A Cyclist's Life in Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Welcome to my new YouTube cycling channel!
I’m back! This time I have called myself «Fat Pinarello Rider» because it’s a stereotype that I never thought I would end up becoming. Perhaps I’ll do a quick video about that, yes.
I have had a long break from cycling due to a serious injury (total foot reconstruction). Perhaps I’ll do a video about that too, definitely.
I plan to make some more videos, I’m not sure how many. I’d also like to do a video about why I quit the www.Tenerife-Training.net cycling business for instance.
My intention is to make completly honest reviews (with no script).
Reason being, I don’t really like a lot of the fake videos that you see on some of the more successful YouTube channels. Yes they are well-edited and «professional» and filmed on location and everything, but they seem to me to be very staged and they are almost awkward to watch. I prefer to come across like I am in the same room as you simply talking about cycling. I would call it a «warts and all» approach.
I would also like to reveal what I personally like and also what I don’t like. I’ve noticed that YouTube videos with paid content are almost never critical of anything and I don’t like that.
I’d also like to document or capture my training progress, some of the hurdles I have faced recently and how I am overcoming them. I think this makes for interesting viewing.
The more views and subscribers I get, the more videos I’ll make it’s as simple as that really.
I already have #2 and #3 google rankings for the search term «Fat Pinarello Rider» (it was actually #1 a few days ago)… or maybe that was for the search term «FatPinarelloRider«. Hmm.
That’s something to be proud of I think.
That’s my update for today anyway. I hope you can join me.
P.S: I also have another Youtube channel about learning languages here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/learnalanguagewithleslie.
That has 154 subscribers as of today. 🙂
Has the bike industry gone astray?
As you probably know I previously owned a business renting out top-quality bikes in Tenerife, Canary Isands [unfortunately that is no longer operational, but the website still works]. And I also sell the world’s best cable housing for bicycles. So I am still directly involved with the bike industry, and I have been an avid cyclist for at least 20 years.
But the trouble with the bicycle industry today is that all of these hybrid composite materials cannot be easily recycled, recovered or reused. It wouldn’t be quite so bad except new standards are introduced at such a rate, they drive frames and components obsolete within only a few short years. What is the expected lifespan of a frame today? It used to be ten years or more.
The reason I first rode a bike to school (almost 25 years ago now) was not just for enjoyment and practicality, but also for the environment. I think the bike industry is falling behind in that respect… way, way behind. The industry is all too keen to introduce new wheel sizes, new bearings, new fangled ways of attaching seatposts, new axle widths. I’m still waiting for the humble pedal thread to get superceded. It’s… it’s… it’s an entire industry.
And most bike magazine reviewers certainly don’t help the matter either. Why? Because they encourage people to buy ever more shit that they really don’t need. Why? Well, because if they don’t, they’d be out of a job, that’s why. What makes me say that? Because they get a lot of revenue for bike component advertising. And no component manufacturer in their right mind would advertise with a company that promotes minimalism, would they?
One of the very attractions of bicycles is that they are supposed to be «eco friendly». When frames only last a few years because of the introduction of new standards, I think adults are forgetting why they started buying quality things to begin with. I think we’re forgetting why we all got into cycling in the first place!
One of my most memorable rides of all time was riding around Bora Bora on an old French steel bike. The thing only had one speed, but I enjoyed that ride more than all of the others I can remember. So we don’t always have the most fun or even the best experiencex on the most advanced bicycles.
I actually think bicycle companies should be more like Calfee Designs. If I could have my time in Tenerife again, those are the bikes I would buy today. Take a look:
A few bike cleaning tips.
One of the more mundane things I’ve has to do lots of with ProBikeHire.com is cleaning bikes, so I thought I’d share a few secrets on how to clean your bike fast -and more importantly- on the cheap. [Read more →]
Being taken for a ride
As many of you already know, I’m in the business of renting out bikes here in Tenerife. I’ve been a part of the bike industry for the last eight years. I might not repeat this much so I’ll say it now: I am extremely grateful to have been able to do something that I enjoy all of that time. Above all, I thank my customers who have continue to support me over the years! Thanks so much – you’re the best!! 😀
[Apologies for the negative tone of the post. It’s pretty clear that I need a change of direction and all I can say is that I’m already working hard on it] [Read more →]
Puerto de la Cruz Hotel and Street Maps:
For your convenience, we have uploaded three detailed maps of the Puerto de la Cruz resort area. The first pdf map is an information map which best shows the overall layout of Puerto la Cruz, including the location of El Lago Martíanez. The second pdf map is a detailed street map of Puerto de la Cruz. The last one is a detailled Map of Hotel Locations in El Puerto. You can also download the best digital map of Tenerife Island here.
Catching the local bus in Tenerife with bikes?
The local bus network is very extensive & the buses always run on schedule. You can easily recognise these local buses; they’re bright green, and have «TITSA» written on the side of them. Although bikes are never permitted on board (inside) any buses, yes they will usually fit inside lugagge space of probably 80-90% of the buses that circulate -provided that both front and rear wheels are removed. Just to be sure, it’s best if you take off the pedals and lower the seatpost also.
If there is a latch on the luggage door, simply open the door and load your bike on, turningthe handlebars to ensure that it fits. If you’re lucky enough to get one of the bigger «cargo» buses, you won’t need to take off both wheels but you may need to show the driver you have a bike, and then they’ll remotely open the door. If the doors look very small and there are no handles, you’re probably out of luck. The only catch about taking bikes aboard buses is that you’re expected to do so only at major stations (Las Americas, Los Christianos, Los Gigantes, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz, Granadilla de Abona, Icod de Los Vinos, Güímar) and preferably before the bus leaves, otherwise you hold everyone else up. Don’t expect any bus drivers to stop for you anywhere else. Click here for further information about travelling with bikes on the Titsa buses in Tenerife. [Read more →]
Cycle routes leaving from Los Cristianos / Las Americas
You may have noticed that many of the rides we have written about on this website are based around the North of Tenerife, mainly because that is where we are located. No matter where you stay on Tenerife however, there are some truly great climbs.
The most obvious rides from Las Americas & Los Cristianos head in up the mountains to the North-East, up past Vilaflor to Las Cañadas and the base of Mt Teide (where the highest road elevation is 2350 metres above sea level). The best road out of Los Cristanos is probably via TF-28 (although there is another back way via TF-657). If you decide to go via TF-28, expect traffic up as far as La Camella. From there, there are essentially three main routes up to Vilaflor:
- Firstly, through San Miguel & then climb up TF21 via Granadilla de Abona (the road from there all the way to the crater is fantastic).
- Secondly, TF51 via La Escalona and Arona. The surface isn’t great but the road is pretty awesome nonetheless.
- There is also a lesser-known road up to Vilaflor, definitely off the beaten track so to speak. Starting in San Miguel, this is along TF-563, a narrower road with no lane markings, so be careful. TF-563 probably has the least amount of cars but it is definitely steeper than TF21.
- Finally a fourth way up (for part of the way anyway) is via TF-565, from El Roque to La Longuera.
Also worth mentioning, you can take the old road TF-28 from Granadilla to Arico, Fasnia, GüÃmar and Arafo. It’s an undulating road and people tell me it is great. I’ve never done it, but if you have your own transport, this would be an awesome route if you are extremely fit.
Palm Mar, Las Galletas, Costa Silencio, Golf del Sur and El Medano are all located in the South East of Tenerife. The only safe way to get to these places from Los Cristianos is the back way via TF-655, which goes to Las Chifiras and beyond. This road parallels highway TF1 (cyclists are wisely not pemitted on major highways here in Spain – that includes TF1 and TF2).
To the North West, there are a lot of coastal towns, namely, La Caleta, Playa ParaÃso, Callao Salvaje, Abama, Playa de San Juan, Alcalá, Puerto Santiago and finally Los Gigantes. GuÃa de Isora is located inland.
- Be aware that TF-47 to Puerto Santiago is usually a pretty busy road with no shoulder much of the way. It doesn’t stop a lot of roadies cycling along this route because it is relatively flatter than a lot of the other rides in Tenerife. If you’re used to commuting amongst city traffic, you’ll most likely find this ride to be okay. On the other hand, many cyclists living in country or rural areas tend to find this road to be too daunting. If you do decide to ride this loop, best to go clockwise, in other words, from Armiñeme -> San Juan -> Tejina (because it’s no fun climbing with cars waiting for you). Keep in mind that once the new highway connection to Santiago del Teide is built (it is expected to be finished by the end of 2013), this coastal route will be a much better option for road cyclists in the not too distant future…
- Generally speaking, the roads either side of TF-82 are all quite steep. That includes TF-465, Piedra Hincada and Hoya Grande. Expect the average gradient of these climbs to be around 20%. Likewise, TF-583 to Taucho, TF-585 to Tijoco Alto and TF-465 to Vero de Erques are equally gruelling. Same goes for the «Teide shortcut» from GuÃa de Isora via Chirche (although the narrow lane between Chirche & Chirgergue is quite magical).
- There is one notable exception – the quiet climb from Playa San Juan up to GuÃa de Isora up TF-463.
- The famous Masca valley is also within reach via Arguayo and then returning through Tamaimo – totally breathtaking scenery. Best to check out our Los Gigantes guide for more info on riding around that region…
The Anaga region is also spectacular, about an hour’s drive on TF1. Finally, if you’re still reading this and running out of riding options, consider hopping across to La Gomera on the ferry – totally amazing cycling over there!
Elevated Altitude Training in Tenerife
I was looking for places to stay in Tenerife and your website appeared so I thought it best to ask your advice. I’m after living at altitude for a little while and training on mount Teide and I wondered if you knew any hotels or villas available that would be around 2000 meters above sea level? Also if you knew any that would cater to cyclists in February?Thanks
Hello there,
Without a doubt the highest place to stay and train at altitude is «El Parador», the only hotel located inside the Volcanic Crater @ 2000 masl.
Thanks,
-Leslie
Bike routes around Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. Canary Islands
Here are some updated cycle routes from Puerto de la Cruz. Take note: we have taken special care to indicate the best way(s) of getting into and out of Puerto de la Cruz. You may find it helpful to print out certain sections particularly around Puerto de la Cruz (note there are three or four ways in, «El Botannico», «Martianez», «Las Arenas» and «Las Dehesas»). Some people find the way through to La Orotava & Icod EL Alto a bit confusing, and also the way through La Laguna and the way back through El Sauzal…
- El Puerto de la Cruz to the base of Mt Teide.
- 100km loop past Izaña & La Esperanza.
- Icod, Garachico, El Tanque, Icod El Alto & back.
- A different way to Masca via El Amparo, La Vega, La Montañeta and back to Garachico via Teno.
- How to get to Afur, Anaga and how to cross the TF5 highway without touching it.
- TF352 from Santa Catalina to La Guancha is a short «power climb» averaging 12.4% gradient over its 2.8km length.
- A slightly easier route is via TF351 from San Juan de la Rambla up to La Guancha at 5.3km length (average 8.4% gradient). You can of course connect these two routes making a short circuit along TF342.
Can you recommend a swimming pool & gym for triathlon training?
There is now an excellent sports training centre in La Orotava called Complejo Deportivo el Mayorazgo (Mayorazgo Sports Complex). Main facilities include 25m indoor pool and gymnasium. The gym has both free weights and cardiovascular equipment (exercise bikes & treadmills). Pool measures 25 metres by 21 m wide with six lanes. Numerous blood pumping activities are scheduled each week: cardio, gap, spinning, aerobics, step, ‘total training’ as well as other more relaxing classes: pilates, yoga, taichi, dancing (several types including tango, salsa and other latin ryhthms), stretching and relaxation.
CD Mayorazgo also offers a massage service, physiotherapy and aquatic physio. They also have a great physiotherapy centre called Fisio-Natura.
This all new sports complex wouldn’t be complete without a well-stocked cafeteria with an assortment of sports drinks, energy bars, gels and protein powders available. Basic swimming equipment is also for sale at the front desk (googles, swimwear, swimcaps, etc) and there is also a dedicated fitness shop located inside. Needless to say, free changerooms, lockers and ample parking are all an important part of the complex.
Staff are very friendly and the doors are open to all visitors, tourists included. Their phone number is 902 102 395 and email: info@cdelmayorazgo.com. Most staff at least speak a basic level of English.
Rates are very reasonable (€6.42 per day, €47/month) and the standard is very high. In fact you can join for one whole month for less than the cost of going to the T3 «tenerife top training» centre for a single day! Click here for the rates (just remember to add %7 IGIC tax to those prices).
Fires in Tenerife 2012. Which roads are affected?
Hi,I am due to be coming to South Tenerife next week and wondered what effect the fires had on mountain biking and road biking? I wanted to ideally bring my MTB but I hear there may not be any where open
for riding. If this is the case would the road from las Americas up Tiede be open? I was looking to ride up through vilaflor to the summit on my road bike.
Thank you for your help.
Tim Hulbert
Here is a map where the fire took place, showing the fire boundaries.
I am really not sure about MTB. I expect a lot of offroad trails will be closed (in the South). Everything in the North is still open.
The main climb to Mt Teide from the South which passes through Vilaflor should definitely already be open, as will practically all other roads with a TF designation. You can always call the roads information centre which is operated by the Cabildo de Tenerife on 901 501 901. If there is an emergency, you can contact them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 900 210 131.
Do you organise group rides?
Hi
I’m interested in a cycling holiday in Tenerife in early January, and will probably be using your rental service.
At this point, may I ask whether you organise group rides? I prefer riding with others, but doubt I can persuade any friends to come with me.
(by the way, I think your site is great. Very professional, well written, well laid out, etc. Well done.)
cheers,Sam
Hello Sam,
For now it isn’t feasible for us (me) to offer guided group rides. We did offer them in the past but they weren’t that successful due to the following factors:
* Even small groups would split up bigtime wherever any climbing was concerned.
* Lack of fitness of participants.
* Lack of fitness of the guide! Take this to mean it was simply too difficult to maintain a full-time growing business andan almost pro like level of fitness for the faster clientele (regardless of whether there were potential clients or not).
* Full time training was a major physical exertion compared to the earnings (sometimes only 20-30€ per day).
* Whenever I was out riding, the time available to do the required admin, bike maintenance, emails, marketing, etc was reduced.
* Then finally there’s the old liability thing which rears its ugly head, being the group leader you are essentially responsible for the safety of the group.
* All this info lead my tax advisor to advise me not to do the rides anymore.
The best thing is to book early and you will obviously get the best selection of bikes. We can always help you with the best routes to follow, etc.
Look forward to hearing from you!
-Leslie
Tenerife-Training.net | Pro bike hire
www.vertebr.ae | Precision braking & shifting
Cycling safety in Tenerife
Dear Sir/Madam
I am planning a holiday in Tenerife later this year and I would like to do some cycling. I can cycle but I would like to improve my confidence and ability in a relatively safe environment.
Thanks
Ade
Hello,
Great! What would you like to know?
Tenerife is a safe enough place for cycling regarding other road traffic… nevertheless, there are certain roads to avoid because of high levels of traffic or poor quality road surfaces. Quieter mountain roads are better than coastal routes.
Also, most accidents we have seen are due to rider error (going down around corners too fast and mixing up front/rear brakes for example). Tenerife is also not the best place to learn with clipless pedals due to the abundance of hill starts. The flattest road for beginner cyclists is between Granadilla de Abona and Güímar which undulates along road TF28.
Hope this is of some help.
-Leslie
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