Sandstorm gravel on Lanzarote

Searching for great winter gravel riding, I've found myself in a sandstorm. If I haven't yet put you off riding on Lanzarote, or today probably will. The Canary Island of Lanzarote is known for being windy, but today is exceptional. The Kalima, a winter wind, is raging for Africa. It's warm, but it's blowing loads of dust off Club La Santa, where I'm staying, has halted all outdoor activities. Probably not wise to do, because the sand can get in your throat and make you quite ill. So obviously, I've gone exploring, trying to find a way around a local volcano. Dang it, the side of my face. This is the worst I've ever seen it, the wind. You know when you go out and you forget to brush your teeth? I've got that furry thing going on in my mouth, but it's all the sand, and it's also getting into my eyes. Calle La Montaña, I think we all know what that means. It's not exactly the Hollywood sign, but you know, they're giving it a go. But it's quite literally tumbleweed blowing down the road. Well, here we go, we're going off-road now. I seem to have a bit of a choice here. I could continue around the base of these volcanoes and get to where I got to the other day, but there's also a track that seems to go up and over a lip between two of them. So I'm going to try that at first. I'd like to be able to see it, but you know, can't see a thing today. This looks like it's downhill. It's not. I'm being blown along by the wind, which thankfully is behind me now that I'm cresting the rise. What blew me through there? Didn't have to pedal. There's actually a bit less wind this side of that lip. But with the wind behind me now, I'm really picking up speed, and I think I'm going to be going through the gap between the two calderas and dropping down to the coast path. Well, my easy option here is just to go back down to the coastal path that I know is there. However, there's another track here, and looking on Komoot, it seems there is a kind of a crossroads. So given that I didn't plan on coming over that one, let's try this one and see where it goes. Turns out this is a special conservation area known as the White Dunes. They're a type of shifting dune, most of which is currently shifting into my face. The sandy sections are simply impossible to ride. If you think I planned very well by bringing this snood or buff, then I didn't. Liz uses this one to keep her glasses on when she's doing yoga, and she lent it to me today. This is 40 years old. It's silk. I remember buying it at Survival Aid from Moorland in Cumbria. Went to that shop once when I was going over the lakes climbing. Who remembers that? Gosh, that's going back a bit. Survival Aid. It's coming into its own today. I am honestly not hamming it up. This really is quite extreme. I'm a bit worried it's getting in my eyes. And the thing, it's not just sand. If you look at the particles, a lot of them are black, so there's pumice in here. There's bits of that volcanic debris, and that's what really stings. If you're thinking Lanzarote looks awful, well, this is the exception. I had a great road ride on my first day here, and only yesterday I explored the coastal path to the nearby village of Famara in much nicer conditions. Along the way I met Lawrence, who has been coming to this part of the world for 30 years and always staying at the same place. Club La Santa is a sports-based resort with almost too many sports to mention. This is not a sponsored video, we just like the place, and it seems Lawrence does too. 30 years ago it was basically youth hostel standard, tiny little sardine beds as my wife calls them, but it was the best fun in the world. It still is. There are three 50-metre heated swimming pools, there's a great running track, umpteen courts for all the racket sports I can think about, a vast collection of rental bikes, there are gyms, classes and instruction, and it's all included in the price of the holiday. The apartments are lovely too, and you can easily cater for yourself. And at 76 you haven't got bored with the same areas to ride, the things to do. I look forward to it every year, and I can't wait to get here. We love it. The village of Famara is a key spot on the surfer's circuit. A bit like a wild west town, the way they've got the sand in the street. Incidentally all this sand and salt in the air is not healthy for bikes. It's a great reason to use one belonging to Club La Santa and not bring your own. Now the truth is I've never spent time, I've ridden through here countless times, but I've never actually been into this bit. I've only ever been around the edge as part of a longer ride. You might have noticed it's raining, but it's over 20 degrees so I didn't bother with a rain jacket. Perhaps the rain was a warning about the wind which arrived the following day. For this I've gone full Tuareg. Yes I know it's not, sorry Tuareg tribesmen if you happen to watch. Yeah, so I'm going to go back along the way that I had originally intended to come. That doesn't go through the centre of the mountain but does go around it. For what it's worth I've got SPDs on here and I'm deliberately not clipping in at moments like this, just resting lightly on top. You know if you were a painter and decorator here you'd only need three pots of paint. You just need a white emulsion and then either brown or green gloss. Oh that's it, imagine running a paint shop. Do you want to see a colour chart? No not really. When I was talking to Lawrence he made the point that a mile on Lanzarote is worth two in the UK. Well I think in this wind and off-road and in those conditions I think that counts for double again. In which case I've done 40 miles. I hope you've enjoyed this, there's a series of a few Lanzarote videos here you might wish to take a look at. Give me a thumbs up if you have enjoyed it, subscribe if you haven't yet and I'll see you again next time. Goodbye!