SIR Bradley Wiggins once described the roads of Majorca as being "like a Scalextric track for bicycles.

And it was where Britain's first ever Tour de France winner laid the groundwork for so much of his success.

The Team Sky rider visited the Balearic Island for winter training throughout his career - and reaped rich rewards for doing so.

It is not at all difficult to see why Sir Bradley benefited to such a degree when you follow in his tyre marks.

The climbs are long and punishing, the descents fast and thrilling and the hairpin bends sharp and frequent.

The winding tarmac surfaces are, unlike so many of those in this country, smooth and an absolute pleasure to pedal on.

There is, aside from the occasional peloton, little traffic too.

Throw some unspoiled rural scenery, spectacular views and glorious weather into the mix and you pretty much have the perfect package.

Majorca is a Mecca for cyclists of all ages and abilities for very good reason.

The sport is present everywhere. There are outlets selling an array of brand name clothing and equipment, hiring bikes and offering guided tours on every street.

In towns and villages lycra-clad locals and tourists alike eat, drink, chat, laugh and smoke in cafes and restaurants as they take well-earned breathers from their excursions.

I stayed at the Iberostar Playa de Muro on the outskirts of Alcudia on the north-east coast of the island for a long weekend and was impressed by how it catered for cyclists.

The vaults beneath the hotel house hundreds of bicycles and their in-house mechanics are on hand to select the perfect size and style for your needs. My full-carbon Cube with electronic gears was a joy to ride.

If you do your homework and search online - or, alternatively, pay for a guide - you can locate the actual training runs the professional teams use during their stays.

Be warned though. They are not to be treated lightly.

Only cyclists with a decent level of physical fitness and experience should endeavour to undertake them.

The route up into the stunning Serra de Tramuntana mountain range proved too just much for half or the party I joined.

Only a few made it all the way to Sa Colabra on the coast as intended.

Miquel, the celebrated local amateur rider who accompanied us, was on hand to ease the suffering.

"I want to show you a secret," he whispered as we drew to a standstill miles from civilisation.

A small natural spring in a hole in a rock no bigger than a dinner plate by the side of the road provided a cup of ice-cold and clean water. Never had a drink tasted so refreshing.

There were cervezas aplenty when we returned to our accommodation. You certainly earn them cycling in Majorca.

FACT FILE

Jet2holidays fly direct from Glasgow to Palma and offer specialist leisure cycling breaks to Majorca starting from £389 per person for one week.

The cycling package includes three and four star hotels, transfers for cyclists and bikes, secure CCTV storage with repair, maintenance and cleaning facilities. Bike hire packages are also available.

A Majorca cycling break can be booked by logging onto microsite www.jet2holidays.com/cycling.