The Canary Islands: The Canaries, Cycling and Drivers...a unique environment. 57.12 Tenerife: Brenas 2: Via a hidden route up the cliffs.

  You have to hand it to the Spanish. Being Europeans, they join their fellow continentals enjoying the sport of cycling, preferably in the mountains. However, out here in the Canaries, they’ve added a twist. To express it differently, they’ve brought a halt to the sport while at the same time, retaining it. Sounds awkward but it makes sense. Jenni has been captivated to such a degree that she not only hikes, but cycles on the same days. In fact, she even undertakes both functions almost simultaneously. 

  Not long ago, I passed a blunt comment, perhaps without tact (the blunt one’s usually are), when I mentioned that she seemed to be slowing down. I actually thought I was tactful as I did not mention I considered she was becoming somewhat lazy. Strangely, she did not receive the comments as encouragement to try harder—the intended purpose. Being in the Canary Islands, I seemed to mix up the avis species with the rental car’s former slogan and landed in deep trouble. Jenni, being quite tough, came back from her despondence and now does a double workout to my single. Who feels like a dodo bird now? The picture below illustrates what occurs on some of our hikes. I stop for a break and look busy with the camera, tie my bootlaces a few times, or sort out my backpack, while she jumps onto a bike and cycles vigorously. 

We parked our vehicle along this main road and headed down the mountain to reach a village along the coast.
  

The Spanish are most concerned about their citizens in the Canaries while the Animal Rights crowd are more concerned with canaries than citizens. The Spanish would hate to have some other country intrude…Gibraltar has already been lost to the British. Imagine the Canaries being taken over by some other vultures. With this in mind, the authorities banned people over 50 years old from cycling on the streets (Jen just fell into this >50 bracket—brilliant save, Jeffrey). 

  It was not as difficult a decision to make as one would think. Admittedly, it smacks of autocracy, but should you take a look at the state of the roads: narrow, steep and very narrow, very steep, the drivers clueless and careless, you’ll understand the philosophy. Therefore, older people have the advantage of going outdoors, riding a stationary bike while avoiding traffic and poor motorists—it’s very safe. In addition, in most places, the views are staggering. Imagine peddling your bike while viewing Mount Teide or the ocean or many other delightful scenes without having to keep an eye or two on the road. 

  It also has the distinct advantage of limiting television viewing, thus making the level of intelligence higher for a Canary than other living creatures. (Friends, some family, and all people stronger than Jeffrey, excluded from this observation.) 

Clearly, I had meant that Jeffrey was far lazier than Jenni. Hence, Jenni's now smiling again, Mount Teide has come out of hiding from behind the clouds (girls stick together) and I'm breathing many sighs of relief.

Breaking News: 

  Over in the Canaries, a tweet just received reveals that CNN's Don Lemon has left a rather sour taste in most peoples' mouths with his shocking outburst. The good news for him is that he has been asked to direct the revised production of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". He has accepted this task subject to the full backing of Google, which bastion of information and truth will provide authenticity of his understanding of age, longevity, hypocrisy and stupidity. It's been a long time since the 'canaries left' have been called to account.

  Rumor has it that Lemon stated to an intimate group when asked why the production was scheduled to be in Tenerife: "Some of my best friends are canaries." 

  This information is still subject to verification.

Kindly scroll down for reality; that which we consider real (for us, of course.) 

Tenerife: Brenas 2: via a hidden route up the cliffs. 

 The route we discovered provided everything a person, or at least, what we like in a hike...adventure, challenge, surprise, and outstanding views. We did not know where it was headed other than probably up the cliffs, so each step was made with a hope that there would be a continuing path. Turns out the views were outstanding. We had a good sweat, including some tricky moments negotiating the cliffs and a surprise ending where we ate brunch while focused on features that continue to uplift and surprise us. Thereafter, we joined the original trail and continued to hike about, keeping the ocean in view at all times as we headed into a small town situate on a further mountain above with direct views of the Atlantic. 

Never have enough of Mount Teide; never the same sight.
Scrambling prior to discovering the new route. It was in the blood that morning.
A bird's eye view of the coast.
Now she's scrambling...
While he takes a break enjoying the magnificent cove. Avoiding the cacti was quite the challenge.
When we reached the road above the coast, we continued walking to the small town. A couple miles on, we could follow the general direction of the hike up the cliff. It's the ridge area to the fore. Fascinating to be able to relive the hike from another position.
From the steep road heading toward the town, we grab a view of the neighborhoods above the Atlantic.
Always tickled with the contrast between the cacti and water. Really love the cove.
Let's close on a tidy note with another view of this fascinating icon.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Jenni reaches the town after (guess what?...a steep climb) and surveys the parking situation on these rather wide roads.
It appears the earlier closing picture of Mount Teide was misleading.