How to descend Tenerife's climbs safely
In Tenerife you climb for a long time… and then you descend for a long time. The island's descents are long, with tight bends and changes in temperature, and enjoying them means riding them sensibly. Here are our tips for descending safely.
Before you start descending
- Put your windproof jacket on at the top, before you cool down: long descents get cold.
- Check your brakes respond well and that you are wearing your glasses.
- Eat and drink something: descending tired and low on energy affects concentration.
Look ahead and choose your line
Look towards the exit of the bend, not at the wheel in front. Go in wide, aim for the apex and exit wide, always within your lane: on these roads you never know what is coming the other way.
Brake before the bend, not in it
Do your hard braking on the straight with the bike upright, and release the brakes as you lean. If you brake mid-corner, the bike tends to stand up and run wide. On very long descents, alternate front and rear and don't drag them the whole way.
Road surface and traffic
- Watch out for gravel and small stones on bends, especially after rain or wind.
- Shaded sections can be damp in the morning.
- Cars, buses and other cyclists: keep to your lane and don't overtake on blind bends.
- Crosswinds can be strong in some open areas: hold the bars firmly.
Descents that need extra care
The Masca descent has very tight bends and a narrow road; the Teide descent is long and cold. Neither is for riding on the limit: they are there to be enjoyed.
Serviced bikes and guided rides
All our bikes leave serviced, brakes included. If you don't know the roads, on our guided rides the guide sets the pace and warns you about the tricky sections.
Check availability and book your bike online →