Summer, Sun, Beach, Canary Islands
calimoto user and motorcycle influencer Marie-Jana went on the road and explored Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura with calimoto and found an unexpected biker paradise.
What most people think of as a sunny sport for a beach vacation, turns out to be a biker's paradise. The Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean are a Spanish archipelago of volcanic origin, parallel to Western Sahara. The islands are known for their stable temperatures - the average temperature hovers around 20 - 26 °C all year round. Especially on Gran Canaria, you will find an incredible mix of winding mountain roads, breathtaking views and beautiful beaches.
Hey, dear biker community! Shortly after I bought my first motorcycle, I accidentally discovered the calimoto app, which has accompanied me on my tours ever since, showing me the most beautiful winding roads. Three years ago I started sharing my motorcycle experiences on Instagram. Now I am proud to partner with calimoto and, thanks to this collaboration, I can also take you on my travels here and on YouTube and give you insights into my experiences.
Only 5 hours by flight separate me from Gran Canaria. Carefully I try to squeeze all my seven things into a carry-on bag. Camera, tripod, microphone, action cam, shoes, motorcycle jeans, shirts, underwear, cosmetics ... HELMET? MOTORCYCLE JACKET! ... "how is that supposed to work?", I wonder.
To cross motorcycling in the Canary Islands off my bucket list, I booked myself a flight to Gran Canaria, where a bike awaits me. Of course, I could have rented the motorcycle equipment locally, but I feel more comfortable with my own.
When I arrive the sun is shining and it's 26 degrees in the city of Las Palmas where the bike is waiting. With its whirring engine, if quickly carries me towards the mountains. With calimoto I have already discovered the countless, red-bordered curves, which I'd like to see with my own eyes.
From Las Palmas, I first drive along a small piece of highway along the coast, where the breathtaking view of the sea invites me to let my thoughts wander. Then the coastal road GC-200 winds in beautiful curves through the breathtaking red landscape, overgrown with fine, glittering grasses.
From the village of Las Marciegas, I turn my back to the sea and take the GC-210, which leads through the rugged, orange-yellow landscape over small hairpin bends into the mountains. The environment changes rapidly, every few kilometers there is different vegetation. The island is known for its variety of micro climates, to which Gran Canaria owes its incredibly diverse and varied nature.
Day 2
The next morning I want to have a look at the narrowest curves of the island and start again along the coast on the GC-200, planning to stop at the Mirador de Balcon: a glass balcony, which "floats" as a viewpoint hundreds of meters above the sea.
The GC-605 takes me into the interior of the island, a road with the narrowest hairpin bends Gran Canaria has to offer. Dark red rock, overgrown with green grasses and bushes, frame the narrow road that winds up between conifers. I overtake a few cyclists, a car comes toward me, otherwise I see no one. The moment belongs only to me.
Day 3
The next day the GC-21 brings me to Terror. A charming village in the north of Gran Canaria, which is known for its traditional houses and its beautiful church. From there I continue on to my destination, Pico de las Niveas, which is the highest point of the island, at 1945 m. On the way there I meet a local motorcyclist. He accompanies me and shows me Cruz de Tejeda, where the local bikers meet.
Day 4
New day, new adventure. In just two hours, the ferry takes me and my motorcycle to Fuerteventura. The crossing is also the reason why I travel only with hand luggage. In the end, everything must fit on a motorcycle.
Finally, I've arrived and I can drive down the curvy roads I am so familiar with. First I go over the FV-605 by the dunes of the Costa Calma. Here you can find miles of beaches, surrounded by the crystal clear sea. The FV-30 brings me into the mountains, which remind of Mars with their shape. I've driven the curves often by car and always wished that it would pass quickly. Now I enjoy every second and am almost disappointed how short the only curvy road on the island seems to me.
Then it leads north, toward the shifting sand dunes of Corralejo. On the way there I pass by the unique volcanic landscapes, whose black lava rock is covered with pastel green lichen.
The next day I bring the Multistrada back to the ferry and enjoy a few more days on the island without motorcycle.
My conclusion: I will definitely soon visit Gran Canaria again by motorcycle, since I have not yet driven so many of the roads outlined in red on calimoto. Fuerteventura is a little less worthwhile for me, as a driver who likes to stay on the road, but it is scenically very special and will always remain my favorite bathing and surfing vacation destination.