TENERIFE - INFO FOR THIS JULY

Anonymous · June 2007

Hi Chaps/Chappesses

In 3 weeks i'm embarking on my Family Hols to Tenerife...taking my bike.

Over the 2 weeks i'm heading out on 3/4 runs...

Doing to mammoth ascents to Mount Teide...one from Los Christianos..upto Vilaflor...the other from the North from Puerto Cruz up past La Oratavo...both around 40-50km climbs..thats by far the longest climb I will have done(previous was Croix de Fer from Allemont)...anyone got any experience of these ascents? Hoping to climb them(with a few waterstops in between) in around 3- 3 1/2 hours.

Another day i'm heading upto the Teno Mountain range to tackle the dreaded 'Masca' Climb from Buenavista Norte...anyone done this? to even get here I've got a 1100 meters climb upto Santaigo Del Teide before descending to Garachico..

Maybe another day heading to the Anaga Mounatian range and maybe doing the climb from San Andres upto Pico Del Inglis...

Hoping to get my bike on the local Buses...checking the Bus website they are cheap and I can get upto Puerto de La Cruz or Santa Cruz for next to nothing...any idea if taking my bike on board will be a problem?

Whats the weather like on Tenerife? Will I need Gillet/Arm warmers up at 2300meters here? Did Lanzarote last year and was the windiest place in the world...Horrible!...hope Tenerife's not nearly as bad.

Got some great info from the following Cyclist Specialists in Tenerife:-
http://www.tenerife-training.net/

Any feedback at all appreciated...

Unknown · June 2007

Good luck. I've driven up some of these routes and the car struggled! It will be very HOT, so sunscreen, long sleeves may be needed, as will lots of fluids.

Some of the roads are very busy with tourist coaches so take care.

I don't think you'll get a bike on the service busses.

_____________________________________________________________________
Be nice to grumpy old men (or else)

Mr Bumble · June 2007

July- You will be baked on the bike!!!!

I would start very early to avoid the agony of the midday heat in the crater. It is very hot and exposed....

I think there is a train on Tenerife that goes around the Island- just in case the bus driver says no...

I have only gone on a walking holiday in Tenerife but there is some stunning cycling... just remember the heat and the altitude!!!!

_____________________________________________________________________
Be nice to grumpy old men (or else)
[/quote]

Mr Bumble · June 2007

Altitude- if you are staying at sea level and climbing up 2300m in a single day it will really stress your body, PLUS the heat and high sun exposure

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mr Bumble

Altitude- if you are staying at sea level and climbing up 2300m in a single day it will really stress your body, PLUS the heat and high sun exposure
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah i'll be taking a few stops to replenish water etc on the way up...climbed ventoux a couple of times last september and the tarmac was melting -was above 30oC...still i find that as long as i hydrate and watch myself I'll be ok...only time I've ever felt the effects of Altitude were on the Galibier...thats around 300/400meters higher than the highest point on Teide...been at 2300meters a few times...and if correct then the temp at 2300meters should be 20oC lower than at sea level...around 10oC..i'm thinking of taking a gillet and arm warmers for the descent.

Mr Bumble · June 2007

RichyBoy

I went in summer and up in the Teide crater and high slopes it was 30+!!! There is so much bear rock and so little cover, plus nearer tropics so higher UV - gaining altitiude does not necessarily become much cooler. That said a gilet would be good for the early morning or if a cold mist blows in.

Also a rule of thumb, if the weather is lousy on one side of the island it is normally fine on the other!!!

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mr Bumble

RichyBoy

I went in summer and up in the Teide crater and high slopes it was 30+!!! There is so much bear rock and so little cover, plus nearer tropics so higher UV - gaining altitiude does not necessarily become much cooler. That said a gilet would be good for the early morning or if a cold mist blows in.

Also a rule of thumb, if the weather is lousy on one side of the island it is normally fine on the other!!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Cheers Mr Bumble....30oC up there...Jesus...Factor 50 it is...just ordered 2 x liter drinking bottles...Don't worry if I feel at all things are not right then it'll be one of the fastest decents ever...cycled all over Lanzarote last year...mid July...was hot but the never ceasing wind cooled things off...I think its just a case of using you head...thanks again.

ColinJ · June 2007

Hi RichyBoy. I was just chatting to a mate of mine who has been living on a campsite in Tenerife for the past few months. He has been riding up Mount Teide regularly and says he goes up wearing just shoes, shorts, and jersey. He then dons socks, legwarmers, armwarmers, windtop and helmet for the descent! He says it is distinctly nippy up there and it is often like descending through a cloud coming back so it is easy to get chilled.

He might be more susceptible to the altitude than you but he says that he really feels the reduced oxygen levels towards the top of the road. He takes over 3 hours to climb from his campsite to there but he can get back down in about 40 minutes without pedalling!

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ColinJ

Hi RichyBoy. I was just chatting to a mate of mine who has been living on a campsite in Tenerife for the past few months. He has been riding up Mount Teide regularly and says he goes up wearing just shoes, shorts, and jersey. He then dons socks, legwarmers, armwarmers, windtop and helmet for the descent! He says it is distinctly nippy up there and it is often like descending through a cloud coming back so it is easy to get chilled.

He might be more susceptible to the altitude than you but he says that he really feels the reduced oxygen levels towards the top of the road. He takes over 3 hours to climb from his campsite to there but he can get back down in about 40 minutes without pedalling!

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks Colin J...appreciated!

I've always found on high terrain that although it can sometimes feel warm the wind has always a really fresh feel to it...and when descending I always get cold....I'm expecting the ascents to be around the 3-4hour mark...i'll be taking my time and stopping at a few places for replenishments on the way up...

Iain Robertson · June 2007

Richyboy,

I cycled the routes you are talking about over Easter this year. The 3 1/2 hours for the climbs of Mount Teide sounds sensible. I did them in something like 5 - 6 hours, up, down and lunch. A trundle through the crater and back down the other side is definitely worthwhile if you can organise a lift. I used the buses to get my bike from the Airport to Puerto de La Cruz where I was staying. It was bagged and taken no problem. I didn't see any 'loose' bikes on the buses but I suspect you'd be OK - lots of luggage space and generally good helpful people.

The Buenavista, Garachico, Santiagio del Teide triangle had the most fantastic scenery I came across on Tenerife. The climbs started off great but by the end of the day and 4000m of ascending, I have to admit they had become plain brutal. Doing this from Puerto made for a long day but huge smile once I was back with a beer at the pool.

It was cold at the top of Teide - I think this can happen all year round both because of the altitude and as the top spends a fair amount of time in the cloud. At Easter I was in shorts - hadn't brought anything warmer but should have. Local cyclists were wearing longs and the odd wooly hat. Don't know what it would be like in July - hot for sure at the bottom but probably chilly enough to want a second layer and gloves at the top and for the decents.

Cheers

Iain

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Iain Robertson

Richyboy,

I cycled the routes you are talking about over Easter this year. The 3 1/2 hours for the climbs of Mount Teide sounds sensible. I did them in something like 5 - 6 hours, up, down and lunch. A trundle through the crater and back down the other side is definitely worthwhile if you can organise a lift. I used the buses to get my bike from the Airport to Puerto de La Cruz where I was staying. It was bagged and taken no problem. I didn't see any 'loose' bikes on the buses but I suspect you'd be OK - lots of luggage space and generally good helpful people.

The Buenavista, Garachico, Santiagio del Teide triangle had the most fantastic scenery I came across on Tenerife. The climbs started off great but by the end of the day and 4000m of ascending, I have to admit they had become plain brutal. Doing this from Puerto made for a long day but huge smile once I was back with a beer at the pool.

It was cold at the top of Teide - I think this can happen all year round both because of the altitude and as the top spends a fair amount of time in the cloud. At Easter I was in shorts - hadn't brought anything warmer but should have. Local cyclists were wearing longs and the odd wooly hat. Don't know what it would be like in July - hot for sure at the bottom but probably chilly enough to want a second layer and gloves at the top and for the decents.

Cheers

Iain

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks a million Iain, its really good to hear first hand experience.

My first ascent of Teide is basically going up from where i'm staying (Playa Paraiso)..through Los Christianos...Arona..Vilaflor..Teide..then coming cack via the Chio descent so 6hours will be nice time...

The roads around the Teno mountain range are probably a bit closer for me than where you came from...think I've got 2 ascents around 1100meters that day but have been warned that the final 4/5kms past Masca are particularly brutal.

But I'll get the bus to Puerto Cruz one day and cycle up past La Oratavo / Aguamansa -over Teide basin then down the Vilaflor descent back to Playa Paraiso.

On both ascents of Teide I plan to stop twice on way up for replenishments....

I'll be taking arm-warmers etc...

Its going to be tough!...but i'll have my trusty triple....

Thanks to evryone for all there help.

Anonymous · July 2007

Just Finished my tour of the Island of Tenerife....only managed a couple of routes due to food poisoning..BUT the routes I did were special! Certainly one of the most challenging areas I've ever cycled....tougher than the Pyrenees/Alpes etc....what a very special island this represents as a cycling challenge....the climb of Teide was outrageously diffficult...the climb from BuenaVista Norte upto Masca...gorgeous...the climb from Masca to Santiago Del Teide really tough and steep...steepest climb i've did abroad....all in all a tremendous challenge to all who accept the challenge....still to do all the very diffferent aspects of this island but can confirm this is as difficult as any Alp/Pyrenenan/Dolomite tour and should be respected by all...and although i've been up La Berarde in the Alpes and Cirque Di Litour in the Pyrenees I reckon La Masca is the most beautiful place i've ever been.....I'll write up a kore detailed summary of me experience when I get back...

videoman · July 2007

Hi Rich
I'm surprised your were still up at 1.04am and could still see the keyboard after all of your free inclusive drinks. Great to meet up, keep in touch and speak to you soon.
Alan

TENERIFE - INFO FOR THIS JULY

Comments

Categories