"I'm still hoping to learn of ""new"" options for places to stay, but in the interim I'll try to elaborate on the two bike camps I have enjoyed:

1) The Max Huersler Camp is coordinated by Hayo and Wendy Thiele (see MajorcaCycling.com).

Hayo does a fantastic job of arranging bike rentals, rides, meals and events for you and your fellow Americans.

The hotel houses a thousand cyclists, mostly German and Swiss. It is a beautiful hotel on the East coast with an excellent inclusive breakfast and dinner buffet.

It is the only camp or tour I've experienced that literally offers ALL levels of riding, from leisurely C rides to category one A rides. Rides stop at small village cafes for very quick lunch ""coca cola"" stops and return mid afternoon - bring energy bars.

2) The Stephen Roche Camp (StephenRoche.com). Tell Marga I said hello.

The hotel is located on the Southwest coast at the foot of some nice climbs and convenient to Palma* via taxi or bus.

The hotel is fine and the food is good and plentiful, but not on the same level as Max Huersler. Though, the complimentary wine and bottled water with dinner at Roche is a nice touch.

Roche usually has 40 to 80 cyclists who usually gather in one area of the dining room. I like the more intimate size and variety of cyclists typically from Britain, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, New Zealand, New Jersey, Oops.

Make sure you have some winter miles in your legs and are capable of riding a fast B pace. The rides rendezvous with a Sag for a very quick lunch snack - bring energy bars.

Bottom line:

I would recommend both Max Huersler and Stephen Roche.

Even with the weakening American dollar, both camps remain a good value for a simple, invigorating, winter getaway.

* See Palma if you'd like to experience one of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan, yacht harbor cities in Europe. And take the mini-railroad climb to Soler on the north side of the island for lunch - you won't regret it!










"

To those individuals who have posted their views about MajorcaCycling recently, I would like to clarify a couple of things:
Let's compare apples with apples. There is clearly a big difference in the level of service which we provide vs. the level of service you would receive if you COULD book directly. This is confirmed by the testemonials of previous clients posted on our webstite www.MajorcaCycling.com (see Memories). For a list of these services check out our website. Hajo is available 24/7 for our customers from arrival at the hotel to departure for all needs and any problems which may arise. As you all know, the travel industry is a service industry. We work very hard to ensure that all our customers receive full service from their first phone call/e-mail, the ease of bookings, the payment in USD (not EURO), to their departure from Majorca. And for these services and risks (USD depreciation) we receive a fee. There is no such thing as a free lunch. This is a business. If you wish to go to Max's camp you must book through MajorcaCycling, since we are the North American reps. We hate to loose clients to our competitors/other camps, but if you don't want to book through MajorcaCycling, there are other alternative camps out there.
Wendy Thiele

I myself have a similar type business where I act as a middleman for concrete purchases. My experienced crew and I provide 24/7 service to insure that there are no disruptions or union activities during construction. My associate, Paulie Walnuts will be at your construction site daily to insure a pleasureable and hassle-free experience from the time construction starts untl its finished.

However, if you decide to disrespect me and somehow manage to elude my stranglehold on concrete purchases by buying concrete directly from Huerzeler Concrete I cannot guarantee that your construction activities will go without incident. For a mere 40% fee, Soprano Recycling will be available for three weeks in the spring to insure that your construction experience goes smoothly. Please contact Carmela Soprano for more information.

Note that this applies to Americans only. If you live outside the US you can make your concrete purchases directly with Huerzeler Concrete. For Americans, you can always purchase concrete through Roche Concrete but it’s the same price that you would pay if you bought Huezeler concrete through me. That’s why Soprano Recycling can get away with charging a 40% fee.

Also, great news for Italian bike lovers. Starting in 2005, Soprano Cycling will become the exclusive seller of all Italian frames. I’m talking Pinarello, Bianchi, Colnago, Basso, etc, etc. Unfortunately, due do currency fluctuations beyond the control of Soprano Cycling, prices will be 40% higher than if you bought them at your local bike store. Your local bike store will no longer be able to sell you Italian frames directly. In exchange, your local bike stores will have protection against broken windows, thefts, arson, and other problems that could hinder business. For three weeks in the spring, Soprano Cycling will have a crew in Italy that will work directly with the factory to make sure that your frame is built on time and to the highest level of craftsmanship. We will pick up your frame at the airport as it falls off the back of the truck. We will also oversee assembly at your local bike shop to insure perfect assembly. After the bike is ready yous guys can ride with me in Staten Island - I'll meet yous at the Ferry. We stop at every pastry shop for canolis so don't be in a hurry. Paulie will provide sag wagon support and refreshments (for a fee, of course). If you choose not to purchase your NYC potable water from Paulie, I cannot guarantee you safe return to the ferry station. Also, I don't ride in the rain!

If you don't like it, call the Department of Commerce. Remember, fair unrestricted trade, is not fair to me and my associates.

Tony Soprano

La Cosa Nostra

"I've just returned from Holiday and was excited to see several new replies to my original thread, NEW places to stay on Mallorca...... only to find an ongoing rant on the injustices of certain people charging for providing services and ""controlling"" one's options.

I appreciate the several points shared in ref to ""controlling"", but before more energy is invested in burning anyone at the stake, let me say two things:

1) Hajo and Wendy are entitled to a fee. They provide a service and made my vacation a simple, convenient and enjoyable experience.

* The politics of what is right and wrong is good to be aware of, but at a certain point it turns into nothing more than one upsmanship and negative energy.

2) There are a myriad of options and It would be wonderful if we would return to my quest for ""NEW places to stay on Mallorca."" Thank you.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Positive New Year!"

I am planning to do Puglia with AB Cycle, an Italian cycling company. Here is the text of an email I received from them:

we will work on a tour of Puglia starting on March Sat 5th (date of arrival
in Bari).
The tour will last one week and end on Sat 12th (departure from Bari).
Temperatures in Puglia during this period range from 42F (low) to 60F
(high).
There will be 6 riding days averaging about 100k per day.
7 nights out in 2 different Masserie.
Masserie are typical of Puglia: spectacularly restored mansion houses built
in the 18th centuries and converted to fine Hotels.
They serve outstanding meals - with mostly self produced ingredients -
and wine.

Price of the tour is Eur 1050 a person.
Includes:
- 7 nights in double room w/bath in charming 3 stars Hotels
- 7 breakfasts and dinners (no beverages)
- support van with English speaking driver
- van transfers to and from Bari Airport

We will run this tour IF we reach a minimal 4 participants by Jan 31st.

The tour operator (Angelo Bandini) can be reached at [email protected].

The url is pactour.com/desert/htm

"All Prices are with “Cycling Sport Program” (Radsportprogramm). Prices available through the internet are without transfer or 4 ride tickets so $100 has been added

Go to site below for prices (add $100 for airport/hotel transfer and ride tickets which included in Majorcacycling.com package). Ride tickets are optional when booking direct.
http://www.mallorca-aktiv.de/Version2/Downloads/Hotelpreisliste2005.pdf

There is a substantial discount for 2nd week of 2 week stay booking direct

Direct with HotelPlan 3/19/05- 3/26/05
Double occupancy 1st week $580
Single occupancy 1st week $695
Double occupancy 2nd week $500
Single occupancy 2nd week $610

Majorcacycling.com per week
Double occupancy per week $770
Single occupancy per week $875

Majorcacycling.com surcharge first week
Double occupancy per week ($190) 33%
Single occupancy per week ($180) 26%

Majorcacycling.com surcharge for 2 week stay
Double occupancy per week ($460) 43%
Single occupancy per week ($445) 34%

IF YOU CANNOT BOOK YOUR TRIP DIRECTLY, CONTACT THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE. MARKET ALLOCATION IS A VIOLATION OF THE DONNELLY ACT. IT’S ALSO A FELONY.

New York's antitrust law, known as the Donnelly Act, Sections 340-347 of New York's General Business Law, was enacted in 1893. Through amendment and interpretation the Donnelly Act has come to follow closely the federal Sherman Act, although it differs in some key respects.
The act prohibits price fixing, bid rigging, monopolization, boycotts, tying arrangements, and territorial and customer allocations, among other practices.

Violators are subject to fines of up to $1,000,000 for corporations and $100,000 for individuals. Private parties can bring lawsuits to enjoin these practices and obtain treble damages. Violation of the Donnelly Act is also a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000,000 for corporations and up to $100,000 and 4 years imprisonment for individuals.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
The Federal Trade Commission may investigate and bring civil suit against businesses which violate federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. The Commission may also issue orders to stop certain business practices, after an administrative hearing.
The Commission also issues rules which define business practices that violate the Federal Trade Commission Act. It can sue for civil penalties and damages for violations of these trade regulation rules. The address and phone number of the regional office of the Federal Trade Commission in New York are:

Federal Trade Commission
150 William Street, Suite 1300
New York, New York
Telephone: (212) 264-1207


THE PUBLIC'S ROLE IN ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT

The public has a vital role to play in antitrust enforcement. This is designed to acquaint you with the state and federal statutes and some of the most common and serious types of antitrust violations. Many of the most important antitrust investigations and prosecutions have begun as a result of information supplied by members of the public.

Business people, purchasing agents, government employees and consumers with any information about behavior which is believed to violate the antitrust laws should immediately contact the Attorney General's office at the address or number listed below. The identity of a confidential informant is protected to the fullest extent allowed by law.

If you have any questions or complaints, call, write, or visit the office of:

Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
(518) 474-7330

or

Attorney General
120 Broadway
New York, New York 10271-0332
(212) 416-8050
"

Gary was looking for a new place to ride in lieu of returning to Mallorca.

It was 83º in San Diego last week. It's usually in the mid-70sº. Mt. Palomar and Mt. Wilson beckon. But the place abounds with hills. Europros train in San Diego. USPS trains outside of Santa Barbara.

Air fare via Jet Blue: $95 each way. Likely others about the same.

(If necessary, add the add-on charge for flying your bike to the air fare. But first argue that airlines don't charge to fly skis...if they don't.)

The conversion rate is: $1 = $1 US.

Language warning: They speak a language many of us don't: good English.

Yeah, OK, so ya gotta make your own hotel reservations and order your own food. Is that really such a big deal? The roads are free.