Teide II - Cycling

The lightest, most expensive cycle I've ever ridden by some considerable margin.

So, been a while since I last posted anything hasn't it.  It's not that I haven't been doing anything, but more a question of too busy / lazy to actually blog about it.  Better late than never then I suppose, here then is the highlight, at least in terms of solo travelling type stuff, of my second trip to Tenerife of the year.  There was also a fair amount of lazing around by the pool, eating tapas and so forth, no need to document that in detail though.  Last time I was here I hiked to the top of the volcanic peak of El Teide - but did feel a little guilty in that I started from some 2380m above sea level.  One day I will hopefully do a multi-day hike to reach the summit from the coast, but I've only got a day to spare now, therefore the plan is to cycle.  The island is in fact something of a mecca for cyclists, for instance Sir Bradley Wiggins trained here, and so it is easy enough to find a hire shop.  I end up with a very impressive carbon fibre machine, weighing a whole seven kilos, for a mere 30 euros.  A quick change into my lycra (yes, I'm a MOMIL), and I am off up the mountain, starting from the seafront at Costa Adeje.

Despite the route being a continuous uphill slog right from the start, I make steady progress.  This really is an amazing bike, light as a feather and geared so that even up the steeper slopes I'm not having to fight too hard, and indeed I maintain sufficient speed such that the blazing sunshine isn't much of a problem thanks to the wind in my face.  I am getting through my water mind you, good thing the bike came with a couple of bottles.  Cars and coaches take care when passing me, I guess they are used to crazy cyclists up here... before long I'm at La Camella, 1000ft up, and not feeling too bad.

Into the corona forestal above Vilaflor.

The next three miles to Arona, however, prove a bit more challenging.  There's another 1000ft of ascent, the grade remaining pretty constant - i.e. steep.  By the time I get there I am feeling pretty shattered and am low on water, so I halt at a garage and buy some more, plus a substantial amount of sugary sweets.  While I am gathering my strength a German comes up and asks where I hired the bike, he seems a bit disappointed to learn that it was down by the coast... for my part, I'm beginning to have doubts about getting very high up this mountain, still, at least it will be easy to get down again.  My next milestone is Vilaflor - seven miles away, and fully 4500 feet above sea level.  It's something of a slog to get there to say the least, but, I am encouraged to find that while this certainly isn't easy, I am still doing it - at 1pm I reach Vilaflor, without having to get off and push at all.  From here I have another seven miles or so to reach the edge of the caldera, at around 7200 feet, it does seem almost possible.

The ignominious end of the uphill cycle.

One problem, I've arranged to meet my brother, who is driving up with his family, at 3pm, the plan being to go up the gondola together - that being pretty much as high as you can get on a bike at 7500 feet or so.  The other problem is that it is becoming progressively harder to cycle... it is pleasant here in the corona forestal, but there isn't a great deal of oxygen, and increasingly I'm having to take breaks to get my breath.  In the event I get to around 6000 feet before Dan catches me up in his car, not bad but nonetheless a fail.  The bike goes into the boot and we drive off to get the gondola, which is rather fun in itself, and there is quite a lot of snow at the top at this time of year.  Time is getting on, and I realise that even without the 'meeting brother' thing I was never going to get up to the gondola station and back before the bike shop closes at 6pm.  As it is I get a lift as far as Arona before freewheeling in a scary, but exhilirating fashion back to the coast.  So - an unsuccessful attempt this one, I shall have to try again - and start a bit earlier - some other time.

El Teide - at least I still got up it, albeit by car and gondola.