A couple of week ago I went on vacation to Gran Canaria. It was a trip that was originally booked back in 2019 but the small matter of a global pandemic got in the way.
It was a 4 hour journey from Glasgow to Gran Canaria. All passengers had to wear a face mask on the plane. I thought maybe I could get away with taking it off whilst drinking but the stewardess announced over the radio “If you’re thinking you can order one drink and then nurse it mask-less all the way to GC then forget about it! Keep your masks on!”
You can’t get anything past an air stewardess. They have seen every trick in the book.
Both Glasgow and Gran Canaria airport were very quiet. Which meant we were in and out of both pretty quick.
I could claim the holiday was winter weather training but I’ve never understood why people go somewhere sunny to train. 90% of Scottish races are in the cold and rain.
If I want to train I should go somewhere with weather worse than Scotland. Then, on race day, even if the weather was bad I be relieved that it’s not as bad as the time I trained in hailstones and a gale in the the Arctic circle.
I hired electric mountain bikes from http://www.free-motion.com/en/gran-canaria/ I’ve free-motion bike a few times. They are easy to deal with and the bikes are good quality.
From out hotel in Melonares there was a few good on and off road routes to try. Check out the video below to see an example.
I’ve cycled in Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote, Of the three islands. I prefer Gran Canaria. The roads are quieter than Tenerife and it is not as windy as Lanza.
But I didn’t see any professional cyclists training. I have seen professional on both Terneriffe and Lanza so maybe don’t come here if you have any ambitions to win the Tour De France. Just come if you want a lovely place for a spin on your bike.
A selection of routes to try:
Degollada de las Yeguas
Popular lookout point in an expansive nature reserve offering sweeping views of the canyon.
Ayagueres
An easily accessible climb that starts in Melonares. Quiet roads make it perfect for cycling.
El Pajar
A quiet coastal road from Melonares to a small local village
Ayagueres (off road)
A tough off road route but very scenic!
Twin brothers swimming, cycling and running in Scotland 