Discover the wonders of Spanish island Gran Canaria on two wheels and soak up the sun

MY legs pump the pedals, as the stunning beach vista spreads out on my left and rocky mountains to the right.

With a final huff and puff, I reach the top of the hill. A second later I’m flying down the descent as my wheels spin freely.

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I’m in Gran Canaria, soaking up Spain’s beautiful winter sun.

Cycling the sands may not be what you’d expect from a trip to the island, which is more famous for its fly-and-flop breaks.

But the steep hills make it a popular training ground for keen cyclists, with British great Chris Froome showing on Instagram that he’s training on the same roads that my husband and I are riding on this very weekend.

I squint at the cyclist speeding past me, hoping against hope it might be the four-time Tour de France winner. But I’m disappointed as the curly hair under the helmet shows it’s not the champ. Oh well.

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A four-hour flight from Gatwick with easyJet has brought me to this Spanish island. While it may be a favourite for cyclists, it is also the perfect spot for families to play with their little ones and empty-nesters to enjoy relaxing days.

Our first day is spent cycling with Free Motion, a hire company that can kit you out with a bike from £25 a day.

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For a bit extra, you can head off on a tour with them — from £20 — and our Lycra-clad peloton speeds along the coastal road in search of a coffee stop.

Leaving from Seaside Sandy Beach Hotel in Playa del Ingles, we are treated to the island’s beautiful scenery on a trip powered only by our legs.

There are several types of tour groups, from the more advanced road cyclists wanting to head out on 100km tours to the “hobby” groups willing to take in a more manageable 60km.

Jaw-dropping views

Mountain bikes and e-bikes can also be hired, and there are tours for these riders, too. Free Motion seems to pop up at every large hotel, ready to get you on a bike.

But if cycling isn’t your style (or you just need a day off the bike), there is plenty more to do.

Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel in the south of Gran Canaria was almost totally renovated during its forced closure at the height of the Covid pandemic, to offer gleaming pools and jaw-dropping views of the beach below.

The main draw of this hotel is thalassotherapy. The seawater pools in the island’s biggest treatment centre are designed to cleanse, soften and soothe your body, and are open to guests and visitors alike.

This, combined with dinner at the gorgeous Gorbea restaurant on the top floor of the towering hotel makes for a luxurious day out. But we were just as happy at our home-from-home for the week — the 4H Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa in Puerto de Mogan.

Set in a dramatic landscape with towering cliffs and gorgeous botanical gardens made up of cacti and palm trees, it is also only a ten-minute walk to the stunning beach. The hotel features three lovely pools, four bars, four restaurants, spa treatments, tennis courts and a children’s club.

There is even an archaeological site within the grounds that you can explore. A family friendly hotel, it is the perfect base from which to explore the south of the island. But equally you could simply stay put and soak up the sun.

There are so many ways that you can relax in Gran Canaria, with so many spa and health treatments available in the Seaside Sandy Beach as well as the Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa.

After checking the weather forecast for the weekend and being disappointed by the predicted 8C and expected rain, I was stunned when the sun shone cheerfully every single day.

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It turns out the south side of the island has its own microclimate. It is almost always sunny and mild, although occasionally windy. Meanwhile, it’s the north and mountain tops that can be blasted by rainy clouds and cooler temperatures.

My only regret was not bringing enough pairs of shorts to take advantage of all that incredible sunshine.

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