Training & Epic · start & finish Can Pastilla
Z2 endurance · Campos – Porreres
- Moderate–Medium
- 87 km
- 504 m
- ≈ 2½–3¾ h
Map and elevation profile
Move along the elevation profile to see where you are on the map.
Z2 endurance in southern Mallorca: 64 or 87 km of aerobic base
Summary:
A long, steady zone 2 ride on the quiet roads of the island's south, with cadence drills and fuelling practice – it only works if you resist the urge to push. Two versions: Hobby, for recreational riders and early season – a short cut via Llucmajor, about 64 km and 2.5–3 hours; Pro, for riders building a base for a gran fondo, the Mallorca 312 or a long-course triathlon – the full loop via Campos and Porreres, 86.9 km, about 500 m of climbing and 3 h 15–3 h 45. Key safety point: cars, trucks and farm vehicles run at up to 90 km/h on the Ma-6014, Ma-6030, Ma-5040 and Ma-5020, so ride single file wherever there is no shoulder.
The route:
Km 0–5.9: The Platja de Palma seafront road leads slowly to S'Arenal (km 3).
Km 5.9–15.4: From Avinguda del Baladre (km 5.9) the Ma-6014 climbs through Cala Blava and past Badia Blava (km 11.4) to about 140 m (km 12.5): 120 m in 6.5 km, rarely over 4%.
Km 15.4–41.6: At the Camí de sa Llapassa junction (km 15.4) the Carretera dels Presos opens up: 26 km of good asphalt across the open Marina plateau, falling gently from 120 m to about 15 m, past the Cap Blanc lighthouse bend (km 22) and the Cala Pi roundabout (km 26.2). At the S'Estanyol junction (km 34.3) give way and carry straight on.
Km 41.6–47: From the Sa Ràpita roundabout (km 41.6) the flat Ma-6030 runs north to Campos (km 47) and its narrow streets.
Km 47–56.5: The Ma-5040 gains about 90 m between km 49.5 and 52.5, with a few short, steeper pitches.
Km 56.5–67.5: At Porreres' Pou Nou roundabout (km 56.5) take the Ma-5020 west: 3.5 km gently up to the high point, about 200 m (km 60), then rolling and down to Llucmajor (km 67.5).
Km 67.5–86.9: Follow the ring road to the Ma-19A (km 70.4): a gentle drag to km 75, then 7 km downhill. Camí de les Barraques (km 80.5) and Camí de Son Fangos bring you home. No turnarounds; traffic runs at up to 90 km/h, so ride single file.
The workout
Who it’s for: For recreational riders and early season: a shorter loop via Llucmajor, all in comfortable zone 2 – endurance without overload.
≈ 2½–3 h · ≈ 64 km · Z2 + 2 × 5 min cadence
Intensity profile: width = time, height = % FTP
- Warm-up in Z115 minZ1< 55 % FTPRPE 2km 0–6
Slowly along the Platja de Palma and through S'Arenal.
- Climb to Badia Blava≈ 30 minZ256–72 % FTP69–80 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 6–15
Up the Ma-6014 in an easy gear with a 75% FTP ceiling – climbs are where Z2 most easily slips away.
- Presos and cadence≈ 45 minZ260–70 % FTP69–80 % LTHRRPE 3km 15–34.3
Smoothly along the Carretera dels Presos. At km 23 and 28, 5 min at 95–100 rpm each, same power. Hands on the brakes in the bend at Cap Blanc (km 22).
- Short cut to Llucmajor≈ 30 minZ260–70 % FTP69–80 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 34.3
At km 34.3 turn left onto the Ma-6015 – stop completely, give way and wait until both directions are clear. About 11 km gently uphill to Llucmajor, where you rejoin the route at km 68.1; refill water in town.
- Home in Z2≈ 30 minZ256–70 % FTPRPE 3km 68–81
Round the Llucmajor ring road and onto the Ma-19A; spin lightly down the 7 km descent without pushing.
- Cool-down in Z115 minZ1< 55 % FTPRPE 2km 81–87
From the Camí de les Barraques, easy via the Camí de Son Fangos back to the shop.
40–60 g carbohydrate per hour (sports drink plus a bar or banana) and 500–750 ml of fluid per hour. Leave with two full bottles – there is no water on the Presos; refill in Llucmajor.
Ride by heart rate and breathing: Z2 is 69–83% LTHR, roughly 65–75% of your maximum, and you can still talk in full sentences; if not, ease off. Heart rate lags on short rises, so shift down before the gradient bites.
Who it’s for: For riders building a base for a gran fondo, the Mallorca 312 or a long-course triathlon: the full loop via Campos and Porreres.
≈ 3¼–3¾ h · 86.9 km · ≈ 500 m · Z2 + 3 × 5 min cadence
Intensity profile: width = time, height = % FTP
- Warm-up in Z115 minZ1< 55 % FTPRPE 2km 0–6
Roll out gently along Platja de Palma and through S'Arenal; let your heart rate settle before the climb from Avinguda del Baladre (km 5.9).
- Badia Blava climb≈ 25 minZ256–75 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–5km 6–15
Climb the Ma-6014 in Z2, never above 80% FTP or 85% LTHR; then roll on steadily to the Camí de sa Llapassa junction (km 15.4).
- Presos steady Z2≈ 15 minZ265–72 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 15–23
Steady power at 88–95 rpm; the Presos falls gently, so keep pedalling. Sit up and cover the brakes through the Cap Blanc bend (km 22).
- Cadence drill3 × 5 minZ265–72 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 23 · 28 · 35
100–105 rpm at the same power, at least 5 min normal between. Finish rep 1 before the Cala Pi roundabout; start rep 3 after S'Estanyol.
- Z2 to Campos≈ 25 minZ265–72 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 38–49
Steady Z2 on the flat Ma-6030. One stop in Campos (km 47), 15 min max: refill both bottles; brakes covered in the narrow streets.
- Porreres rises, Ma-5020≈ 50 minZ265–72 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–5km 50–68
Rises on the Ma-5040 (km 49.5–52.5) and Ma-5020 (km 56.5–60): shift down early, cap 80% FTP and 85% LTHR; then rolling Z2 to Llucmajor.
- Ride home in Z2≈ 30 minZ256–75 % FTP69–83 % LTHRRPE 3–4km 68–81
Stay on the Llucmajor ring road, then ride Z2 up the Ma-19A drag to km 75 and spin the 7 km descent without pushing.
- Z1 cool-down15 minZ1< 55 % FTPRPE 2km 81–87
From Camí de les Barraques (km 80.5) ride the last 15 min in Z1 via Camí de Son Fangos back home.
From the first hour take 60–80 g carbohydrate per hour (sports drink plus a bar or gel) and 500–750 ml fluid per hour, more above 25 °C; carry food for 4 hours. Start with two full bottles and refill both in Campos (km 47): there is no reliable water on the Presos.
Add a 4th cadence rep on the flat Ma-6030 (km 42.5–45) and the Randa out-and-back from Llucmajor (+10 km, about +150 m, ramps up to 10%), still capped at 80% FTP. Ride it single file and turn round in Randa only where you can stop safely.
Ride by heart rate and breathing: Z2 is 69–83% LTHR, roughly 65–75% of your maximum, and you can still talk in full sentences; if not, ease off. Heart rate lags on short rises, so shift down before the gradient bites.
Training segments on the route click to show on the map
- Badia Blava climb 120 m over 6.5 km · 75% FTP ceiling120 m in 6.5 km · cap 80% FTPkm 5.9–12.5
- Carretera dels Presos, Z2 to km 34.3 · 60–70% FTP · 2 × 5 min at 95–100 rpm26.2 km · 65–72% FTP · 3 × 5 min at 100–105 rpmkm 15.4–41.6
- Ma-5040 rise to Porreres Pro only≈ 90 m in 3 km · cap 80% FTPkm 49.5–52.5
- Ma-5020 climb from Porreres Pro only3.5 km gently up · cap 80% FTPkm 56.5–60
Intensities are guidance – adapt them to your current fitness and to the traffic.
Safety on the route click an item with km to show it on the map
- Fast traffic, no shoulder
Cars, trucks and farm vehicles run at up to 90 km/h on the Ma-6014, Ma-6030, Ma-5040 and Ma-5020. Ride single file wherever there is no shoulder and keep your hands on the brakes at every roundabout.
- Cap Blanc bend, Cala Pi
Sit up through the Cap Blanc lighthouse bend (km 22), cover the brakes and watch for cars at the lighthouse turn-off; start cadence rep 1 only at km 23. Finish it before the Cala Pi roundabout (km 26.2), take the roundabout smoothly and start rep 2 only at km 28.
km 22–26.2 - S'Estanyol junction: give way
A channelled crossroads: give way, check traffic and carry straight on east along the Ma-6014; start cadence rep 3 only at km 35. On the short option turning left onto the Ma-6015, wait for a clear gap in both directions.
km 34.3–35 - No water, no shade
There is no reliable water between S'Arenal (km 5) and Campos (km 47), and no shade on the Marina plateau. Leave with two full bottles, add electrolytes on warm days, drink a few sips every 10–15 minutes and start early in summer.
km 5–47 - Campos: no efforts in villages
Campos has narrow streets: ride through with your hands on the brakes. Never push through villages or on descents, and do the cadence reps only on clear, open straights.
km 46.6–47.5 - Llucmajor: avoid Ma-19 slip roads
Stay on the ring road (Ronda de Migjorn, Ronda de Ponent) with your hands on the brakes and never take a slip road signed 'autopista / Ma-19'. Leave it at km 70.4 on the old Ma-19A towards Palma.
km 67.5–70.4 - Lights and a light layer
With the stop you are out for close to 4 hours: from October to March carry front and rear lights and plan to be back well before sunset. Pack a light layer for the 7 km descent on the Ma-19A.
Tips from our guides
- Safety first: the Ma-6014, Ma-6030, Ma-5040 and Ma-5020 carry cars, trucks and farm vehicles at up to 90 km/h. Ride single file where there is no shoulder, do the cadence reps only on clear, open straights and never push through villages or on descents. Keep your hands on the brakes in Campos, at every roundabout and on the Llucmajor ring road, and never take a slip road signed 'autopista / Ma-19'.
- No power meter? Ride by heart rate and breathing: Z2 is 69-83% of your threshold heart rate, roughly 65-75% of your maximum. If you can no longer talk in full sentences, ease off. Heart rate lags on short rises, so shift down before the gradient bites. Z2 feels too easy in the first hour; letting faster groups go is part of the workout.
- There is no reliable water between S'Arenal (km 5) and Campos (km 47), and the Marina plateau has no shade. Leave with two full bottles, add electrolytes on warm days and drink to a schedule: a few sips every 10-15 minutes. In summer, start early.
- With the stop you will be out for close to 4 hours. From October to March carry front and rear lights, plan to be back well before sunset and pack a light layer for the 7 km descent on the Ma-19A. Set saddle height and position to your own measurements before you leave, as small errors add up over 3.5 hours, and take a spare tube, levers and a pump.
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