Tour of Gran Canaria,

Travel insurance
Visas (if required)
Airport transfers unless purchased separately
Miscellaneous personal expenses – tips drinks and souvenirs etc
Bike Carriage on the flights – please contact your carrier for charges
Flights are not included

Breakfasts are self service buffet with all choices. The support car has energy food to keep you topped up, but there’s a lunch stop at a local restaurant every midday. Dinner will be taken at our accommodation.

Gran Canaria is a year-round destination and has what is often described as eternal spring-summer conditions. There are surprising differences across the island, however, with the south-western part being semi-desert and the mountains of the north receiving more rainfall. The prevailing north-easterly Trade Winds, that deposit their rain on the northern slopes of the Island, are responsible for this split. During the period from November to March, we can expect daytime temperatures ranging from 16 to 24 degrees Centigrade, becoming progressively cooler as we gain height in the mountains. In April and May it will be a few degrees warmer than this – but still pleasant for cycling.

The better conditioned you are the more you will enjoy your trip. We suggest that you adopt a sensible weekly exercise regime and fit in a number of long cycle rides in hilly country to ensure you are physically capable of taking part in this trip – this will also provide you with an opportunity to make sure all your riding kit is tried and tested before you travel. Cycling is obviously the best activity to prepare for this trip, however, running, rowing and swimming are also good for developing aerobic fitness and stamina.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

The unit of currency in Europe is the Euro.

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations. UK residents should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is still vital when travelling overseas.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visi

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from ‘Available’ to ‘Guaranteed to run’. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.

PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

FEET

Road or touring cycling shoes

Waterproof cycling overshoes

TORSO

Base-layer – short sleeve cycling top (x 2)

Long sleeved cycling top (x 1)

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Lightweight Fleece top or jumper.

Lightweight windproof gillet.

HANDS

Regular biking gloves

Long fingered gloves

LEGS

Padded cycling shorts (x 2)

Cycling tights or tricksters

Casual shorts

HEAD

Biking glasses

Cycling helmet – mandatory
KE TREK BAG CONTENTS

Travel and apres biking clothes

Trainers/Leisure shoes for apres biking

Wash bag and toiletries

Swimwear

Chamois Cream (e.g. Assos or Ozone)

Small padlock (to lock trek bag)

TO BE CARRIED ON THE BIKE IN YOUR JERSEY POCKETS OR IN A SMALL SADDLE BAG. NOTE: IF YOU DON’T WANT TO CARRY ANY OF THIS, YOU CAN LEAVE IT IN YOUR DAY-PACK IN THE SUPPORT VEHICLE – SEE BELOW

Mobile/Cell phone (optional)

Mini-pump

Multi-tool

Puncture repair kit & tyre levers

Inner tube

Small camera

Sun cream

OTHER ITEMS AFFIXED TO YOUR BIKE

1 or 2 waterbottles
TO BE CARRIED IN THE SUPPORT VEHICLE IN YOUR DAY-PACK FOR EASY ACCESS

Lightweight waterproof top

Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters, insect repellent (75-100% DEET) and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES

Please note: If you are hiring a bike you do not need to bring spares – a pump and spare inner tube comes with the bike.

If you are taking your own bike, you should bring the following with you. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconvenience waiting for assistance.

TYRES

You will need 700 x 25 Touring/Road Performance tyres suitable for mostly dry with occasional wet conditions.

Pump

Plastic tyre levers

1 rear brake cable

1 rear gear cable

Spare set of brake blocks (front and rear)

2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels

Spoke key

4 x inner tubes

Spare chain links

Liquid chain lube

Multi-tool with Allen keys

Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)

2x puncture repair kits

A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.

Any spares specific to your bike

Cycle Gran Canaria TOOLS AND SPARES

On all of our trips we carry a track pump, toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. If any other spare parts are needed, our support vehicle will make a detour to the nearest bike shop, which can be found in some of the larger towns en route.

ENERGY GELS/SPORTS DRINKS/POWER BARS

You should take a supply of the gels, power bars, sports drink mix (sachets) and other high-energy snacks that you normally use.

This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip.

Excellent bike hire is available for this trip and makes a lot of sense – as it costs about the same as taking your own bike on the flights to and from Gran Canaria. Our local bike partner Free Motion is a very a large professional outfit in Playa del Ingles (5 mins drive from our hotel) which has a choice of excellent road bikes for hire. Option (1) is the new model (2016) Cannondale CAAD 12. These have aluminium frames, Shimano 105 components, compact chainsets (50/34) and 11 speed (11/28) cassettes. The hire charge for this model is 108 euros. Option (2) is the (2016) Cannondale Synapse. These have carbon frames, Shimano Ultegra components, compact chainsets (50/34) and 11 speed (11/32) cassettes. We recommend this second option on account of the bike’s more relaxed geometry and lower gearing! The hire charge for this model is 138 euros. Both of these prices are accurate (Jan 2016) and subject to change). We need to know well in advance if you are proposing to hire a bike and we need to establish the frame size you require. As well as giving us your estimate of frame size, we need your height (metric) and your weight (metric). If you want pedals provided with the bike (no extra cost) the options are SPD SL, Look Keo or Classic, SPD MTB. We will check that a suitably sized bike is available for collection and you will pay for the bike directly with the local agent when you pick up the bike on the Sunday morning (Day 2). Please note that your contract for bike hire is directly with our local agent and not with KE. You will be required to show photo ID such as a passport and pay a €60 deposit when you pick up the bike. All breakages, scratches on bikes, torn handlebar tape, crash damage are elements that will have a cost attached, to be decided by the hire bike provider. If hiring a bike we recommend that you bring your own saddle and pedals, as well as your helmet. Bikes come supplied with pump and spare inner tube. Full mechanic service available with support car. A transfer will take us from our hotel on Sunday morning to pick up the hire bikes. If you are arriving earlier and wish to pay for an extra day’s bike hire, then this can also be arranged.

During our 6-day circuit of the island, we will have the back up of a 9-seater support vehicle. Each morning our main baggage will be loaded onto the support vehicle which will follow the group on the day’s ride. The biking leader and the support vehicle driver will watch over the group and will communicate by walkie-talkie. You will also be able to contact them by mobile phone in the case of a breakdown or other incident. We want everyone to enjoy their cycling experience on this trip and we recognize the importance of group members being allowed to cycle at their own pace. On most of our road biking trips it is usual that there can be a fair distance between the front and rear cyclists in the group and there may be times when other group members, vehicle support and biking leader are out of sight. The support vehicle will carry water, coke, chocolate bars etc. plus figs, raisins, bananas and energy mix for drinks. There will be regular stops to allow the group to reassemble and the support vehicle will pick up any group members who wish to take a break from cycling at any time.

Travelling with a bike is usually as straightforward as travelling with any other type of baggage – providing you have packed it adequately. We have many years experience of travelling with our bikes, and nowadays we think that the best way to travel and fly with a bike is to partially dismantle it and put it into a purpose made bike bag or hard bike case. If you are using a softer bike bag, then you may need to add further protection to the bike when packing it. To pack your bike you simply remove both wheels and pedals and prepare it for travel as follows. Obviously, extra care when packing your bike can minimise the chances of accidental damage occurring in transit. Ask your local bike store for plastic wheel hub protectors (which will prevent damage to your bike bag) and plastic fork and frame spacers, insert the spacers into the dropouts, tape them in place and then put extra padding over this area. Use pipe insulation lagging (from your local DIY store) to cover frame tubes, forks and seat post. If required, remove your bars from the stem and attach them carefully to your frame/forks using plastic ties or pvc tape – ensure that your Ergo/Sti levers are well padded to minimise the chance of damage. You may also wish to remove your rear gear mech, pad it with foam and tape it to the chainstay out of harms way. Finally, you should partly deflate your tyres, but leave some air in them to help absorb any impact on the wheels. Don’t forget to pack wheel skewers, pedals and any bolts you have removed, these are the items that tend to get left behind. Finally, if you are using a softer bike bag, find an old cardboard bike box and cut out panels to fit inside your soft bike bag for extra protection. Don’t forget to bring sufficient packing materials to pack your bike on the way home.

Please note that bike bags or bike boxes will not travel with us during the course of the trip. Bicycle transportation bags or boxes will be left in secure storage.

YOUR BIKE – ROAD CYCLING

A road bike or standard touring bike is recommended for this trip. It should be fitted with a compact or triple chainset and a 10 or 11-speed cassette. Please call if you are unsure about the suitability of your bike. We cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring that your bike is in perfect working condition before you start this trip. You are depending on your bike to transport you throughout your trip, across demanding terrain. It is VITAL to ensure it is THOROUGHLY SERVICED to guarantee it is in good mechanical order before departure. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bike mechanic to service it for you. For home mechanics, points to note particularly are:

a) Check rims and if they are worn, cracked or dented replace with a new rim or wheel to avoid wheel failure. It is especially important to check that the rims on rim-braked bikes are not worn concave by the brake blocks -replace them if they are.

b) Check wheels are true and spoke tension is tight.

c) Check ALL bearings and quick release skewers and, if required, adjust, grease or replace.

d) Check and, if required, replace brake and gear cables.

e) Check brake pads, mounts and cables / hydraulic lines and replace if necessary.

f) Check and lube, threadlock and tighten all bolts (esp. suspension pivots, bottom brackets, disc rotor bolts and brake calliper mounting bolts).

g) Check chain, cassette and chain rings for wear and replace as necessary.

h) Make sure you have the right tyres, inner tubes and BIKE SPECIFIC SPARES for your bike.

Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs to your bike e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and the inconvenience of waiting for assistance.

Taking a bike on an aircraft is usually straightforward. Different airlines have differing policies with regard to baggage allowances and transporting bikes. We strongly advise that you check the current policy of your chosen airline for carrying bikes and their baggage allowances before purchasing your air ticket. The baggage section on your chosen airline’s website will usually contain this information. We suggest that you are aware of the weight and dimensions of your intended check-in baggage in advance of your arrival at the airport as airlines may charge for both excess and oversize baggage, or refuse to carry oversized baggage. If you are using a domestic flight to connect with your International flight then it is likely that a different baggage policy will exist for the domestic and international flight sections. Again you should check the baggage policy with your chosen domestic airline prior to booking your domestic flight tickets. Any additional charges incurred for transporting your bike on any of the flights required for this adventure (international, domestic and internal flights within the trip itinerary -if applicable) are the responsibility of each individual client..

This holiday will be accompanied by an experienced Cycle Gran Canaria or Partner ride leader. In addition, there will be a support vehicle and driver.

During this bike holiday, we will generally meet for breakfast at about 8.00 am. After we’ve eaten, we will pack our trek bags and load them onto the support vehicle. We will generally start our day’s riding at around 9.00 am. We will have regular stops to allow the group to reform and cafe stops wherever it seems appropriate. The support vehicle will bring up the rear to to make sure nobody is lost. Lunch will be at a restaurant where you can purchase a snack or more substantial meal directly. We usually arrive at our hotel by mid to late afternoon and have time to shower, change and relax or attend to any bike maintenance that may be required. Our evening meals are usually taken at the hotel and this is a great time of day for reliving the events of the day and for general socializing.

There are 3 nights accommodation at a resort-style hotel in Maspalomas and 1 night at a similar establishment in Puerto Mogan. There are also 2 nights in a very pleasant hotel in San Bartolome at 1000m and 1 night in Agaete on the NE coast. Accommodation is generally arranged on a twin-sharing basis and if you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. All of the hotels have excellent facilities with swimming pools and WiFi.
View the gallery below for images of the style of accommodation used

Travel insurance
Visas (if required)
France Only. Airport transfers for France only unless purchased separately
Miscellaneous personal expenses – tips drinks and souvenirs etc
Bike Carriage on the flights – please contact your carrier for charges
Flights are not included