Mt Tiede - how difficult?
Discussion
I'm off to Tenerife next week with my wife staying in Los Cristianos, although not cycling holiday I'm hiring a bike for four of the days I'm there.
Naturally I'm looking to challenge myself and conquer Tiede but I'm unsure as to how difficult it will be.
FWIW I've got 2000 miles in my legs this year and can cope with the 25% climbs of North Yorkshire, I'm heavier than I would like to be but I'm confident of my endurance for 6hr+ rides.
I've routes etc sorted as I've stolen then from a mate who was on a training camp earlier this year
Naturally I'm looking to challenge myself and conquer Tiede but I'm unsure as to how difficult it will be.
FWIW I've got 2000 miles in my legs this year and can cope with the 25% climbs of North Yorkshire, I'm heavier than I would like to be but I'm confident of my endurance for 6hr+ rides.
I've routes etc sorted as I've stolen then from a mate who was on a training camp earlier this year
Thanks for the reply guys 
I've a BMC booked from Bike Point for four days, planning on climbing Teide on day two once I've gotten accustomed to the roads.
Nervously excited, I believe the bike comes with a 32t so I've a major bail out gear if it comes to it!
Thankfully I've switched to continental braking so there should be no nasty surprises at the first hair pin.
Is the hotel at Parador quite happy to let cyclists top up with water or is it not encouraged?
I've a BMC booked from Bike Point for four days, planning on climbing Teide on day two once I've gotten accustomed to the roads.
Nervously excited, I believe the bike comes with a 32t so I've a major bail out gear if it comes to it!
Thankfully I've switched to continental braking so there should be no nasty surprises at the first hair pin.
Is the hotel at Parador quite happy to let cyclists top up with water or is it not encouraged?
Made it
An amazing day on the bike and one that sat on the beach looking up at the mountain behind me, I'm still not sure I managed!
The bike came with 36/32 gearing and I'm not ashamed to say I spent the vast majority of the ascent in that gear, there was no way I was pushing too hard and having to abandon the attempt. From Vilaflor to the 2100m point is hard going, especially as I had no real idea how far it was to the summit, it really does appear out of nowhere.
Riding through the crater is spectacular even if the road surface is terrible, final climb to the the hotel had me cursing all the way up!
Climbing out of the crater on the return leg was tough, although not especially steep it took the last bit of zap I had in my legs away. I did meet Team Sky coming the opposite way, was nice to get a 'cyclists wave' from them and it gave my morale that little boost!
The descent is spectacular, although the BMC I had isn't quite as composed in the bends as my Wilier it was still hugely enjoyable, through the trees to Vilaflor being a highlight. Looking back at Strava afterwards I really wish I'd pushed just that little harder.
A few people mentioned bringing a gilet and arm warmers, I didn't bother and I'm glad I didn't, temp at the coast was 27c and it was warm all the way up including at the top, I certainly didn't feel any chill despite being in a thin merino jersey.
Fantastic day and its whetted my appetite for further monster climbs.
An amazing day on the bike and one that sat on the beach looking up at the mountain behind me, I'm still not sure I managed!
The bike came with 36/32 gearing and I'm not ashamed to say I spent the vast majority of the ascent in that gear, there was no way I was pushing too hard and having to abandon the attempt. From Vilaflor to the 2100m point is hard going, especially as I had no real idea how far it was to the summit, it really does appear out of nowhere.
Riding through the crater is spectacular even if the road surface is terrible, final climb to the the hotel had me cursing all the way up!
Climbing out of the crater on the return leg was tough, although not especially steep it took the last bit of zap I had in my legs away. I did meet Team Sky coming the opposite way, was nice to get a 'cyclists wave' from them and it gave my morale that little boost!
The descent is spectacular, although the BMC I had isn't quite as composed in the bends as my Wilier it was still hugely enjoyable, through the trees to Vilaflor being a highlight. Looking back at Strava afterwards I really wish I'd pushed just that little harder.
A few people mentioned bringing a gilet and arm warmers, I didn't bother and I'm glad I didn't, temp at the coast was 27c and it was warm all the way up including at the top, I certainly didn't feel any chill despite being in a thin merino jersey.
Fantastic day and its whetted my appetite for further monster climbs.
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