Been given the all clear to take road bike for cheap week away in Salou in Sept. Never been before so wondered what the roads are like and I'm I going to end up under the local bus within 20mins? Wifey not bothereed as I'm insured!
I think that you will be OK I was there in the summer and it looks like the roads have been laid out in advance of the next phase of development (which may be a few years coming) and it was fairly quite in the mornings.
We stayed a bit further down the coast from Salou this summer and there were lots of people cycling on the dual carriageway that runs past Salou. Traffic isn't too busy, just watch you don't stray onto the motorway ;). Lots of nice roads up into the hills at the back of Salou although not sure what riding out of Salou would be like.
Does it have to be Salou? Mallorca is nice!
I don't expect it to be nice. As it's a free sunny holiday for a week, I'm not complaining. Oh, Im taking my mother-inlaw as well. Hence the need for bike!
You shouldn't have too many problems from the local drivers as long as you stay on the right and go round the roundabouts anticlockwise. Don't forget that where the hardshoulder is painted as a solid white line, you should be riding on the hard shoulder and off the carriageway, space permitting of course.
It's really good. We stayed at a nearby Eurocamp site, Playa Montroig last year. The whole of the front has a traffic free cycleway from end to end of town, mostly on the prom from Cambrils to Cap Salou. Head inland over the coast road either heading for Montroig del camp or Pratdip and you are in a lovely range of hills within five or six miles of the coast and not a full English breakfast in sight. You'll easily put together some nice rides, and the locals were easily as respectful to me on the road as the French.
Edit: there are two or three bike hire places in town, but not decent roadie bikes, hybrids, MTBs and beach cruisers.