Tenerife (?) training camp

milese

Hi

I have the opportunity to go on a training camp for a week in March and would like thoughts on where to go.

I did a week in Majorca with Stuart Hall a couple of years ago which I enjoyed, but would like to go somewhere warmer. Whilst 15 to 18 odd degrees is going to be much nicer than it is here, its not really that warm.

I will go going with my Dad who probably wont want to ride every day, so warmer weather makes that a lot nicer.

I thought Tenerife, I get that it’s a one hill island, but is it going to be boring or is it varied enough to be alright?

I’d like to go somewhere where I can hire a bike, with organised rides to suit different abilities,

Any recommendations of companies and places would be great!

Thanks.

banditvic

Prefer Gran Canaria to Tenerife more varied terrain in GC Freemotion is where you hire from and you can go on their guided tours.
Mainly Germans and Scandinavian's but as always they speak English, usually spilt into groups by rider fitness.

sloppyschleckonds

^whs

milese

Thanks.

So Gran Canaria is a bit more varied but, with steeper climbs and no 'mega' climb / altitude (eg Teide).

Are Gran Canaria and Tenerife similar with the wind?

This seems reasonable:

http://www.cyclegrancanaria.com/road-bi ... ur-by-tour

banditvic

Both are windy, but that can be a good thing when it gets hot.
The rides look very similar to the guided Freemotion ones and similar bikes.

navrig2

Tenerife has enough variety if you have some flexibility for moving around. There are hills in the north and in the west as well as Teide. There are few roads up (part) of Teide.

I'd go back to Tenerife. Probably cheaper than Majorca. Keep away from the coastal strip if you can. The traffic is horrendous.

https://www.strava.com/activities/386824705

https://www.strava.com/activities/388363537

https://www.strava.com/activities/386824670

https://www.strava.com/activities/386824608

MBCaad8

The first of Navrig's rides above is about the best day I've had on a bike. If you are staying in the south get a taxi to take you part way, do the loop and ride all the way back (downhill innit). Having said that GC would be my choice but only because I haven't been yet - VOTT is meant to be quite good

navrig2

MBCaad8 wrote:

The first of Navrig's rides above is about the best day I've had on a bike. If you are staying in the south get a taxi to take you part way, do the loop and ride all the way back (downhill innit). Having said that GC would be my choice but only because I haven't been yet - VOTT is meant to be quite good

Certainly some great roads, views, descents and climbs. The descent into Masca from the east was stunning and would be a challenging climb if reversed. Slightly spoiled by tourist coaches - we did it on a Sunday. May have been quieter on a Monday. The climb from the coast on the return loop went on forever and that last downhill was so welcome.

The route in the north of the island was great. Much greener and sheltered. It's a pity it's not a loop but still very enjoyable.

Those were my 2 favourite days of the trip. The lower slopes of the Teide climb are pretty boring although the upper bit, before the crater, was really nice. The upper half of the Teide descent was fantastic. Great tarmac condition and few hairpin bends so you could really let go.

milese

I've booked with the gran canaria company I linked to above.

Seems good, very excited with a new found motivation to train.

DavidJB

GC is much better than Tenerife. I found the roads in Tenerife to be appalling condition and only one major road up to Tierde from the south makes for a busy old time. GC does have bad roads but the bad sections tend to be shorter and the terrain is more varied.