[Closed] Cycling in Gran Canaria

[url= http://www.cyclegrancanaria.com/ ]http://www.cyclegrancanaria.com/[/url]

I did have a look on there, but its mainly around going to do one of their training camps and as I've already got a hotel booked I just wanted to know routes really.

You could always get in touch with them and ask for route info, just a thought like.

Strava is a good source

free motion is another place to stop and ask. i worked there last winter. there is a shop in Meloneras. they will probably try and sell you a tour, but IMO this isn't neccessary unless you like riding in a group (a mostly German group, IME). although Matias (austrian) and Viktor (Canario) are good guys and speak enough English that you'll know what is going on.

they have there tours on line and you can download their tours from their site.

buy one of the maps they have there and just go out and ride. be aware it is very hot (like stupidly hot that you might die) and many of the roads are very narrow. it can be a long way between water stops so put another bottle cage on your frame.

the centre of the island is very different to the coast and the north of the island is like being on another continent.

http://www.free-motion.net/en/roadbike-riding/gran-canaria-summer

http://www.free-motion.net/en/roadbike-riding/gran-canaria-winter

as i said, it is very hot in summer. in fact free motion have shorter tours in summer due to the heat. it used to be 30°C in winter. summer can see the thermometer reach 45°C and combined with the calima wind the place is unbearable.

go up to San Fernando (the "spanish quarter" of Playa) and go to the tapas bar near the roundabout. ask the free motion guy (probably Kai) where it is. the prawns in garlic and oil are awesome.

Pop into [url= http://www.free-motion.net/en/roadbike-riding/gran-canaria-summer ]Free Motion[/url] they have shops in Meloneras and Playa Del Ingles. I've only done an mtb tour with them but thought they were very good and would recommend them.

Brilliant - thanks lads, just what I was after.

The heat does bother me a bit but I'll be going out fairly early on so hopefully it'll at least be a bit cooler in the morning. I've got my Garmin which I 'think' has the necessary maps on it, but I'll drop in to Free Motion and pick a proper map up.

The only other conundrum is whether I take a bike or rent one out there. Free Motion have Di2 'Dales for 30 Euros a day, however I can't then use my Powertap (its on a Campag freehub). Or do I just take mine and save myself the hassle?

as it is summer you'll have a pretty good choice of bikes to choose from. in winter some people end up with bikes that are a bit of a compromise fit wise, but you shouldn't have that problem.

if you are being fitted for a bike speak to Alex in the Playa shop. he's good and knows what he is talking about.

you need to think how often you'll ride; probably not every day as it is too hot. how much hassle is it to transport your bike to the airport, plus taking it apart and re-building it once there, plus the same on the way home. on top of that you have the cost and the worry of putting your bike on a plane.

tbf, the Super Six or the Synapse are more than decent bikes. you can pick up a bike in the evening for the following day and not incur any charge.

Hmmm, you may well be on to something. My only concern then is if the hotel is happy with me keeping the bike in the room. Assume so, but it'll be a PITA if not.

None of the hotels I've stayed at have had an issue with keeping my bike in the room

Excellent! Just dropped Free Motion an email about bikes and stuff. Hopefully if I get there in time on the Saturday I can collect it then and get a ride in on the Sunday. Mint!

Enjoy, its just a different world cycling with those hills and views

or if you are in Meloneras you could leave the bike in the shop overnight. obviously you are then tied in to their opening times.

but as TSC says, hotels don't usually have a problem with bikes in the room....