Rain, wind, gray sky. Winter reality in Poland does not favor cycling trips. You can fight the weather, spin on the trainer, hibernate... or escape to where the sun shines.
If the latter option sounds tempting, we have good news. Low-cost airlines offer destinations where temperatures in winter exceed 20 degrees, and the roads and landscapes encourage cycling. The Canary Islands archipelago is at the top of the list.
Cycling around the Canary Islands – which one to choose?
The archipelago consists of several islands, five of which are a true paradise for cyclists. Each of them offers something different – from flat desert landscapes to mountain switchbacks that will squeeze every watt-hour out of your legs. There will certainly be no shortage of possibilities for arranging various routes. Plus, brilliant coffee and Spanish tapas!
Lanzarote – cycling through a lunar landscape
Lanzarote is a volcanic island closest to Africa with small elevations and desert-lunar landscapes. It seems technically easy, but don't be fooled – strong winds can be a pain when pedaling. Ideal for those who prefer long rides on flat terrain over steep climbs.
Fuerteventura – wind, sand and open spaces
The name says it all: fuerte viento – a strong wind that you will have to face along with sand blown from the dunes. There are no high mountains here, but there are beautiful natural spaces: black – volcanic hills, cliffs, bays and long, empty beaches. Fuerte is a great place for a cycling wander – best from north to south, admiring the raw scenery.
Gran Canaria – an island for everyone
If there was to be only one cycling island – this is it. You will find everything here: coastal routes, mountain climbs, volcanic canyons and fragrant pine forests. Do you want to warm up? Choose the Maspalomas – Puerto de Mogan route. Need a challenge? The Valley of Tears awaits. Interested in conquering peaks? Is Pico de las Nieves – 1949 m a.s.l. enough for a start? On the descent, you can catch a real flow drifting to the rhythm of left-right. Those willing can turn onto more technically demanding, narrow paths, where you will certainly be able to burn the brake discs. Gran Canaria is a veritable cycling playground. The south of rocky deserts with the green north are connected by undulating routes along the coasts. The center is a range of volcanic mountains where seasoned cyclists undertake 4 thousand (vertically) climbs at once.
Tenerife – the queen of mountains
There is no room for accidental spinning here. If you love climbs, Tenerife will become your second home. The Teide volcano (3718 m a.s.l.) rules the landscape and routes. Every road leads uphill, and the 48-kilometer climb (2,457 meters vertically) from Los Cristianos is a test of character. Leaving for a small round, you bring 1,000 meters of elevation back in your legs, ascending will give you views you won't forget, like the serpentines descending to the postcard Masca bay. A wonderful place on the island is the Anaga Park – the perfect cycling world in a nutshell. The south is desert, with black fields of cooled lava. The north is small bays – oases of greenery and gentle landscape. Remember to assess your fitness well. Don't be fooled – you can cycle up the highest peak via various roads, but each of them, if you start from the beach, will cost a lot of work.
La Gomera – a cycling paradise in miniature
Small but extraordinary. Every route begins with a climb, but the views reward the effort. The ocean, cliffs, mountains, forests, almost tropical vegetation – it's a place that stuns the senses, where you forget about the rest of the world. Small towns, local cafes and empty roads create an atmosphere that is hard to resist. Life here goes on at a slightly different pace than on the previous islands. Such Small Andes. The splendor of nature, a huge variety of spaces, well-profiled asphalt... – an ideal road for a bike.
Which bike to take to the Canary Islands?
You can rent almost any bike on the Canaries. We tested two Koloride models here:
Aluminum Gravel Koloride (in 2023) – all-terrain versatility and comfortable geometry proved to be perfect on various routes – from gravel paths to asphalt highways.
Titanium All-road Koloride (in 2024) on carbon wheels with a two-row drive. Our new model is primarily about good stiffness and great agility. It proved to be excellent on long routes, demanding climbs and fast, steep descents on roads with various surfaces.
Diverse surfaces, demanding climbs, steep descents and long distances – this is the place where the bike shows its full potential. Koloride has a lot of it.
Why the Canary Islands in winter?
- Warmth – over 20°C even in January.
- Hundreds of kilometers of trails – from easy to extreme.
- Extraordinary landscapes – volcanoes, deserts, forests, ocean.
- Good infrastructure – great asphalt and local cafes and bars on the route.
- Diversity – each island is a different adventure.
Polish winter? You can fight it, but you can also choose the sun. The Canary Islands are waiting – the question is: which one tempts you the most?
