Canary Islands Cycling Camp
with Rob Taylor

Bienvenidos a La Palma, today is our first ride on this epic trip, a gentle warm-up ride with our first real climb to the Mirador de la Cumbre, short but intense!

The first of your long rides and no better way to kick things off than the road to Monte de la Luna, a gentle , 20km climb at an average of 3%. From Monte de la Luna we continue heading south to Las Salinas de Fuencaliente. After that point, enjoy the ¨flattersection¨ of the Isla de La Palma, although it still has 3 climbs in quick succession, with some spicy sections thrown in for an extra challenge!

Today’s ride we can call the queen stage, we have one of the most challenging climbs worldwide. Roque de los Muchachos: 45km and almost 3,000 meters of climbing. To make a comparison, it’s 1,000m higher than Mount Teide.

After yesterday’s queen stage most groups would look forward to a gentle recovery ride, but we know that wouldn’t quite work for this group, so we have another epic day, and potentially a second queen stage.
We’ll head to the north side of the island, through the Nacional Park of Las Nieves, over 3 categoriesed climbs with of course a few wee bumps in between.

Today we leave La Palma and take the short flight over to the north of Tenerife and our first ride through the magnificent Anaga Natural Park.

After a short transfer from the airport, the ride starts in San Andres with the 1st of 4 spectacular climbs. Enjoy the mix of sea and mountain scenery as you ride through vast forests, high cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, craggy peaks and remote mountain villages. Local riders claim this is the most beautiful ride on Tenerife – we’ll let you be the judge.

Even the professionals need a day of rest, so today is the day to enjoy the largest infinity pool in Europe and maybe a few cocktails, but only after the ride on the twisty roads to Taucho!

Today you’ll head for the north shore of the island. The ride starts the same as the warm-up ride, with the climb to Guía de Isora but then continues climbing to the Alto de Arguayo and eventually to the Puerto de Erjos.

Enjoy the stunning views from the switchbacks on the descent from El Tanque which takes us to the North Shore of the island. You’ll ride along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to Buenavista del Norte where the spectacular cliff road takes us through Masca to Santiago del Teide. This is one of the most impressive and dramatic roads you’ll ever ride, with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean hundreds of metres below. Save something in the tank for the climb out of Masca, it’s unbelievably beautiful – but also unbelievably steep!

Today you’ll head for the north shore of the island. The ride starts the same as the warm-up ride, with the climb to Guía de Isora but then continues climbing to the Alto de Arguayo and eventually to the Puerto de Erjos.

Our third climb, and the last one of today’s ride is Mount Teide from los Realejos. 41km and 2,140m of climbing, it’s a monster climb but also the quietest way to the top of Tenerife where you can enjoy the stunning panoramas.

Today we take the short ferry ride from Tenerrife to our 3rd and final island, Gran Canaria. After checking into our next hotel we’ve planned a short ride with just one climb. Enjoy and save your energy for the last week!

A beautiful ride today with a mix of coastal cliff scenery and high mountains on the Ruta de las Presas.

From Agaete you’ll head south-west for 30km through the Tamadaba Natural Park along a spectacular road that clings to the cliffs, high above the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll want to stop at every corner for another photo – the views are that stunning! La Aldea signals the end of the coastal road and the beginning of the long climb to the central part of the island. The top lies 26km (ahead at an altitude of 1,100m – through some of the most incredible scenery on the island. From the top, enjoy 20km of rolling terrain through forests and green fields before the long descent back to the hotel.

On today’s ride we’ll cross from the north of Gran Canaria to the south of this amazing cycling paradise. We can divide today’s ride in two parts, the first 48k is all uphill and last 48km are all downhill!

From the hotel you’ll head along the coast then inland towards Baranquillo Andres. Keep your eyes open as this is the road most frequented by the many pros who train on the island.

At the 25km mark, the climbing starts with the steady climb to Barranquillo. Enjoy this section of the climb, after Barranquillo you’ll take a narrow, much steeper road with pitches between 10 and 15%.

After a coffee-stop in Ayacata you’ll descend through San Bartolome and Fataga to the coast. Beware of the few short, ambush climbs on the descent, especially the final climb to Degollada de las Yeguas. A final 30km along the coast closes off the ride.

On Today’s ride, we have another bonus climb, Ayaguares, we know you signed for an epic trip and your standards are way above the average cyclist!

After the long rides of the past 3 days, you’ll have a shorter ride today and rest up for the final 2 big days of riding.
It may be a short ride, but it has its challenges!
We have two climbs on today’s ride, la Degollada, perfect gentle climb for shining your legs and the ride up from Playa de Tasarte, that one has some spicy sections!

Today on the menu as main course we have one of the most challenging climbs on the island (and one of the toughest climbs in all of Europe), the brutal climb to Pico de las Nieves from Ingenio. Starting just above sea level, the summit tops out after 23km at 1,900m. It’s a tough one – but at the top, you are rewarded with stunning views of Tenerife’s El Teide in the distance. Keep your eyes open at the summit, we often meet pro riders out training on this great climb.

Today’s ride takes you right into the centre of the island. The first 60km is just stunning with the climb to Cruz de San Antonio followed by the climb to Ayacata.

After a coffee-stop in Ayacata you’ll continue climbing to the beautiful village of Tejeda which is classified in the list of “pueblos más bonitos de España” (the most beautiful villages in Spain). But before that we’ve added a little surprise, a bonus climb called El Chorrilo.

From Tejeda, the climbing continues with our staff’s favourite climb in Gran Canaria, the climb to Cruz de Tejeda and on to Los Llanos. From Los Llanos enjoy the 40km (25 miles) descent back to the hotel.

In the evening, join us at the hotel bar where beers and cocktails are in order to toast a fantastic week of riding!

Dress properly tonight, we have a Michelin start restaurant! (ketchup is not allowed)

Unfortunately, your 2 weeks on the islands of La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria have come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport.