Canary islands - best choice for cycling group

[robjh]

We're thinking of organising a small group trip to the Canaries in early 2027, and are trying to narrow down where. I've been to Gran Canaria and Lanzarote but no others, and these are my pros/cons so far. Looking for advice/opinions to help with the choice.

Gran Canaria.
- wonderful scenery, but it's one big mountain so that every ride is an epic climb then descent. Few options for easier days unless sticking to the built-up coastal strip.
Assuming staying in the south as that is where most hotels are, and where everyone goes. The north is lovely too, but wetter which may be an issue in Jan/Feb.

Lanzarote.
- a variety of routes with good coastal scenery and some climbs. However, it's small, and routes will get repetitive quite quickly. Very windy indeed.

Fuerteventura (not been there)
- sounds like Lanzarote but bigger. Same wind issues.

Tenerife (not been there)
- wonderful scenery, including epic Mount Teide climbs.
- bigger island, so I presume more variety.
- best place to stay? S coast resorts are often used by cyclists but are they quite urban? Also seen S.Cristobal de la Laguna recommended as an alternative.

Your thoughts please!
Also, does anyone have experience of independently organising accommodation for a group like this? I'm at the stage of randomly googling hotels but nothing stands out so far.

 

[ianrauk]

Which ever Island Rob, count me in.

 

[Binky]

Been to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura lots of times, mostly surfing but also cycled.
Biggest thing is wind, it's mega there majority of the time. In Lanzarote I tend to stay in N around La Santa as best surfing there but wind is predominantly N/NE so any ride you get head wind back. Best bet is stay way down south and ride out in headwind and back with tail(always my preferred option).
Not been to Gran Canaria but apparently it's more protected from wind.
Tenerife only been once and that was surfing. Think roads are very busy there(?).

However, windy conditions there can be treacherous. Personally unless you are fixed on Canaries for a cycling holiday I'd go mainland Spain/Majorca. If you go for a week to Canaries and it blows a gale all week - happens a lot - then then would likely ruin a cycle specific holiday. Well for me it would.

I'll add I always went in winter Jan/Feb time to get some winter sun away from UK and that's when most likely to be windy.
Possibly later in year be better but I'm not sure on that

 

[DCLane]

I've ridden in the south of Fuertaventura; it's not road bike territory. A gravel bike would be OK, or MTB.

 

[Animo]

Tenerife probably even more unforgiving than Gran Canaria. At least from Maspalomas you've got the flat ride up to Ayagaures and the valley to the foot of the Soria climb for easier spins.

Spanish mainland could be a decent option - Calpe area is great or Andalusia is fantastic. Won't be mega warm then but a lot more pleasant than back home.

 

[kingrollo]

Which months are you thinking of going ?

I've been to Lanzarote in April and September numerous times. The wind has never really been a problem. My understanding was that as the temperature warms up - so the winds pick up.

In addition any windy days I've found very manageable - you don't seem to get the sudden gusts out of nowhere - I would describe it more often a constant wind - which means it's very manageable. I often stay in playa blanca and the road into playa blanca can often give you a tail wind - which is a total blast - you're absolutely screaming down the lz710 - serious fun

 

[fossyant]

Did a week on the bike in Lanzarote many years ago with a mate. It's not very big, so you'll cover the roads quickly enough, but then again it's great riding, if incredibly windy. Holidayed in Gran Canaria (south) and it's lumpy, very.

 

[robjh]

Which months are you thinking of going ?

I've been to Lanzarote in April and September numerous times. The wind has never really been a problem. My understanding was that as the temperature warms up - so the winds pick up.

In addition any windy days I've found very manageable - you don't seem to get the sudden gusts out of nowhere - I would describe it more often a constant wind - which means it's very manageable. I often stay in playa blanca and the road into playa blanca can often give you a tail wind - which is a total blast - you're absolutely screaming down the lz710 - serious fun

Looking at Jan or Feb. I went to Lanzarote this January and some days the wind was very strong indeed.

 

[kingrollo]

Looking at Jan or Feb. I went to Lanzarote this January and some days the wind was very strong indeed.

Yeah - there was a storm this January - don't think that's part of the normal wind cycle though. I know people who were in Tenerife who were affected by that storm