GGAT4 - Finisher's Train

GGAT4 - Day 2 on the Audax Pace

GGAT4 - Preview

Good Evening dot watchers! The finisher's train is now in full flow, with cap 41 Zbigniew Mossoczy taking the pole position in a time of 3D 5H 38M - kudos Zbigniew! An equally strong ride was by cap 25 Alexander Caldentey Groves, who finished in second place a few hours after Zbigniew. These two guys were the only riders to achieve the Audax Pace, which just goes to show what a stiff challenge it is to maintain the pace and reach all the connecting ferries in time. Upon reaching La Palma, Alex indulged in a much longer rest than Zbigniew. This was a good strategy to enjoy the final island especially considering no pressure from chasers, since they would have to wait until the following morning to catch the ferry and join the two guys on the final island. 

The following day the ladies trio of Rachel Nolan (cap 108), Kelly-Anne Speight (cap 143) and Natalie Taylor (cap 22) reached the final island of La Palma and set off together to tackle the trail. Rachel and Kelly-Anne were the first women to finish, along with Cap 139 Diego Quintela. All three riders finished together in a time of 4D 8H 14M - chapeau all! Natalie did unfortunately have a scratch due to a knee injury, which must have been a tough call to make so close to the finish. 

So far nine riders have completed this years edition of GGAT, with plenty of riders on the final island of La Palma at the moment. Let's not forget the mind-blowing stats - 190km / 6450m - a long loop with epic sea-to-summit climbs, a massive elevation gain and ever-changing pristine landscapes. Some are on the evening ferry crossing, and perhaps will choose to rest before tackling this beast in daylight tomorrow. 

![4ea54a7d-4e2b-45f1-a781-69f7cb5af9a5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7Elo3GIMbgTmgsyGycjARd/a76f14e032c9afd032e7590b64490b1e/4ea54a7d-4e2b-45f1-a781-69f7cb5af9a5.JPG)


Good Evening dot watchers! The 36 strong Audaxers departed from Orzola yesterday morning at 11:30 UTC+0. By now the field is well spread between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria; the second and thirds islands in the Canarian odyssey. Eight riders are currently keeping up with the Audax Pace, with Alexander Caldentey Groves taking the lead. With the next ferry at 6am tomorrow morning this hardy bunch will be no doubt looking forward to some rest and refuel tonight. 

The Audax follows the GranGuanche TRAIL route from Lanzarote to La Palma with a few differences resulting in a slightly longer route. The route mainly goes on double tracks but includes a few rocky single tracks, sandy sections, and a total of approx. 3 hours hike-a-bike. It’s open to any kind of bike, the organisers recommend mountain bikes with low gearing and min 2.2” wide tires. Having a 30t chainring on a 50t casette would qualify as low gearing, by now some riders may be regretting their choices if they don't have this range and find themselves walking more than expected. 

Let's go though a review of the route and what the riders are in for. The Audax pace is the challenge to connect all the scheduled ferries in a non-stop ride, it’s only achievable by the fastest and most focused ultra-cyclists. The incentive? - the entry fee will be fully refunded to every rider fast enough to make it.

### 1. Lanzarote - 120km / +2450m

Go! - the next ferry is in 8 hours time. The route starts in Orzola harbour and climbs on a steep double-track to reach the viewpoint of Mirador del Rio and his scenic road on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean and La Graciosa. The towns of Haría and Teguise are soon reached, the first Spanish settlements on the islands, and an early chanch of resupply for any last minute emergencies. The route then opens up to El Jable's sandy desert and descends to Famara beach in a vast, empty landscape overlooking the ocean.

Next, the riders will climb to Timanfaya on sandy double track and rocky single tracks to finally enter the volcanic landscape left by the massive eruption of the 18th century. Crossing La Geria vineyards on black gravel roads, vines are cultivated by digging circular pits in the volcanic ash and building surrounding stone walls to protect the vines from the wind. This unique technique produces excellent Malvasia wines and creates an impressive landscape. But no time for drinking wine just yet, this is only the first island! A quick resupply in Yaiza before entering the remote area of Los Ajaches, arid mountains and rocky ravines that end in beautiful beaches by the ocean. This part includes steep climbs and requires some hike-a-bike.

A descent into the ferry port at Playa Blanca marks the end of Lanzarote. The route includes about 30 minutes hike-a-bike and a few sandy sections. Ferry to Fuerteventura: Sunday 20:00 (25min).

### 2. Fuerteventura - 160km / 2600m

To maintain Audax Pace the next ferry is in 12 hours time. The ride starts on a gravel road on the North Shore, a scenic coastline popular with the surf community, with plenty of swimming occasions in some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Cotillo is an old fisherman’s village with a hippie vibe, resupply before entering a long stretch of the route in a remote area.

The route first follows the shore on a single track on the edge of a cliff overlooking sandy beaches and massive waves, then climbs inland on dreamy gravel roads crossing a remote desert area, the last part of this section includes some steep climbs on rocky terrain that will require some hike-a-bike.

Generally goes on fast gravel roads, includes about 30 minutes hike-a-bike.
There are no resupply options at night. Ferry to Gran Canaria: Monday 08:00 (120min).

![WhatsApp Image 2024-11-25 at 08.36.26](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4Orr2BYd93uiJvym4sDAwB/45246f6fbcd36f7d5bdddd25d5a22c6d/WhatsApp_Image_2024-11-25_at_08.36.26.jpeg)
![WhatsApp Image 2024-11-25 at 08.37.34](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7kPXyTdtvxECcnBkdEmcr6/4960cde3291b5401284d350330bcae9b/WhatsApp_Image_2024-11-25_at_08.37.34.jpeg)

### 3. Gran Canaria - 210km / 5600m

To maintain Audax Pace the next ferry is in 20 hours time, those still clinging onto the pace will have their first glimpse of respite here. Las Palmas is a big and lively city, plenty of resupply options before pushing on across island number 3, starting with the challenging climb out of the city. The route enters a rocky canyon that will require some hike-a-bike and start the long and steep climb of Las Haciendas.

The Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a landscape made of ravines and volcanic formations, notable for pre-Hispanic cave houses and temples. The route descends by Tirma gravel road in endless switchbacks to finally join the scenic GC200 that winds on a cliff above the ocean to the harbour in Agaete.

Includes endless double tracks on rocky terrain, about 1 hour hike-a-bike and a long unpaved descent. Ferry to Tenerife: Tuesday 06:00 (80min).

### 4. Tenerife - 170km / 4600m

To maintain Audax Pace the next ferry is in 10 hours time. The climb starts just outside Santa Cruz and goes on a paved secondary road to reach the Anaga mountains in a lush green forest usually shredded in the mist. La Laguna is a 16th-century town built on a grid model with wide streets and open spaces that served as an example of a modern city. It's the last chance for riders to resupply or find accommodation before many hours in remote areas.

The route keeps climbing by endless gravel roads in a pine forest, getting closer to Mt Teide, the highest peak in Spain. The double track reaches more than 2000 metres in elevation and goes into a lunar landscape under the massive volcano. The long descent mainly goes on a smooth fire road but requires a 40-minute carry-a-bike to cross a ravine.

The weather can be unforgiving up on Mt Teide, so riders should be well prepared for the long descent to Los Cristianos harbour. Tenerife is perhaps the biggest challenge of the lot for the Audax pacers. Tenerife includes 30 minutes hike-a-bike. Ferry to La Palma: Tuesday 19:00 (150min).

![parador](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4lYW2zI3n6UI1Up47ocfAv/15488264bb6283c18b98fcfe722e7b45/parador.jpg)

### 5. La Palma - 190km / 6450m

The final showdown; a long loop with epic sea-to-summit climbs, a massive elevation gain and ever-changing pristine landscapes. The ride starts and finishes in Santa Cuz, founded in 1500 as the last European port on the way to the Americas, a colonial historic town worth visiting. The route goes by secondary roads crossing banana plantations to reach Puntallana, the last chance to resupply before the next long section.

The epic sea-to-summit climb to "Roque de Los Muchachos" goes on endless double tracks in an ever-changing landscape. It's a long and challenging climb with no resupply options so riders should be well equipped for what lies ahead. The route then descends an old double track and keeps on endless fire roads in the pine forest to finally reach Tazacorte beach.

Finally, the route climbs Cumbre Vieja, first on paved roads crossing banana plantations in a populated area, then by fire roads in the pine forest crossing lava fields from the most recent volcanic eruptions. The first rider to finish is expected by Wednesday afternoon.

![WhatsApp Image 2024-11-25 at 16.08.35 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2b001ea0E8utnILzxeucRA/9594a1761b0d4725e503d5f87684064c/WhatsApp_Image_2024-11-25_at_16.08.35__1_.jpeg)

Welcome to the fourth edition of the GranGuanche Audax Trail!

In the words of the organiser: *The GranGuanche Audax Trail is a self-supported, single-stage, fixed-route, endurance cycling event across the Canary Islands. It’s not a race, it’s a collective adventure and a challenge to finish the route. There’s no cut-off time, there are no prizes, no medals, no brevet cards or finisher diplomas. The Audax is focused on the experience rather than the final results.*

With this in mind, the commentary will be holistic, with focus on the collective adventure and mid-packers as well as who is at the pointy end hoping to achieve the 'Audax Pace'. 

Those racey types who can't help themselves will be able to feast on the Audax Pace, the challenge being to connect all the scheduled ferries in a non-stop ride. It's a tight schedule and riders will faced with a race within a race on each island as they push to make the scheduled ferry in time. The incentive? A full refund of the entry fee to every rider fast enough to make it. The first island of Lanzarote and the fourth of Tenerife will be the most challenging in terms of time restraints. For those opting for a more relaxed vibe, the 6-day Pace and Party Pace offers something for everyone. 

For the 36 riders on the roster, the Grand Départ is a little earlier than previous editions, set at midday on Sunday 24th November from Orzola, Lanzarote. Ahead lies 800km of unpaved tracks across five islands, with considerable elevation gain. As it's name suggests, the Trail edition calls for hardtail MTBs, or monster-cross gravel bikes with low gearing and min 2.1″ wide tires. 

As seen in previous editions we have compiled a 'Bikes Of' feature. You can check out bikes and kit of choice via the link [here](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/bikes-of-granguanche-audax-trail-2024). 

![Alex Kowalski Bikes Of GranGuanche Audax Trail 2024-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6rSZ4zKgaPK2PwSZm6Dxj5/cde484efc1c9fad080cf900020425888/Alex_Kowalski_Bikes_Of_GranGuanche_Audax_Trail_2024-2.jpeg)


Nicky Shaw

GranGuanche Audax Trail 2024 Tracking and Commentary: This fourth edition is a self-supported, single-stage, fixed-route, endurance cycling event across the Canary Islands; an unpaved route with considerable elevation gain. In true audax spirit, riders must be self-supported but are allowed to ride together and draft one another.

GranGuanche Audax Trail 2024 Tracking

The fourth edition of the Granguanche Audax Trail is a self-supported, single-stage, fixed-route, endurance cycling event across the Canary Islands; an unpaved route with considerable elevation gain. In true audax spirit, riders must be self-supported but are allowed to ride together and draft one another.

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GranGuanche Audax Trail 2024

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