Playground of the professionals
That 2,034km2Tenerife is the biggest of Spain’s autonomous Canary Islands, and the Vuelta proudly showcases the island’s different setting – from pine forests and coastal views to mountain villages and volcanic landscapes.
The occasion, launched in 2018, now attracts spherical 1,000 cyclists each May. Most are Spanish however some have travelled correct proper right here from as far afield as Chile and New Zealand.
There are two routes available on the market: a 175km loop from Puerto de la Cruz, all through the north of the island, with a savage 4,400m of climbing; or a 95km odyssey from Santiago del Teide, all through the west, to Puerto de la Cruz, with 2,000m of climbing.
Neither various is easy. Each rides are spectacular.
And irrespective after all you select, you’ll should pedal to a lung-throttling altitude of two,361m – the perfect freeway on the island. That’s 452m larger than Mont Ventoux.
After a colorless British winter, a 95km slog with 2,000m of ascent in a scorching, arid, oxygen-choked volcanic panorama feels brutal enough for me.
Not like plenty of the zombified cyclists I later speak to on the highest line, I’ve cycled at altitude ahead of, so I do understand it’s going to really actually really feel like double.
However the courageous ones are rewarded with some gorgeous further segments, from the coastal views of Buenavista to the picturesque mountain metropolis of Masca. I’m jealous. However not that jealous.
Following a breakfast of eggs, bread, muesli and yoghurt at Resort Alua Tenerife, a bike-friendly resort in Puerto de la Cruz, I be a part of the bus change to Santiago del Teide – a cluster of white-walled buildings surrounded by vineyards and fig timber, not away from the glistening black sea cliffs of Tenerife’s western coast.
Correct proper right here, cyclists in technicolour clothes are gathering all through the beginning line. The whole scene is drenched in blazing early-morning sunshine, and the air smells of photograph voltaic lotion, fruity vitality drinks and worry.
After a fast countdown, we’re shortly pedalling by way of city’s slim streets to start the primary climb to the 1,180m Arguayo peak, which averages 7 per cent. It’s a no-nonsense begin, however I settle into a fragile momentum.
The swish freeway slides between rugged volcanic terrain freckled with brown-red rocks and plump cacti, and it presents sweeping views of the dazzling Atlantic to the west.
I’m being supported by Alberto and Marcos Delgado of Tenerife Bike Instructing – brothers from the village of La Orotava who run excursions on the island.
Alberto tells me it takes British firm quite a few days to acclimatise to the warmth.
And Marcos warns that the high-altitude nationwide park is critically extremely efficient.
“Save your bullets for later,” he insisted. With their phrases ringing in my head, I attempt to care for my coronary coronary coronary heart cost beneath administration.