Gran Canaria Diaries Day 5: December 7th

Having skirted around the coast before heading inland for the last couple of days, today was a case of going straight down the middle. Weather predictions looked to be the best of the week and I was keen to make up for the disappointment of yesterday's descent of the GC42. The goal was to get as far north as possible to sample some of the delights on offer on that side of the island.

I don’t normally ride this route as it means being sat on the GC60 for nearly 50 kilometres. Having said that, I may actually do it more often in the future as I’d forgotten just how cool the road is. The fast flowing descent hangs on the edge of the mountain all the way to Tejeda. I could tell that it was going to be a great day, barely a breath of wind, clear skies and quiet roads meant that it could be anything but. In fact, it was so quiet I’d regularly break out into song depending on what cropped up on the playlist. Within the space of an hour I’d given my best interpretation of The Verve, Nirvana and Kasabian, although I had to tone the air drums down a bit after trying to do (what I thought was going to be) a legendary ‘stick’ spin at 40kph using the closest thing I had to hand, my trusty Joystick front light. Just as I was trying to make the catch it was as if the Joystick suddenly turned into a slippery goldfish trying to avoid “the bag” after being won at fairground darts. A word of warning, don’t try it (with the Joystick or the goldfish). It was nearly fatal.

After passing through Tejeda and reaching the end of the GC60 I swung hard right onto the GC15. Immediately you’re faced with a sign saying 12%, although the climb actually pitches up to 17% so be prepared. You only want to try this on a calm day as it’s very open and with a headwind you’ll almost be coming to a stand still (been there, got the T-shirt & sore legs to prove it). The climb is one thing, but the descent is something out of this world (and will be covered in 'Cotti on the F word' shortly). Until then, here’s a teaser to whet the appetite. Just imagine sweeping the bend at 80kph!

I’d been climbing for over 3 hours so it was nearly time for some gravity inspired recklessness. As I picked up the GC230 I paused for a moment as this is where the clouds had engulfed the mountain yesterday with explicit effect. Today you could clearly see the valley and Vega San Mateo below in a part of the island I’ve dubbed Piccolo Italia (Small Italy). It was as if the tide had gone out with the clouds in retreat, back to the oceans of the sky.

I can’t get over how lucky I was today. I was able to ride the GC21 and GC30 to Firgas without a single car in sight. What a ‘life-light’ (that’s MC shorthand for lifetime-highlight). This certainly made up for yesterday’s frustration. Little did I know that it was going to get even better. For a road cyclist, the GC300/GC350 is as good as it gets. It flows with unmatched intuition, smooth dark asphalt just begging to be ridden hard and fast. I’d love to meet the person who designed this section of road. I wonder if they realised what they were creating at the time. All I know is it’s an absolute dream and one of the best loops you’ll do in the North.

The view was inspiring all the way as I traced my way along the coast, with the ocean appearing to make a seamless transition with the sky. It was now time to turn my back on the water and start the long climb on the GC75 inland. I knew that Lance had spent some time on the island so was keeping my eyes open in the hope of meeting him on the road somewhere. Sadly, it didn’t happen despite a tip off that he was around the next corner.

The climb to Fontaneles, on to the GC70 and finally up the GC150 to Cruz Tejeda is a long haul but when the conditions are like this you can’t help but appreciate its beauty. It had been a big day of climbing and I was now back on the GC15 and ready for some serious speed. The last part of this road is so fast that it practically pulls your eyes out of their sockets if you’re not careful. More to come on this.

Through Tejeda and I was at MAC1. Lets quickly clear the terminology up here…

MACH1 = Used to represent an object's speed when travelling at the speed of sound.
MAC1 = Used when Michael A. Cotty is in his biggest gear trying to beat the speed of sound.

The only thing you need to consider is the speed limit of 40kph in the town. When I say ‘consider’ I actually mean take into consideration that you can smash it, pushing 50 or 55kph if you have the legs and the nerve.

I was on a good day and kept the big ring going all the way up to Cruz de Timagada. With the light closing in, day was drawing to an end but I just didn’t feel like finishing yet. The GC60 is a descent I know well and am always looking to find a new limit on. I felt relaxed, the whole day had been a joy and I didn’t want anything to change that. Even when I was nearly run into the gutter by a car also looking for the racing line, my only reaction was ‘ey, up chap’ to the driver as I looked at him through his open window at 45kph. On any other ride I may have been a little firmer with my gestures.

With dusk setting in I could have easily gunned it all the way back to Maspalomas in about 25 minutes, but instead decided to take in the loop around Risco Blanco which adds on about 45 minutes and includes a 5km climb on the GC65 back to San Bartolome. Now here’s a lesson for all those parents out there. Don’t let your kids play in the street (on a 20% descent) with an MC missile fast approaching. Like a heat seeker I’d locked on to the target but fortunately I was able to abort mission with millimeters to spare. Of course, I was in the wrong. Bikes aren’t meant to be on the road, that’s where the kids should be right? Don’t you know anything?

I watched the sun go down at the peak of Degollada de Las Yeguas which really did mark the end of a perfect ride. Oh, except I had the final 6k descent to bomb in the dark at full speed now. No question, that’s a buzz! I soon realised that by not seeing car headlights approaching it was a sure sign that the road could be used to the full. Despite abusing my Joystick MaXx2 earlier in the day, as with all loyal friends, it was there when I needed it most and got me home safely, ready to face the mountains another day.

Ride stats: 4,675m elevation/110 miles

For Day 5 GPS info click here or watch the video with smile inducing sections of the route here