Some time late last year you may remember DezB holding a raffle for Bullheart’s Sarcoma charity. Various people donated various things, and the top prize was a weeks free guiding from Darran at Lavatrax in Tenerife.
I won.
So last month I went riding:
Day 1
Darren explains to me that today is an ‘easier’ day to get into the rythm of Tenerife riding. After fair drive upwards we stop half way for coffee and admire the view above the clouds.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039774851/ ]Gran Canaria, the Island In the Sky[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
At sea level it was grey and murky, and I was already regretting not slapping on the sun cream as we wound our way up a 1/2 hr climb after unloading the bikes higher up. Before long we enter our first section of what was to me (at the time) pretty darn rocky single track and arrive back to the same cafe for lunch.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039797889/ ]IMG_3401[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
They do these amazing tuna salad croissants.... Once refuelled, a swoopy and speedy road descent for a couple of Ks had me yearning for the motorbike.
I understand that old Spanish tracks are called ‘cameros’ and these seem to take a direct line down the mountain on a variety of surfaces. At one point we stop to cross the road we drove up earlier and meet up with a couple on a motorbike as we pop out on the inside of a bend, which surprises him. As we take the direct route we see him again at the end of the next trail (cobbled in places this one) and the third time he gives us a shrug and a wave in resignation that we have him licked!
The rocks loose skittering into my down tube finally put an end to my previously cracked bash ring which I hear clanking off down the trail a long time before I realise what’s happened.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039775925/ ]IMG_3281[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
As we drop the terrain becomes less steep and the trails smooth in places as they traverse the hill
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039777355/ ]IMG_3294[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I’m fine until a silly tumble cuts my knee and turns the air blue for a minute (Pads tomorrow!) A short loo stop at a posh restaurant with a panoramic view is followed by a lose tight set of swithbacks then its over the road and a nice cool down spinning along dirt tracks to the van
.
Day 2
Today the introduction is over. The long intitial climb from the van leaves me knackered for first descent on loose and reddish coloured gully with the first signs of the technicalities we are to be tackling later, as we descend through the pine trees.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039780065/ ]IMG_3310[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Although we stop at the same cafe as yesterday (Chorizo croissant this time!) we don’t repeat any of the same trails
I’ve never, ever ridden suck insanely rock trails!. If you ride in the UK, in the Peaks for instance, you know sometimes there’s a steep, techy bit, where everyone stops and has a look, about half of the people walk it, and the rest have a stab at it? Well, imagine 4km of that, without a break, if you can.... And then repeat it a few times.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039795711/ ]IMG_3389[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
For the first time ever I sustain a snake bite on the front tyre and follow it with 2 more in quick succession. My 2.35 High Rollers are now at waht must be 50psi, which makes them interesting in loose fast corners, but it’s the only way to stop your tubes being ripped to shreds!
I don’t even touch the camera today. I don’t think I could have held it still with these liquorice sticks that now resemble arms!
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893692030/ ]IMG_3358[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Day 3
View from hill top cafe at Ifonche.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893691456/ ]IMG_3352[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
(Brown olives home made bread cheese salami sandwich fresh OJ. Sorry. Must stop rambling on about lunch....)
We start of on a wide, loose, jumpy and fast track through the trees, and are given the option of a steep 10 minutre carry/scramble which requires a bit of teamwork to get the bikes to a very remote feeling section of trail that winds it’s way rhythmically down probably the least steep trail of the week.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893689246/ ]IMG_3338[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
That said, the pine needles that carpet every inch of the floor are as slippery as oil to even walk on, and they cover any hard stuff underneath
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893689854/ ]IMG_3342[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Not so rocky today which is a welcome relief but sitting here at lunch writing this on my phone, I think the bottom section of the days descent will see the balance tipped back to GNARLY!
Day 4
Starting from pretty much the hugest point available for MTBs at 2400m. This is the crater of the volcano with, basically another volcano sprouting inside it.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893695202/ ]IMG_3367[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Picking up pace down dusty fire roads (quite literally made from fire!) any uphill progress is slightly stifled by altitude. The air is chilly and I don an extra layer for the first time. As we steadily drop our noses like a plane coming in to land, we enter the tree line from above for the first time and the landscape returns to normal after the lava dominated virtual moon scape above. Soon dust gives way to rock and speed humps in the trail and after a brief layer removal/padding up stop we drop into the first Single-track of the day. Not as rocky as some it is a welcome relief, but still the rocky sections stack up one after another, testing skill and more than that-nerve
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039795169/ ]IMG_3387[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
My bike is now protesting at the treatment it's being given after 9 months hanging in the garage. The shock has lost most of its damping, the fork bushes get slacker by the day and the headset crown race is creaking like mad. But it holds for the week, and my Magura Louises are still one finger powerful.
A brief rest after a short stretch of firey road and we recombine to discuss the next 4km. Which according to Darran starts off smoothish then gets all medieval on our asses. I'm used to it but feeling battered after 3 long days, my 2 new companions don't know any better and Finn gives a Norse nod and smile of approval. So we drop in.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/7039793277/ ]IMG_3381[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I'm now feeling like I'm on death row. I know it's coming, and soon, but not exactly when. Just when you think you've seen every type of trail technicality on the island, the deck deals a new hand. This time I'm going fast. Too fast. Faster than I planned. Prepared to eat pumice I just let it go. And then it happens. It CLICKS. For just a couple of minutes, I'm in control it's like I'm standing still and the earth is turning beneath me. The flow, the Zone, whatever, call it what you like but this is it. This is as good as I've ever been, as I ever will be. This is why I ride.
Then with a literal bang I bottom out the Lyriks and instantly pinch flat the front. Again.
Cursing but I stop and dig out my 5th tube of the week.
Restarting, the flow is gone, and I'm back to my normal fight with the trail. Hey ho.
No need for the van today as I finish 2 minutes ride from my hotel.
I bid the guys a good evening and head off. Utterly knackered, I sleep well tonight.
Day 5
Today is a short day with the option to extend as theres 3 newbies in town
I ride from the hotel and meet Darren in town. There around 170m climb to start and, to be honest, I'm a spent force. My legs are dead. The tank is empty. Luckily we stop often and the downhill isnt steep or madly technical but does provide a few photo opportunities.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6893705234/ ]IMG_3428[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
One section is as close to the iconic Slickrock trail on Moab as I've ever seen. (Mcmoab in Scotland isn't even a poor imitation. If you've seen the real thing you'll agree)
some striking rock forms in weathered lava (what else) provide a perfect backdrop to the end of a stunning week of riding. As we cost onto the beach we attract stares from the wind and kite surfers. The others extend their ride but I call it a day and tick tick tick gently along the boardwalk and finish off with the biggest slice if cake I can find.
Job done.
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Many thanks to Bullheart, DezB, and Darran at www.lavatrax.com
Lavatrax have some well sorted and maintained hire bikes, the groups are small and the riding is superb. If you’ve been to the PDS region in the Alps, this is a lot more natural, the trails are literally empty, the local bike shop is good and reasonably priced.
You’d never find the trails without a guide, so it’s well worth the money. You can go for a week like I did, or just a coupe of days as part of a family holiday
Just don’t take a bike that you’re too precious about denting.....!
Thouroughly recommended! ?
Great review. This is the sort of thing I like to read on the forum, much better than the usual bickering.
Thanks!
Looks superb.
Wow that looks incredible. Sounds like I would be totally out of my league though. How many of you were in a group? did the guide have different options if people were struggling?
What a great holiday. Were the flights cheap?
nice write up!
glad you had a great time 😀
I struggle with long sentences was it any good?
Yay! Thought I spotted some Tenerife type photos in your Flickr 🙂
You should also thank the person who won the hol, but rejected it! Can't remember who it was.
Love this description: "it's like I'm standing still and the earth is turning beneath me"
Nice one! 😀
Drac, yeah, the best week's riding I've ever had. I won't bother with the Alps again, put it that way!
Rich, no more then 6 in a group on my week. That's all that fits in the van! The short ride on the last day was more UK style riding, but there's options further up the hill, yes, but you need to be able to hit some rough stuff...!
Flights - Can't remember, sorry. I used Easyjet, took my bike with me (Brought it back knackered) 140mm all mountain bike as a bare minimum. I'm no bike snob, but don't even consider a hardtail. My Pitch + Lyriks was about perfect.
I struggle with long sentences
Please do. 🙂
I was jealous when you won, I'm even more jealous now 
Got to remember it was for charity...
#Got to remember it was for charity...
Indeed. believe it or not, JustGiving is banned here at work! 🙁
Cab someone put the Justgiving/bullheart link up for me please?
Cheers Rich!
i would love to go somewhere to do dry rocky dh stuff like that, but it would have to be total uplifted stuff.
oh well, i can dream i suppose...... 😀
Nice ride report - thanks for sharing!
Nice report, should have sold it to the magazine!
Looks awesome Pete - I love that type of rocky, controlled riding!!
DrP
That looks grand, i have massive riding envy at the minute, especially as it is absolutely peeing down wi rain here in not so sunny Cleckheaton. Great thread, i agree, much better than bitching and bickering.
More of this sort of stuff please people. 😀
Yeah, it was good. Very different to the Alps, which are just a giant trail centre really. This is a lot more natural riding, just mostly downhill!
Excellent stuff. Really enjoyed reading that.
Did the chap wearing the Urge find it comfortable in the heat?
Nice pics too. 🙂
Did the chap wearing the Urge find it comfortable in the heat?
It wasn't that hot, 18-21 degrees, just very sunny. March is about the ideal time to go there really 🙂
Penguinni, thats Darran of Lavatrax I think (apologies if its not!) he was certainly wearing one when i visited in august last year. As was I, we looked like special friends...
you didnt visit the bike park then? neither did I, ran out of time!
fantastic prize from a great cause. Nice one Darran and Bullheart.
nice one 🙂
Slowrider - Bike park? Didn't know there was one! TBH I'd probably prefer the natural stuff.... 🙂
Hi Peter, Glad you enjoyed the riding and hope the bike and you have both recovered! Thanks also for the great words and pictures.
For those asking about the bike park, unfortunately it closed down in December last year, a real shame as it was a fantastic resource and a bloody good day out. But dwindling visitor numbers and zero support from local or island governments meant that it was operating at a loss and the owner could no longer support it.
However, there are rumours of a new bike park in the planning for the south of the island this time with some local government support. Just hope that it gets done before Spain goes bankrupt 😥
Oh, and the Urge helmet is great. It can get a bit hot on long slow climbs, but if you are moving at a reasonable pace the venting works really well. I love it even if you do look a bit "special" at times 😆
Cheeky bump...
Potdog = Darran? Am I right? 🙂
hahaha. That's right 😆
Nice review. I was out there last month and had a ball.
Darran at Lavatrax is a very natural guide, he makes you feel right at home and explains the trail really well before you hit it.
I rode one of his Wolf Ridge bikes and it was smooth as butter. Suprisingly lighter than it looks but thats probably cos my bike´s a tank and I´m used to the weight.
I´m hoping to go back again maybe in November, if not, then for a warm winter break in jan/feb next year.
If you find you´re missing the rocky, unpredictable trails then maybe consider a trip to the basque country. Plenty of that round here and I might even lend you my tank to pedal round on 😉
Your photos are excellent.
Great review. This is the sort of thing I like to read on the forum, much better than the usual bickering.Thanks!
This! Many, many times over.
Cracking read, great pics, more please 🙂
Is there an exec summary anywhere?
That IS the summary. I wrote more than that, and trimmed out the BS! 🙂