Cycling World Magazine July 2017 | Page 123

July 2017 | 123
opening out in the undulating vineyards of the Rioja region . And of course , you can end every day with a glass or two .
Andalucía
Andalucía makes for a great cycling destination , with good weather all year round and a variety of landscapes that quickly take you from the mountains , through countryside and to the coast . Perhaps one of the most interesting cities in the region is Seville , with bags of history , architectural grandeur and culture , Andalucia ’ s capital makes an ideal starting point for exploring the region . �n fact , it is well-worth taking your bike around the city , which is set up for cycle tourism with some wellmarked routes , and even has its own bike share project , Sevici , providing bikes at numerous stations . Further afield , a great route takes you from Seville to �ranada via the historic city of Cordoba . This long inland route takes you through some beautiful roman towns before reaching the beautiful Subbetica National Park , a stunning landscape of limestone peaks that is home to Spain ’ s largest colonies of �riffon �ultures . �inally , you will reach the da��ling city of �renada , with its magnificent � , ���-year-old Alhambra �alace being the star attraction . destinations , with its capital , Los Palmas , a good place to explore . Within the city there is much to see and a bike share system in place to do it ( ByBike ). However , the south of the island offers the best in terms of longer routes , and a popular option takes you along the �C- 60 out of Playa del Ingles through the lovely village of Fataga , before ending up in the tourist resort of San Bartolom� de Tira�ana . �or some more challenging mountain ascents , the archipelago ’ s largest island , Tenerife , is the place to head . �ome to the mighty Mount Teide , at � , ��� metres , the volcano dominates the skyline , and provides brave cyclists with some of Europe ’ s most daring ascents . The main road up the mountain reaches 2,300 metres , but you will start at sea level with a rapid ascent , making this route a favourite training location for professionals from all over the world .
Canary Islands
Sitting in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northern Africa , the volcanic Canary �slands offer something a little bit different , with deserted roads , high mountains and lunar landscapes . The islands� southerly location makes them a good winter destination ( some say the best in Europe ) and low rainfall throughout the year adds to the appeal . Gran Canaria is one of the most popular