My first visit to Tenerife and ,for me at least, on the back of knowing Mr Wiggins uses it for his altitude training meant a spot of cycling was in order.I hired my bike from Bike Point -in Playa de America ,in the south of the Island not too far from where we were staying. The shop was very friendly,helpful about where to ride and the bike went perfectly .So I am very happy to recommend them.
For anyone else who has not been to Tenerife the key fact has to be addressed up front. It is hilly. It is very hilly. Essentially as the island is a volcano -Tiede , based on my experience of being based in the South all roads are either going up the slopes of Tiede or down the slopes towards the sea.I could not find a road that contoured round on the level.
Tiede is a beast at 3707m which is higher than any point on the Spanish mainland. The road goes to about 2300m and it is essentially ,from the south at least a 50km climb to the top from sea level ,which I am assured is the longest single ascent in Europe.
But there is more to do here on a bike than ride up Tiede itself. The most spectacular ride I had by far was to the hamlet of Masca which hangs on the side of a mountain at almost 1100m. The first 5 pictures below are all from the first day I rode over to Masca. Although a volcano once you start climbing into the hills away from the sea until you go above about 1200m the island was very green and a varied landscape with lots of spring flowers out.
This was taken on the only day it was not sunny all day and is at the top of the steep side above Masca.This climb is about 2.4 miles long and has a climb of over 450m. Lots of 15-20% ramps and tight hair pins on a narrow road. The descent -with cars stalling on some of the bends -at the time seemed to be worse than the climb.
The road is similar to the Collabra on Mallorca as it twists back on itself and if anything is more spectacular because of the views all the way .
the village of Masca
Masca. There is a well known hike down the gorge to the left of the village down to the sea . Just visible in the background is the island of La Gomera.
The day I rode up Tiede I met 3 Norwegians studying the map.I stopped to say hello .They were out for a short ride but once Bjorn-below heard where I was going he asked if he could come along and his mates , Stig and Frode ,turned round before the climb had really started. They come from a town in the north of Norway about 50 kms I think below the Arctic Circle.From October to April they are usually riding mountain bikes -with ice tyres which feature over 20 metal spikes in each tyre. As we went along Bjorn explained that he had had two days off training since Xmas -and was ,some might say, a rather committed racing cyclist. He came fourth in last year's Nordic TT championship in the 40-45 age group and he raced in 24 road races last year -usually coming in the first 3. He added that he often has to drive over 300kms to race .
I was pleased that I had not known all this at the bottom of the climb when I enthusiastically agreed to him joining me for the day….
Note below how I included the top of Tiede in the photo of him whereas in the photo of me………..
A ride here of 50 miles I found quite sufficient but I wanted to go up to the north of the island one day and the pictures below and the Strava link are from this day. The north is much greener than the south as it catches the precipitation of the clouds needing to go over Tiede.
Looking down on Santiago del Tiede above Arguayo ,the first proper climb of the day. This comprised 1200m of ascent after 27kms.
I met 3 cyclists to talk to only my four rides and they all seemed to have something in common. Dino Beretta ,pictured here, was great to talk to . Sadly we did not cycle together for very long,but we did spend about 30 minutes talking on a stunning road going through Ermita De San Jose down to Ermita de san Bernabe where Dino turned round and I continued down to the coast. He was in Tenerife for the month. I asked if he would be riding again the next day but he explained that he was a triathlete so would be running and swimming the next day. He was clearly in very good shape and it transpired that I was speaking to the Italian version of Andy Hicks. I will not say his age but he is current Italian champion, European champion and came second in last year's world championships……..
Hmm -there seemed to be definite theme here.
Looking down on Garachico on the northern coast.
Looking towards the gorge below Masca from the North.This was a superb road ,very little traffic ,great road surface and lush green scenery all the way.About an 18kms climb 
Tiede at the top of the climb from Masca,showing a touch of fresh snow.
A very good place for a few days cycling,especially if you have Wigginesque aspirations.
Nick
