Gran Canaria/Tenerife/Lanzarote – cycling hols at Xmas?

Anyone been on a road riding trip to the Canaries over Xmas/New Year?

Just forming a plan to escape the shite weather and looking for options.

Destinations/weather/quality of riding – any input appreciated!

Massive destination for German Roadies – lots of companies there specifically for it.
Tenerife will give you the longest continual climb 😉

Weather should be good, last year was very poor with high winds and floods but generally it’ll be low 20s with plenty of sunshine

Just got back from Tenerife – took mountain bikes. Loads of trails most 20 miles plus. Not much singletrack as the government have banned bikes from most single / walking trails. Tenerife was gorgeous especially the wooded areas in the north east. We are trying Lanzarote in October.

Hmmmm…

Just looked at prices to Tenerife from EDI – no bargains to be had.

GLA to Malaga more reasonable. Any idea about climate in Andalucia over Xmas period?

Christmas is high season in the Canaries so bargains this far out will be scarce

Aye – that’s what I’m seeing. Bah!

Any other suggestions for Xmas sun, ideally with awesome riding, for tuppence ha’apenny?

There’s not much on Lanzarote, I did a week there a few years ago with some triathlete friends, we covered virtually every road on the island, most multiple times. I’d look elsewhere if you just want road riding.

OK – scrub Canaries. Too pricey.

My finger is hovering over flights to Lisbon for £157 return. Bike £70 extra.

Any reason not to?

No but the West coast of Europe in Winter can be a bit cold and wet

Last Dec in Lisbon
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LPPT/2013/12/2/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

Aye – just had a look at climate data. Not encouraging…

Ah well, Lochaber it is!

Last 2 Christmas and New Years, 2012/13 and 2013/14 some of our clients, bikingandalucia.com, clients managed to acquire a suntan! Cool nights warm days and drier than the Canaries.

what are the mtb options like on Lanzarote..?
my old dear’s little floating caravan is moored up out there over the winter this year and me and the other half were thinking of going over there for some free winter sun and a bit of riding..

any ideas..?