Sa Calobra

I Rode One of the World’s Most Epic Cycling Routes in Mallorca Without Any Special Training—but Had a Little Help From an E-Bike

"I finally understood why Sa Calobra, a route that hugs Mallorca’s northwest coast, is considered by serious cyclists to be one of the world’s most epic rides: the climb averages about a 7 percent gradient up roughly 2,358 feet with 26 hairpin turns and culminates in an iconic 270-degree loop known as the “Knotted Tie.” We reached the route’s start at an otherwise unremarkable intersection near an aqueduct and concession stand, and the road quickly steepened—by the first hairpin the grade hit 11 percent—forcing me to crank my e‑bike’s pedal assist to the highest setting; after a relentless 2.5‑mile grind we topped out at the roughly 2,238‑foot summit and then plunged downhill through dozens more hairpins, a cathedral‑like squeeze called Sa Bretxa, and tunnels before screaming down to Port de Sa Calobra, where I hit 35 m.p.h.; along the way we paused by the emerald Gorg Balu reservoir, dealt with range anxiety and opportunistic charging at a cafeteria, and soaked in the startling cliffs, pebble beach and scenery at the village terminus." - Denny Lee Denny Lee Denny Lee is a seasoned editor, writer, and traveler. He is currently an articles editor at Travel + Leisure.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines