Tuesday 14th February 2017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Pozo de las Nieves
Big day today. I asked for breakfast earlier this morning at 8.00am. I set off at 08.45 and took the coastal cycle path as far as the Triton sculpture shortly after the Triton tower. At this point I cycled the underpass to the other side of the autovia and up a short track to reach a bridge over a road at Los Cacharros then bearing left then right over another bridge and left again keeping to the right of the autovia then right under road GC3 to a roundabout then uphill for a short stretch then a wide turn to the left and followed the signs for Marzagan, another climb through Jinamar then a long downhill into Telde on the inland road GC100. It was a diversion of approx 3km but much safer than cycling the autovia. Through Telde the way was south through the town to a blue girder bridge and just past that, at a roundabout with a stone arched gateway in the centre the way was to the left where the road GC130 begins. Along here a short distance, a turn to the right then a steady rise up to the edge of the town along the road lined both sides with small colourful concrete walled homes at El Eljido then steadily rising up in open country. I stopped for a rest to eat bananas at the junction with the GC132 road to the right as I could see ahead that the road ahead was now steeper. From this point the route to Cazadores is fairly steep and much of it is wooded. From here though the road is steeper. There’s a one way split in the road as it passes through the village then the climb begins in earnest. I entered low cloud and visibility was limited. A short steep section downhill led to Caldera de la Marteles. I had passed up and over the rim of the crater. At the bottom I was in the lower part of the caldera that was only partly visible in the fog but I saw it again when I returned back later the same way. I was now 7km from the Pozo de las Nieves BIG 497 at 1930 metres height on road GC130 26.7km (17 miles) from Telde. At 5km from the top I was in open country. Towards the top I took a left turn and 2km a final right turn for a 500 metre stretch, passing the fenced off military site on the left and the radar globe. The top was reached and the mist was clearing so stayed a while to be rewarded with some great views when it finally cleared. I bought a coffee and some cake for a couple of euro from the buffet van positioned at the top. I could now see Roque Nublo off to the left and way across the horizon a wonderful view over the Bentayga rock to Teide Mountain over the stretch of water that separated Gran Canaria from Tenerife, 80 miles away, 130km. From here I wanted to return on the direct road to Las Palmas via Santa Brigida. For this I should have taken a left and left again to reach GC500 then right and on down the mountain – but I ended up on the same road back. It was good that I did because I now saw the caldera in its full glory. One final stretch uphill to the crater rim then down all the way to Telde. I returned back to Las Palmas the same way ande arrived back at the cycle hire shop at 7.15pm – just 15 minutes to spare before I would have to pay for a second day – he wouldn’t surely?
Saturday 18th February 2017 Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Las Cañadas Parador, Teide
My trip to Las Cañadas BIG 495 started at 08.30 and even though it’s only 59.7km (37 miles) from Santa Cruz the north east to reach the 2380 metres height from sea level it took me five hours to get there, 68km or 43 miles. From the start it’s a tough, hot steep climb from Santa Cruz to La Laguna on road TF180 where I was confused around the town streets before finding the road TF24 across the autovia. I came across the place where the taxi had disgorged us yesterday. The main street was interesting, some old buildings. I passed through and found the busy roundabout over which was the beginning of the road TF24 indicated as a brown sign for Teide. On the right at the start of the road is Tenerife North airport (Los Rodeos).
After a couple of kilometres of the first rise I stopped to eat by a go-kart circuit then continued on to La Esperanza along a tree lined avenue, after which it’s open country and a steep section through the forest, Bosque de la Esperanzana, passing the road south to the coast through Guimar. From there the road enters the national park, Forestal de Corona then continues up to a col at Puerto de Izaña at 2300 metres. This is the same height as Puerto de las Cañadas so what happens at this point is that the road reaches the rim of the crater then drops again steeply after the white towers of the Teide Observatory on the left on Las Vacas Mountain beyond which is an extinct volcano called de Fasnia. Another short rise to the inner edge of the crater rim at Corral del Ninno then a sudden drop to the road junction at El Portillo where the road from Puerto de la Cruz joins from the north. I was now in the Parque Nacional del Teide. From the junction, a turn to the left then a gradual up for 11km further to Las Cañadas. There is nothing at this point, the highest point of the road just after the cable-car station at the foot of Pico de Teide. I continued on, down now for 4km to Parador Las Cañada where there’s a road on the left leading to the restaurant and only hotel up here. I bought a beer to celebrate and ate my sandwich and relaxed in the sun for a while. I had a look at the little chapel, Ermito delas Nieves. I was fascinated by the weird rock formations near the Parador, Los Roques and also the jagged ridges of lava fields and red fields of ash as I went up and over Puerto de las Cañadas. Except for the deep blue sky it resembled a moonscape and some similarity to Mont Ventoux. Total 68km from Santa Cruz or 43 miles so total distance cycled today on return to Santa Cruz is 136km or 85 miles. I started this morning at 8.30 and reached the top at 3.30pm – 7 hours! It took me 4 hours to return and needed the bike lights on reaching Bosque de la Esperanza. It was a little dangerous through the forest area so had to keep a close eye on the white line marking the side of the road. Once in Esperanza I had street lights except for a 2 kilometre section before reaching the end of the mountain road at Tenerife North airport. From La Lugana it was an easy downhill all the way but still some confusion in the lower streets before I found the apartment by Hotel Principe. It was now 7.30 and thoroughly tired!
Sunday 19th February 2017 Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Pico del Ingles
Setting off at 9.15 I followed other cyclists along the quite coast road TF11. The first few kilometres were on a separate cycle path but the final section to San Andrès was on the autovia but on Sunday it was quiet, not much traffic. From the fishing village I took the TF12 road up into the mountains , Las Montañas de Anaga heading for the highest point at Pico del Ingles BIG 496 at 992 metres. From this side, the south east, it’s 22.8km (14 miles) to the top. It’s an interesting road up to El Bailadero 11km up a winding route, especially nearer the top. One dislike is the number of dogs barking from properties away from the road. There are good views back to the coast. At one point I saw the morning ferry from Las Palmas heading into Santa Cruz. There are no really steep sections and it’s a good surface road to the ridge. There were many cyclist up and down the climb but of course it’s Sunday. Just before reaching the top it started to rain and I wondered how those sporty cyclists carrying no wet wear would manage, especially when the rain became worse the higher I reached. On the ridge I was in fog. That mixed with rain is far from pleasant. I continued on for 12km to Taborno along a road with plenty of ups and downs but with no views. This road follows a ridge and there should have been good views to the south over the coast – today nothing. Once at Taborno I noticed the left turn for Pico del Ingles, a kilometre before Mirador Cruz del Carmen. I took the road, for 2 km. At first up then down a section and a final up to reach the one way loop to the Mirador. There was nothing to see. I took my photos of the name-board and a selfie. Even the footpath to the mast along the ridge was closed due to bad weather. Back to the main road and continued on to Mirador Cruz del Carmen just a little lower down but still no view. From here I descended through the woods to Vega de las Mercedes where at last I emerged from the thick mist – and the rain stopped. There was a view here across the coast and as well as Santa Cruz I could see Pico de Teide over to the right of me. From here through Las Cantaras where there was some party happening along the road. Down again rapidly to San Cristobal and back on to what was now a familiar road back to Santa Cruz. I arrived back at 3.15. It took me from 9.15 to 1.15 to reach Pico del Ingles and 2 hours down. The total distance round is 42km or 26 miles. I bought a small whiskey to celebrate and drank at the waterfront with the remainder of my food. I wished I hadn’t! The combination of the warm day and my activity went to my head and I fell asleep. I was woken by two helpful German girls who supported me(literally!) back to the apartment at 6.00pm. I was so glad Ruth was in. The girls called the bell and said “We have news of Kevin”. Ruth fearing the worse but was relieved to see me at the door. She carried my bike back to our room up the two flights of stairs while I went up three flights. I soon sobered up. We didn’t go the restaurant tonight but sat in with bread and cheese. Needless to say I didn’t have a wine or beer. Ruth had bought me a can of San Miguel lager but it was best left in the fridge.