No…

Let me expand on that.

Tenerife is mint. It’s really, really good for cycling. In winter, while much of the northern hemisphere freezes, it’s hard to beat daily sunshine and daytime highs around 19°C. You can ride consistently, train properly, and escape everything that makes winter riding at home miserable.

But the question isn’t whether Tenerife is good.

It’s whether it’s the best…

And for that, I cannot say that it is.

Below are a few reasons why — and also why it’s still a very strong option for a winter cycling holiday.

The Weather

At lower elevations on the coast, the weather is excellent. Reliable, warm, predictable, and a big part of why tourists head there from October through to March to escape winter in their own countries. That’s a big part of Tenerife’s appeal.

But with all mountainous terrain, weather can be changeable and much of the cycling in Tenerife is done above 1000m (compared to Calpe for example where only on one climb — Confrides — do you get up that high).

Head higher in winter and conditions can change quickly. Sunshine at sea level can turn into cold, cloud and wind at altitude. You need to pack accordingly, be prepared for road closures or heavy rain / strong winds taking you by surprise.

Be prepared, be flexible and you’ll still have a great trip.

The Climbing

This is what Tenerife’s all about.

The Mt Teide segment — 32.8 km at 6.4% — eyewatering stuff…

You climb straight out of the door. Long, uninterrupted mountain roads with serious elevation gain. No transfers between climbs, no flat filler warm-ups. If your goal is to rack up vertical metres and come home fitter, Tenerife delivers in a way few places can.

The road surfaces help too. They’re generally excellent, especially on the main mountain routes, which makes long climbing days far more enjoyable.

And Why All That Climbing Is Actually a Bit of an Issue

The flip side is that it never really stops.

Recovery rides still involve climbing. Over a longer stay, the constant elevation can grind you down both physically and mentally.

A break would be nice. I love mountains, I’ve got them tattooed on me like every other faux-outdoorsy millennial that got into an active hobby in their 20s. But sometimes you’d quite like to ride at 30kmh instead of 15 or 50.

The Travel Time

Tenerife is a decent way. Around four hours flying from the UK.

That immediately rules out short trips. Long weekends and 5 night escapes don’t really work. Anything under a week feels rushed, and for winter escapes, maximising time on the bike is important.

A week or more is ideal, but if you’re determined, just make the most of the time you have with some big days in the hills.