Road Biking in Mallorca – for Local Charities

by Rowan Fairbrass – Berthon Spain

Photos © Christopher Scholey | scholey.co | christopher@christopherscholey.com

For many years Mallorca has been the go-to destination for road biking enthusiasts throughout Europe. From Olympic teams in training, to amateur cycling clubs, the island is famous for its diverse range of terrain, top quality road conditions and of course those endless, stunning views.

Given these brilliant metrics, it is not surprising that numerous annual events have started up in Mallorca celebrating the international passion for road biking. The Mallorca 312, which usually takes place in April, is a one-day event covering, believe it or not, 312 kilometres. There are three graded options depending on the difficulty of the challenge preferred – either 312, 225 or 167 kilometres. Each route takes in the Serra de Tramuntana and routes cyclists from coast to coast. Competitors come from all over the globe, with an astonishing 8,500 cyclists taking part in 2025, quite the change from the first event in 2010 with only 199 participants! Over the years, the event has seen the President of Spain’s Senate, and the manager of the Argentinian football team participate, as well as Olympian cycling medallists and cycling celebrities travelling to the island to take part in this now, world renowned event.

Transient superyacht crew are not immune to the lure of the road bike. With direct access to kilometre upon kilometre of cycle path right from the port entrance, it is no wonder that cycling has become such a popular pastime amongst yacht crew. Sponsored charity cycle rides are a great team building activity, as well as a personally fulfilling experience with riders giving back to the local Mallorcan community.

A charity based in the south of the island – 6Points Cycling Challenges – run a year round event calendar, raising money for a number of different charities through sponsored cycle rides. In January 2025, Berthon Spain collaborated with 6Points, and its founder and organiser Bryan Visser, to organise a cycling event in the southwest of Mallorca. Berthon Spain were joined by e3 Systems and Marine Results as sponsors of the event. Both companies are both well known to Berthon Spain and highly regarded within the superyacht industry.

^ Photo © Dareth Evans | dareth-evans.es

The benefactor was Yachting Gives Back, who like Berthon Spain, have their Head Office in STP, Palma. For Yachting Gives Back though, their headquarters may be found in a shipping container, giving them room to store all the donated goods they receive. The charity started out in 2019 as a collection point for food from superyachts that would otherwise be thrown away. Volunteers would distribute it to local food banks. Yachting Gives Back has in the past 6 years become a well-known name amongst crew and yachting businesses alike. Two members of Yachting Gives Back, founder Nick Entwisle and volunteer Anne Nielson, joined us all for the lunch provided to the participating cyclists at the finish line, in Port Adriano.

This fun event raised €3,500 for Yachting Gives Back and the money was already being spent wisely. Nick used it to buy 3 new chest freezers for the Can Gazà homeless shelter in Palma. The law in Mallorca requires supermarkets to donate food nearing its sell-by date, rather than throw it away. This ensures a constant supply of donations to the shelter, and the three new freezers means that Can Gazà can now keep the food for much longer periods of time. Apart from feeding 20 residents every day, the kitchens in Can Gazà also prepare 200 extra meals every week for local soup kitchens.

Following the success of the January event, we decided to sponsor another 6Points Cycling Challenges cycling event taking place in May. With us, were 15 other sponsors, from Reverence Hotels to a plethora of businesses supporting the Superyacht industry (like us), a veterinary practice, a taxi firm, and many more. It was the ninth annual 3 day event for 6Points, raising an astonishing €44,089 for local charities. Bryan Visser’s initial vision for the event to centre around a positive rider experience, and for it to not be a race, still holds true today. With up to 100 riders, the 6Points Cycling Challenges retain their friendly, family feel, with riders returning year after year to join in the fun.

Of course, the routes are still a challenge! The most ambitious option for elite endurance riders is 533 kilometres long, with no less than 8,945 metres to climb, which is higher than Mount Everest! Passing over the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, across the flat plains of Es Pla de Mallorca with its vineyard vistas, reaching the far north at Cap de Formentor and then onwards to the finish line down in the south western corner, in Port Adriano.

With the focus on support for the local community, the charities that benefitted from the proceeds of the May event are based in Calvià –

Asdica supports young people with disabilities and their families by arranging social activities, providing critical rehabilitation and physiotherapy as well as offering psychological support.

The Shambhala Foundation delivers help to young people in Mallorca facing risks of social exclusion. They work on personal growth through education, community service, martial arts and personal development coaching. The aim of the Foundation is to prepare the young people for a rewarding, self-supporting life where they can become assets to their community.

SOS Animal Mallorca is a rescue centre for homeless animals, providing food, care and medical attention for cats and dogs while they wait for their chance of a forever home.

Being part of the yachting industry often means working in a world of privilege and opportunity, but it also offers a unique opportunity to give back. Mallorca is a honey pot for an international community of professionals, crew, and visitors – some on the island for a fleeting summer, whilst others make it their long-term home. Regardless of how long they stay, many feel the call to contribute to the island that gives them so much. Whether through charity rides, local initiatives, or supporting grassroots organisations, the desire to help those less fortunate is a growing thread that connects people across cultures and crew lists. In a setting where wealth and success are so visible, it’s heartening to see how many in the yachting world are choosing to turn that perspective outward and give back to the communities that quietly support this vibrant industry from the shore.

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