A little while back, guest blogger Ruth Koops van 't Jagt for us on the road in beautiful Gran Canaria. Earlier reports gave a nice idea of the possibilities for cycling or yet also taking a rest day. Well, rest day. Herewith is the latest report of her cool trip, together with her friend Kim. A wonderful cycling adventure on Gran Canaria. Do you still want to read part 1 and part 2? Then take a quick look here and here. Then again, you read about the day of rest that was not a day of rest.
On to Ayacata
Today we are eager to get back to the beautiful centre of the island. It is greener there, the blossom of the almond trees is fragrant, and there are beautiful climbs. But we don't fancy cycling all the way there. Fortunately, Free Motion response: 'Yes, off course it's possible to arrange a taxi!' For just under 50 euros, a taxi van takes us and our cycling bikes to the starting point in Ayacata, in the car park opposite the fine restaurant Casa Melo. It is still relatively early, but the sun is already shining profusely and yesterday's strong wind has given way to a mild breeze.
Up again
We get on our bikes and pedal along the GC-60 westwards as instructed by mountain bike guide Santiago. The first few kilometres are uphill, but then follow a beautiful rolling descent on a tingly new road surface. We whiz down along steep rock faces with breathtaking views. Via Casas del Lomo and Cueva Casidas, we arrive in Tejeda. We have seen that from here the tough climb to Cruz de Tejeda starts, so we wisely decide to refill our water bottles here and fill up on some quick sugars. By now I have discovered that Kim makes friends everywhere, and that happens at this stop too. We get talking to a woman who works as a guide for the local tourist office, who curiously asks where we are from and what our plans are.
Fine tips
That conversation turns out to be crucial for the further route, because she then gives us the brilliant tip not to take the usual and mega-steep road to Cruz, but to opt for the longer climb via the GC-608 and the GC-156, past the village of La Caluta. This turns out to be a beautiful route, past rock walls overgrown with bright green, groups of palm trees and beautiful views. There are plenty of challenging steep sections, but also flatter parts where you can take in the views and the beautiful surroundings. Eventually, we rejoin the main road, the GC-15. After a few more turns, we arrive in Cruz, which at 1490 metres is almost the highest point of this bike ride. Here you will find a beautiful viewpoint, a market with local products and a pretty white church. On a clear day, you can see Tenerife from here. At the restaurant at Hotel El Rural el Refugio we plop down on the terrace for a well-earned lunch.
Lunch salad
The hostess knows how to sell because before we know it, we are sitting down to a stuffed bottle pumpkin and a fresh fruit salad. The food looks insanely beautiful and tastes good too. While we pat ourselves on the back for our performance so far, a real cyclist approaches us. He turns out to be a Dutchman who now lives on Gran Canaria and organises cycling trips for leaders and professionals, among other things. So this Dirk knows the island like the back of his hand, and when he hears that we have come via the longer, less steep route, he gives us a thumbs up. 'That's where I always go with my groups too! Much, much nicer!'
World champion
Moments later, it turns out that his group today is not made up of the least of riders: in their midst is Maurizio Fondriest. The man who, among other things, became world road champion in 1988, and managed to win classics such as the Flèche Wallonne and Milan-San Remo. Even though we were toddlers back then, we don't miss an opportunity like this and we proudly take our amateur cycling bodies for a photo with Maurizio, who at 57 still has the body of a 30-year-old professional cyclist. After the photo session, we treat ourselves to a stylish espresso for dessert. Then we get back on the bike, as perhaps the toughest kilometres of this tour await us.
From Cruz, we take the GC-150 southbound. Here, with the extra lunch kilos, we still struggle over stretches of 10-13%. With sweat on our foreheads and breathing high, we finally reach the top at a crossroads. 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 the GC-600. The road is not very good here, so we try to steer down as cautiously as possible. Brake, brake, brake - laaaaaten go. The pine trees give way to the fragrant almond blossom 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!' Thirty kilometres and over 850 altimeters. A grin from ear to ear and a fantastic memory of a wonderful climbing adventure richer.
Taxi back then?
With melancholy, we sink into the soft upholstery of the taxi. Tomorrow is already the last day of this fantastic cycling holiday. Kim will be picked up for her return flight in the morning, and I will cycle the favourite 'home lap' to Ayagaures with Tim one last time. We spent a week thoroughly enjoying the spring sunshine, the altimeters and the beautiful mountains on this island. With Kim, the cycling world has gained a real climber. Even with the twisted MS. And Gran Canaria stole our cycling hearts. Such a cycling week in February in the sun. That definitely tastes like more.
Route of the day
Want to see all the itineraries from the trip to Gran Canaria again? Then go to our Komoot Collection:
