Cycling in Tenerife
Discussion
Made a last minute booking for 5 days in Tenerife Los Cristianos next week. I want to do some cycling whilst I'm there so I'm looking for any recommendations as to where to hire a decent disc braked mountain bike, and any routes to cycle. I'm in my mid 50's and resumed cycling this time last year, now commute to work about 16 miles each day (even in this heat!) I'm aware it's likely to be blisteringly hot over there .... what precautions should I take .... and any recommendations for places that play live rock in the evenings 
Keen mountain cyclist here but more road than MTB these days
Things Id consider:
Sun protection inc cap
Hydration - take a Camelback, MTBs generally have poor bottle mounts volume wise
Hiring from a decent outlet with guide/maps/local knowledge is advisable
There must be some bloody good MTB on Teide
Register on STW and ask the question - https://singletrackworld.com/forum
And enjoy!
Cheers
Thanks for the info folks. Tomorrow I'll be buying myself a full set of new clothing along with a hydration pack.
I mentioned a mountain bike because that's what I've been riding for the last year ... but trying a road bike really appeals now.
I'd want to do some rides as part of a group .... currently doing about 18 miles a day ... if I were to hire a road bike from bikepoint or similar, could they put me in touch with a tour group to suit my age and ability?
ALawson said:
Been on a road bike there every year for the last 4 or 5 years, if our group are hiring then we use bikepoint. Great team and service.
If you aren't used to riding uphill for three hours then it's all about pacing yourself and enjoying the descents (ex MTB'er)!
I don't think I'm up to cycling up mount teide just yet .... but I might enjoy the ride down if the trip up was done in a minibus!If you aren't used to riding uphill for three hours then it's all about pacing yourself and enjoying the descents (ex MTB'er)!
I mentioned a mountain bike because that's what I've been riding for the last year ... but trying a road bike really appeals now.
I'd want to do some rides as part of a group .... currently doing about 18 miles a day ... if I were to hire a road bike from bikepoint or similar, could they put me in touch with a tour group to suit my age and ability?
You need to speak to Dan at Www.lavatrax.com he ias an ex Pat and hires Titanium Kingdoms and does guided riding. Collects you in a mini bus and guides you from the edge of Teide National Park back down to the coast with a nice stop for lunch half way.
You’ll love it
You’ll love it
If you fancy a mountain (volcano) route with some epic scenery check the below.
i hired a rather lovely bmc from these guys: https://www.bikepointtenerife.com/ who were really helpful. They advised where the last water points were etc. The locals in the villages are helpful even if they dont speak english you can get by in the shops etc.
Did Tiede up the west side and came back down the Villaflor route. 25 miles up 25 ish back down. Amazing scenery. watch out for the roads coming back down 1) they've got the brakes on the european/american way around 2) the tarmac is ultra shiny and the bike i hired had disks so easily locked f&r wheels so things got a bit hairy on the descent..
Enjoy
i hired a rather lovely bmc from these guys: https://www.bikepointtenerife.com/ who were really helpful. They advised where the last water points were etc. The locals in the villages are helpful even if they dont speak english you can get by in the shops etc.
Did Tiede up the west side and came back down the Villaflor route. 25 miles up 25 ish back down. Amazing scenery. watch out for the roads coming back down 1) they've got the brakes on the european/american way around 2) the tarmac is ultra shiny and the bike i hired had disks so easily locked f&r wheels so things got a bit hairy on the descent..
Enjoy
Lavatrax or http://fluyendo.bike/
I was with Fluyendo and had a Cannondale mtb that was about 5,000euros. Fox 36's etc for 40euros(?) a day.
I fell off it repeatedly but had a great time.
Very knowledgeable and likeable guide.
I was with Fluyendo and had a Cannondale mtb that was about 5,000euros. Fox 36's etc for 40euros(?) a day.
I fell off it repeatedly but had a great time.
Very knowledgeable and likeable guide.
PorkRind said:
If you fancy a mountain (volcano) route with some epic scenery check the below.
i hired a rather lovely bmc from these guys: https://www.bikepointtenerife.com/ who were really helpful. They advised where the last water points were etc. The locals in the villages are helpful even if they dont speak english you can get by in the shops etc.
Did Tiede up the west side and came back down the Villaflor route. 25 miles up 25 ish back down. Amazing scenery. watch out for the roads coming back down 1) they've got the brakes on the european/american way around 2) the tarmac is ultra shiny and the bike i hired had disks so easily locked f&r wheels so things got a bit hairy on the descent..
Really?i hired a rather lovely bmc from these guys: https://www.bikepointtenerife.com/ who were really helpful. They advised where the last water points were etc. The locals in the villages are helpful even if they dont speak english you can get by in the shops etc.
Did Tiede up the west side and came back down the Villaflor route. 25 miles up 25 ish back down. Amazing scenery. watch out for the roads coming back down 1) they've got the brakes on the european/american way around 2) the tarmac is ultra shiny and the bike i hired had disks so easily locked f&r wheels so things got a bit hairy on the descent..
Sounds like you hadn't quite adjusted for the brake setup; I've many miles of quick descending under my wheels in Tenerife with no wheel lock ups.
Just returned ...
Bear in mind that this is my first time on a road bike of any kind...
Spent the first couple of days meandering around and getting the fell of the road bike and the different balance and getting used to the heat and made it up to Arona and then San Miguel which surprised me.
The bike felt really fast (to me) never been on anything that felt so quick and with less effort required.
Then I did the mount teide uphill as part of a tour group from bikepoint.
I did the intermediate starting at Vilaflor (I think) the others in the group started off at san miguel.
To be honest I'm amazed that I made it up, and I think the tour guide was too, me being 20 years older than the others in the group.
Once i got into the a rhythm my apprehension about taking on the challenge went, and I'm so pleased I made it up, I had to stop a few times I'm still not sure where the power in my legs came from!
Then up to the crater itself. It felt like being on venus!
Then there was the ride down ..... OMG!!! not had so much fun in a long time! The scenery and road quality are awesome, like a racetrack and little traffic. As said some of it is quite hairy, the ride down is simply fantastic, never been so fast on a bike! Riding down in tandem was great too.
Then lunch at san miguel followed by a fast run down to Los Cristianos
Absolute top marks for the guys at bikepoint and clubactivo, really friendly and helpful.
To be honest the rides were so good I'm a bit lost for words!
Probably done the mileage that i do on my MB over 3 weeks, in 3 days, hardly even ache.
If anybody else is thinking of doing this, just do it!
Couple of cell phone photos attached group photo to follow hopefully.
(the shoes, the pedals, yes I know
)
- ***** Awesome!
Bear in mind that this is my first time on a road bike of any kind...
Spent the first couple of days meandering around and getting the fell of the road bike and the different balance and getting used to the heat and made it up to Arona and then San Miguel which surprised me.
The bike felt really fast (to me) never been on anything that felt so quick and with less effort required.
Then I did the mount teide uphill as part of a tour group from bikepoint.
I did the intermediate starting at Vilaflor (I think) the others in the group started off at san miguel.
To be honest I'm amazed that I made it up, and I think the tour guide was too, me being 20 years older than the others in the group.
Once i got into the a rhythm my apprehension about taking on the challenge went, and I'm so pleased I made it up, I had to stop a few times I'm still not sure where the power in my legs came from!
Then up to the crater itself. It felt like being on venus!
Then there was the ride down ..... OMG!!! not had so much fun in a long time! The scenery and road quality are awesome, like a racetrack and little traffic. As said some of it is quite hairy, the ride down is simply fantastic, never been so fast on a bike! Riding down in tandem was great too.
Then lunch at san miguel followed by a fast run down to Los Cristianos
Absolute top marks for the guys at bikepoint and clubactivo, really friendly and helpful.
To be honest the rides were so good I'm a bit lost for words!
Probably done the mileage that i do on my MB over 3 weeks, in 3 days, hardly even ache.
If anybody else is thinking of doing this, just do it!
Couple of cell phone photos attached group photo to follow hopefully.
(the shoes, the pedals, yes I know
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