A Cyclist's Bucket List

Tim looks at five very different climbs on the cycling hotspot of Tenerife, from a brutal 4km cliff to a 52km long ascent of Mount Teide right from the beach.

Alto de letras: One of the longest road climbs in the world. Not one to turn down a challenge, I decided to take on this epic climb during a recent holiday to Colombia. Tough, but with views that make you forget the pain, it was definitely the most memorable ride I did in this amazing country.

Tackling the German roads would be two steel machines, carrying all our kit as we rode self-supported from camp to camp. In preparation we’d kitted our bikes with Brooks B17 Saddles, and fitted wider tyres, hoping that this would go someway to making living on two wheels for 6 days slightly easier.

Continuing our cyclist bucket list series we have gone slightly off the beaten track for our latest instalment, as we joined cycling vlogger, Francis Cade, and HotChillee for a unique Moroccan gravel riding experience.

The Look Marmotte Granfondo Alps is one of Europe’s largest and longest running gran fondo’s. First conceived in 1982 and despite having almost 7000 places available, entries sell out incredibly quickly every year. Based in the heart of the relentlessly picturesque Rhone Alps area of France, the gran fondo starts near the bottom of the famed Alpe D’Huez climb, in Bourg d’Oisans and finishing at the summit of Alpe D’Huez after a gruelling day in the saddle.

Escaping the rat race and heading to an idyllic destination to get some quality miles in on the bike is the dream for many cyclists and finding the next, undiscovered, road or climb can make a good cycling holiday great. Known for its party lifestyle Ibiza to many conjures up images of wild nights out and raves. Given this reputation, you could be forgiven for thinking this is the last place you’d want to ride a bike. Get out of the tourist spots and away from the clubs and Ibiza offers a lot for cyclists, both on and off road.