Gran Canaria - Micro-climates!?

Pantani98
Pantani98 Posts: 79
edited October 2014 in Road general
Needed a change from the annual cycling holiday to Majorca so head out next week for two weeks in Gran Canaria.

Bike hire arranged from FreeMotion, a Cannondale Synapse, and looking forward to some great climbs in the sunshine. 70-80 degrees, lovely.

Except I've heard speak of micro-climates up in the high hills and been told to pack arm-warmers and a gillet! Surely not? Don't want to pack more than I need, plus I live in Scotland for crying out loud. Haven't needed arm-warmers and a gilet since March.

Is the weather really that contrasting or am I listening to the words of complete puffs?
http://app.strava.com/athletes/232993

Comments

  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Not been myself but a mate from a local club has. It can get pretty cloudy and cold and the highest climb is about 2000ft higher than Sa Calobra, so you can guarntee it won't be short sleeve weather at the top. It can also be very windy at any level.

    I'm originally from Fife (now Dundee) and deploy the gilet when descending in the Alps ;-)
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Was on top of Mont Ventoux in Provence 10 days ago.

    Was 11'C, foggy, drizzly and very windy. I didn't have any jacket or armwarmers and I was freezing. Didn't even stop at the top, just U-turned and legged it, down to Chalet Reynard (where it was OK). 26'C and sunny at Bedouin.

    So any summit at around the 2000m mark, any time of the year, can bite you on the ass!
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    In zero wind conditions, you lose 2degC per 1000ft you climb above sea level.

    With the ambient wind being the temperature of the Atlantic Ocean surface, probably 16-18degC, you would see temps well below 10 degC at the mountain top.
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  • banditvic
    banditvic Posts: 549
    Should only need arm warmers if your going up the very top. Great place for cycling, if your out there on your own go on a few rides with freemotion will probably be mainly Germans and Skanners. I've been in December and January never worn anything more than short sleeves and shorts. If its cloudy up the top just stayed on coast roads or Soria.
  • www.richtreen.co.uk
    www.richtreen.co.uk Posts: 245
    A couple of our group where sent back to the hotel by the ride leader to get gilets/jackets before we tackled Pico de Nieves. You will be thankful for having one for the fast descent back down. Personally did not use arm warmers in the time I was there, just a lightweight gilet for the descents.

    But as others have said it can be chilly at 2500 metres so now harm in having them in the pocket.
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Get your domestique to carry jacket / warmers, etc. for you.

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