Report on the ride from Meloneras to Palmitos Park and from Montana la Data to Cima Pedro Gonzalles:
Day 1: We drive to Kraków-Balice Airport by car (parking at a nearby parking lot), and at 6:10 AM, we take off with Ryanair heading to Gran Canaria. The plane lands around 10:40 AM, we collect our checked baggage (1 piece for 4 people - 3-day stay), and we head to the well-verified Cicar car rental. Unfortunately, a very long queue causes a delay of over an hour, so as soon as we get the car keys, we go directly to the Rent Bike Playa Meloneras bike rental;
The bicycles (Specialized Tarmac carbon: 11-32 cassette) have been pre-booked and are excellently prepared for riding. We provided our desired frame dimensions, seat adjustments, handlebar stem length in advance, and everything was perfectly set up. Additional front and rear lights came in handy on tomorrow's route - but more on that later. We also receive 2 water bottles each and suggestions for route choices. The rental is run by the friendly and professional cyclist Leonardo Pinizzotto - who is very familiar with the local routes;
We arrived as a group of four, but only Wojtek and I are setting off on our bikes, while our wives have the car at their disposal and a beautiful island ;) So, Wojtek and I are starting our ride around 13:30 (that's the one in the video;) towards Palmitos Park (409 m). The first few kilometers are a gentle climb, but the last 1500 meters have a steep incline of over 11%. We turn around at the parking lot, and ahead of us is a pleasant descent. After 5 kilometers, we make a sharp left turn towards Montana la Data and begin a pleasant ascent. On the left, you can see the valley we just rode through. We pass by Montana la Data, and on the right, you can see the valley we'll be returning from Ayagaures to Maspalomas. We continue riding to the viewpoint Cima Pedro Gonzalles. The road winds with changing views: on the left, there's the valley with Palmitos Park, and above it, Montana de los Palmitos and Montana del Pino de Eugenio. On the right, beautifully illuminated by the sun, you can see the rocks of Monte Leon.
We reach Cima Pedro Gonzalles (490 meters above sea level) - a short break for photos, and then we continue through the winding roads to Ayagaures. At a sharp right turn, we stop for coffee and smoothies at the Pilancones bar - the coffee was excellent, and from the bar's terrace, there are beautiful views of the surroundings;
The descent to Maspalomas on a 2-3% gradient road was like poetry and pure pleasure. Later, we made our way to San Agustin, where we had our overnight stay. And so, the first day passed as a warm-up before tomorrow's ascent to Pico de las Nieves...
You can watch a video on the YouTube channel "Mamba on bike" that shows "our" route in the opposite direction here
Logistic summary:
Convenient underground parking below the bike rental shop in Meloneras;
Road bike rental at Rent Bike Playa Meloneras - the address is here;
Overall, the entire route has good road conditions;
Best places for a gastronomic break:
Restaurante La Cabañita Park on the way to Palmitos Park;
Bar Pilancones in Ayagaures - for good coffee and smoothies;
La Cuevita after descending from Ayagaures, on the right side;