From Innsbruck to Gran Guanche

Guest article by Bastian Mensing

Bastian is using this campaign to raise funds. More information at the end of the blog:

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In July 2022, I signed up for my first ultra self-supported gravel event, " Gran Guanche," in the Canary Islands.
The total distance of 700 km and a full 16,000 meters of elevation gain is spread over five of the Canary Islands - Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and El Hierro. The ferry crossings give participants a schedule and the chance to catch their breath.

I couldn't quite explain to myself why I should actually only complete the event by bike. Why not go there directly by bike in a climate-friendly way?

The idea to participate was born in November 2022. My simple plan: Starting from Innsbruck, where I live, I'll cross the Alps and follow the Mediterranean to Valencia, cross the Spanish Altiplano and finally land on the Atlantic to take a ferry to the Canary Islands - sounds pretty nice already.

My KEEGOs after thousands of kilometers together

DONE, DONE!
On Sunday, February 5, 2023, my journey began. KEEGO was one of four partners that supported me and the project.
Why KEEGO? On the one hand, I decided from the beginning to only approach potential partners who shared the same values as me.
On the other hand, I only wanted to be supported by partners that I already use anyway and am accordingly convinced of the added value of the respective equipment.
I already know KEEGO from their early days and still use my first KEEGOs from 2020.
The durable bottle with its long-lasting core made of titanium has already passed one or the other endurance test with me and still provided me with fresh water without plastic taste even after hours on the bike. In addition, I had the feeling with KEEGO that they, as a young company, bring the right spirit to support me in my daring adventure. But why did I actually need partners? The specificity of my trip was that I wanted to raise money for a good cause while doing what I love - cycling.

 Stage 01: Departure in Innsbruck

GO!
The "farewell" from Innsbruck was made easier when I was spontaneously accompanied on the first stage through the Inn Valley to Landeck. The challenge I feared most - loneliness - began from Landeck, up to Pfunds, Tyrol. Winter showed itself from its best side, as I had hardly anything to do with rain, snow and wind on my first stages across the Alps and generally during the entire trip. The sun perfectly set off the beautiful scenery as I rode from the Maloja Pass, St. Moritz, to Chiavenna and then along the beauty of Lago di Como. I left the Alps and followed the Adda river towards Pavia, along the river "Ticino". Before reaching the Mediterranean Sea, I crossed the National Park "Capanne di Marcarolo". Some steep climbs showed me that I still have to do some training sessions before reaching the Canary Islands. The route I chose was worth the effort, because I was alone in the national park for about 2 hours, except for isolated residents. Leaving Rossiglione marked a milestone for me: "Cycling from Innsbruck to the Mediterranean felt somehow 'crazy'". Shaking my head in disbelief became a positive habit when I came to the next perfect bike path or passed a breathtaking landscape and simply realized that I was really experiencing this long-dreamed-of journey.

 

After the frosty descent from the Maloja Pass

DOES IT GO ON?
After seven consecutive days averaging a little over 100 kilometers, my body started telling me to slow down a bit - I was starting to have problems with my left knee. The point had come: It was time to take a first real break. To make good use of the break, I adjusted my setup, got some kinesiotape, filled my energy stores and my KEEGOs. After a rest day, I was off again - along the Côte d'Azur, Camargue to the Spanish border. The following week was enriched with some tourist stops in Girona and Barcelona. In both cities I enjoyed the cultural and culinary offerings. Leaving Barcelona for Tarragona, I had my first "dead end" experience after nearly 1,700km. Fortunately, I was able to share it with others, as I was not alone on the road at the time. Toby, a British cyclist, was also stuck. Bottom line was, 1,700km without a "dead end" is pretty good and if you do end up in one, you can meet nice people there 😃 The second chance encounter of the day was Victor, a German cyclist with the same destination of Huelva, showing up at my hostel. We met for the first time just before Toulon. Then by chance on the way to Barcelona and now the third time - stories that such a bike trip brings.

 

Rest day in wooden barrel St. Aygulf, France & way between Girona and Barcelona

ALWAYS ALONG THE COAST
Following the coast became a routine, like filling one of my KEEGOs with water and the other with electrolytes. Despite routine, no trace of boredom. The next highlight was just around the corner: the "Parc Natural de la Serra d'Itra". About 20 kilometers of gravel road along the coast, without traffic. This beautiful stage ended in Benicássim, where I was lucky enough to be hosted by Dominique and Raimon (Swiss-Catalan couple). Raimon has been traveling by bicycle for about 6 years and was accompanied by Dominique on several of his trips. A wonderful evening ensued with lots of inspiring stories. Time flew by and after a sightseeing walk through Valencia, I realized that my time on the Mediterranean was over and I was ready to climb the Altiplano with its endless olive fields, highway-like roads and rural villages. The drive on the Via Verde could have gone on forever in my opinion- just beautiful!

 Altiplano & Via Verde Andalucia

TEMPORARILY PLATE
5 km before Córdoba I got the feeling of a creeping flat tire, which reminded me that I obviously have a guardian angel with me. What made me think of it? Here's my summary of the first 2,600 km: Only one flat tire, a small problem with the front brake, 15 km of fog in France, not a bit of rain and lots of sunshine ☀️

I was on the last two stages and, based on what I had done so far, I didn't expect to experience 60 km of rain and a lot of headwind until Seville. But with the Atlantic Ocean in sight, I was able to just smile it away and successfully complete my journey in Huelva on March 10. The joy of what I had achieved, which was crazy for me and unbelievable for others, spread through me and lasted until I was on the ferry the next day. As I left the Iberian Peninsula for the Canary Islands, the adventure I signed up for last year was back - Gran Guanche was back in my head. 🚵

After 2.799km in Huelva waiting for the ferry

AND NOW A RACE?
The start into the race was scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at 10 am. But for me, the event began the moment I rolled into Orzola on my bike, saw the other participants, had lunch with them, and shared their strategies, equipment, attitudes, and motivations. Adequate hydration was clearly the key to the journey so far.

My eye-catching pink KEEGO also provided a good topic of conversation and some of the participants wished they also had a flexible and lightweight bottle with them, which nevertheless keeps the drink fresh!

Just before the race, the nervousness began to rise. More than 100 participants gathered in the small church outside Orzola, waiting for the start. Ascending through the dark, volcanic surroundings of Lanzarote, following the lined up red dots at the front and seeing the white, lined up participants following, my joyful head shaking returned. Fuerteventura began with a surreal moonscape and lots of washboards. Being with others made me forget the fatigue. Hydration was good, as supermarkets and small bars made refills easy. My first flat tire broke the rhythm and I had to finish Fuerteventura on my own. In addition, fatigue was spreading. When I reached the ferry at 8 p.m., joy and excitement were the order of the day again instead.

Fuerteventura Washboard Bike Path & Tenerifa Parque Rural de Anagua

THE NEXT STAGE
The night in a hotel bed was perfect for rest. Nevertheless, the next day started with a small setback, as I apparently lost my tracker on the ferry. The organizer reassured me - he would take my Strava data into account. The good news kept me going and the first part of the steep climb took me into the jungle center of Gran Canaria. Beautiful green landscapes, with a flowering peak at the top of Pico de las Nieves. The descent with the motivation of the Mark Davis', made it possible to reach the 6 pm ferry. I was riding at a 4-day pace. ☺️ When I arrived in Tenerife on the ferry, my thought of tackling Tenerife in the middle of the night with Rogier, who I met on the climb up Pico de las Nieves and was also an ultra-rookie, and covering 175 km with 4700 meters of elevation gain, was ruined by changing brake pads and a failing piston. So I split Tenerife into two days and tackled the first climb after repairing it for lunch, struggling with some mental slumps as I cycled up. But valleys must be crossed and I made it halfway and joined up with subsequent - as luck would have it - Viennese participants to pass El Teide the next day and reach El Hierro on the fourth. Again, the time on the ferry was used to look at the different tactics and approaches. In the end, I was able to team up with Johannes and found in him a comrade-in-arms for the plan to ride the first 50 km and 1,800 meters of altitude into the night, covering a little less than half of the distance at once and then continuing near the beach after a 3-4 hour sleep.

 

Arrival last ride in Tenerife

THE HAPPY END
Once again it was "said, done." We mastered the night trip and made camp with a group of four that stayed together until the end. Our group started at 6am and climbed El Hierro until sunrise, arriving in Timijiraque shortly after noon. Teamwork makes the dream work! We kept each other on our toes and finished the Gran Guanche at a 5 day pace. Ironically, 4 ultra rookies. Thanks Kev, Jens and Johannes and everyone else for making it one of the toughest yet best experiences on the bike 😊

THANKS TOKEEGO FOR THE MEGASUPPORT WITH THE BEST DRINKING BOTTLES FOR ADVENTURES OF THIS KIND AND THANKS FOR SUPPORTING MY DONATION PROJECTS.

It was a huge pleasure - I KEEP GOING! 👊🏽 & Donating

Happy tired finisher smile

How can you continue to support me?

Use the discount code FANDURANCE10 for 10% discount in our store until May 06, 2023. Additionally KEEGO donates 20% of the purchase amount to Bastian's project.

The fundraising campaign is carried out in favor of three different projects or pillars, hence the name:
4Pfoten - 2 Füße - 1 Welt | 100% of the donations are donated

• 4 Paws stands for an organization that rescues dogs from the center of the Azores that are in a very bad condition.
• 2 feet stands for us humans and we will support a hospice organization in Tyrol, which accompanies sick people or their relatives on their further way.
• 1 World represents the planet we live on and the activities necessary to preserve its beauty.