GCN's Epic Rides | Ep.1 Gran Canaria

[@gcn]

Where's your favourite place in the world to ride your bike?

[@Dan-rq3zx]

I love to ride my bike through the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany. The sights (in and out of the cities) are truly breathtaking, nothing beats it in my opinion.

[@gcn]

A few of us have been lucky enough to ride there pre-GCN and also during the Giro. Another location we can recommend and another location we'd love to visit again. You missed out the food, though!

[@Dan-rq3zx]

Global Cycling Network. Oh yeah, how could I forget ; )

[@tomhenderson8667]

I think that one of the best places to cycle is in Romania. With some of the best views I have ever seen and the coffee is great, also everything is super cheap

[@ElonMuckX]

Suggestion: deathride.com/course/

[@tobortine]

The best thing about this video. Two mates obviously enjoying the cycling together, perfect.

[@sdowd321]

glad you so enjoyed the infomercial

[@tobortine]

Everyone gets paid to do a job unless you're retired, in prison or a scrounger.

[@MattMeskill]

Get over it or don't watch it. Jeez.

[@HeangKoing]

I just enjoy the guys riding and presenting! I don't even have a bike anymore!

[@n3rd_kram910]

i don tmind the product placement in this one because the riding and the enjoyment stands out far more.

[@ggm02]

Thoroughly well done - two natural and likeable presenters, great scenery, excellent sound and camera work, some informative and fun bits thrown in too, and all edited together to produce an enjoyable ~20 minutes of video. Great stuff.

[@joshuawatson1604]

Rolling “ effortlessly “ si says as he breathes very heavily

[@gcn]

Funny, a couple of commenters have noticed that...

[@robbchastain3036]

I, huff huff, noticed that, huff huff, too. I'd say more but I need to catch my breath, sorry.

[@stijndeklerk]

Rode the loop clockwise Yesterday. Some of the worst tarmac I’ve riden, in the valley of tears. Plenty of broken up parts, potholes and gravelly corners. With a 16% gradient in places, calling it technical, is a bit of an english understatement. Take care.

[@paulb8587]

I've lost count as to the number of times I've watched this video and the "Behind the Scenes" one too. Every few months I return to them for sunshine, cycling and great banter. Thank you both for two really enjoyable videos.

[@ojtibi9906]

Breathtaking! I love it! I could almost smell the air in Gran Canaria! Say hello to your cameraman for me, he just makes you guys look good and the whole viewing experience so immersive. Chapeau!

[@gcn]

OJ Tibi cheers buddy! 👊

[@leedorney]

Exactly, without the camera people and editing GCN wouldn't be anything.. 🙏 it's good to see them in insta shots etc to see them and give credence to the skills I can one admire..

[@alistairwatson9116]

Although we are still in the middle of Lock down, this video as made me want to look into booking a long weekend bike trip at the end of January 2021. Thank you GCN

[@krystianovic]

that plan didn't go down well :D

[@alistairwatson9116]

@@krystianovic I dont think the last 12 months has gone to plan for anyone :D

[@RH-uf9il]

Yeah right

[@SantiVSKATC]

I live in Gran Canaria and the ride you described is one of my favorites. High season right now for cycling, tons of bikers on the road, literally. Especially the south, west of the island. North part of the island is more colder and wet this time of the year. Great channel.

[@micheleconi1901]

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! ...when you think, let me see it for some seconds and... you can’t stop watching it till the end! Perfect. The place, the video, the music, two mates cycling together and joyful! Excellent!

[@spanishtnt]

Favorite GCN vid so far, real inspiring!

[@gcn]

Thanks, really appreciate it!

[@strokenumber3]

The best thing about GCN is seeing Dan Lloyd looking so happy because he's going to ride his bike. He should have raced longer, he's very committed to getting on his bike and racing/riding it.

[@richiewatkin3292]

That was a quality vid, one of your best!

[@gcn]

Thanks Richie

[@frannelk]

Love Spain, 3 or 4 hours away almost from every country in Europe, friendly people and the best weather in Europe... don't even mention the food... of course coffee and drinks. Enjoy so much this channel.

[@clashcitywomble9404]

This video inspired me to take the bike to Gran Canaria in Feb this year on a short family holiday. The family are still speaking to me and the riding was awesome. Loved the Serenity climb and the descent from Ayacata to Maspalomas, amazing roads and views. The cherry on the cake was doing the Valley Of The Tears climb though, by far the toughest climb I've ever done and must admit there were a couple of sketchy moments early on where the gradient and the surface made me wonder if a mountain bike would have been better! Much tougher but much safer doing the ascent, if I went back there I don't think I've got the nerve to do that as a descent. Thanks guys!

[@mikeburton8426]

Agree with other comments. I have been a GCN subscriber from the early days, watched a million videos, this is my favourite. A very human element that isn’t always there. Well done to the whole crew.

[@tomkrausz2166]

My favorite place to ride is home here in southern Illinois. It may not be the most epic, and it may be very flat and surrounded by corn fields, but the feeling I get riding here and the memories that I have when I ride these roads make it the most special to me.

[@lfcsolid]

Possibly one of my all time favourite GCN videos. Thanks Guys.

[@gcn]

+Dave Pittman thanks Dave!

[@robbchastain3036]

I am already looking forward to your next video in this series, and cheers to easyJet for sponsoring these escapes and escapades. I enjoyed an island ride when I was a senior in high school in 1977--Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt. I attended an English class taught by a teacher who annually took 20 of her students to Greece during Spring Break. There was a cost but it was minimal, and we stayed in Athens but one day, via ferry, we spent the day on a nearby island. And it turned out to be my favorite day of the trip. We were free to do whatever we wanted, so my friend Bill and I rented bicycles and we rode out of the port town and we were not fast or anything, but it was an hours-long impromptu adventure for a couple of American teens who would soon be graduating from high school and returning to the States.

[@philiphookham8135]

Great video GCN. I'm just back from cycling on Gran Canaria. It was fabulous. I hired the latest carbon road bike from Free Motion and did a guided trip from Playa del Ingles to Fataga and back via Santa Lucia. The climb was 1330m. It was 31 deg C so a bit of a change to my Winter training rides in the UK. I drank 3 litres in under 3 hrs. The guide kept us safe on the descents. There is easy potential to exceed 70+ kph but the bends are very sharp and often blind and 1000ft drop the other side of the road barrier. Breathtaking in every sense of the word. Can't wait to go back and can't praise Free Motion enough. Thanks guys.

[@MauricioAlsinaLee]

I have to repeat it, team, this kinda-vlog format is perfect for you (or, at least, I find them amazing). Awesome job and quite a fantastic echo. If ppl complain about the ads, don't worry, it's the Internet after all. I love it!

[@marksheehangolfcourses4722]

New bucket list trip is a 5 day cycling and golf trip and this seems like the perfect destination ! Surly better than the Irish weather!

[@philipplorenz9485]

Spent a week on the island last december and some of the rides (including accidently doing the Serenity Climb after climbing up the other side before) easily make it into my Top10 bucketlist rides. Perfect weather, great roads, sensational views, little and friendly traffic. What a week!

[@Fuzzyisacoolkid]

I'm really glad to see you guys starting to do videos like these. Detailed ride videos has been something largely missing from GCN and I hope to see more content like this.

[@paulakennedy6727]

Gran Canaria is a great place for cycling, been there 6 times and am off again for a week at Easter, great roads, great scenery, and traffic in the mountains is minimal, i use a compact with 12-32 gearing, some of those climbs hit 20%,, be warned :) Lovely to see this video and i hope you do more bucket list rides in Europe.

[@jimmythelips]

I hope with Easyjet getting a promotion as an airline to take your bike abroad, that they have educated the baggage handlers how to treat peoples bike boxes with care

[@johnnykirkinnes7872]

Thanks guys, loved it. We had a little family beach break in Gran Canaria last year and loved it. Next time I’ll definitely have to do some riding.

[@T5VPA]

What a video. Bikes, stunning roads, geology, coffee and beer. All the best things in one

[@k.robinson7587]

This video brought a big smile on my face! It shows every single time how much really you love the sport and not just the racing part of it. Also i do agree with a comment i saw earlier: you should go and do the rides (or at least part of them) that pro teams or GC contenders train on. Love your chemistry guys! Shows that you are mates off and on the bike!

[@nathanielblackwood9226]

For some reason hearing Greensleeves in the background at minute 3 was comforting and disturbing as well at the same time. Gave me chills. Great job GCN.

[@Radingtonbear]

such an ace video lads, by far the most valuable thing I've got from cycling all my life isn't going faster than someone or having the best kit (thats all nice on the rare occasion that it happens, but its not everything) The most valuable thing is adventuring to new places with some of my best friends. This vid conveyed that in spades. looks like a bloody awesome trip! Really made me super excited for my next adventure! Keep this business coming folks!

[@coops8000]

Me and the wife went here in November last year...great place and not to busy, hire bikes were easy to get and very helpful to show us any routes etc. well worth a visit. :)

[@DrJRMCFC]

Couldn't agree more. Just back from four days there. I went up the Valley and did indeed feel like crying. However, the sheer beauty of the place blew me away. I won't waste any more time in Majorca. Be warned though, Gran Canaria is far more mountainous and although the boys mention staying towards Maspalomas (where I did) you've basically got two 40km claims to get to the Serenity climb. I will definitely be going back and even though the vid is a plug for easyjet, I had zero complaints using them. Rock up to Gatwick on a freezing February morning and in 6 hours or so you'll be at your hotel putting your bike together ready for a quick spin part of the way up the GC60 in preparation for some major climbing the following day.

[@nerdsonwheels]

Good job, guys! My bucket list ride suggestions: Mallorca - Sa Calobra or Formentor. Tenerife - Macizo de Teno or Pico del Inglés. Just west of Las Vegas - Red Rock Canyon. Hawaii - Haleakala or Mauna Kea. Ireland - Wicklow Mountains. Austria - Silvretta. Near Napels - Amalfi Coast. Plus almost anything in Slovenia, the Dolomites, or the Alps, but you already knew that :)

[@andreiarama8745]

I've been on both islands, Tenerife and Gran Canaria and both are awesome if you like climbing on your bike. The roads are great,the weather is wonderful if you go in the winter,also less traffic in the winter. Tenerife has more traffic

[@NielsHeldens]

A great piece of road as well on Gran Canaria is the one between San Bartolomé and Maspalomas. Stunning scenery and the final descent is just about perfect

[@jaimerojas1969]

I have been a fan of GCN for the past year. I have truly enjoyed most if not all of your content. I do love how you have expanded your programming to add more race news and tech specific shows. I have to say that this bucket list ride has to be the best so far. I really hope you guys are able to do many more. I also hope that your popularity can lead to having rides in other continents such as the Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Keep up the great work.

[@brianmcg321]

Best GCN video ever. More like this please.

[@Desi365]

Despite its promotional content, I have to say it's one of your most enjoyable to watch videos. You had to love this little break in the middle of winter, and it shows.

[@jasongillard6185]

Café stops, hills, descents & echos....spot on

[@Topazman]

love cycling in Gran Canaria, was on the GC-605 when got so far but road works closed it and i had to go back, the smell of burning pine trees was soo refreshing , hrading back again this year

[@franciscorodriguez275]

One of GCN´s best episodes ever. Chapeau!

[@baalsrud]

Love the new travelogue style, complete with unscripted asides. Really great work

[@suggyltd9577]

Looking for shows to watch. Found this. I enjoyed it just as much this time as a couple years back. Well done. Told my buddy we'll have to follow your lead.

[@duanebosch9508]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!!!! More please!!! Well done GCN and well done EasyJet. One of the col collective vids got us off to Bassano Del Grappa. Monte Grappa. 11 paved roads to the top. 1600m to the top. Italy. Grappa. Stunning scenery. Cheap. The giro went over there in 2016. Death bed memory for me for sure.

[@mrwhiteshorts]

Bucket list ride. Start in Brora, Scotland, head north on A9, take left signed Glen Loth, then right at railway station, left at Helmsdale, left at r/about, left at white house, retrace to Helmsdale, south to Portgower, first right before Portgower, follow road to Helmsdale, left in Helmsdale to Kildonan, left at railway station and retrace back to Brora! stupid amount of climbing. Quiet roads off the A9. Amazing.

[@SkylerKing]

I love riding in Taiwan. I've never ridden in Europe. The British hill climb looks like fun!

[@danielurness5889]

Great vid! As for a bucket list ride, The Shimanami Kaido in western Japan should be on everyone's list.

[@anthonygarvey1]

Your videos are just getting better and better! Thanks lads.

[@ygtcbee23]

Good for Dan and Si! They built GCN glad to see them getting in an Epic ride for their effort

[@dfargey]

Really, guys! An echo is “amazing”! What else then; double rainbow; full moon; waterfalls? Nature’s got it all.

[@vladthebikeguy4763]

This video just left a huge smile on my face. It is one of my long waited cycling video. Just promise that you're gonna keep this series , because there are lots of things to talk about. See ya ! PS: Waiting for spring , or summer here in Eastern EU

[@garyclewlow1]

I found myself smiling all the way through this video, brings back memories of past rides and some ideas for future ones!

[@__jeroboam__7087]

Ticked it off my bucket list, truly a phenomenal ride!! Might recommend doing it on a gravel bike...I was thankful for a bailout gear (

[@Shooter-1924]

We often find ourselves competing for segments or beating our best times, but we forget how much fun the riding could be. This video is a great reminder to ride for the fun of the ride 👍

[@elbeardo2644]

Amongst all the content GCN puts out this type of ride is my favourite. To find routes that are not 'name' famous but will offer a great experience is 👌(also those smooth roads look absolutely amazing)

[@BrunoVasco]

loved this trip format with the behind-the-scenes/personal vlog bits... please do more!

[@lukestockton7348]

did this on thursday. best day ive ever had on a bike i really do need to thank you for the great research. Would have been perfect if not for some dodgy road surfaces in the second half. if GC sort out some of the roads this deserves to be a world heritage bike ride if there is such a thing. Thanks once again and special shoutout to Freemotion hire

[@campag2008]

great video...did the Valley of Tears a year or 2 back, solo on a hired Cannondale, brakes were back to front, so for me the left brake was the rear. Was just dropping down very step narrow section with a thought of what would happen if a vehicle came the other way......it did in the form of very large truck... hit the left lever, locked up the back, slithered through a narrow gap between the offside of the truck and the fortunately placed Armco barrier...surprising how quick your reactions can be when needed.

[@JC-ss2sn]

Rad i'm glad this is going to be a series, both for us cycling travelers and for you guys to travel and have fun!

[@guapouscruz7590]

Espectacular! Need to add to bucket list for sure! And the beaches are amazing too!

[@randallmiller3842]

Si, I'm a geologist and a cyclist. I appreciated both bits of commentary. Looks fantastic there.

[@sterling4235]

Hi GCN, thanks for a fantastic video. Here in California, USA, you can actually find the same condition: 20-25 degree C, dry air, great scenery, and no rain at all! Everyone here is already riding with just a jersey and shorts. Come to California next year ;)

[@steveh2199]

I love hearing Dan talk about the weather there. I have a foot of snow on the ground and it's 15 degrees Fahrenheit where I live right now

[@michaelemusic1953]

Bucket list ride; out of Palma, over the mountain and down to Soller, then take the road to Pollenca, and down to Sa Calobra. Cafe stop and then back to Palma. Some AMAZING climbing and scenery. About 115k ish.

[@gcn]

Hard to argue with that Michael - stunning route with incredible climbs, descents and scenery there.

[@watchthai]

Great news about the Serenity climb. I climbed Serenity on 31/01/2019. What a superb climb, but the last section of the climb (4 - 5 miles) was very rough and potholed, although there was a narrow track in the middle which was less rough as long as there were no cars coming down. On the 10/03/2019 I climbed Serenity again as part of the full ride featured in this video and Glory Hallelujah, apart from a very short section, the whole of the upper climb has been resurfaced with beautiful, billiard table smooth Spanish tarmac. It's fantastic. What a great, but tough, ride.

[@simonmorgan4009]

Excellent work guys, one of my favourite GCN videos. Particularly enjoyed the Geology lecture, nice to have some context behind the fantastic scenery. Keep up the good work, and bravo easyJet!

[@kevinwilleford7876]

Absolutely wonderful! Very envious of you guys right now!

[@scottgregory8667]

This is probably the most enjoyable and interesting video I’ve watch in a while! Great video GCN

[@oxlydangerfield]

Finally Gran Canaria :) I visited there in November and did my first real climb ever, up the Serenity Climb. It's the best thing I've ever done in my life and it's nice seeing more people discovering this amazing place. I will definitely be heading back there at some point and I can really recommend Gran Canaria to everyone. There are 4 different climate zones on the island so there is some very interesting variability in the landscape and vegetation. Good for mountain biking as well.

[@carolcason6855]

Programming idea: Watching this video gave me pause to think about a life of cycling and the challenges of maintaining fitness when you live a nomadic lifestyle that sometimes prevents you from keeping you off your bike for long periods of time. I am an "experienced" cyclist (read older), who has been able to ride 4000 to 7000 miles annually for the last 15 years with good to excellent fitness for my age bracket. Over the last year my wife and I have been traveling internationally and much of that time I have not been able to take my bike and I am coming to the conclusion that, by the time I get back to my home base, my fitness will be back to almost square one. I was thinking that you guys could put together a show talking about how someone like me can most efficiently recover their performance. Cheers Tom Cason

[@rickkuny6591]

Déjà vu, I just did the first half of your ride even stopped at the same café in February! Can’t say enough about it! Definitely should be on any serious cyclists bucket list the people are fantastic the place is amazing

[@robbchastain3036]

Send Dan and Si to Hollywood and present them the Emmy Award for Sports Tourism Production. This is simply fantastic. And on the definition of bucket list, I think I'd respectfully toss in something about age--or a minimum age for something, anything really, to be placed on a bucket list. Not sure what that age would be--maybe different for each of us--but when you're young, everything is possible and there is no rush, seemingly. But we all reach an age when we'd better make plans and do it, otherwise it won't get done.

[@davepratt9909]

When the bell rings when Si mentions the Taiwan KOM challenge, priceless. Should have the same thing when Dan mentions the Cervelo Test Team.

[@alfonsorey9335]

Great video! As a Spaniard leaving in the UK you made me think twice how easy is to get there, easier that you would’ve thought. Thanks guys!

[@leftymadrid]

I lived there for A YEAR!! The humidity n heat was too much!!! I can't imagine how some rides can do it, you guys must be in total shape!!!! Long step Hills just kill me!!! 52/36 in the front and, 11-28 cassette...I have to keep training till I reach your level of riding!!!!!! Great helpful videos guys!!!

[@RepsacZ]

Valley of The Tears was the most beautiful ride I've ever done. Epic stuff!

[@jtday1028]

Awesome video, would definitely love to see more of these. I'd throw out as a suggestion cycling through Yosemite in California. Incredible landscape and typically great weather!

[@djokotriono7787]

Aaaah... GCN lives, again!! More on these visits to interesting areas. Kudos.

[@stevemansfield9582]

Me and my partner spend many holidays out in GC and it’s great that this awesome place is finally getting the recognition it deserves. I love Majorca but really guys, get your bike packed and get out there. Best place to stay is Puerto Rico or Puerto Mogan and apartments can be got cheaply

[@mikemumford1327]

You guys are really funny. Really like this video. I definitely have to put this ride on my list.. Thanks for making this video.

[@mikeshelton4466]

Thanks for that video. That is a beautiful location. It's across a continent and a ocean from my home but a lot of the vegetation and even the terrain reminded me of some places in sunny (all year long) Arizona.

[@ewanlivlingstone1759]

Got to say guys this has been my favourite video for some time from gcn, much more of this sort of thing and also the same for the behind the scene stuff to. Thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍

[@paulhatcher1490]

Fortunate enough to be going there in December. Can't wait to go up the valley of tears, yes really!

[@chuckbassification]

rewatched this a load of times... just the best! Think its some of your best content... would love more of this style... a series about how 'easy' it is for the working man to take in some of the cycling greats around europe/world.

[@dhtmbowen]

Off to Tenerife next month on my first foreign trip. Great video. Thanks!

[@deidden]

Some of my fondest memories involve cycle touring through the North Island of New Zealand. The entire route of Tour Aotearoa (3000km) is on my bucket list.

[@BigAl01840]

Amazing style of video! You should absolutely do more of these videos highlighting great cycling paradises !

[@sharphand]

Gran Canaria is a fantastic spot for road biking. Not all roads are perfect as it is shown but most of the main roads are. There are also anxient caves along the road where you can stop and take a look at

[@curran1981]

Videos like this is why I subscribe to GCN. Great video lads!

[@drewcama5481]

The only bucket list ride I've ever done is in the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Jasper national parks. I did it on a 30 pound mountain bike, and packs, back in the 80's and spent 4 days doing it. The highlight was going over Bow Pass and a 30 minute downhill. I had never gone down hill for so long after the climb up and the sleet at the top, Though it was summer, was an amazing reward.

[@simmo26]

Don't know whether to love or loathe this video. As I'm waiting to get a back op and off the bike, the video helps ease the pain of not being able to cycle, but also hurts knowing I can't ride a bike. Something to add once I've recovered from the surgery it is then!

[@richardknight5661]

This may be the best riding video of all time!!

[@montysh]

You guys have just made this a 'must do' ride for me, fantastic stuff, keep 'em coming!

[@MyPaulclark]

I cycled the whole island last year. Very hard ride and I did it with a guy called Flo. He met you whilst you were filming. I’m back there again in July love the place. Great film by the way.

[@pokie0622]

And Christmas music in the background. A Merry Christmas ride... :) in February.

[@costaskes]

Nice scenery !!! Lucky you are to have the opportunity to ride there !

[@richardgeddis1973]

Absolutely amazing video deffo look forward to more of these vlog style videos. On a side note be amazing to go cycling with you guys do like a 5 day group ride with other followers of this channel in somewhere like Gran Canaria.

[@jasonsimpson4805]

One of the best rides you guys have done so far!

[@janpeterlassen7791]

Best video so far on the channel! Great edit, music, shots and commentary. Looking forward to episode 2... ;-)