A slightly tougher and harder gravel camp in beautiful Gran Canaria
When: 28 January – 4 February
Where: Gran Canaria
How: Adventurous Gravel Camp with lots of climbing
Hotel: We stay at CasaCalma, a dedicated cycling hotel
Eat: Breakfast and dinner at CasaCalma included.
Arrangement
The camp and the trip are aimed primarily at those who like to challenge themselves and their bike. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views from high altitudes and tropical forests on the north side of the island. All this in a climate that is very reminiscent of a Swedish summer at its best.
The camp is designed so that you only have to think about you and your bike. Therefore, you will be picked up directly at the airport by our own transfer and driven the short distance to our house.
Once here you will be welcomed by CJ and Soraya who have been running this hotel for 2 years. CJ takes care of guiding and Soraya, C-J's strong partner is all in allo and spoils us with her good cooking and nice person.
We also have our local guide Constantin, a dedicated gravel cyclist with several years on the island under his belt.
A video from the first Gravel Camp at CasaCalma with Grusets Vänner
Routes
The route for almost a day is handed out and presented the day before at dinner.
Day 1 – Grand Canyon
We start a little slowly but nicely.
After checking that our bikes are ok after their flight, we set off towards the nearest round. Despite being next door to the house, it really lives up to its nickname here on the island. It is no coincidence that it is the most visited gravel circuit on the whole island by the resident gravel cyclists. We roll down from the house and already reach the gravel after 5 minutes and get a morning in an environment that has not seen a car (only off-road vehicles) for many years. Towards the end of the tour, we reach the incredibly cozy village of Ayaguares, a coffee or late lunch there before we take the last kilometers back to the house.
Day 2 Pico
We make it to the top, the day begins and ends with car transport. 81km / 2,223 hm
On this day, it is altitude meters and mile-wide views that count. A trip to the top is one of the great classics here on the island, and now we have drawn up a wonderful route that goes mostly on gravel to get there. Here we also benefit from our companion car that takes us east above the airport. We start directly on the beach and after only 1 km we reach the ravine/barranco that will take us to the top. Be prepared for tropical vegetation and wildlife out of the ordinary (last time I was there a lizard as big as a dachshund..😊)
Day 3 – TamaBada
Challenge of the week – de luxe (181km / 3,994hm)
The big challenge of the week (if you take it on the bike all the way) and the big "jewel" of the week. We make our way to the far west of the island, all the way down to the abandoned country road that nature is starting to take back. We get there cycling with trees growing straight up the road and then we have the sea and Tenerife on our left. Guaranteed a new experience. We then turn right and onto fine sports gravel, towards the middle of the island, desolate and beautiful just as it should be and only a cottage / finca here and there. Finally we reach Artenara and the wonderful valley down to Tejeda which is voted the most picturesque village in all of Spain and I've never heard anyone disagree. This is a long trip if you take it door to door, but our car is with us all the way.
Day 4 – Pilancones
This is the day after the "big day" so this day is much "easier" and maybe a rest day for those who would rather be on the beach. The rest of us will be in for a real adventure. On paper this looks like a pain, but it depends on how you look at it. For the first ½ hour, you ride the bike on a narrow path that takes us upwards, and the altitude therefore feels easier. This walk is well worth doing. The environment we will experience is breathtaking. No car all day and therefore completely undisturbed plant life and nature, well worth the effort!!
Day 5 Chira
(82km / 1,974 hm)
Our neighborhood and something we see from the house's roof terrace every day. The round starts on tarmac which takes us up high where the road turns to gravel. Incomparably beautiful and we can see down into the Soria valley where all the racing cyclists unknowingly climb up. After about half of the tour, we reach the large Chira Dam, which is mighty in its size. After this the road flattens out and we reach the large fields which often have flowering rape / buttercups. All this not far from the sea and desert climate a few miles away.
Day 6 Santa Lucia
Classic roads mixed with new ones, on gravel (72km / 1,561hm)
The perfect end to a week full of strong experiences. This ride is done on gravel up the west side of the gorge so popular with racing bike sites. We keep seeing the wonderfully beautiful and completely white village of Sankta Lucia on our right. For those who want, we have coffee there before we reach San Bartolome, which is the highest point of the day. Once there, you can choose which route you want to take home. Either straight down the nearest one past the beautiful and famous Fataga (among others from Sällskapsresan). Or drive even more gravel and variations on "Chira" and "Pilancones".
Escort car
Our escort car will be with us every day so that we can access the goodies on the island better. It also gives us security in case something happens to you or your bike (or your legs :))
The escort car has water, sports drink, gels, bars, extra bike and possibly extra clothes (which are never needed...😉 )
After Bike and bath
Once back at the house, you can look forward to a delicious dinner made with local ingredients, After Bike up on a roof terrace with a mile-long view of the famous Maspalomas dunes and a sparkling sea behind.
Why not take a bath in the new jacuzzi with only the moon and stars above.
CJ, Soraya, Gerry and Constantine wish you a warm welcome to Gran Canaria.
FACTS
| When | 28 January - 4 February 2023 |
| Where | Gran Canaria |
| Accommodation | CasaCalma – Cycling hotel |
| What is included | Accommodation (shared double room for two people) with breakfast & dinner, routes, safety car, bike bag storage, guides, photo/film. |
| Award | SEK 14,500 |
| Single room | + SEK 4,000 |
| Payment | When booking: SEK 3,500 registration date = payment date 2023-01-01: Remaining part Swish to CJ: 123 139 2919 enter "GC Gravel" and your name |
| Insurance | Participants are responsible for their own insurance |
| Flight | Everyone books their own flight. Transfer included. |
| Receipt | Receipt/Cash invoice provided upon request |
| Cancellation | (Failure to pay automatically means cancellation) Empty 2023-01-01: Deposit forfeited Empty 2023-01-15: Full amount forfeited |
| Terms | Participation is at your own risk. The fine print |
Notification
Fill out the form and send to CJ as above
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