May 26, 2009, 8:21 GMT
Palma de Mallorca - With the advent of mass tourism in the 1970s, the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca experienced an economic and population boom. In the summer months its beaches are packed with British and German holidaymakers soaking up the sun or engaging in one of the most popular sports on the island: drinking sangria.
But Mallorca's image as a package tourist destination has changed in recent years and the island has now become a place for people seeking a more active break.
Mallorca is ideal for cyclists thanks to the serpentine roads that wind through the Tramuntana Mountains on the west coast, the flat stretches of road in northern and central parts and the gently rolling hills in the east.
The one exception is the steep mountain of Sant Salvador near Felanitx which rises 509 metres above sea level. From the summit there is a panoramic view as far as Cabera, a small island just off Mallorca's southern coast.
Swiss-born Max Huerzeler is a trained industrial designer, world champion track cyclist and the unofficial 'Cycling King' of Mallorca.
Twenty years ago Huerzeler came up with the idea of organising cycling holidays on the island just as Mallorca was enjoying its heyday as a sangria-drinking paradise.
His company, Bicycle Holidays, consists of eight hotels in the port town of Alcudia and nine partner hotels spread across the island.
Huerzeler offers package deals for cyclists, excluding transport to and from Mallorca, with food, clothing and maps thrown in.
The most popular time of the year for cycling on Mallorca is before and after the high season.
Apart from the official routes there are plenty of interesting off-roads to travel such as the ride through Parc Natural Albufera. This nature reserve is south of Playa de Muro in the north of the island and offers a wealth of animal and plant life.
Mallorca has also established itself as a destination for hikers. Although the peak of Mallorca's highest mountain, Puig Mayor, is a military zone and off limits to outsiders, the rest of the island's highland regions have bizarre plants to discover and demanding routes to walk.
One of them is the island's third tallest mountain, the 1,106-metre-high Puig Tomir. Among the most beautiful paths is on the mountain in Alaro district which takes hikers 824 metres above the ruins of the area's former castle.
At the top there is a stunning panoramic view over the entire island as well as the neighbouring mountain of Tramuntana.
The sporting highlight of the year on Mallorca is the marathon which takes place on 18 October. This year marks the sixth time that runners will cover the 42.2-kilometre-long route through Palma de Mallorca.
Over 5,000 runners from across Europe are expected to take part and tens of thousands of spectators will line the route, mainly along the city's Paseo Maritimo esplanade.
The starting and finishing lines are in Parc de la Mar below the city's cathedral.
If a full marathon seems like too much, there is also a half marathon and for the first time in the event's history, a 10-kilometre-long walking and Nordic walking race.
One day earlier children will be running their own race with youngsters up to the age of 12 taking part in the 1.6-kilometre-long 'Kids Run'.
The youngest children have their own special finishing line 600 metres after the start.
There is no entry fee for the children's race. Adults pay between 68 and 92 dollars for their marathon.
The island is also famous for its football club Real Mallorca. Real has been a firm fixture in Spain's first division where it has been playing for the last 12 years.
The club has suffered some financial turbulence in recent years and lost key players but it plans to celebrate another year in the top division when Mallorca takes on Villareal in the season ending game on 31 May.
If you want to see the team live try visiting its home venue, ONO Estadi, beside Palma's Via de Cintura motorway.
Golf is another important sport on the island. The first golf course was opened in 1964 in Son Vida by Monaco's Prince Rainier.
Today, there are almost a half dozen golf courses on Mallorca, stretching from Alcanada in the north to Vall d'Or in the south-east.
However, golfing on Mallorca has not remained untouched by the economic crisis and bookings have declined or are being made later.
Some people have opted to play golf on the Turkish Riviera or else try a completely different sport, of which Majorca has many to offer. From hot air ballooning, to canyoning to scuba diving - Majorca has everything that an activity-hungry holidaymaker could want.
Water sports are also popular with Playa de Palma offering wind and kite surfing depending on weather conditions.
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