GRANGUANCHE
GRAVEL
rider manual
Download the rider agreement HERE
You can sign it with a digital certificate in Adobe Acrobat without wasting paper. Otherwise, print, sign and scan.
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Participants must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue and repatriation.
Insurance must be valid in Spain for the whole duration of the event and include cycling and mountain biking activities.
We recommend insurance company HeyMondo and EuropAssistance
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Mail the signed rider agreement and your insurance policy to rideragreement@granguanche.com, please include your name and CAP number in the mail subject.
We will not send confirmation from this email but will contact you if we miss any documents.
If we don’t receive your signed agreement and a copy of your insurance within one week before the start you will not be able to take part in the event:(
Accreditation
We will give you the participant kit with the GPRS tracking device.
You can give us a small bag to be delivered at the finish line.
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Sat 30 March – any time from 18:00 to 20:00
Ermita de Orzola – It’s a small church, just outside town.
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Grand Depart
Sat 30 March – from 22:00
Ermita de Orzola – It’s a small church, just outside town.
Riders will start in small groups ordered by cap number and stated Audax approach:
22:00 – #10 to #54 // 22:05 – #55 to #99 // 22:10 – #100 to #139
If a group of friends has been split into different groups, you can start all together with the last group.
NOTE: during the night, clocks move forward by one hour for Summer Time.
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Cut-off time
There’s no established cut-off time. We will be at the finish line until the next Sunday.
There’s plenty of time for all the participants to complete the route.
After that, participants will have to collect their bags in an established facility and ship back the tracking device.
There are no water sources except supermarkets, bars and restaurants. During the night there are no resupply options.
1 – Lanzarote
km100 – hike-a-bike, about 20 minutes.
km105 – technical descent, loose and rocky terrain. Take it easy, be careful!
Playa Blanca, km120 – most of the participants will be there at 6 am, find a sheltered place to rest a couple of hours before the 8 am ferry. A few cafes will open at 7 am, markets are closed.
2 – Fuerteventura
Expect hot weather.
Betancuria, km70 – water fountain.
3 – GranCanaria
Las Palmas, km0 – work in progress on the cycling path, find your way out of the city.
km50 – 20% steep climb.
Tejeda, km95 – water fountain.
4 – Tenerife
Part of the forest roads are still closed after a summer wildfire, so we will choose alternative ways.
Anaga, km25 – Expect cold and wet weather
Mt. Teide, km100 – Expect strong winds and cold temperatures. We don’t recommend to ride this section at night.
5 – El Hierro
Last descent – windy and exposed road, keep it safe and don’t race or overtake other participants. Regarding the final results, we will consider your positions before this descent.
Finish line – Tmijarauqe it’s a small village. There are only a few accommodations, but there’s a good restaurant and a basic mini-market. There are showers on the beach and a BBQ area.
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It’s an easy route in a well-developed country. The main challenge is the elevation gain and the changing weather.
The device shouldn’t be stored next to other electrical devices or under other equipment.
The device is water-resistant but not water-proof.
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Turn on your device at least one hour before the start: press and hold the little button on top and leave it ON during the event.
The button on the front is not active. GREEN LED blinks if the device is ON. RED LED starts to blink if the charge is below 10% (recharge it with a USB-C cable) the battery usually lasts about 5 days.
Once idle, the device goes into standby mode to save energy, and LEDs go off. Once the device detects movement, LEDs start blinking again.
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Please return the tracker to our staff at the finish line.
We will transfer small bags and backpacks (max 30 litres, 10 kg) from the start line in Lanzarote to the finish line.
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If you don’t make it to the finish line we can ship your bag to your home address, shipping costs will be at your charge.
Not included in the entry fee.
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Available from 250€ pp – SOLD OUT
Including hotel accommodation in Lanzarote and Tenerife
(Service is subject to hotel availability)
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Available for 60€ pp –
Only bike box transfer, provided by Vadebicis bike shops
Drop your box at Vadebis Lanzarote (4 km from Lanzarote Airport – ACE) and pick it up at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife (4 km from Tenerife South Airport – TFS)
(before booking, please check each bike shop’s open times and closure days)
– GPRS tracking device, check instructions here below.
– Numbered stickers for your bike
– Numbered tag for your bag (please place it on the bag to be delivered at the finish line)
Bike:
Bring your well-trusted gravel bike with low gearing.
Storing your bike on ferries may result in scratches or cosmetic damage.
The route includes a massive elevation gain and steep climbs, choose a light bikepacking setup.
Tires:
40-45 mm fast rolling tyres are a good trade between speed and comfort.
Sleeping kit:
Sleeping a few hours at the harbour before the ferry will make a big difference, we recommend bringing a minimal sleeping kit and a bivy bag.
Extra gear and tools:
We recommend shoes you can comfortably walk with. The route includes about 2 hours hike-a-bike and you will have to climb slippery stairs on the ferries.
Bring a complete toolset to fix the most common mechanicals.
Clothes:
You will find cold to freezing temperatures at night at high altitudes.
Bring a rain jacket, mid layer, leg warmer, shoes warmer and gloves.
A reflective vest is mandatory at night.
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Bikes Of Content
dotwatcher.cc will publish a list of bikes of GranGuanche Audax.
You can send a description of your bike and gear with a nice picture HERE
Expected weather:
Saturday – Sunday – Monday: unstable weather with a mix of sun, clouds and light rain. Expect mist and rain above 600 meters. Light south wind (headwind).
From Tuesday: mostly sunny.
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Expected temperatures:
Sea Level -> 15ºC ~ 30ºC
1000mt -> 5ºC ~ 25ºC
2000mt -> -5ºC ~ 15ºC
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The landscape is ever-changing because the weather is ever-changing.
Expect strong wind, heat, mist, rain and eventual snow.
Don’t scratch at night:)
If you decide to scratch from the Audax it’s important you mail your decision to scratch@granguanche.com
Turn OFF your device (press and hold the little button on top).
1. Leave no trace
Leave everything as you found it, or better.
Respect 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.
Audax’s direction takes this rule seriously, if we have any evidence of Participants not complying with these principles, we will immediately impose disqualifications.
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2. Be nice to people
Be considerate of others, there is no space for racism, sexism, homophobia or any other kind of discrimination.
Rescue of any other Rider injured or in danger is the priority.
Audax’s direction takes this rule seriously and will immediately impose disqualifications.
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3. 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.
Accommodations or any service can be booked by Riders only after the event starts.
Ferries can be booked before the event starts to avoid long lines at the ticket office.
Audax’s direction approaches those principles with common sense and an open mind but still can impose penalties or disqualifications before, during and after the event.
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4. Safety and local laws
Riders must sign and agree with the rider agreement and be older than 18.
Riders are fully responsible for knowing, observing and complying with local laws.
Small parts of the route may be forbidden for cycling, Riders are responsible for pushing the bike across those sections.
In case of road interruptions or closures, Riders are responsible for finding a way to turn around the interruption and join the official route again.
Observance of local laws has priority over following the route track.
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5. 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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6. Insurance and Responsibility
Audax Direction will not provide insurance, emergency rescue or marshall. Audax Direction will not be responsible for any direct or indirect damage that may occur to you or other parties.
Riders must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency extraction and repatriation valid for the whole duration of the event. We will ask for a copy of your insurance before the event.
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7. Code of Honor
A fair and safe Audax depends on fair and honourable Riders.
Communications, reports and podcasts.
We have a WhatsApp group for all the participants to gather and keep in touch, you can join the group with the link above.
The group will be the main resource for the Audax coverage, you are welcome to post pictures, audio or text about your experience:
Dotwatcher.cc will cover the Audax with daily recaps.
LaEscapada.cc will release a daily podcast with interviews and news, get in touch to share Spanish or English audio contributions.
(if you don’t want other participants to see your phone number you can update your privacy settings on WhatsApp)
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Media Folder
We will upload pictures during and after the audax in the above folder.
You can download the full-resolution pictures from the Dropbox folder. Please mention the event and the photographers when sharing:)