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Europe / / Canary Islands Challenge Bike Tour Winter Training: +

© 2021 DuVine Adventure + Cycling Co. Conquer rides on the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, both classic destinations for the world’s top professional cyclists Take advantage of balmy year-round riding weather—they’re called the “islands of Eternal Spring” for a reason! Cycle from one dramatic landscape to the next as the surroundings shift from sprawling sea views to dense forests and volcanic mountains Tackle an epic climb up the El Teide volcano, a kind of initiation into the elite group who’ve experienced this cyclist’s paradise Pro-level support includes massages, laundry, full-service mechanical assistance, and nourishing meals Arrival Details Departure Details Airport City: Airport City: Gran Canaria, Spain Tenerife, Spain Pick-Up Location: Drop-Off Location: Gran Canaria Airport Tenerife Airport Pick-Up Time: Drop-Off Time: 11:00 am 11:00 am

NOTE: DuVine provides group transfers to and from the tour, within reason and in accordance with the pick-up and drop-off recommendations. In the event your train, flight, or other travel falls outside the recommended departure or arrival time or location, you may be responsible for extra costs incurred in arranging a separate transfer.

Emergency Assistance For urgent assistance on your way to tour or while on tour, please always contact your guides first. You may also contact the Boston office during business hours at +1 617 776 4441 or [email protected].

Travelers Take Note This tour includes an inter-island flight. Flight times may vary per departure. Tour By Day

DAY 1 Introduction to Gran Canaria

Meet your guides at the airport and settle in for a short transfer. We’ll arrive at our first hotel and gather for a light lunch, followed by a bike fitting to get acquainted with our gear for the week. Our first ride is a warm-up that introduces us to the island’s spectacular beauty and limbers us up for the challenges that lie ahead. Our first dinner together will be at our hotel.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Montaña la Data, Ayagaures Accomplished: 14 miles / 22 km, elevation gain: 2,040 feet / 622 meters Accommodations: Casa León

DAY 2 Competing for the KOM

Today’s out-and-back ride starts with a short descent from the hotel, followed by seven rolling miles along the coast. Once we find our pace, we’ll veer towards the island’s interior to tackle the second stage: a 13-mile climb with one cruel 160-foot section at 14.5%. The KOM segment stands between us and the village of Soria, and the final three miles through the hamlet of Las Filipinas will be a true test of will. In Soria, we’ll rehydrate with fresh fruit juice—a ritual for every cyclist who finishes this ride. The promise of a massage keeps us cycling back to the hotel. Tonight, we’ll take it easy and stay close to home, dining once more at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Soria Accomplished: 49 miles / 79 km, elevation gain: 5,996 feet / 1,828 meters Accommodations: Casa León

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 3 Where the Pros Go

This morning we set out from the arid volcanic coast around and head towards the lush hilltop village of San Bartolomé de la Tirajana. This route is a favorite of teams like Movistar and Trek Segafredo—with any luck, we might catch them out for a ride and try to keep up for a few kilometers. Consider this climb in thirds: the first and last sections are demanding, but the middle bit through the valley provides some recovery time. After a café break, it’s a soaring downhill all the way to sea level, chock-full of unbelievable views. We’ll stop en route for lunch in the charming town of Santa Lucía, and head back to the hotel where ice-cold beers and the infinity pool await. Tonight’s dinner will be a laid-back barbecue, perfect comfort food after a hard day’s work.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: San Bartolomé de la Tirajana Accomplished: 51 miles / 82 km, elevation gain: 7,311 feet / 2,229 meters Accommodations: Casa León

DAY 4 Above the Clouds in Tenerife

We’ll catch an early flight from Gran Canaria to the next-door island of Tenerife, followed by a short van transfer right to the start of our ride. There’s no doubt that today’s climb to volcanic Mount Teide is the highlight of the week. Though the crater itself reaches 12,000 feet, the road tops out at a mere 7,700 feet—a favorite of pro teams like Sky and Bahrain Merida, and riders including Wiggins and Froome. The conditions can’t be matched: near-perfect pavement, a sustained grade of 7-8%, and zero competition with traffic. You know we’ve reached some altitude when we pass the Izaña Observatory (one of the most important in Europe), and our legs will really start working as we reach the Parador hotel, a buzzing base camp for cyclists. Wrap up with a long and technical descent to our boutique hotel in the 16th-century town of Garachico. After lunch, your afternoon is wide open for exploring the town, treating yourself to a massage, or scouting a restaurant for tonight’s dinner on your own.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch Destinations: El Teide Accomplished: 64 miles / 103 km, elevation gain: 6,780 feet / 2,067 meters Accommodations: Boutique Hotel La Quinta Roja

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 5 The Hidden Valley

Start the day with a gentle spin to appreciate the scenery, full of tidy homes and tropical banana plantations on the western coastline of Tenerife. In the town of , we turn inland and make our way up to Masca, staying at 7-8% for a good seven miles. Ask any cyclist you bump into on Tenerife—this area is regarded as the best place to train. At the top, recover with a well-earned coffee break on a panoramic terrace, peering down at the village of Masca just below. In 1496, Masca was the last refuge of the indigenous Guanche people against invading Spaniards. The Spanish may have conquered the island, but few cyclists will conquer the climb out of the Masca valley—today will separate the sheep from the goats, so to speak. Depending on how we’re feeling, we can hang in there for a long, luxurious descent back to Garachico. Tonight we’ll toast to our feats over fresh seafood at our friend Angel’s restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Buenavista del Norte Accomplished: 30 miles / 48 km, elevation gain: 4,982 feet / 1,519 meters Longer Option: 36 miles / 58 km, elevation gain: 5,407 feet / 1,648 meters Accommodations: Boutique Hotel La Quinta Roja

DAY 6 Adios y Hasta Pronto!

Our Canarian adventure has come to an end. Before we bid you farewell, our guides will transfer you to Tenerife Norte airport or your post-tour hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.