Your First Cycling Holiday on Gran Canaria: Essential Tips

Planning your first cycling holiday on Gran Canaria? This article aims to answer common questions and provide useful tips to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. Whether you’re wondering how long to stay, where to stay, or whether to rent a bike or bring your own, we’ve got you covered. Gran Canaria is a cycling paradise with stable weather, superb road networks, and a considerate traffic culture. Let’s dive into everything you need to know for an unforgettable cycling experience.

How long should I stay?

We generally recommend at least 10 days. Arrival and departure take a lot of time, and you need a day or two to get used to the temperatures. You may not be able to cycle as much as you imagine initially, so giving yourself plenty of time ensures a more relaxed and enjoyable trip.

Where and which accommodation should I choose?

As you can read in our FAQ section, the weather in the south is more stable than in the north. It’s worth looking for accommodation in the south and taking a day trip to the north by car or bus. We also often offer a shuttle with a bike to the north. Feel free to contact us about this. You have to decide which type of accommodation is suitable for you based on your budget and requirements. Some people prefer to sit down at the buffet in the evening after a long tour, others just cook rice 😊 and are happy with that. Our partner hotel Club Maspalomas Suites & Spa offers a great stay, especially for enthusiasts and active people. Feel free to contact us if you are interested.

Rent a bike or bring your own bike?

Both sides have advantages and disadvantages. Of course, you prefer to ride your own bike. However, some customers are not familiar with electric gears or disc brakes, making it difficult to switch back to their old bikes. Renting a bike has the advantage that you don’t have to spend time packing and unpacking. Unfortunately, transport damage during the flight does happen. Although we have many spare parts in our shop, we cannot always help with specific models. Airlines usually charge around €100-€150 to transport your bike, so it is worth weighing up the effort, duration of the bike rental, and stress. If someone is cycling for more than three weeks, it might make sense to bring their own bike.

How should I prepare physically?

Gran Canaria is a cycling paradise. Many professional cyclists come here to prepare for the coming season. The weather and temperatures are stable, and you can ride in shorts and a jersey. However, it is steeper than in Mallorca, so it is recommended to prepare at home on the roller. Of course, you can do it without; it’s all just a question of speed 😊.

Which bike is right for me?

If you want to explore the island without stress or you are traveling with friends who are much stronger, our electrically assisted Merida eScultura 400 can be a good option. It is equipped with two batteries and therefore has an output of 457 Wh! The comfortable geometry and 32mm tire width make every ride an experience. Our Merida Scultura Endurance can be a good alternative. The endurance-oriented geometry and comfortable tire width are also a plus here. Of course, it is equipped with electronic shifting and disc brakes. If you prefer a sporty bike, you should take a look at our Merida Scultura Concept and Merida Scultura WorldTour. Here you get an absolute performance bike. It is always possible to equip your bike with carbon wheels or a power meter. The WorldTour even has it included as standard!

Clothing, food, and drink

Although the weather is mostly good all winter, it is still advisable to bring arm warmers and a rain- or wind jacket. The highest point on the island is 2000 meters high and it can be as cold as 2 degrees there. Due to the large temperature difference in your home country, you will sweat a lot at the beginning. Therefore, you should have electrolytes in your water. It goes without saying that you take food with you on your rides, but you will always find a small supermarket or bakery in the mountains. In our shop, you will find a selection of energy bars, electrolytes, gels, and protein powder.

Where can I find tours?

On our website you can find some tours in advance to download. We are also always happy to pass on personal route recommendations to our customers. See our selection of cycling routes here.

Can I have my bike repaired at LO2W?

Of course, we also offer repairs for your bike. Bleeding brakes, changing brake pads, or discs are standard for us. We have all spare parts in stock and always try to repair your bike as quickly and as professional as possible. See our featured workshop services or contact us if you have any questions.

Conclusion

Every year we get a lot of questions by email or on the phone. In this article, we provided useful tips for your first cycling holiday on Gran Canaria. We hope this information helps you plan your trip and enjoy the cycling paradise of Gran Canaria. Whether you’re staying for 10 days or more, choosing the right accommodation, or deciding between renting or bringing your bike, our team at Life On 2 Wheels is here to assist you. Happy cycling!

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