Five Islands, three punctures, one ride: - My experience riding the GranGuanche gravel route
Summit of Pico de Malpaso, on the island of El Hierro by Andrew Hatton About GranGuanche GranGuanche Gravel is an ultra-endurance bikepacking audax event that takes place in the Canary Islands. It’s part of a broader GranGuanche series of events, which include road and trail (MTB) versions, but the Gravel edition is designed specifically for riders on gravel bikes. The course crosses multiple Canary Islands (typically Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and finally El Hierro), all linked together by ferry crossings. The total distance covered is usually around 650 to 700 km and 16,000 meters of climbing. The event is organised by the wonderfully calm presence of Daniela Kirchner and Matteo Minelli from Outer Detours, who as well as organising the GranGuanche series of events also run bespoke trips and tours around the Islands. Who were the Guanches? The event takes its name from the Guanches — the indigenous people who lived on the Canary Islands long before th...