Cycling in Tenerife..

badly_dubbed
badly_dubbed Posts: 1,350
edited June 2013 in Road general
Im off to Tenerife in a few weeks and hope to get a day or two in the saddle out there, having never cycled abroad before, is there anything i should know before hand....?

is it safe enough? i dont want to be set upon by some local gang or what not... :lol:

Comments

  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    Where about are you staying? I've not done much in Tenerife, but I did quite a lot in Gran Canaria. On the whole the roads are good and drivers tend to be more considerate and polite.

    I spent 6 months in the Canaries without incident.

    My Tenerife experience has been in the area of Golf Del Sur and generally heading North up Mt Teide, but I think it is best away from the tourist centres.

    There is a good bike shop towards the top of the high street on the right in San Isidro and a Wilier shop in Los Cristianos.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/48943651

    John
  • badly_dubbed
    badly_dubbed Posts: 1,350
    Im in a place called Costa del Silencio apparently a quiet local-ish area....


    found a place that does hire around 10miles from where im staying, have messaged them but no reply as of yet...so not sure if they are still open or what...
  • option_click
    option_click Posts: 169
    edited June 2013
    I was in Tenerife a few weeks ago.

    I hired a bike from http://www.bikepointtenerife.com in Playa de las Americas (about 15km from Costa del Silencio) and went for a ride up Mount Teide.

    Tenerife isn't particularly, er, flat so prepare for lots of climbing.

    My ride wasn't particularly steep, but it was long - 50km all uphill from Las Americas to the summit of Tiede, averaging 5 or 6%, with sections of 10 or 12%

    I followed this route, which was lovely.
    http://goo.gl/maps/m9TQL

    It's well worth all the climbing as the ride back down is amazing!

    Edit: I'd recommend hiring the bike the day before your ride and getting an early start if you're going up Teide. I didn't get going until around 9:30 on the day, and it was getting pretty hot by the time I got near the top. Also, bring a jacket for the descent - it gets rather cold.
  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    Just remember that most people struggle walking in Tenerife.
    Its a fab place and very safe on the whole, I wouldnt think you will have any issues.
    Living MY dream.
  • badly_dubbed
    badly_dubbed Posts: 1,350
    Thats the very Blokes i messaged :) quality!

    quick one...do they run flat pedals or cleats on their hire bikes? I use look for the road & shimano for the mtb so will take both....
  • option_click
    option_click Posts: 169
    edited June 2013
    er, no idea I'm afraid. I brought my Speedplays and they fitted them to the bike for me.
    Here are a couple of pics taken on the way up towards Vilaflor

    IMAG0349-corrected.jpg

    IMAG0353.jpg

    IMAG0358.jpg
  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    Yes, that's a quiet area, just west of where I have a place.

    Try http://www.tenerife-training.net/

    Their bikes book up quickly though so contact them as soon as you can. I was going to hire a Planet X RT 57 off them. It was €193 for 10 days and I think they deliver. Dr Leslie Brown is the guy there.

    By the way, There is a beautiful cafe on the coat there called West Haven which serves great food and snacks - definitely worth a visit!
  • badly_dubbed
    badly_dubbed Posts: 1,350
    ah thats cool then...ill just take my pedals with me then if they do that!

    nice one thanks :)

    :mrgreen:
  • badly_dubbed
    badly_dubbed Posts: 1,350
    Vortice wrote:
    Yes, that's a quiet area, just west of where I have a place.

    Try http://www.tenerife-training.net/

    Their bikes book up quickly though so contact them as soon as you can. I was going to hire a Planet X RT 57 off them. It was €193 for 10 days and I think they deliver. Dr Leslie Brown is the guy there.

    By the way, There is a beautiful cafe on the coat there called West Haven which serves great food and snacks - definitely worth a visit!

    thanks! will have to check some places out, only plan a couple days as its meant to be a family holiday....but would be rude not to sample some climbs while im there :)
  • option_click
    option_click Posts: 169
    That's what I always try to do - take one day out of the family holiday to go off for a ride.
    A good percentage of my suitcase is generally bike kit!
  • farrina
    farrina Posts: 360
    I was in Tenerife a few weeks ago.
    I followed this route, which was lovely.
    http://goo.gl/maps/m9TQL
    It's well worth all the climbing as the ride back down is amazing!
    It might also be worth mentioning that the altitude may have quite an impact on your breathing/performance - don't underestimate it!

    Regards

    Alan
    Regards
    Alan
  • kayakerchris
    kayakerchris Posts: 361
    bikepoint tenerife in either Playa or El medano are excellent. I have used them on several occasions.

    i would recommend booking early as they often run out of common sizes. they generally run triples on their routine bikes which is fine for tenerife which is basically going up a big hill and then coming down again!

    Definitely take a gilet and arm warmers for the descent. Couple of thousand feet at high speed with no pedalling can cool you down a lot. especially if you sweated on the way up.
  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    bikepoint tenerife in either Playa or El medano are excellent. I have used them on several occasions.

    i would recommend booking early as they often run out of common sizes. they generally run triples on their routine bikes which is fine for tenerife which is basically going up a big hill and then coming down again!

    Definitely take a gilet and arm warmers for the descent. Couple of thousand feet at high speed with no pedalling can cool you down a lot. especially if you sweated on the way up.

    And if you want to go to Bike Point at El Medano from Silencio the bus is the 470 to Granadilla.
  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    Cheers guys thanks for all the great info :)

    Next year, your family need to go on holiday to Gran Canaria. Trust me. :wink: