Dialed Cycling Podcast #357 - Recap

Tenerife Training Camp: The Ultimate Cycling Adventure

A Week of Suffering, Sunshine, and Summit Views

If you’ve ever dreamed of a cycling paradise—one where the climbs are endless, the coffee is cheap, and the roads are smoother than a fresh tub of chamois cream—Tenerife is your place.

The Dialed Podcast crew took on the Canary Island’s legendary climbs, logging over 45,000 feet of elevation gain in just one week. What did they find? That Tenerife is both a cyclist’s dream and a true test of grit.

This blog covers the whole experience, from climbing Mount Teide to budget tips and training strategies for your own cycling trip. Grab a coffee, settle in, and get ready to add Tenerife to your bucket list.

A Week of Suffering, Sunshine, and Summit Views

If you’ve ever dreamed of a cycling paradise—one where the climbs are endless, the coffee is cheap, and the roads are smoother than a fresh tub of chamois cream—Tenerife is your place.

The Dialed Podcast crew took on the Canary Island’s legendary climbs, logging over 45,000 feet of elevation gain in just one week. What did they find? That Tenerife is both a cyclist’s dream and a true test of grit.

This blog covers the whole experience, from climbing Mount Teide to budget tips and training strategies for your own cycling trip. Grab a coffee, settle in, and get ready to add Tenerife to your bucket list.

The Climbs: Tenerife’s Greatest Hits

Now, let’s talk about why cyclists from around the world flock to this volcanic island—the climbing.

Mount Teide: The Longest Climb in Europe

• 20 miles, 7,400 feet of climbing

• From sea level to 7,000+ feet

• A two-and-a-half-hour grind

Mount Teide is a monster. The climb is steady, relentless, and utterly breathtaking. But the best part? You can stop for coffee on the way up. (A true gift from the cycling gods.)

Oh, and if you ever feel fast, just know the guys saw WorldTour pros from UAE, Trek-Lidl, and FDJ flying up Teide at speeds that should be illegal.

The Masca Loop: Where Cycling Meets Survival

• 75 miles, 11,000 feet of climbing

• A 12-mile sufferfest

• Incredible views that almost make you forget the pain

This was the ride of the trip. Imagine grinding up a relentless 12-mile climb, side by side with your friends, unable to talk because your legs and lungs are screaming. That’s Masca. But the reward? The best descent of the trip and some truly epic views.

How Much Does a Cycling Trip to Tenerife Cost?

A cycling trip like this isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a rough breakdown:

•Flights: $1,500 (less if you play your cards right with miles)

•Accommodations: $2,800 split among the group (included breakfast & dinner)

•Bike Rental: $320 for a top-tier BMC SLR01

•Food & Coffee Stops: Ridiculously affordable (lunch for $10, espresso for $1)

Total? Around $3,000 per person for a full week. But with budget hacks (like sharing accommodations and using airline miles), you could do it for under $2,000.

Should You Rent or Bring Your Own Bike?

The team opted to rent, and at $320 for the week, they got top-tier race bikes with electronic shifting. Considering the hassle (and cost) of flying a bike, renting was a no-brainer.

Training Camp Strategy: Ride Smart, Not Just Hard

With 45,000 feet of climbing in seven days, this wasn’t just about logging miles—it was about surviving the week.

How They Structured the Rides

The goal? High-volume, quality training without burning out.

• Climbs at “sweet spot” effort (around 93% of FTP)

• Controlled efforts early in the week to avoid imploding

• No structured intervals—just endurance, tempo, and the occasional sprint for fun

By the fifth day, the guys were still pushing big efforts, which they credit to not going all-out on every climb. (Shocking, we know.)

Biggest Training Lesson? Don’t Overdo It Too Early.

By focusing on sweet spot climbing instead of threshold efforts, they were able to build massive endurance without completely destroying their legs.

Key takeaway: If you’re doing a big cycling trip, don’t go full gas on Day 1. Trust us, you’ll regret it.

The Local Experience: Cyclist Heaven

One of the best surprises? The local drivers were incredibly respectful. No honking, no aggressive passing—just patient, courteous drivers who seemed to actually like cyclists.

And the roads? Pristine. Smooth pavement, minimal potholes, and wide shoulders. It’s no wonder the pros train here.

Lance’s Breakdown: When You Push Too Hard

By the last day, Lance was cooked. After 1,625 training stress score (TSS) points for the week (a truly insane number), his body called it quits.

Let’s just say, he left some of himself on the side of the road that day.

Moral of the story? Even the strongest riders have their limits.

Final Thoughts: Should You Do a Tenerife Cycling Trip?

Absolutely.

Tenerife delivers on every level:

✅ Incredible climbs

✅ World-class roads

✅ Affordable food & coffee

✅ Pro-level training environment

Planning Your Own Trip? Here’s Your Checklist:

✔️ Watch flight deals and use miles to save money

✔️ Rent a bike instead of flying with yours

✔️ Go with a solid crew—you’ll need the motivation

✔️ Train for climbing (because flat roads don’t exist here)

✔️ Don’t overdo it early in the week

Would they go back? Without hesitation. But next time, they might take an extra rest day.