Cycling on Gran Canaria

[Nickldn]

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

I'm in Pureto de la Cruise now, massively busy traffic with very confusing road junctions and many steep and narrow 20% roads where trucks have no qualms with overtaking leaving a 10cm gap and beeping. Pure nightmare for cycling.

But Teide and Icod de Las Vinos areas are nice, just a shame you have to ride on high speed motorway type roads with dangerous slip roads to get to the good parts. I would recommend a large enough hire car to take your bike and kit a safe distance outside Puerto de la Cruise for rides if you're staying here.

[MiSzA (PL)]

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

I'm in Pureto de la Cruise now, massively busy traffic with very confusing road junctions and many steep and narrow 20% roads where trucks have no qualms with overtaking leaving a 10cm gap and beeping. Pure nightmare for cycling.

But Teide and Icod de Las Vinos areas are nice, just a shame you have to ride on high speed motorway type roads with dangerous slip roads to get to the good parts. I would recommend a large enough hire car to take your bike and kit a safe distance outside Puerto de la Cruise for rides if you're staying here.

Next time hit the south part of the island - never had issues with traffic, and that is the sunny part of the island Teide, Villaflor, Arona, Los Gigantes - nice roads, lots of guided trips (at least some shops advertise them as an option) - plus local knowledge is king: like aviod road 47 but use 82 for no to little traffic

[Nickldn]

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

I'm in Pureto de la Cruise now, massively busy traffic with very confusing road junctions and many steep and narrow 20% roads where trucks have no qualms with overtaking leaving a 10cm gap and beeping. Pure nightmare for cycling.

But Teide and Icod de Las Vinos areas are nice, just a shame you have to ride on high speed motorway type roads with dangerous slip roads to get to the good parts. I would recommend a large enough hire car to take your bike and kit a safe distance outside Puerto de la Cruise for rides if you're staying here.

Next time hit the south part of the island - never had issues with traffic, and that is the sunny part of the island Teide, Villaflor, Arona, Los Gigantes - nice roads, lots of guided trips (at least some shops advertise them as an option) - plus local knowledge is king: like aviod road 47 but use 82 for no to little traffic

Thanks, been to Los Christianos many times, but not cycled there. Might try it in the future.

Generally south of the island seems more set up for tourism and roads are better thought out.

[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.

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

Sorry, not been on;line for a day or two.
For Tenerife, I stayed in Los Cristianos. Its the getting through or out of Playa thats a pain (maybe i'm used to having minor roads within 30s of leaving the house) to get out towards Los Gigantes or Chio.
The road up to Arona or Vilaflor soon gets boring after a few times, and the roads towards the coast in the opposite direction (El Medano etc) are all fairly busy with you riding on the shoulder.

[MiSzA (PL)]

When looking for good tips or guided rides - hit Adam Kolarski; he is a local and does wonderful tours and has tons of rieds for all (road, gravel) - Tenerife, Gomera, GC - you name it. Look him up on Strava (Adam Kolarski) or IG @adamkolarski