Even Back was a guest blogger Ruth Koops of ’t Jagt We set off to the beautiful Gran Canaria. Previous reports already gave a good overview of the possibilities to cycle or even just take a day off. Well, a day off. In this latest report from her great trip, she shares it with her friend Kim. A wonderful cycling adventure on Gran Canaria. Want to read part 1 and part 2 anyway? Then take a quick look here en here. Then you read about the day off that wasn’t a day off.
Onward to Ayacata
Today we would very much like to go back to the beautiful center of the island. It is greener there, the blossoms of the almond trees are fragrant, and there are beautiful trails. But we don't feel like cycling all the way there. Fortunately, the Free Motion Result: ‘Yes, of course it’s possible to arrange a taxi!’ For just 50 euros, a taxi-bus will take us and our bicycles to the starting point in Ayacata, in the parking lot opposite the lovely restaurant Casa Melo. It’s still relatively early, but the sun is already shining brightly and the strong wind of yesterday has given way to a gentle breeze.
Nice weather to go up
We get on our bikes and follow the instructions of mountain bike guide Santiago to head west on GC-60. The first few kilometers are uphill, but then a beautiful undulating descent follows over a brand new road surface. We ride downhill past steep rock walls with breathtaking views. Via Casas del Lomo and Cueva Casidas we arrive in Tejeda. We saw that the steep climb to Cruz de Tejeda starts from here, so we wisely decide to fill up our water bottles and refuel with some quick sugars here. By now I have discovered that Kim makes friends everywhere, and that also happens during this stopover. We chat with a woman who works as a guide for the local tourist office and asks curiously where we are from and what the plans are.
Great tips
That conversation turns out to be crucial for the rest of the route, because she then gives us the brilliant tip not to take the usual and very long route to Cruz, but to choose the longer climb via the GC-608 and the GC-156, along the village of La Caluta. It turns out to be a beautiful route, with starkly green overgrown rock walls, groups of palm trees and beautiful views. There are plenty of challenging steep sections, but there are also flatter parts where you can take in the views and the beautiful surroundings. In the end, we reach the main road again, the GC-15. After a few more bends, we arrive in Cruz, which with 1490 meters is almost the highest point of this cycling tour. Here you find a beautiful viewpoint, a market with local products and a beautiful white church. On clear days, you can see Tenerife from here. At the Restaurant of Hotel El Rural el Refugio We sat down on the terrace for a well-deserved lunch.
Lunch salad
The hostess knows how to sell because before we know it we are sitting at a full bottle of pumpkin and a fresh fruit salad. The food looks insanely beautiful and tastes great too. While we are giving ourselves a round of applause for the performance so far, a real cyclist comes up to us. He turns out to be a Dutchman who now lives on Gran Canaria and organizes, among other things, bike tours for leaders and professionals. This Dirk knows the island like the back of his hand, and when he hears that we came via the longer, less steep route, he gives a thumbs-up. ‘That’s where I always take my groups! Much, much nicer!‘
World Champion
Shortly afterwards, it turns out that his team today isn’t made up of the least experienced riders: among them is Maurizio Fondriest. The man who, among other things, became world champion on the road in 1988, and won classics like the Waalse Pijl and Milan-San Remo. Even though we were still toddlers back then, we don’t pass up such an opportunity and we take photos with Maurizio with our amateur bike helmets, proudly showing our faces. After the photo session, we treat ourselves to an espresso in style as a dessert. Then we get back on our bikes, because now perhaps the most challenging kilometers of this round are waiting for us.
From Cruz we take GC-150 in a southern direction. Here, with the extra lunch kilos, we still struggle with sections of 10-13%. With sweat on our foreheads and our breathing getting faster, we finally reach a junction. From here, you can also choose to continue cycling to the Pico de las Nieves, but we decide to descend through the pine forest on GC-600. The road here is not very good, so we try to guide it down as carefully as possible. Brake, brake, brake – laaaaaten going. The pine trees give way to the fragrant almond blossoms, and before we know it we are back at our starting point in Ayacata. Satisfied, we find a spot on the terrace and call the taxi driver: ‘We’ve made it!’ A whopping 30 kilometers and over 850 meters of elevation gain. A smile from ear to ear and a fantastic memory of a wonderful climbing adventure richer.
Why not take a taxi back?
With wistfulness we sink into the soft upholstery of the taxi. Tomorrow is already the last day of this fantastic cycling holiday. Kim is already picked up in the morning for her return flight, and I will cycle with Tim one more time the favorite ’tour around the house‘ to Ayagaures. We have enjoyed the spring sunshine, the altimeters and the beautiful mountains on this island to the full for a week. The cycling world has gained a real climber with Kim. Even with the twisted MS. And Gran Canaria has stolen our cycling hearts. Such a cycling week in February in the sun. That definitely leaves us wanting more.
Day's route
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Questions & tips
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