When I think of Lanzarote, I can't help having flashbacks to Bassie & Adriaan. Perhaps the most famous clown and acrobat did a series on this Canary island in the 1980s. The title was: The Secret of the Treasure Map. Of course, for no apparent reason, they were chased by a Baron and his thugs. I still wonder, why a clown and an acrobat are being chased by a Baron. The story remains brilliant in its simplicity, but also absurd. Back to cycling in Lanzarote, because that's what it's all about now. Explorer Lotte van Trigt was travelling for us and wrote her tips on cycling in Lanzarote in this blog. Above all, read on for the best tips, tricks about this Canary Island.
The island of Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a great location for cycling. The main reason? The format and conditions. You learn to cycle well against the wind there and motorists really do take cyclists into account very well. One and a half metres of space between cyclist and car is actually mandatory. In addition, getting lost is impossible because it island is 62 km long and 21 km wide. I had two weeks to enjoy the Spanish sun, mostly good roads and the relaxed residents and holidaymakers on the island. I can honestly say: cycling on Lanzarote is highly recommended!
Most scenic route - Mirador del Rio
The most beautiful and longest route goes to the island's viewpoint, Mirador del Rio. Surely, as a cycling tourist, you have to go there. We start our bike ride towards Arrecife along the coast on the roads along the promenade. You cannot go full speed here but it is wonderfully flat and there is a nice cycle path. Then, after the capital, we ride slightly inland towards Tahiche and towards the north of the island. Nice tarmac, sunshine and palm trees, cacti and aloe vera plants along the way. We ride all the way to Arrieta, with a headwind and a slight uphill and downhill ride. Unfortunately, the famous Tabayesco climb is closed: because of a landslide, part of the road has been swept away. This is also a must do if you go cycling on Lanzarote. In our case, something for next time.
Alternative to Tabayesco
After Arrieta, the Mirador del Rio signs already appear and the climbing party of about 10-12 km begins. Not terribly steep but it goes up nicely. Once at the top, you can enjoy a beautiful view point. From here, we drive to Haria. A nice town and after Haria comes actually the most beautiful climb of the island with real hairpins. I love hairpin bends. From Mirador del Rio, we first descend a bit and before reaching Haria, we climb 200 metres with a gradient of 24(!) percent, which is a bit sensitive.
A feast to climb and descend
From Hair to Teguise, the party begins! This is a climb of just over five km and with fantastic hairpins. Not my personal preference with descending but with climbing it's a party! Once you reach the top at the weather station you have a great view of the road you just drove along the coast and can enjoy descending to Teguise. From Teguise you continue in one straight line to la Asomada. Although it is a bit 'rolling' it seems to feel more downhill than uphill. The road is a beautiful one through Lanzarote's la Geria region. A delightful ride of almost 105 kilometres. Perhaps a bit long for the average rider, but a fine distance for me.
Volcanoes and El Golfo
Another beautiful and distinct area of Lanzarote is the natural park Timanfaya and El golfo. For all Bassie and Adriaan viewers, this beautiful Natural Park features in the aforementioned series and is beautiful to cycle through. (For more Bassie and Adriaan fanvideos: Click here for a comparison with all locations)
You can make a nice round trip by connecting these two areas. If you do this from Puerto del Carmen, you quickly end up with about 80 kilometres. We parked the car in El Golfo and started along the coast. With a headwind towards Yaiza, before cycling through the La Geria region via Uga. This is mainly uphill, it is not a steep climb but it is certainly not flat.
Timanfaya
At Mancha Blanca, we turn with the wind through Timanfaya. This is a natural park where there are volcanoes and everything is lava. Here the floor is literally lava and then there is a beautiful tarmac road through it. Another steep climb and then you have and beautiful view of some dead/slapping volcanoes and a lovely descent! This descent is straight, the road is clear so you can go full throttle down here. After this enjoyable stretch of downhill you arrive back in Yaiza and we head back to the car towards El Golfo, the green lake. A fun ride to combine the different landscapes Lanzarote has to offer.
Wind
On Lanzarote, you always have to deal with wind. Sometimes even so much wind that you still sit on your saddle with your buttocks squeezed together or are literally blown off. Leave your high rims at home, is generally the advice. If you want to seek out the wind even more, you should go to the north-west of the island: at La Santa and la Famara it blows nicely. Beautiful to cycle to, you can spot real sand dunes there and sometimes they are also on the tarmac, so be careful. So are we. We go through the Timanfaya National Park, via the village of Mancha Blanca through Tinajo with a beautiful descent to La Santa before cycling against the wind at 11 km/h to Soo. Then from Soo towards La Vegueta completely sandblasted between the sand dunes and back towards Mancha blanca and to Puerto del Carmen. Voila, that's how cycling on Lanzarote is complete.
Lanzarote is therefore a fantastic island for training. The wind is a constant factor and can be very strong. Motorists are really very considerate of you, which is a nice feeling. There are plenty of great routes to make!
Routes
Below are the files and routes discussed in this article. Take advantage of them!
Where to stay
I stayed in the coastal town of Puerto del Carmen. Puerto del Carmen is a great base for nice cycling tours. You can cycle straight up bits of climbing or towards the capital just a bit flatter. It is also a perfect location in relation to the airport. You are at your hotel or apartment and on your bike in no time!
Want more info on cycling in Lanzarote? Then go to the site of 'Lanzarote European Sports Destination'. Because the island is hugely popular with athletes, not only from Europe, but all over the world.
