Cyclists refuel with cheese, bread and the island’s papas arrugadas, a typical potato dish served with red or green “mojo” sauce. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
The steep hills of the Canary Islands test cyclists’ legs – and nerves.
Most of Gran Canaria’s roads, while steep, are in good condition for cycling. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
A cyclist gets out of the saddle to make it up one of the steeper roads on the volcanic island.
(Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
The sand dunes at Maspalomas, on the south end of Gran Canaria. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Trek Travel guide Ilona Kohlerova loads bikes onto the roof rack of the Trek Travel van. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Cycling by a picturesque windmill near the port town of Mogan. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
University of Georgia professor Harold Mulherin has taken three cycling vacations in the Canary Islands. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Packed with steep hills, Trek Travel’s Canary Islands cycling trip is one of the most challenging offered by the Madison, Wis.-based outfitter. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Trek Travel guests will stay at the Seaside Palm Beach hotel in Maspalomas during the upcoming Canary Island biking trips scheduled for December, January and February. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
The Trek Travel van waits for riders at the top of Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
For Trek Travel’s debut Canary Islands bike trip, the group stayed at the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia, whose pool is pictured here from the upper-level dining area. Future groups will be based at a sister hotel closer to the beach. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
The mountainous roads on Gran Canaria are relatively free of traffic. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
From the highest point on the island, Gran Canaria’s iconic Roque Nublo can be seen jutting into the sky, far off in the distance. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
A Trek Travel guide goes over the day’s route with the group. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Parts of Gran Canaria are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon and the American Southwest. The peaks and valleys make it ideal training ground for cyclists. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
An elaborate sandcastle along the shores of Maspalomas, home base for Trek Travel’s Canary Islands bike trip. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Snack tables are set up along the route to keep cyclists well fed and hydrated.
(Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
Cyclists on the Trek Travel trip change their shoes near the support van, where guide Sam Clark is on the roof, loading bikes.
(Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
The interior topography of Gran Canaria resembles the American Southwest. (Lori Rackl / Chicago Tribune)
