Lanzarote, Saturday 4 March, Road to Femes

Lanzarote, Sunday 5 March, Spring flowers at the top of Tabayesco Valley

Lanzarote, Sunday 5 March, Matagorda Beach near Puerto del Carmen

Sunday 5 March
Socialising at the Rising Sun

Liz leads up the hill into West Burton



Two started from Chichester Cross on a cold but occasionally sunny morning, Phil and Mary on their tandem. We climbed Pillygreen Hill and passed through East Dean and Upwaltham to descend Duncton Hill, turning right along the road to Sutton, then Bignor. In West Burton we went left to pick up the Fittleworth road, eventually turning back to the right to cross the A29 then Greatham Bridge eventually arriving at the RSPB Visitor Centre at Wiggonholt.

The Walberton Pond Group had just arrived at Wiggenholt, Harvie, Alan and Liz, and big Steve. We refuelled then Harvie led us on to the Rising Sun at Nutbourne.

A large Arun-Adur group, about a dozen riders, were already at the pub and we spent a pleasant lunchtime socialising. Colin also arrived and joined us for the ride back.

We returned along Phil & Mary's outward route to West Burton and then headed to the tearooms at Bury where a large pot of tea was provided for the group. We then crossed to the Houghton Bridge road and climbed Houghton Hill, descending and ascending back to the Spur where we split up. Phil & Mary headed back via Eastergate and the rest headed for the coast.

Phil

Lanzarote, Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd March

Thursday 2nd March, off the beaten track.

Weather today was bright and sunny with a northerly wind and temperatures getting to 20C.

During the day despite being here for over 7 weeks now I was able to find 2 quiet backroads I had not tried before. The ride was over to the NW coast near La Santa.

I rode up to the central plateau on backroads to Tias and then Conil. Just before Conil I turned off on the first untried route over to La Asomada. The route wound its way parallel to the coast 900ft below. Just before La Asomada there was a short steep climb at about 17%.

I continued north to cross the lava plain and then start down the other side via Tinajo. I then turned off on the second untried route via El Chuchillo and then on a cross country route seriously off the beaten track. This ran parallel to the coast and about 300ft above La Santa. The road was tarmac but broken up in places. Traffic was an average of a car in 15 minutes.

I returned via Soo and Tiagua with a welcome tail wind for the climb. Then on to San Bartolome and down to Playa Honda for a late lunch at a restaurant on the prom.

41 miles for the day with 2300ft of climbing.

Edwin


Friday 3rd March

Weather today was cloudy in the morning clearing later in the afternoon. Winds were light northerly and temperatures reached 19C.

I rode a short circuit first taking a backroad up to Tias at 700ft and then another backroad to Masdache on the central plateau climbing another 400ft to 1100ft. Then across the volcanic plateau to La Vegueta. Then SE via Mancha Blanca to Timanfaya National park and a bit more climbing past the Volcanoes. Then a long descent across more lava fields to Yaiza and then back down to the coast and base.

32 miles for the day and 1800ft of climbing.

Edwin

Lanzarote, Thursday 2 March, backroad near La Santa

Lanzarote, Thursday 2 March. Lunch stop at Playa Honda

Lanzarote, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.

Saturday 25 February, Orzola Ride.

More cloud than of late today but with some good sunny spells. A strong wind from the SW kept temperatures high at 21C.

I decided on a long hard ride to the north. I headed out via Tias, San Bartolome and Teguise with a stop for a break in the square. Then up the big Haria Pass climb to 2000ft and down the hairpins to Haria at 1000ft. Then further north on a loop via the village of Ye. I started down the descent towards Arietta but then turned off on a narrow backroad for Orzola on the coast in the far north of the Island. This was the first time on this road for this trip. The road wound its way down towards the coast across jumbled rocks of an old lava field partly broken up by struggling vegetation. High above the road was the broken rim of the volcano which created the landscape.

At Orzola I bought food at a Supermarket and had a picnic lunch at the port. Then back on the coast road via Tahiche with a hard ride into the wind all the way.

66 miles for the day and 4800ft of climbing. For the week ending today 236 miles.

Edwin


Sunday 26 February

Bright and sunny all day today with scattered white cloud. A brisk westerly wind and temperatures up to 23C.

I decided on an easier ride today with a visit to the Costa Teguise beach but with a few mountains thrown in. I first climbed up to Tias on the main road, and then a backroad up to 1100ft to the plateau main road at Masdache. Then north towards Teguise but turning off on a backroad to Nazaret and then down the main road a short way to Tahiche. There I turned off on the old coast road and turning off that after a few miles to descend on the back road to Costa Teguise.

I made my way down to Playa Cucharadas the main beach for the northern part of Costa Teguise. I had a leisurely lunch at a restaurant fronting onto the prom and then a couple of hours sunbathing on the sandy beach.

I rode back on the prom/cyclepath and then into Arrecife. Sunday afternoon is an ideal time to ride through the capital with hardly any cars around. Then the prom/cyclepath back via Playa Honda.

39 miles for the day with 1500ft of climbing.

Lanzarote, Saturday 25 February. Volcanic landscape leading to Orzola

Tias with the hills of Fueventura visible in the far distance

Lanzarote, Sunday 26 February. Playa Cucharadas Beach at Costa Teguise

Lanzarote, Tuesday 21 February to Thursday 23 February.

Tuesday 21 February. El Golfo Ride.

Weather today was cloudy early clearing to a bright sunny day with a strong northerly wind. Temperatures reached 20C.

I decided on a ride south to El Golfo village for lunch. I headed out via Yaiza and then the backroad loop across the lava field where it streamed down to the coast. El Golfo is a small village on the coast next to the half eroded volcanic crater. I found a restaurant with a sunny terrace for lunch.

Then along the coast with views of the lava field stretching to distant mountains and the lava rocks being pounded by the Atlantic swell. Then under the main road and a climb on another backroad first to La Brenas and then Femes. After an 18 to 20% grade on the last part of the climb I stopped for a drink at a restaurant with magnificent views down towards Playa Blanca and Fueventura. Then a long smooth descent and back to base.

34 miles for the day and 2200ft of climbing.

Edwin


Wednesday 22 February

Weather today started cloudy clearing during the morning. Wind was still a strong northerly. Temperatures reached 20C.

I took a short ride up to the central plateau taking lanes up to Tias and then Conil. Then another lane to La Vegueta and Tiagua. Then south with a welcome tailwind on the main road with a diversion onto a parallel lane on the old road via Tao. From San Bartolome a fast downhill to Playa Honda and the Prom/cyclepath back.

28 miles for the day and 1200ft of climbing.

Edwin


Thursday 23 February

Weather today started cloudy but cleared by afternoon to bright blue skies. Wind was lighter but still a northerly. Temperatures reached 21C.

I took a longer ride today with first lanes up via Tias to Masdache on the main road across the central Plateau at 1000ft. Then across to Teguise and a brief stop for a break in the Square. Then on the main route towards Haria but turning off at Los Valles on a backroad down to El Mojon and then the main coast road near Guatiza. After a short way on the lightly trafficked main road I turned off for Costa Teguise.

I took a side road down the NE side of Costa Teguise down to the Prom at Playa Charcos. I then walked or cycled all the way along the Prom. I stopped for a long leisurely lunch at a Restaurant adjoining the prom with a beautiful terrace next to the sea.

Then on through Arrecife where I got an impact puncture after hitting a pothole. Only the second puncture in 6 weeks and the first on the road. The previous puncture was a slow one discovered at the Apartment.

Then a gentle ride back along the Prom/Cyclepath via Playa Honda.

46 miles for the day and 2100ft of climbing.

Edwin

Lanzarote, Wednesday 22 February, view across Lava Flow

Lanzarote, Wednesday 22 February, View from cafe in Femes

Lanzarote, Thursday 23 February, Costa Teguise lunch stop