Notes supplied by Andrew C. Smith, Romsey, Hants. July 2000.

BIKE HIRE
Cycles can be hired from Mountain Bike Active/Espana Bike, Calle Mazaroco, Edifico Daniel No 26, 38400. This is situated opposite the pedestrian entrance to the bus station. Telephone (0034) 922 376 081

The bikes are Scotts and at the time of my visit (July 2000) brand new and excellent quality. All accessories, helmets, tools, spare tubes are supplied and extras such as trailer bikes are available too. They also arrange organised rides in the local area.

LOCAL RIDES
Offroad cycling is forbidden within the Parque National del Teide but many routes start from the edge of it on good gravel tracks. It is possible to cycle off road over long distances in the forests to the north of Puerto. We only had one day, we put our bikes on the 348 bus to El Portillo, cycled up to the observatory (2180m) then cycled down the side of the mountain to lunch at Caledbra along tracks marked in red on the map. Continued along the tracks to La Acadulla (near Los Realejos) then descended to Puerto by road, a 2160 metre descent! It took most of the day, with great views of the coast and El Tiede the volcano. Maps are important if you are to get the most from the opportunities, although common-sense would suffice. Kompass do a reasonable 50,000 map, which was the best I found.