Sa Calobra last week. Same as you, shuttle bus from Porto Pollença, for the same reasons, especially saving the legs and getting back to my wife in Playa Alcudia in time! I loved the footage. Any tips on the camera you used?

[@connormcc]

Good work! I hope you enjoyed it, well at least the descent anyway 😁 Yea I use the Insta 360 X3, it’s pricey, but it’s a great piece of kit for cycling footage, shoot on the bike and reframe afterwards… if you watch a few of my other videos you’ll see how versatile it is! If you are thinking of getting one, you can use the following link, it will get you a free accessory with it (I recommend the selfie stick) and also it helps support the channel here 👍🏻 - www.insta360.com/sal/x3?insrc=INRKHTF

[@mktc1]

Great video 😍 did this climb with the crew from RWB this time last year , loved every second of it, the decent not so much as it windy. What's that camera you have, going again in August and would be great to capture some new routes 👍

[@connormcc]

Yea I had a pretty perfect morning weather wise, just a shame about the car! It’s and insta 360 x3 - www.insta360.com/sal/x3?insrc=INRKHTF - if you use that link you’ll get a free accessory (a selfie stick I think), and I’ll get a small commission (but at no extra cost to you ) 😁 Make sure you’re subscribed too as I have 2 more Mallorca videos to come 👍🏻

[@Mindsi]

Crawled up on hands and knees, that was great😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉

[@connormcc]

Doesn’t matter what speed, you made it up 💪🏻 good work… And it’s an experience you’ll remember

[@MrWoergaard]

Thanks for sharring, Calobra is an amazing place. What's the music in the fir 15 sec of the video? thanks

[@connormcc]

Thanks! I can’t remember what track it is off hand but I will find out for you… it’s just one from the KZbin audio library

[@martinsoelby5902]

That is an easy one. YES!

[@connormcc]

I absolutely agree 😁

[@silkycylist]

Hi I’m going out in June for a family holiday and have a bike booked for a few days. I am also booked on the shuttle bus out to the Repsol garage and planning on then going down to Sa Calobra on my own, What I would like to know is how many other riders are likely to be around as I am a type 1 diabetic on insulin and can often get panic attacks when in remote locations if my blood sugar starts to go too low? ….Also if you don’t mind once back up to the garage does the road get to be very favourable back to Puerto Pollensa I would very much appreciate any advice please!

[@connormcc]

Not sure about June, but when I got the coach up to the garage in April there were I think 9 of us in the coach, and those were pretty much the only people I saw on my ride until I got back to the Garage, but back at the garage mid morning/lunchtime there were hundreds of people. The road back down Coll de Fermenia is a nice ride, there are a few uphill sections but it’s mostly downhill the whole way. I hope that helps? Enjoy your trip and stay safe 😁

[@silkycylist]

@@connormcc Thanks Connor 👍🏻

[@connormcc]

@@silkycylist no problem at all

[@silkycylist]

@@connormcc I’m catching the 7:45 shuttle bus from Alcudia would you class that as early?

[@connormcc]

That’s probably the same one I got, Mallorca Cycle Shuttle from Port Blue Hotel

[@peterthomas8053]

You probably know this already, but, when you reach the bottom, if you go to the right between the cafes, there is a tunnel footpath that leads to an idylllc haven in a sort of gorge at the other end.

[@connormcc]

I did not know this!? At the bottom of Sa Calobra?

[@peterthomas8053]

Yep.

[@connormcc]

@peterthomas8053 I’ll know for next time 😁

[@pauthonic]

@@connormcc Don't miss it, after the two tunnels it seems like you enter another dimension.

[@pauthonic]

@@connormcc Google Torrent de Pareis.

[@nb9797]

how fit do you have to be mate? I'm in good shape, but not been cycling long, so might try my first 50miler this weekend here around London and find some gradients to see if I've got the legs for it!

[@connormcc]

If you pace yourself and take your time you’ll make It up no problem. It’s not super steep, just long compared to anything I’ve ridden in the UK… take your time up it, and if you have to stop a few times, then that’s okay! Main thing is that you enjoy it! You could try some of the Surrey Hills for training?

[@johndodd6575]

Great video Connor. Thank you for sharing it. Just one question; what was your gear set up? I’ve hired bikes on the island a few times, but they’ve been standard 50/34 with 32 on the back. I’m old and I’ve struggled a bit!

[@connormcc]

It was a 52/36 front and 11-30 as far as I remember… I also had my own power meter pedals so was able to make sure I wasn’t pushing too hard

[@johndodd6575]

@@connormcc thank you Connor. Respect!

[@connormcc]

@@johndodd6575 no prob at all

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Got a family hol planned and want to do an early morning climb myself, is there planned trips to can get on so it takes you to the climb?

[@connormcc]

Yea there are, if you look up Mallorca Cycle Shuttle, it will take you up to the Repsol garage near by

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

@@connormcc that’s brilliant to know 👌thank you 😊

[@connormcc]

No probs, happy to help, hope you enjoyed the video! There is another 15 min full descent of Sa Calobra video too, as well as a couple of others from my Mallorca trip 😁

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Yes mate subscribed, going to watch a few tonight 👍👌

[@connormcc]

@@LakeDistrictcyclist ahh thanks! I appreciate that! Mallorca will be no bother to you if you are used to riding in the Lake District… (Hardknot defeated me 🤣)

[@patricklizotte2537]

can you tell a bit more about the shuttle you took? Thx so much

[@connormcc]

Yea it was the Mallorca Cycle Shuttle - it goes from Alcudia and Port de Pollenca up to the Repsol garage at Lluc - www.mallorcacycleshuttle.co.uk

[@patricklizotte2537]

Brilliant! Thank you so much.

[@christian_traxler]

Hi Connor, thank you for this video. Descent: I noticed, that you were on the hoods and not in the drops. Is there a special reason for this?

[@connormcc]

Not really, I guess the main reason is that it was a hire bike that I wasn’t super familiar with, so just felt a bit more comfortable on the hoods

[@christian_traxler]

@@connormcc Ah, OK. Thanks for the Answer!

[@connormcc]

@@christian_traxler no probs… if I’d been on my canyon I would have been much more confident on the descent

[@klein-concept]

Beautiful route 🤌

[@connormcc]

It really is, it sounds like there is a lot more to Mallorca though, which I can't wait to go back and explore sometime

[@shropshirecycle]

Great video, very informative, some great advice too. Did you hire a bike, or bring your own??

[@connormcc]

Thanks! I hired from Rent March in Port De Pollenca… link is in the video description… Make sure you’re subscribed as I’ve 2 more Mallorca videos coming 😁

[@shropshirecycle]

@@connormcc what is the overall condition of hire bike's in Mallorca,, nobody ever really reviews the bikes?

[@shropshirecycle]

@@connormcc subscribed 👌

[@connormcc]

@@shropshirecycle mine was in good shape, I did have a rubbing rear brake disc that I had to take back to get sorted but that was it (I talk a little about the bike in one of the previous Mallorca videos on my channel). I hired a 2023 Trek Emonda, so it was pretty new to be fair

[@connormcc]

@@shropshirecycle thanks 😁

[@davepoole8530]

Yes

[@davepoole8530]

And, I actually really enjoy the rolling road from Lluc to Orangeman viaduct.

[@connormcc]

Yea it was pretty stunning! Especially early in the morning when quiet!

[@GoLongWithJayLong]

Awesome video mate I head out there at the weekend looking forward to it after watching this!!! Hit you with a follow

[@connormcc]

Enjoy your trip! I’m jealous as I sit and look out at the weather here in NI 😂 Thanks for subscribing too!

[@OGillo2001]

Early morning 100%, for all those reasons.

[@connormcc]

Yup, definitely, thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@eligioysaguirre9579]

Did you rent your bike there?

[@connormcc]

I did, yes… I think the link to the hire place should be in the description of the video

[@eligioysaguirre9579]

I saw it, thank you!

[@connormcc]

@eligioysaguirre9579 no problem! Enjoy!

[@chriswarwick563]

You can’t take the bus 🙈

[@connormcc]

I only took the shuttle to the Respol garage from Port de Pollensa, and it meant I got to ride mostly traffic free, which I'd definitely recommend to really enjoy it, but another time I would ride out to it for sure, as part of a bigger ride

[@chriswarwick563]

My wife rode it from Puerto Pollensa last year and she is a pensioner 🤓😎

[@connormcc]

@@chriswarwick563 Good work! I do intend to, but the benefit of the shuttle means I was on Sa Calobra at 8:30 am before any traffic

[@ciaranhickey5904]

It’s epic it’s worth every bit of suffering

[@connormcc]

Yea I agree, I mean from what I've heard there are loads of other great roads on Mallorca too, but Sa Calobra feels like a must do! Along with Cap De Formentor (Make sure to subscribe because I have a video of it coming soon too :) )

[@ozgurinsan]

No, its just touristic.

[@connormcc]

I disagree, I mean yes is is touristy, but I also really really enjoyed the cycle

[@ozgurinsan]

@@connormcc yeah but its not epic.

[@connormcc]

@@ozgurinsan We'll agree to disagree :)

[@benben-my1rk]

Yeah I agree that it's not epic. If you want epic in Europe, go to the Alps or Dolomites etc and ride some of the pro grand tour climbs eg Ventoux, Galibier, Stelvio, Zoncolan. Now they are epic! Much longer and/or steeper, and steeped in history. A lot quieter too!

[@connormcc]

They are all on my list 😃