Long shadows on the high trails
The old saying ‘a change is as good as a rest’ rang true on an action packed 7 days in the Canaray islands. A daily schedule of : early morning run (optional!), followed by sea swim, – followed by cafe con leche (essential!) and finally an evening mountain biking adventure, ensured that combined with healthy eating – it was better than any rest!
A high mountain pass and a spectacular descent
Photo taken at the top of the high pass to Cofete, one of the many spectacular trails that we discovered. The hair raising descent is just visible (behind the guys heads) meandering around the hill and re-emerging down at the left of the photo. Helmets on lads! suspension open, saddles down and away on a mesmerizing glide from mountain top to sea level. (click on the photo above to enlarge it)
Pajara trail
Climbing up through the stunning Mal Paso ravine on the Pajara trail.
The route ahead
The resevoir Presa de las Penitas and Pico De la munda (526m) in the background, our route ahead is just visible, a white line around the mountain.
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And on the seventh day ….no, we didn’t rest!…. plenty of time for that on the flight home, …instead we tackled the popular El Cotillo-Corralejo 42km mountain bike spin at a blistering pace. Taking in a nice road ascent from the small fishing port of El Cotillo, to the quaint village of La Lajares, followed by a steep ascent on loose single track around the dormant volcanoes of Montana Colorado and Calderon Honda. A massive eruption in this area 50,000 years ago contributed to the island expanding by 110 sq. Km. to the North… sheesh, this place is brand new!
El Cotillo – Corralejo loop
A rugged stone built trail under our wheels now requires the front suspension ‘open’ and our full attention as we climb hard in dead heat! Barbary ground squirrels scurry away from the noise of our rasping tyres (and lungs!) a cheeky native of Africa introduced in 1965. I could spare an almond for the bravest fella, but the shadow of a buzzard overhead sends him scurrying amongst the jumbled lava.
Lunar landscapes
The large crater of Calderon Honda to the left is worth a look ….. a quick look…. as biking in the cool evening and beautiful light means that you have to keep moving… fast.. or you’ll be in darkness before you know it! The Sun won’t linger over the horizon for hours like a balmy June evening in Connemara. It’s January and we are 2000 miles South on the Island of Fuerteventura…. so keep those cranks spinning!
Volcanoes
Sandy trail along the North shore
Sunset in El Cotillo