Tenerife

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3

333

Active Member
Hi all

I'm hitting the Tenerife Mt Teide climb in a couple of weeks and its the first time I will have ever attempted it, I guess I'm going to find out if my BKOOL TT is really up to the job of preparing you somewhat for the big climb itself!

Anyway, does anyone have a Garmin course / Garmin Connect I can borrow to download to my Edge for the official South route (from sea level / Los Cristianos to cable car station)? I'm aiming to get there and on the bike for sun rise 7am?

I wanted to hire a bike from Pro Bike Hire but they are no longer offering this service unfortunately, what about Bike Point Tenerife? Any recommendations on type of Road Bike to go for? (I ride a non-triple Cube Peloton Pro Race at home and it was fine in the Alps but thinking maybe a triple for the Teide? what do you think?).

If you don't mind, any corrections on the below list:

1. 5 to 6 litres of water
2. Plenty of gels / snack food as no stops following Vilaflor
3. Stop at Vilaflor for a water refill (is this cheating??)
4. Anywhere to park a hire car at the base of the attempt as I will be based miles away from the south route (but its the route I want to try).
5. .....worth taking my own brake pads / seat etc????!

I've driven up the Teide many times so aware of the roads etc this is the first bike attempt.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
steveindenmark

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
Have you seen the weather down there at the moment?
 
OP
OP
3

333

Active Member
Yes I have, its hot hot hot from the last time I looked!!! So its going to be a challenge for sure! ^_^

EDIT: Clearly I haven't! The rain at the weekend looks pretty bad but hopefully it was a one off!!! weird as it didn't show up in the weather forecast I was keeping an eye on. Thanks!
 
Mrs M

Mrs M

Guru
Location
Aberdeenshire
:sun: Brave bunny!, good luck for Teide. Last time I was there saw some cyclists all in pale blue/yellow on the same bikes, Team Astana in training. Have fun and let us know how it goes.
 
OP
OP
3

333

Active Member
Hi all

Ok here's your write up as I'm still in Tenerife but completed this climb two days ago. It being a family holiday I only got one shot at it.

I completed the climb and to be honest on a triple its not much of a problem but I will say that if you are not used to high mountain passes or climbing I would attempt something lower in altitude first.

I hired a cheap alu from the guys at bike point and have to say they were excellent high recommendations from me, when you are hitting 70-75km on the descent during 1.5 or so hours you need that trust in a bike and it was solid.

Anyway, I completed the south ascent from Los cristianos (11m according to my garmin) starting at sun rise (7am for me,just enough light to start without lights) this is best because traffic is light, I took the Arona Vilaflor route as sign posted and it was great, at 8.30 or so you start getting coaches passing you but being honest traffic was fine with only one car cutting it close and they were tourists, if you are used to UK traffic this will be no problem / a joy.

The road between Arona and Vilaflor is good on the climb but a short part poor on the descent but nowhere near as bad as the west route to Tamaimo.

I stopped at vilaflor for my staged water (4 litres which was ice cold thanks to overnight temps) by this time I'd consumed only 2 so the early morning start paid off in terms of heat so I grabbed a coffe as well from the cafe.

What you need to be aware of is unles you are extremely fit take it easy up to Vilaflor because it really kicks up in gradient from here including some 15%, if that doesn't get you the affects of altitude at 1800m above will (I'm used to high altitude) so take it easy before, I had some guys overtake me before this point only to reel them in and pass them above Vilaflor.

It is an absolutely stunning ride but you must start it at partial sun rise to appreciate it fully without the stress of cycling in heavy traffic (Los cristianos to Arona) 1600m to 2050m was cloud for me then at the peak I exited the cloud sideways (not above or below but shot out of the cloud from the side) into crystal blue skies with a fantastic view of Teide some 1700m above and the crater, stunning.

I did all of my training on a standard setup and this was the first time I'd used a triple it was not so hard, Just long.

I'm going to do the Masca route next, highly recommended.

Notes / tips:

Start early sunrise is best.

Road is partially poor on descent between Vilaflor and Arona.

I overtook people on quad bikes, 3 cars and a coach note descent, awesome.

Cold on the descent I used a rain shell only on top of my short sleeved Castelli on the descent it was fine (12c to 28c).

Only attempt if you are used to high altitude passes.

Drink plenty of water and ensure you have enough for return.mi went through a total of 5 litres, one coffee, ham sandwich, 1 gel, 2 sundried banana bars. Stopped at parador but could see a weather system moving in so promptly left.

Save energy to climb back out of the crater before the descent as its not easy.

Piece of cake on a triple within reason, ventoux on the bkool tt using a double / std was way harder.

Finally if they resurfaced the road west to Los Gigantes it would be a world class descent hardly ,any bends at all, shame.
 
Last edited:
Mrs M

Mrs M

Guru
Location
Aberdeenshire
333 said:
Hi all

Ok here's your write up as I'm still in Tenerife but completed this climb two days ago. It being a family holiday I only got one shot at it.

I completed the climb and to be honest on a triple its not much of a problem but I will say that if you are not used to high mountain passes or climbing I would attempt something lower in altitude first.

I hired a cheap alu from the guys at bike point and have to say they were excellent high recommendations from me, when you are hitting 70-75km on the descent during 1.5 or so hours you need that trust in a bike and it was solid.

Anyway, I completed the south ascent from Los cristianos (11m according to my garmin) starting at sun rise (7am for me,just enough light to start without lights) this is best because traffic is light, I took the Arona Vilaflor route as sign posted and it was great, at 8.30 or so you start getting coaches passing you but being honest traffic was fine with only one car cutting it close and they were tourists, if you are used to UK traffic this will be no problem / a joy.

The road between Arona and Vilaflor is good on the climb but a short part poor on the descent but nowhere near as bad as the west route to Tamaimo.

I stopped at vilaflor for my staged water (4 litres which was ice cold thanks to overnight temps) by this time I'd consumed only 2 so the early morning start paid off in terms of heat so I grabbed a coffe as well from the cafe.

What you need to be aware of is unles you are extremely fit take it easy up to Vilaflor because it really kicks up in gradient from here including some 15%, if that doesn't get you the affects of altitude at 1800m above will (I'm used to high altitude) so take it easy before, I had some guys overtake me before this point only to reel them in and pass them above Vilaflor.

It is an absolutely stunning ride but you must start it at partial sun rise to appreciate it fully without the stress of cycling in heavy traffic (Los cristianos to Arona) 1600m to 2050m was cloud for me then at the peak I exited the cloud sideways (not above or below but shot out of the cloud from the side) into crystal blue skies with a fantastic view of Teide some 1700m above and the crater, stunning.

I did all of my training on a standard setup and this was the first time I'd used a triple it was not so hard, Just long.

I'm going to do the Masca route next, highly recommended.

Notes / tips:

Start early sunrise is best.

Road is partially poor on descent between Vilaflor and Arona.

I overtook people on quad bikes, 3 cars and a coach note descent, awesome.

Cold on the descent I used a rain shell only on top of my short sleeved Castelli on the descent it was fine (12c to 28c).

Only attempt if you are used to high altitude passes.

Drink plenty of water and ensure you have enough for return.mi went through a total of 5 litres, one coffee, ham sandwich, 1 gel, 2 sundried banana bars. Stopped at parador but could see a weather system moving in so promptly left.

Save energy to climb back out of the crater before the descent as its not easy.

Piece of cake on a triple within reason, ventoux on the bkool tt using a double / std was way harder.

Finally if they resurfaced the road west to Los Gigantes it would be a world class descent hardly ,any bends at all, shame.
Click to expand...

Well done, driving up Teide is exhausting enough!
Bike point gets my vote also, nice bunch, very knowledgeable and helpful.
Enjoy rest of hol.
 
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Reactions: 333
OP
OP
3

333

Active Member
Mrs M said:
Well done, driving up Teide is exhausting enough!
Bike point gets my vote also, nice bunch, very knowledgeable and helpful.
Enjoy rest of hol.
Click to expand...
Thanks :-)

You are right about the drive!

You get some funny looks from some people up there on the bike, is he mad? Etc but it's an amazing place, only wish I had longer but I'm here every year so will give the Masca torture route an attempt next.
 
E

Edwardoka

Guest
Chapeau! I tried this very thing using a Bike Point hire bike in Dec 2013 and was soundly defeated by the time I reached La Escalona.
 
E

Edwardoka

Guest
Just booked 12 days in Tenerife in November. The unfinished business I have with the Teide climb needs addressing. I've since crossed the Pyrenees lengthwise so I now have some understanding of how to do long climbs!

The main issue I now have is one of logistics - I don't drive, but don't want to be stuck riding in one part of the island or stranded in the mountains like I was last time.
 
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