Cycling on Gran Canaria

[jayjay]

Hey,
I might end up in Gran Canaria early next year for the first time.
Where should I stay if I want to ride the best routes?
What are the highlights on this island?

[jekyll man]

I've done 5 trips in 2 years post covid lockdown, always staying in Playa del Ingles.
Maspolmas/ Playa are pretty much the same place, it deosnt take long to ride through it all.
Depends what you want for nightlife, down towards the campo international is probably quiestest. The "irish" area or by the yumbo possibly the busiest.
You could also stay in Puerto Rico, or Puerto Mogan, but it would close down some of your riding options.

Bear in mind, you cannot ride around the coast due to a landslide, and the police are rather keen to stop you (or if you decide to bypass it and use the GC1 sliproad. Bus or ferry from Puerto Rico to Puero Mogan are the options, if you done have transport. Ferry is 7.5 euros one way.

Early in the year it can be very windy higher up (and occasionally closed for snow).
Plenty of good cafes dotted around, and often stalls by the side of the road selling drinks fruit etc.
Riding isnt easy, which is why you dont see many pro's there. Basically its up to the centre of the island, but some good opportunties for descending.

Main rides to do are the Serenity Pass, from Mogan upto the Priesa, and eventually onto to Ayacata, then descend back to Playa via Fataga etc, or sneak over the hill and into Soria and back down to the coast road at Arguineguin.

The VOTT is another biggie but its a once youve started you're committed to it type ride. TBH its a real bast4rd, but its worth it.

Up over the Picos and Roque Nubio is worth it for the views and some fab roads (there's also some not so good parts too). Currently clearing up a bit from the recent fires all the islands suffered from.

For simpler rides, Fataga and upto San Bartoleme, or El Doctoral and upto San Bartoleme are good rides, the latter imo is like a mini grand canyon.
Up and down Soria, or climb to Soria, and then nip over the "illegal" road to the top of Serenity, and then descend to PM.

Another thing to remeber is the prevailing wind direction; its normally from the airport towards the resorts, which also happens to be downhill, so try not to do it every day in the opposite direction!

Theres quite a few hire shops dotted around, the main one being freemotion, who rent out dale's, BH and Spesh, but ive taken my Ti all dayer the last few times.

Fire away if you have any more questions.

[diecast]

I've done 5 trips in 2 years post covid lockdown, always staying in Playa del Ingles.
Maspolmas/ Playa are pretty much the same place, it deosnt take long to ride through it all.
Depends what you want for nightlife, down towards the campo international is probably quiestest. The "irish" area or by the yumbo possibly the busiest.
You could also stay in Puerto Rico, or Puerto Mogan, but it would close down some of your riding options.

Bear in mind, you cannot ride around the coast due to a landslide, and the police are rather keen to stop you (or if you decide to bypass it and use the GC1 sliproad. Bus or ferry from Puerto Rico to Puero Mogan are the options, if you done have transport. Ferry is 7.5 euros one way.

Early in the year it can be very windy higher up (and occasionally closed for snow).
Plenty of good cafes dotted around, and often stalls by the side of the road selling drinks fruit etc.
Riding isnt easy, which is why you dont see many pro's there. Basically its up to the centre of the island, but some good opportunties for descending.

Main rides to do are the Serenity Pass, from Mogan upto the Priesa, and eventually onto to Ayacata, then descend back to Playa via Fataga etc, or sneak over the hill and into Soria and back down to the coast road at Arguineguin.

The VOTT is another biggie but its a once youve started you're committed to it type ride. TBH its a real bast4rd, but its worth it.

Up over the Picos and Roque Nubio is worth it for the views and some fab roads (there's also some not so good parts too). Currently clearing up a bit from the recent fires all the islands suffered from.

For simpler rides, Fataga and upto San Bartoleme, or El Doctoral and upto San Bartoleme are good rides, the latter imo is like a mini grand canyon.
Up and down Soria, or climb to Soria, and then nip over the "illegal" road to the top of Serenity, and then descend to PM.

Another thing to remeber is the prevailing wind direction; its normally from the airport towards the resorts, which also happens to be downhill, so try not to do it every day in the opposite direction!

Theres quite a few hire shops dotted around, the main one being freemotion, who rent out dale's, BH and Spesh, but ive taken my Ti all dayer the last few times.

Fire away if you have any more questions.

Thanks for all the above. I'm also thinking of going, but in January. I'm assuming that's when you refer to it being windy etc. presumably it's still much better than northern Europe at the same time?

How would Arguineguin be as a base both for rides and amenities? I'm looking for a quiet area.

Also, could you elaborate a bit more on what you mean by "sneak over the hill and into Soria" and "nip over the "illegal" road to the top of Serenity"?

Thanks

[jekyll man]

Oh definitely better than Northern Europe, for sure!!! Its fine lower down but once you head up towards Ayacata, and the Pico's it did get cold enough for a shell to go on, but that was all. Don't count on it being as warm as on the coast.

I know i few people that have stayed in Arguineguin; other than riding through it, i couldnt tell you much about it, theres some small resorts across that stretch of the GC500 before you reach Puerto Rico. Its only a handful of minutes ride to the Soria turn off, and 30ish to PDI, so not too bad if you want to head towards the eastern roads (Fataga GC60, or Aiguimes / Ingenio).

The illegal road between Soria and Serenity, has no cycling signs at either end, no idea why, but apart from the odd car or motorbike, traffic is mostly bikes
Its a bit rough in places, but its not fast in either direction, unlike the 2 beauts on either end.

I'd post a map pic but cant find the attachment button, but if you look near to Soria, theres a place called Barranquillo Andres. By the shop theres a road that goes meanders up and over the hill to join the GC605. You can either climb up beyong that past the Priesa's to Ayacata, or head down Serenity to Puerto Mogan. Or do it in reverse, climb from Mogan and either go all the way, or over to Soria, and down.
HTH

[BruceCarnevale]

I have been going to GC regularly, around three times a year, for about ten years - I have the fortune of having a GF with an apartment in Patalavaca, where I have stashed everything I need, bike, clothing, tools, etc. I can wholeheartedly agree with what Jekyll Man wrote, but he left out one small climb out of Maspalomas - it travels into the island via GC 504 or 503 to Ayagaures. A short loop of about 30 km. There are two other climbs nearby, to Palmitos Park and the GC604, but both are dead ends.

When I first read this thread you hadn't yet suggested Arguineguin, and I wanted to suggest exaclty that. It still seems slightly Spanish, with lots of fishers coming and going, colorful older buildings. There is a small Free Motion shop at the roundabout nearest Patalavaca. And you are very close to the Soria climb. Btw, I never knew the road connecting Soria with Serenity was "illegal." I have ridden it many times. Mostly you encounter cyclists or safari Jeeps. The road surface leaves a LOT to be desired, however. A lot.

Some suggestions.
1. You have to do Valley of the Tears (GC606)! A bucket-list climb if there ever was one. You could take a taxi to Puerto de Mogan, start there and get back to Arguineguin in about 120 km with about 3000 m elevation gain. The problem with this part of the island is that there is very little water along the way. You need to fill up in Aldea before you head up the GC210. Unless you go on a weekend - there is a cafe in the tiny mountain village of El Carrizal that has bad coffee, ice cream and water. But if you stop to fill up you'll ruin your Strava segment! What is also worth doing is the alternate VOTT, where you stay on GC210 and ride up to Artenara. A longer climb, not as steep and absolutely no water until Artenara, but breath-taking views.

What's great about the south of GC is the weather - it almost never rains (but when it does, it's a torrential downpour). What is really unfortunate is the lack of variety. There are only a few climbs, most meeting in Ayacata. There are virtually no paved roads connecting the valleys - if you can get your hands on a gravel bike, you have much more to ride, but I have heard the gravel there is pretty rough.

The avalanche on GC500 between Taurito and Puerto de Mogan really sucks because it was such a nice ride, easy to get to the Serenity climb (GC605). And the only people disturbed by the avalance are the cyclists; motorized vehicles can take the highway. Once I rode on the slip road Jeckyll mentions - didn't see any police, but that could have changed. I can describe how to do it if you want - it isn't that complicated and not long, but could cost you up to €200 if the police catch you.

2. Where most don't ride is in the north, which is a shame but understandable, because it means very long rides (150+ km) from the south. But there is a denser network of roads in the north, it is cooler, greener (and rainier). Still it's beautiful and worth a ride. If you catch a day when the winds from the airport are not blowing southwest, but northeast, you can easily get up the capital and ride back through Vega de San Mateo and Vallsequillo. Or through Arucas or Firgas.

3. There is a small shop in Playa de Ingles, Bike10Mil with a owner, Izz Ramadan, who will take you on rides up north or even around the island. I did the later with him - was 190 km and we rode for a while on the highway in the north, which is legal. Once is cool, but I would ride a little farther inland the next time I circle the island.

If you want any GPX files or have questions, feel free to contact me as well.

[jekyll man]

@ BruceCarnevale,
Yeah most people do Ayaguares, and its nice enough but a bit short on its own, but with a bit of a ride out from Arguineguin its a bit more like it.
I tend to ride it either tagged onto other rides, or as a "recovery" ride (GC stylee of course), or do it from waterworld, over the top to the junction of the El Tablero back road, turn around, and climb back through La Data. Definitely earn your refreshmebts then!

I rode the Artenara version of the VOTT a few years ago, its certainly not an easy option; the heat baking off the rocks must have been about 40c, and i ended in a very deep dark place!! I think i hit the petrol station at Artenara, and went through 3L of fluids, then not far off repeated it when i hit San Bartoleme!! Not a fun day to be solo up there.

GC604 is actually an ace ride, people said you need an mtb; i rode on a tarmac sl6, but dont tell freemotion), and its sort of unsigned in El Tablero, but once on it, the road surface is amazing as it twists here there and everywhere. I didn't see a single car until i hit the start of the off road section, and they were going off walking. Its not particularly rough, but if you dont like unfenced drops you might not like it so much. As you go around the valley side na dinto the pine forests, the air takes on a completely different feeling, then it gets a bit sandy and rooty for a short section but all rideable, as it then hits the tarmac again up by the lakes. From there its only a short hop up to Ayacata. Well worth it esp if you have some fairly hard wearing tyres. I wont post pics, but there's some on my insta account philg0770

[MrB123]

We were there in February.

The Freemotion website is a good place to start for route ideas.

Definitely take some extra clothes if you plan to go higher up - when I did the Pico there was snow on the ground at the top despite it being warm and sunny at the coast. Also gets fairly chilly on an evening - other people at our hotel had packed down jackets for sitting around at night.

As others have said, Ayagaures/Palmitos area good for shorter rides.

Road surfaces are usually good but there are some rougher places, eg after Soria and descending from Ayacata.

Loads of cyclists around. Bahrain Merida team were training there when we were there.

[diecast]

Thanks all!

[BruceCarnevale]

Yes, the weather on GC can be quite different on a particular day depending on where you are. Along the southern coast, you can pretty much ride all year in short sleeves, but once you rise above 1000 m, it can get cold, especially when it rains. Once, coming down from Santa Lucia (not too far from the southern coast) I got caught in a torrential downpour, so bad that I could hardly see in front of me, but on the coast, it was sunny and dry. Another time, near Pico, the highest point on GC, I had everything on I had, knee and leg warmers, rain jacket, but the temps dropped below 10 degrees and I turned back. Again, it was warm and sunny on the coast.

@Jeckyl Man. I rode up to the end of the asphalt on GC604 and the gravel looked quite rough. I'll try it again.

[clarkywils]

If you want to ride the best routes, you should stay in the south of the island. You can stay in Maspalomas, Meloneras, Playa del Ingles

[CapitalSinger]

we are booked to go in Feb, staying in Maspolamas. got a couple of routes sorted, I'm considering doing valley of the tears but it seems like a bit a mission to get there, i don't fancy riding all the way there and back I don't think I have it in me. what are the options (bus/taxi/ferry?)for getting to San Nicholas to start the ride and then just ride back?
apparently theres a ferry around the south west coast, is that just because of the road closure between Taurito & Mogan? or does it go further round ie up to san nicholas?
also I can't figure out what the slip road shortcut is to bypass the road closure. i don't think I want to risk it but i'm just more intigued, all I can on google maps is the GC-1 tunnel which seems pretty long...?

[diecast]

The ferry only goes as far as Puerto de Mogan. Its operation predates the road closure. Cars aren't really affected by the coastal road being closed because there's a very accessible bypass and I doubt the old road will ever reopen. The road bypass is via the GC-1 tunnel that you mention. It's illegal to cycle through it. I don't doubt that people have. Personally I wouldn't. Technically it's a motorway. (You can cycle around from Arguineguin to the top of the Serenity climb on the GC-605 via Soria. It's mentioned in the thread above. That route also takes you via a road that says it's illegal for cyclists but absolutely everyone does ride through it. It's a pretty awesome/mental single track road, very very rough and very very steep.)

The ferry is a tourist ferry and it stops at Arguineguin, Puerto Rico etc. No problem to take a bike on, lots of people do. A bit precarious getting on and off in cycling shoes and cleats, but fine. It's quite a pleasant boat ride in itself actually.

One other option is a bus from Maspalomas. Freemotion (a big outfit, bike rental place with several shops on GC and Tenerife) do organised group rides which you can book on and they take you out on a mini bus. I've never been on one but there's details on their website.

I'm afraid I don't know about a bus direct to San Nicolas. One thing I will say about that place, completely unrelated to cycling, is there's a Cactus garden visitor attraction there that's brilliant. If you like cacti.

P de Mogan to Valley of tears via San Nicolas and back is approx 100km and 2700m elevation. It is beautiful, isolated and challenging. It can get hot. Take plenty of food and water. There are some steep ramps and poor road surfaces. (Generally the roads are good on the island but there's definitely a few rough parts.)

If you've not been to GC before, you're in for a treat. I posted in the forum above not knowing anything about it, then I was lucky enough to be able to go for almost a month, it was great. I did a ridiculous amount of elevation. IMHO it is excellent for cycling... as long as you like hills! There's not really any flat. Loads of great routes as well as Valley of the tears. I'm going back again next year.

Hope that's of some help. I'm sure some others will chip in.

[BruceCarnevale]

@CapitalSinger - if you really want to ride the tunnel, then you have to ride to Taurito, where the road closure begins. At the roundabout, you turn the right, which heads up to the highway, then there is another roundabout. Here you ride up the wrong way, against the one-way traffic, but there is a fairly wide shoulder, as we say in the States, on the left side - a few cars, if any, will come down on your right. This part might sound dangerous, but it isn't. The next part is, a little: Once you reach the end, you have to be very very careful because here you have to cross the exit ramp to enter the tunnel; cars are coming pretty fast. But once you cross, you'll be able see the end of the tunnel already. It cannot be more than several hundred meters long. There is a wide side lane on the right, a shoulder, where you can ride without disturbing the traffic.

I wish the authorities would open this up to bikes. There are many tunnels on highways near the capital that are open to bikes, but this one isn't. So there's a risk: You could be fined.

As some said above, the ferry is a nice way to get to Puerto de Mogan, where you can start the VOTT. Or you hire a taxi to take you to Puerto de Mogan. Or if you are feeling very strong, ride up through San Bartolome, then Ayacata, then Tejeda to Artenara, then down the GC210, then up the VOTT. But I would do this on a weekend, cause the cafe (Bar Cairete) in Carrizal should be open. You'll need water and maybe some ice cream!

You can ride around the island, as least I did once (it's just under 200 km), but you have to take the tunnel (GC-2) from Aldea to Agaete if you ride clockwise. It is several km long, but open to cyclists afaik. You could also ride a bit of the coastal road (GC200) from Aldea, but the avalanche there is quite bad. The views are spectacular, tho. There is a gravel route from out there that is supposed to be beautiful (check on Velo Vegano's blog on this road: https://velovegano.com/2023/12/13/grave ... ria-tirma/).

Another route you might try is GC 120 up to Pico. Some ramps are very very steep. And if you have the time, explore the north. It's cooler, rainier and greener, but beautiful.

You should talk with Izz at Bike10Mil or with the people at FreeMotion as there are certainly other road closures here and there.

[jekyll man]

I've had a break this year from GC, after 6?? trips in 3 years i fancied a change this year, so went to try out Tenerife.
2 visits, and that's enough; I'll be back to GC next year!!
The road surface quality can be a bit more varied, but i'll take that over some of the hassle trying to get through the resorts, and less route options.

[CapitalSinger]

I've had a break this year from GC, after 6?? trips in 3 years i fancied a change this year, so went to try out Tenerife.
2 visits, and that's enough; I'll be back to GC next year!!
The road surface quality can be a bit more varied, but i'll take that over some of the hassle trying to get through the resorts, and less route options.

where did you go in Tenerife? I've been 5 times now and I love it. always stay in the north in Puerto Cruz. Ridden the entire north coast, as far NE santa cruz, as far west as santiago del teide and of course up to Teide, it's all accessible from there. Only thing I didn't like is navigating through the busier towns like PDC, Icod, St Cruz, I'll agree thats a pain, but for the most part it's excellent