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Mount Teide

Mount Teide dominates Tenerife. It is the third highest volcano in the world and still currently active. Although not the highest road in Europe, at 2300m, it is the longest continuous ascent; as you can start the climb from sea level.

It has been a favourite training climb of Lance Armstrong, Vincenzo Nibali and Bradley Wiggins over the years. Many pro teams still visit for warm weather training. Teide’s height, altitude (it’s high enough to feel the effects of oxygen deprivation), year-round warm weather, and the ability to gain a lot of altitude in a relatively short distance make it an ideal training climb for pros and a great challenge for mortals!

 

The Climb in Detail

“.....the world's third-largest volcano. It should, by all accounts, be a siren to cyclists in the same way as iconic climbs such as L'Alpe d'Huez or Mont Ventoux in France are – seducing everyone from lithe Lycra stick insects to emotional, overweight Belgians. Yet, despite its ferocious height, Teide doesn't attract the attention it deserves..” - The Independent

 

The Ascents

There are three main ascents to the summit of the Teida, although they are all broadly similar, being long  with gradients rarely hitting double figures. Ascent one is from Puerto de la Cruz. It is the longest ascent and climbs through a green landscape. Ascent two from Los Gigantes, (the steepest and shortest way to the top) climbs up through a mainly arid landscape, before entering a forested level and then enters the Lunar landscape that Teide is famous for on top. Ascent three is the most ridden, from Los Christiantos.

 

Los Christiantos - Teide

This route to the summit is the most popular. Kilometer after kilometer and hairpin after hairpin, you can get lost in the ever-changing scenery. You leave the populated coast qucikly behind, riding through an arid landscape before this gives way to a forest and finally the famous lunar landscape the top is known for. Often this climb is split into two. There is a good stop in Vilaflor for a break and the chance of a coffee.

Why the Pros like it?

In the 2010 Tour Wiggins struggled with the longer, higher passes. His coach at the time, Tim Kerrison suggested heading to Tenerife. Kerrison explained the benefits to William Fotheringham in an interview for the Guardian: “. …..the weather is relatively stable in April and May and Wiggins was able to climb up to 4,000m a day. He was also working on very specific intervals between 1,500m and 2,200m, the point at which the oxygen reduction in the air, due to altitude, starts to have an effect, and the place where most attacks were likely to happen in the Tour". 

"Forget what you think you know about Tenerife. This is far more than a party island and the climb up Mount Teide is magical" - C.Smith 

Take on this iconic climb, click or search below

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