A Cyclist's Life in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

We have been working very hard behind the scenes over the past few months on a completely new main website. The new website for desktops and mobile browsers is expected to launch on or before 1st December 2012. (we are just working on some final details) The new website will feature:

• An overall much cleaner look.
• A new navigation menu vastly superior to the old website.
• Interactive altitude profiles (this page automatically generates elevation profiles of any route chosen).
• New information about weather & weather prediction.
• Faster overall load times, especially for the route maps.
• Improved access to perform a «global search» of the entire contents of the www.Tenerife-Training.net site (homepage, blog and forum).
• A mobile version of the website to facilitate the access of information from mobile devices.
• We have also taken the opportunity to upgrade the forum, which is already online.

Tags: News Reel // 3 Comments »

We have managed to get a hold of an atlas-sized digital road map of Tenerife. This isn’t your ordinary everyday map. This map of Tenerife is a full 300 megapixels in size, measuring 19,000 pixels wide x 15,800 pixels tall. File size is ~125Mb as a jpeg image! Don’t be fooled by the tiny little vintage map shown here… click the image to download full high resolution map of Tenerife. It doesn’t quite show every single street in Tenerife, but it’s not far off!

Tags: Island Life, Ride the Volcano! // Add Comment »

Nobody linkes old links because, well, they’re not very helpful. They’re more like a waste of time because you have to sift through all the bad links in order to find a good one. Due to the new webpage which should be ready in a few days’ time, I have taken this opportunity to refresh and reorganise all existing links. Some of the blog links in particular were getting quite old, so only recent blogs will be linked to.

Tags: News Reel, That's Business // 2 Comments »

It gives me great pleasure to announce a few more updates. This blog is now even easier to read if you are on holiday in Tenerife as I have just installed a dedicated theme for mobile browsers. It should automatically work with most modern smartphones. Even the new forum also has a mobile version! Enjoy!

Tags: News Reel // 1 Comment »

Technology has advanced enough recently enabling us to collectively map out all the exact locations of drainage grates in Tenerife. Considering the length of roads here, there aren’t actually that many.

This is an editable map so if you have found a drainage grate you believe to be a road hazard for cyclists, please update the place on the list. I highly encourage you to do so, because once we are armed with the exact location of ~20 or so known hazards, we can approach both the the Tenerife and Canary Islands cycling federations, local councils as well as the Tenerife Tourism department and see if we can get them to modify the design to be more cyclist friendly. The Tenerife deptarment of tourism once asked me something along the lines of «what could we be doing to improve cycling in Tenerife?». I think eliminating these potential dangers is a simple and achieveable goal.

Thank you,

Leslie

Tags: News Reel // 1 Comment »

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.

Tags: Island Life, The Bike Guru // Add Comment »

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. (más…)

Tags: Island Life, The Bike Guru // Add Comment »

It’s been a while since I last updated the whole website, so  you can expect a new main website some time next week! In the mean time, I’m upgrading the blog software, so you may find that this blog could go offline. Also expect the theme too be temporarily different while these upgrades take place…

Tags: News Reel // Add Comment »

Tags: Island Life // Add Comment »

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:

1. Firstly, through San Miguel & then climb up TF21 via Granadilla de Abona (the road from there all the way to the crater is fantastic).
2. Secondly, TF51 via La Escalona and Arona. The surface isn’t great but the road is pretty awesome nonetheless.
3. 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.
4. 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, Güímar 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 Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, Abama, Playa de San Juan, Alcalá, Puerto Santiago and finally Los Gigantes. Guía 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 Guía 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 Guía 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!

Tags: The Bike Guru // 2 Comments »

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

Tags: Ride the Volcano!, The Bike Guru // Add Comment »

We mostly dine in the North of Tenerife, so this list is somewhat biased. I’m sure there are loads of recommendations for restaurants in the South of Tenerife. If you have any helpful suggestions or referrals, please post them in the comments below!

1. «La Bodegita de en Frente», Cuesta de la Villa. This has a cosy atmosphere and everyone is greeted with a welcoming handshake.
2. «Pizzeria Bacco», Garachico. This is a small quality Italian restaurant only open on weekends. «Rugantino Pizzeria» also in Garachico and «La Rucula» located in Puerto de la Cruz are also owned by the same family. They all cook to a fantastic standard.
3. «Indian Palace», Puerto de la Cruz. Wonderful Indian food. Actually more like amazing.
4. «El Valle», La Orotava. This cosy little place serves mostly brushchetta-style Spanish tapas. El valle is actually a taverna specialising in traditional spanish tapas, local cheeses & wine with some other alcoholic beverages available. You can also ask them to cook you a small meal also. It’s my favourite bar.
5. «The noodle and sushi bar», Centro Comercial Gran Sur, Torviscas Alto. (I’m yet to try the famed Japanese restaurant in Abama, so until then, this remains my favourite Japanese spot)
6. «Tito’s Bodeguita», Puerto de la Cruz.
7. «Ali Baba Kebab», La Laguna
8. There are many, many»Guachinches» here in Tenerife. They serve cheap, local Canarian food in a simple setting. We don’t tend to go to them as much as other poeple as we can cook some of this type of food at home… a good example of one is called «Tasca El Parralito» in La Corujera (Santa Ursula).
9. La Azzurra, La Orotava
10. Timanfaya Kebabs, Puerto de la Cruz

Also worth mentioning:

El Monasterio has traditionally been one of the most visited restaurants by tourists. It’s worth a visit but while I’ve found the surroundings to be very inviting, I’ve never found the food itself to be spot on.

Here’s a map I put together highlighting the different zones for bars & restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz.

Tags: Inspiration., Island Life // 1 Comment »

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.

Tags: Ride the Volcano!, The Bike Guru // 1 Comment »

There was an important quote by Lance Armstrong regarding chefs, masseurs and chiropractors, but I thought in light of recent events I’d skip over it. Let’s just say that massage has become an intrinsic part of multi-stage races. Not only does it hasten muscle recovery but it also relaxes the riders. And we all know that this world is ever-more stressful.

I had a great, authentic Thai massage yesteray as a gift for my 35th birthday. I came out feeling 5 years younger and about 5cm taller.

First a note about Thai massages. They are given while you are fully clothed, long pants and long shirt. Just so we know, I’m into innocent relaxing massages, not of the erotic variety. There’s nothing to be ashamed of here.

The hour long massage was nothing short of amazing. It’s as if the masseur worships your body. It’s very hard to describe their technique, but I’ll try. The scientist in me is compelled to say that «pressure comes in the form of carefully modulated, overlapping waves». (más…)

Tags: Inspiration., Island Life // 1 Comment »

It looks like the new highway between Adeje and Santiago del Teide has been delayed again. However, governmental funding has been approved, work can now continue and hence the expected completion date has been postponed until the end of 2013. This coincides with another part of the island loop («anillo insular» in Spanish), the stretch between Icod de los Vinos in the North of Tenerife and Santiago del Teide. The two new roads represent a 400 million euro investment for the island of Tenerife. (más…)

Tags: Island Life, Mental Anguish, Ride the Volcano! // 2 Comments »

My favourite band the past year or so is without a doubt Cog, an Australian alternative rock band originating from Bondi, Australia. As soon as I heard the track «sharing space», I was instantly hooked on their entire album. It varies, but my favourite song this past month has been the fast-paced «Town of Lincoln». Other awesome tracks are «Bird of Feather», «No Other Way» (especially the first and last thirds of the song), the slower track entitled «Bitter Pills» and «Problem Reaction Solution» (which is one of those progressive long tracks at 9:16, but it grows on you. I especially like the part from 6:10 – 7:00).

Probably one of their better videos however is this one, entitled «Are You Interested?»

By the way, all these tracks are from the same album, sharing space. Worth paying for (and I did).

Tags: Inspiration. // Add Comment »

Normally I don’t post items for sale on here. But this is a pretty special frame which is currently for sale on ebay. It’s from a classic era, now considered retro I suppose and is in fantastic condition. No scratches or dents to speak of. Inlcludes an alphaQ fork and token headset. Current bid is only US$81 and I was hoping to get a bit more than that. Granted, the auction hasn’t ended yet -it ends in two days- but I thought I’d give it a bit of a push anyway.

Tags: Lucky Dip, News Reel, Sales Pitch // 1 Comment »

Tags: Inspiration. // Add Comment »

(más…)

Tags: Inspiration. // Add Comment »

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).

Tags: Island Life, News Reel, The Bike Guru // Add Comment »