INZAIN Cycling Adventures

During February 2022, there were two of us who chose to go to Lanzarote to explore its gravel roads. We drew routes at home with inspiration from various sources and then hired a local bike shop for quality assurance. We received good feedback and went down with great confidence. We chose to live in Puerto del Carmen on the south side, in order to be able to reach all parts of the island via central positioning.

Try out Ride

We get to feel the first gravel, when you live by the coast, of course every day starts with a bit of a climb, it's clearly flatter on Lanzarote than Gran Canaria, but it's still felt in the February legs.

When we encounter some sandy roads, we modify the route a little, cycle through a wind farm and then return to the base via the sea.

Papagayo

We start with a mile along the coast, some people out of course but very beautiful. I was a bit out of sorts and returned earlier while Ellinor continued all the way to the destination, Papagayo Beach.

La Graciosa

This magical little island NW of Lanzarote has always attracted me and now was the time. We have arranged transport to Orzola and take the ferry over there. It takes 30 minutes and has plenty of room for people and bikes. We have planned to follow the beach to the east, but it soon turns out to be very difficult to cycle in the soft sand

So we take a quiet break and then look North.

Hard packed gravel road leads us to absolutely incredible beaches.

It won't be that far, barely 2 miles, but very worth it. Next time I will probably leave the bike in Puerto del Carmen and rent a MTB in the port of La Graciosa for the day.

Lava Day!

We start with asphalt up to Yaiza, where a climb through the magical lava landscape begins. One meter off the side of the road is like being on an asteroid, there is no chance of getting even one meter. It's against the wind and uphill, but with a little music in the ears (bone conducting) it goes well.

After lunch in a small mountain village, it's time for gravel

Really nice road on black gravel leads us around a volcano, we know, however, that there will be a bit that our local guide described as "Some sand and rock", you can see what it was like here. However, it was an experience we don't want to be without, what doesn't kill is fun.

We then have a long descent through the lava landscape with the wind at our backs before the last gravel, on our way down towards Puerto del Carmen.

Mirador del Rio and Ermita de Las Nieves

We have arranged transport to Mirador del Rio which is on Lanzarote's NW tip. A dramatic location with stunning views. The day starts with one of the most beautiful stretches of asphalt I've ever driven. Narrow and meandering, right next to the cliff towards the sea, pure magic! After it follows a snappy 15% slope that leads us to Haria, where we strengthen ourselves with a Cortado before today's climb.

It is a beautifully winding road that offers fantastic views and many beautiful serpentines. Once at the top, there is a really good stretch of gravel and views over the desert, sea and beach. You completely lose your breath.

The road down to Teguise is pure propaganda, good surface beautiful and downhill 🙂

In summary, we found many nice gravel sections, but also some roads that are very sandy. I stood on my ears three times. I will return to the island, but probably ride more asphalt. Compared to Gran Canaria, it is not at all as technical, and less steep, and in my eyes more beautiful.