PAST EDITIONS
The GranGuanche Audax Gravel 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 personal 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.
It’s a demanding route for experienced riders as it includes serious climbs, high mountains, and remote areas. Experienced means well-trained, technically skilled, and wisely equipped. Exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and night rides add even more risk to a challenging ride. Participants are fully responsible for their safety and logistics.
Route
The Audax follows an extended version of the GranGuanche GRAVEL route from Lanzarote to El Hierro for a total of about 800km and 17.000 mt climb.
The route mainly follows gravel roads and secondary paved roads, but it may include some rocky or sandy sections and about one hour of hike-a-bike.
t’s open to any kind of bike, but we recommend gravel bikes with a light setup (maximum 18 kg without water), low gearing (minimum 0.9 gear ratio), and tires at least 40mm wide.
The Audax pace is the challenge to connect all the scheduled ferries in a non-stop ride, it’s only achievable by ultra-cycling athletes, the entry fee will be fully refunded to every rider fast enough to make it.
AUDAX
PACE
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Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00 UTC+0
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LANZAROTE
110km +2.600m » Next ferry in 7 hours
≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura:
Sunday 18:00 – 18:30 – 19:00 – 20:00 (25min)
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FUERTEVENTURA
160km +2.600m » Next ferry in 12 hours
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria:
Monday 06:30 (120min)
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GRAN CANARIA
230km +6.000m » Next ferry in 20 hours
≈ Ferry to Tenerife:
Tuesday 06:00 (80min)
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TENERIFE
170km +4.500m » Next ferry in 9 hours
≈ Ferry to El Hierro:
Tuesday 17:00 (165min)
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EL HIERRO
120km +3.600m
We stop for the night and start riding on Wednesday at 06:00
We expect the first riders at noon.
Saturday 21/Mar/2026 – from 16:00 | Lanzarote, Arrecife :: Accreditation
Saturday 21/Mar/2026 – 18:00 | Lanzarote, Arrecife :: Briefing
Sunday 22/Mar/2026 – 13:30 | Lanzarote, Orzola :: Grand Départ
Friday 27/Mar/2026 – 20:00 | El Hierro, Timijarauqe :: Final camp fire
Sunday 29/Mar/2026 – 12:00 | El Hierro, Timijarauqe :: Cut off time
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After the cut-off time, participants will have to collect their bags in an established facility and ship back the tracking device.
The entry fee is 280€.
The Audax will be open to a maximum of 120 participants.
Participants can only register as SOLO, there’s no PAIR category.
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Tracking
GPRS tracker device rental and live tracking will be provided by followmychallenge.com
A refundable deposit of 100€ against tracker device loss or damage will be required for each rented tracker to be paid on PayPal the week before the start. The deposit will be refunded via PayPal when the tracker will be returned at the finish line.
Personal GPRS and SPOT devices will not be tracked.
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Included
Small bag transfer (max 30 litres / 10 kg) from the start line to the finish line. If you don’t make it to the finish line, we can ship your bag to your home address during the week following the event; shipping costs will be at your expense.
Cardboard bike box to fly back home – to be collected at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife, 4 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS). Please check opening times.
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NOT included
Accommodation – Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
Bike box transfer – Available for an additional fee (see details below).
Ferries – 4 ferry crossings, approx. €200 in total.
Insurance – Riders must have liability, accident, and health insurance that includes coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation while cycling in the event’s host country. This insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the event and must be obtained prior to registration. Participants will be required to provide a copy of their insurance before the event. National healthcare coverage and cycling federation insurance will not be accepted, as they do not cover evacuation, repatriation, or participation in non-federated events.
If a rider needs to cancel their participation.
The following refund policy applies:
3 months before the start: €120 refund
2 months before the start: €60 refund
1 week before the start: €30 refund
Entries are strictly non-transferable to other Audax events or other participants.
Riders should ensure their travel insurance covers any additional costs not covered by this cancellation policy.
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If the organization has to cancel the event:
If the Audax event is cancelled due to Force Majeure—including natural disasters, social unrest, or infrastructure failures—no refunds will be issued.
In such extreme circumstances, riders should ensure their travel insurance covers any associated costs or losses.
Fly to Lanzarote – fly back from Tenerife South
The route starts in Lanzarote, just a 40km ride from Lanzarote airport.
The route ends on a small island with limited international flights. To return home, you’ll likely need to take a ferry back to Tenerife and fly from Tenerife South Airport.
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Resupply
The route requires some planning in stages and resupplies, as it could be a long ride to the next town.
Water sources are scarce, so you must buy all your water.
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Please find more information about the route HERE
Bike box transfer is available for an extra fee.
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With hotel accommodations.
Available from 250€ per person –
Including hotel accommodation in Lanzarote and Tenerife
Booking and information available here.
(Service is subject to hotel availability)
This service is available to all bikepackers riding the route, even outside the Audax events.
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Without hotel accommodations, provided by Vadebicis bike shops
Available for 70€ per person – includes bike box transfer only.
Drop your box at Vadebis Lanzarote – 4 km from Lanzarote Airport (ACE) // Pick it up at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife – 4 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS)
Booking and information available here.
Please check the opening times of Vadebicis Lanzarote and Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife, before booking.
Vadebicis Lanzarote shop will be exceptionally open on the Saturday before the Audax events, from 15:00 to 17:00 (22 Nov 2025 -24 Jan 2026 – 21 Mar 2026)
Vadebicis Chafiras Tenerife shop will be exceptionally open on the Saturday after the Audax events, from 10:00 to 13:30 (29 Nov 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 – 28 Mar 2026).
This service is available to all bikepackers riding the route, even outside the Audax events.
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Please note: the entry fee includes a cardboard bike box, which can be collected at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife – just 4 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS).
1. Mandatory equipment
Lights: headlamp, front light, 2 tail lights
Clothing: reflective vest, gloves, rain jacket, mid-layer or down jacket.
Tools: spare tube, brake pads and chain link.
Emergency blanket or bivy.
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2. Leave no trace
Leave everything as you found it, or better.
Respect the Natural Parks rules, don’t cycle or step outside the official paths.
Camp only in camping areas and never start campfires.
Dispose of, remove and recycle waste. Respect animals and plants.
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3. Be nice to people
Be respectful of others—there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, or any form of discrimination.
Assisting any rider who is injured or in danger must always be the top priority.
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4. Audax and Self-support principles
In the spirit of Audax, participants are allowed to draft each other. This will encourage participants to ride in groups between ferry connections, plan stages, and share meals and accommodations.
Participants are not allowed to assist, support or resupply each other and must not receive any 3rd party assistance, private lodging or resupply.
The Audax direction approaches these principles with common sense and an open mind, but it still reserves the right to impose penalties or disqualifications.
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5. Safety and local laws
Riders must be over 18 and must sign and agree to the rider agreement.
Riders are fully responsible for knowing, observing and complying with local laws.
Some sections of the route may be closed to cycling; riders are responsible for dismounting and pushing their bikes through these areas.
In case of road interruptions or closures, riders are responsible for finding an alternate way around the obstacle and rejoining the official route.
Compliance with local laws takes priority over following the route track.
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6. Tracking
Riders should follow the official track from start to finish. If they temporarily leave the route they must return to the point they left. The tracker file will validate each ride.
Riders are responsible for their tracking device. If a device is switched OFF or dies because of low batteries the participant will be considered withdrawn.
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7. Insurance and Responsibility
Riders must have liability, accident, and health insurance that includes coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation while cycling in the event’s host country. This insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the event and must be obtained prior to registration. Participants will be required to provide a copy of their insurance before the event.
National healthcare coverage and cycling federation insurance will not be accepted, as they do not cover evacuation, repatriation, or participation in non-federated events.
Audax Direction does not provide insurance, emergency rescue services, or event marshals. It is not liable for any direct or indirect damages that may occur to participants or third parties.
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8. Code of Honor
A fair and safe Audax depends on fair and honourable Riders.
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Non-observance of the rules will result in DNS (Did Not Start), DSQ (disqualification) or time penalties.
Other pace scenarios are just a planning resource,
not an achievement.
5 DAYS
PACE
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Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00
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≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura: Sunday, 20:00
Sleep in Fuerteventura, Pajara
Monday
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria: Monday, the last ferry in the evening
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas
Tuesday
≈ Ferry to Tenerife: Tuesday, 20:00
Sleep in Tenerife, La Laguna
Wednesday
≈ Ferry to El Hierro: Wednesday, 17:00
Sleep in El Hierro
Thursday
You will finish in the evening
8 DAYS
PACE
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Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00
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Sleep in Lanzarote, Playa Blanca
Monday
≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura: Monday, first ferry in the morning
Sleep in Fuerteventura, Morro Jable
Tuesday
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria: Tuesday, first ferry in the morning
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas
Wednesday
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Tejeda
Thursday
≈ Ferry to Tenerife: Thursday at noon
Sleep in Tenerife, La Laguna
Friday
≈ Ferry to El Hierro: Friday, 17:00
Sleep in El Hierro, Valverde
Saturday
You will finish late in the afternoon
(or on Sunday morning)
