[Closed] Gran canaria in November.. Where to stay?

Maspalomas is the default answer, but any of the towns along that south coast would be fine for what you describe. The hills basically all start straight off that obvious coast road.

St Bartolome which is inland is also worth considering as giving access to some slightly different stuff, but for your first trip then just stick to Maspalomas. As was probably mentioned to you before, Freemotion bike shop in Maspalomas does guided road rides of varying speeds if that's your thing.

Just realised that you don't specify road or MTB - all my advice relates to road riding, but I'd hazard a guess that it would apply to mtb too, I know friends who mountain biked out there stayed in Maspalomas also.

Thanks for the advice. It's road riding I'm there for and Maspalomas was high on the list already. I thought freemotion was more a complete package provider. If they offer group rides for individuals not arranging their holiday through them I'll give em a shout.

Any suggestions for transfer companies? Booking a taxi fine, but bearing in mind I will have a huge box with me may not fit in most cars.

Maspalomas Is definitely not the default answer for what your asking.

The coast road into Mogan is still closed; and likely closed for a long while yet. So starting from Maspalomas will mean a considerably longer, and much more climbing, to get to the great climbs to the S.West of the island .. eg the VOTT, Artenera etc.

i just came back from Gran Canaria. Met a couple cyclist based in Maspalomas area ... all of them said they wish they’d based themselves in Puerto Mogan ... at bottom of Tauro Pass, and easier access to the best bits of island.

Good call if the road is closed. What is that place like to stay other than cycling wise?

Yes, I’m sure Freemotion do daily rides that you can just turn up to and join the appropriate group. No idea of cost though.

In terms of routes it’s all pretty obvious if you look at the map; basicaly a bunch of roads head north and inland off the coast road up towards Picos de Nieve. There are a couple of cafes in Ayacatta which are a good stop, and some good knowledge is that the cafe in Soria is a couple of km past the top of the hill.

Puerto Mogan is a quiet resort. There are a few bars; no disco type nightlife .. certainly nothing like Maspalamos - which is IMO a shit hole!

The advantage of Puerto Mogan for riding is that you can go left or right at the top of the valley. Left takes you to Aldea and the great brutal climbing that exists along the GC200/210.. but with a easier descent home ; Right takes you up to Pico Nieves etc and to ride the GC200/210 in reverse .. or down the fantastic Bartolome to Maspalomos .. and just the climb over Soria to get back into Mogan.

Basing yourself In Maspalomas will give you easy access to the Bartolome to Pico ... but to venture further means a very very tough day because you will have serious climbing on the reverse leg home if you venture to GC200/210 area .. the climb out of Aldea to the Mogan valley is brutal .. and them youd have to climb the Tauro Pass to descend Soria to get to coast road back to Maspalamos.

+1 for what mooman said, Maspalomas is a dump. Tourist shithole.

Go for the north of the island. OK, it's a bit cooler but you get access to far more roads and therefore more interesting route choices. There are some lovely little towns around there, most of them far less touristy than the southern quarter but still with some reasonable facilities.

We've stayed in Teror (and going back there in December) but obviously that fails your "on the coast" requirement. However apart form that minor fault, it's a great little town with loads of good road riding routes in and out of it. Plus supermarkets, bars/cafes, a nice town square and church and a bus station with decent connections to Las Palmas. The buses are really good.

I would stay in Las Palmas if biking wasn't part of the equation

I’d head for Mogan if possible, nice place even before taking the coast road into consideration...is it not passable on foot at the moment?

Dont know the north of the island.

I have read it’s passable on foot by climbing over some big rocks blocking the toad; but it’s a chance I’d not want to take .. slip and it’s a very long way down .. very very long way down!

If there are workmen there, then you’ll get sent back and it’s a fair ride back to Soria turn off ... not that I’ve heard of any work being done on it for a long while from locals.

if police catch you going through it I hear it’s a couple hundred euro fine ... so just not worth risk imo.

i have never ventured to north of the island. Looks pretty flat and featureless .. looking down from Pico anyways 😆

It might also be colder than you think in the mountains. I went in Feb. 20 degrees at the coast, literally freezing at the top of the mountains.....

I just came back - average around 70-75 on coast - reached 100 climbing up the VOTT ... coldest day when the clouds were down on Pico it dropped to 60 ... cant imagine it being that much colder in a months time.

You can just do ad-hoc rides with Free Motion, I did two days riding with them, Cost about €22 each ride which lasts about 3 hours or so. Think you can also get route maps from them. Loved the climb up Tauro Pass, some great riding  over there.

Useful info folks thanks. Before I book Puerto Morgan a couple of questions.

Assume it's going to be easily accessible from the airport if the coast road is shut?

Also, looked on map my ride and there are a few routes, but either fairly short or monster 70 milers with 5000 meters climbing. I'm looking at doing loops of between 3 and 5 hours, will this be easy to do from there?

May give freemotion a email, however they are based in malpalmos so probably not an option to join up with them as won't have a car.

I’m in Maspolamos at the moment. It’s a great base for cycling. Been up the GC60 past couple of days to Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves. Back to the hotel after 4/4.5 hours. Tomorrow I’m trying the Soria climb a bit shorter.

I would recommend. Maybe a bit touristy but if your not the type who worries about shopping in Asda (wouldn’t be seen dead shopping with the prols) then you’ll be fine.

GC-1 is the main road from Las Palmas to Mogan, you won’t need the coast road...it’s just that you won’t be able to cycle on it.

There’s a Free Motion in Mogan though not sure what they do from there.

I’m in Maspolamos at the moment. It’s a great base for cycling. Been up the GC60 past couple of days to Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves. Back to the hotel after 4/4.5 hours. Tomorrow I’m trying the Soria climb a bit shorter

Any Strava routes you can share? Certainly more accommodation choice there and if the road closure doesn't cause that much of an issue I may revisit that option. Only going for 3 days riding so as long as I can do some different 40 - 50 mile routes I'll be happy  as long as I can hit some of the climbs.

Email me - I shall give you links to my strava routes.

Suggestions:

day 1 .. Tauro Pass to Ayacata .. drop down Bartolome .. coast road to Soria .. descend half Tauro back to Puerto Mogan ... 60miles.

day2 ... up valley and take left to Aldea. GC210 to VOTT ... beer/coffee in Ayacsta to recover ... descend full Tauro home .. 60miles.

day3 .. Up Tauro to Pico. Descend to Cruz de Tejeda for lunch. Follow GC210 passed Artenara and into Aldea ... climb over and do the superb fast descent into Mogan valley .. 70miles maybe.

Im on Strava as well. Search for me Big Daddy and you will see my GC routes from Maspolamas