Riding my way through rural and mountainous landscapes

Summary

The big 3 0 was looming and I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to have a party as I have lost contact with a lot of old friends, so I decided to go and do something I enjoy and will remember. Cycling in Gran Canaria in the Canaria Islands? Summer sun in November? YES! I jumped at the idea and took myself off with my parents.

The Trip

We stayed in Maspalomas at the south of the island and is also the home of cycling. We stayed at a place called the Canary garden club. It was the ideal location as we had our own individual bungalow with a patio, especially as I had to build up my bike out of my bike box.

Gran Canaria geographically is pretty intense! It is very mountainous and extremely hilly so if you haven’t brought your climbing legs then this location isn’t for you. I was never bored cycling around the island with its desert landscapes, camels and pine forests in the centre. The volcanic landscape of Gran Canaria means that the roads naturally wind towards the peaks, and there’s a lot of pretty brutal climbs.

On some of the roads they are extremely smooth, but on some (steep climbs) are not! which makes the terrain very challenging and some of the climbs are un-named. My favourite rides of the island were riding the Roque Nublo’ loop. This gives great views of the island where you can see the sweeping hairpins you have to decent! It’s very exhilarating! This was the day I experienced my first double figured climb meaning above 10% on un-smooth roads. I was climbing for almost an hour from sea level to 6,000ft. I was high up and above the clouds. it was a strange but memorable feeling. The rock itself is called Roque Nublo and is a volcanic rock on the island that is 67 m tall, and its top is 1,813 m above sea level. it’s very impressive.

My other favourite ride was one of my biggest days out there. A 90-mile hilly loop that includes the famous Valley of tears. I now know why they call it that as I was almost crawling up that climb as my legs and lungs were screaming at me, with ramps of up to 25% with an average of 7.9% for 7 miles! and to top it off the road wasn’t smooth. It was a tough day out in the saddle but the views at the top made it worth it and very surreal. Almost lunar! and there was hardly anyone there! Next time I go back I would like to cycle the entire circumference of the island in one go which is around 140 miles / 225 km.

Below are routes I rode on the island. Click on the images to download the GPX file.