Does anyone know Tenerife?

vermin
vermin Posts: 1,739
edited February 2015 in Commuting chat
I've just booked flights for a week's relaxing holiday in Tenerife in the spring.

Now need some advice:

1. Scott Foil + Easyjet. Would you? If so, in what sort of bag/box?
2. If not, from where should I hire a road bike that's far too good for me, for minimal expense?
3. Where should I stay (location/accomodation)?
4. What are the best routes (gps?) up the hill?
5. What else do I need to know?

Comments

  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    North = Cool (relatively)
    South = Hot
    Playas = flaming noisy
    Teide = worth a visit (and boy would I love to cycle over that Volcanic plateau)
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • kinioo
    kinioo Posts: 776
    North = Green/Fresh
    South = Greyish/Sandish/MArsish...

    Go north. Pick up any road, enjoy !

    I do agree with visiting Teide hill / area / cycling about but I think going up with the cable car is a waist of the money....

    You can hire the bike there...
  • vortice
    vortice Posts: 244
    I've taken my bike out there several times, though not with Easy Jet, though it's more to do with the handling staff rather than the airline how your bike is loaded.

    I'd only take my bike in a hard case - do a search, there are plenty on the market. If you can travel light, pack your clothing and kit around your bike for protection. The airlines say not to do this, but that's because they want to make more money from you by charging for a suitcase too. As long as the bike case doesn't end up being too heavy it's fine - and load your carry on bag to the airlines maximum weight.

    El Medano in the South is a decent place to stay and it's right next to the airport, so quick transfer/cheap taxi fare. It's away from the playas, it's got a decent beach a few eateries and bars and you can hire good bikes (BMC now I believe) there from these guys - http://www.bikepointtenerife.com

    For cycling routes, do an activity search on strava for "El Medano, Tenerife" and plenty should come up. I hope you like climbing!

    https://app.strava.com/activities/36729063#590702406
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Can't comment on Tenerife.

    I've taken bikes (Prince & Dogma) abroad with Easyjet every year since 2008. Not had a single problem.

    Box wise I've used:

    Polaris - A little small
    BikeBoxAlan - Easy to pack, minimum dis-assembly, loads of room for kit etc.

    I'd recommend the BBA. However I came across http://www.shokbox.co.uk/ the the Cycle Show. They are almost identical to the BBA but with 2 anti-crush poles. They are also cheaper. I ordered one a few weeks ago. Not traveled with it yet but it seems to be well made and should be easy to pack. They honored a discount code I found online as well:

    http://forums.roadcyclinguk.com/showthread.php/129722-Shok-Box-bike-box
  • vermin
    vermin Posts: 1,739
    That's good to know, thanks. I had been looking at their cheaper option, but like the sound of the lateral supports.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    vermin wrote:
    That's good to know, thanks. I had been looking at their cheaper option, but like the sound of the lateral supports.

    I wouldn't trust anything other than a hardshell box. I know people travel with bags without issues but I've watched baggage handlers drop things several feet out of planes. My bro took a bag to Cyprus, his frame got bent.
  • Wheelspinner
    Wheelspinner Posts: 6,562
    Bike hire in Spain always makes me think of this...

    BicycleForRent.jpg
    Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS
  • ol9
    ol9 Posts: 50
    I got myself off to Tenerife on Boxing Day for an epic 5 days riding (twice up Mt Tiede), I hired a Bike from 'Bike Point' (BMC SLR02) and went out with 'Club Activo' I'd recommend them all day long, deffo doing it again next year.
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    A friend is out there at the moment and will have done some decent mileage. Have a nosey of his rides and download the GPX if you want some routes :D

    https://www.strava.com/athletes/177811

    Edit: some very good mileage indeed by the look of it
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo