A Cyclist’s Life in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Hello blog readers,

You might have noticed that I haven’t written many new articles in the past fortnight. That’s because I’ve been working behind the scenes on a few new simultaneous projects. One of them is called “www.bikenode.com“, a new global cycling links directory. It took almost a full day to crete the Bike Node logo… hehehe. Anyway-

The aim is to make it “the fastest growing cycling link directory for the global cycling community”. The idea is to help generate exposure for us little guys. Whatever. But the good news is that I am now taking link submissions. So please feel free to add any appropriate cycling-related links to “http://www.bikenode.com”. It’s easy & it’s free!

There are still a few features I’d like to add, such as an email confirmation of link submissions, an info page, and an easy way for you to add reciprocal links with & without the Bike Node logo (to encourage activity within the directory, reciprocal links are not mandatory but are HIGHLY appreciated).

If you want a bit of extra exposure, a featured listing (highlighted & placed at the top of each category) costs a one-time fee of only 5$ and will result in more traffic to your site. I’ll also ensure that links are added to the directory in a timely manner if you choose a paid link.

If you feel that an appropriate category isn’t listed in the directory yet, you can also suggest new categories for the directory by commenting below.

Thanks,
Les

Tags: Spoke Bed, News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano!, Learning Curve by Dr. Leslie Brown
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A while back I sent out a Newsletter, which you can read here in case you missed it. One of the sections went as follows:

Send your photos & win!
If you’d like to appear on the Guestbook Page, please send me any photos you may have taken while cycling in Tenerife. High-resolution photos are preferred, in any format. I’d also love to hear any comments to include as testimonials… The best photo sent in wins a free T-Shirt!

Anyway, that was last month. This month, the best photo has been chosen & hence the winner decided. Judging the competition was a piece of cake, since only one person bothered to officially enter! (somewhat like another promotional flop of mine… I guess that’s what happens when a Scientist organises these sorts of things…) Sure I had other photographs on file from existing clients, but like they say: “you’ve got to be in it to win it”. Nevertheless, I think you’ll all agree that the photo on the left is worthy of the title. I particularly like the perspective and composition of this photo, and also the fact that it isn’t taken from a normal location.

CONGRATULATIONS CLAUDIUS FUCHS OF HAMBURG, GERMANY!! You sent in so many excellent photos, it wasn’t easy to choose between the best ones. You definitely deserve a free T-shirt!

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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I must admit that I’ve overlooked the needs of triathletes lately. In many respects, Tenerife would be an ideal location for European triathletes looking for triathlon training zones. Apart from several swimming pools & gymnasiums around the local resorts, there are many ocean swimming spots dotted around the coast. We have great weather all year round, and don’t forget the legendary 2300m climb to the base of Mt Teide!

I have one medium/large triathlon frameset which I could either rent out as a triathlon bike or sell. This has dedicated tri geometry, 650c wheels and could be equipped with a set of time-trial aerobars.

 Loading …

Tags: Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano! by Dr. Leslie Brown
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The second newsletter will be sent out on Monday the 18th of May at 9:00 Greenwich meantime. How’s that for precision? I promise you that the second newlsetter will be much more proffessional than the first attempt. You can subscribe to the NEW newsletter below! 

Unfortunately, the old subscription list was lost when the software I was previously using crashed so if you wish to unsubscribe you can do that here as well. There’ll also be an unsubcription link at the bottom of all future newsletters. Please also accept my apologies if I’ve annoyed you in any way.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER:

Tags: News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Interested in cycling for free here in Tenerife? Got your own cycling-related website or blog? Great. All you’ve got to do is supply a new permanent link to www.tenerife-training.net, and you can then hire a bike FREE here in Tenerife for a 24 hour period after it’s approved by Les. Not got your own website? Then simply find another relevant site and suggest to the websmaster that they add www.tenerife-training.net to their links page. If you manage to get 5 in-links originating from different websites, get two free days!!

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, so what’s the catch? Please read the following terms & conditions:

[Read more →]

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Limited time only: 20% OFF all rental bikes throughout May & June!

Just three simple conditions:

1) This offer applies to deliveries around the El Puerto de la Cruz region only.

2) To be eligable, you must quote the keywords: “vertebrae ceramic“.

3) This offer is obviously subject to the availability of bikes in your sizes…

Tags: News Reel, Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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As of the 15th of April, we will be reducing prices for renting 4 or more bikes! To make it fairer for everyone, we also need to optimise our existing pricing structure for renting 2 or 3 road racing / mountain bikes. What this means in real terms is that for the most part, the prices for renting 2 or 3 bicycles will increase slightly (since they were overly discounted to begin with). To clarify, all the current bike rental prices for single bikes will either remain the same or reduce.

Furthermore, the current pricing structure will be honoured for all bookings made before this time. The new rental prices for groups hiring 4 or more bicycles will come into effect immediately. Please email me for a quote. So if you’re thinking about coming to Tenerife for that well earned cycling holiday vacation, this is one more incentive to reserve the best bikes at the best prices!

Tags: News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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That’s right, if you are a past or future customer of www.Tenerife-Training.net, we’d love to see photos of you cycling in Tenerife! Please send us your photos via e-mail to this address: cycling@tenerife-training.net. All image file formats are acceptable. The bigger the image, the better. If you have many photos, please send them as a zip archive. Once approved, the best photos will be selected & displayed on our guestbook page. We’re thinking about offering free bike days for the best photo submissions. The second prize could be a free T-shirt or something…

Tags: Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano! by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Above all else, we strive for a minimal environmental footprint.

1. While air is free, we don’t use disposable CO₂ cartridges.
2. We reuse inner tubes by first repairing them. There’s a long lost skill in patching butyl innertubes. We continue patching them until the valve no longer functions or until they are deemed unsafe… then we either use 700c sized inner tubes like the two metre rubber hose they really are to tie stuff up with or we make rubber bands out of them!
3. We recycle tyres into belts. (truth be told, we copied the idea from www.velo-re.com and we’re stockpiling them until we can find someone who can locally make a similar item). Chains & sprockets, etc will eventually be used to create one-of-a-kind metal sculptures.
4. We never pour oil or grease down the drain
5. We avoid the use of plastic bags
6. We don’t print anything unnecessarily
7. We turn off equipment after use (computers, lights, etc)
8. Where possible, we buy locally grown food & other products made in Tenerife.
9. We think small is beautiful. Contrary to what most people think, we don’t have a big petrol-guzzling van.
10. We ride bikes!

Tags: That's Business, Sales Pitch, Inspiration. by Dr. Leslie Brown
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10% discount for Summer 2008 bike hire bookings made before the end of 2007 year.

To be eligible, you must quote the secret code word “vertebrae ceramic” and pay your 20% reservation deposit on or before the 31st of December, 2007. Offer only vaild for bike rentals in the Summer 2008 period from April 1st through to September 30th. Discount applies to published web-rates.

Simple enough?

Tags: That's Business, Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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PRO ROAD BIKE HIRE:

The definitive source for road bike rentals in Tenerife.
Our hire bikes are meticulously maintained.
All Sizes available.
DELIVERY to South Tenerife at additional cost (30 Euros).
Accessories also available (clipless shoes, pedals, helmets, etc).

RATES:

€30 / day
€85 / 3 days
€125  / 5 days
€150 / week
€175 / 9 days

E-Mail: cycling@tenerife-training.net
Ph: +34 922 33 1191
Mob: +34 605 56 2020

We provide this free cycling information website as part of our Pro Bicycle Hire Service in Tenerife. This is currently the only way that we generate revenue to keep the website going. You can help by distributing these bike hire information pamphlets for us in your neck of the woods.

This pdf file currently contains English, Spanish, German and French translations, but we would also like to target our pamplets in Dutch, Belgian, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Czech & Slovak cycling shops & bicycle clubs. So if you’re able to accurately translate this pamphlet into any other languages such as Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Czech or Slovak please e-mail me. Please include your postal address and we’ll send you a FREE T-SHIRT!

**UPDATE** Only 1 T-Shirt is available - size XL, short sleeves!

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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www.Tenerife-Training.net now caters for extra small riders! We’ve recently purchased some 16″ extra-small MTBs. These can be easily converted from a WSD hybrid style of bike (pictured below) to a conventional cross-country MTB.

Amornrat “Meow” Vatanatumrak of USA now takes the record for the shortest www.Tenerife-Training.net client, measuring 5′0″ (152cm). The previous record holder was Elena Lazkano of país vasco (Spain), who stood 5′1″ (155).

Link to the tallest client so far

Tags: News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano!, Inspiration. by Dr. Leslie Brown
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1. To provide the most reliable, professional-quality bicycle hire service which accommodates for all manner of cycling enthusiasts and their associated needs on the island of Tenerife.
2. To provide an accurate, well-organised source of information about all aspects of cycling in the Canary Islands.
3. To effectively & courteously communicate with all of our potential clients.
4. To take advantage of the unique combination of Tenerife’s fantastic climate & mountainous terrain for physical training purposes.
5. To minimise our impact on the environment by saving energy, reducing waste, reusing, repairing & ultimately recycling materials wherever possible
6. To support the local Canarian culture whenever we have the choice. We firmly believe that “small is beautiful” We endeavour to show these principles to all visitors.
7. To inspire people the world over; if you can cycle here, you can do almost anything.
8. To demostrate to other businesses that you don’t have to be big, you just have to think big.
9. The ultimate goal of www.Tenerife-Training.net is to be known by the entire worldwide cycling community.
10. To demonstrate the superior efficiency of the humble bicycle whilst encouraging cycling as a simultaneous form of transport and exercise to everyone else.

Tags: Island Life, News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano!, Inspiration. by Dr. Leslie Brown
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That’s right. This giant german man who stand 2.03m (6′8″) tall, rented one of our XL Mrazek BOH Road bikes just yesterday. The day before, he test-rode an XL 22″ sized Decathlon MTB, but found the seatpost was still ~5cm too short.

So when this road bike became available the following day (effectively 60cm center-center; 62cm center-top), I set the pro road seatpost to the maximum allowed height “safety height” mark, which resulted in a saddle to center-bottom-bracket measurement of a whopping 96cm. He attempted to straddle the bike and said “Ahh, you got me!” and we lowered the seatpost a few more cm to make it fit correctly…

Mathias Lohse of Germany (2.03m / 6′8″) now snatches the previous height record from Andrea Delcuratoro of Italy (1.93cm / 6′4″). Congratulations Mathias, and we hope to have some extra-long cranks available for our rental bikes in future.

 Link to the shortest client so far

Tags: News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano!, Inspiration. by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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1. If you have your own blog or website, providing any incoming links is always an enormously big help. Links to the homepage are preffered.
2. Simply tell other people about us! 
3. Watch my cycling in Tenerife videos & share them among your cycling buddies. 
4. Subscribe to my newsletter here!
5. Make a comment anywhere on this blog.
6. Sign up to the Cycling in the Canary Islands Forum and discuss anything about cycling.
7. Sign the Guestbook; add your photo + location!
8. Become my friend on myspace.
9. Vote for my blog on blogtoplist!
10. Rate my blog on the blogcatalogue!
11. Add any of these www.Tenerife-Training.net pages to your list of favourites (internet browser, technorati, etc)
12. Your suggestions are welcomed, and your support is much appreciated.

Tags: Island Life, News Reel, That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano! by Dr. Leslie Brown
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I’m sure you can think of a few reasons not to hire a rental bike in Tenerife, but here are 16 legimate reasons you should:

1. Reduce your carbon footprint!! Assuming you take an extra 15kg of bicycle equipment (bike + case) as checked-on luggage, you’ll save between 100~200kg of CO₂ emissions for a typical return journey (LGW - TFS is 5800km). To emphasise how much greenhouse gas this represents, 100kg of CO₂ gas occupies 50,930 litres at standard atmospheric pressure!! My calculation is based from various sources, statistics and news sources. 
2. We have all sizes available, and can offer a custom fit service.  
3. Our bikes are very well maintained, and also provide low-range gearing suited to mountainous terrain. 
4. Save € by not paying any excess baggage fees for the additional weight of your sporting equipment!
5. Save $ by not having to buy a dedicated bike case!
6. It’s obvioulsy more convenient to travel around without a loaded bulky bike case plus all that cycling equipment.
7. There’s no risk of being refused check-in at the airport through carrying too much luggage.
8. There’s also zero risk of airport ground-crew damaging your own bike during transport if you leave it at home.
9. Neither do you need to worry about someone stealing your own highly-prized expensive wonderbike while on holiday!  
10. There’s no need to spend ages packing your own bike, hence more time to ride on the first and last day!
11. Should anything go wrong with one of our bikes, we obviously provide free servicing, free spare parts and/or a replacement bike!
12. We offer a refund for each day that you aren’t able to ride due to mechanical failure.
13. There’s no need to clean the bike afterwards. Let us worry about it!
14. Your own super-light weight bike may not actually be as reliable as one of ours.
15. Make it seem more like a “family holiday” & gain bonus points with your spouse!
16. Help support our green eco-friendly business and the local economy.

Tags: That's Business, Sales Pitch, Ride the Volcano! by Dr. Leslie Brown
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To be in the running to WIN A FREE SET OF SPINERGY ROAD SKEWERS, all you have to do is e-mail the correct answer to cycling@tenerife-training.net along with your name and postal address. These came with a Stealth PBO wheelset and are valued at US$30.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

Entrance by Email only! NOTE: This promotion has now been extended 1 more week! The competition winner will be the first sucessful entry drawn at random on the 12th September, 2007. Pictures to follow.

UPDATE: 20/09/07

…and the winner is… ISMAEL MELENDEZ OF BROOKLYYYN NEEEEEW YOOOOOOORK!!!!! Step forward and take your priiiiiize…

Congratulations Ismael, well done! Really great effort!! You’re new spinergy skewers are already on the way (no they’re not, they actually still sitting on my desk, but when I get round to it, they’ll be posted to you).

Thanks once again for all the particpants that entered this special promotion. (or rather, thanks to the SOLE person that entered… hehehe)

Tags: News Reel, Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Know any online cycling resources that are not already linked directly to our website?

For example: cycling holiday websites or directories, official cycling organisations, online cycling news information sources, online magazines, private cycling clubs, online bike shops, cycling forums, or personal cycling weblogs.

You can either suggest to the webmaster they add a link to our site (preferable if its a foreign language site), or simply send us their website url or contact details and we’ll chase them up.

Based on their usefulness to us, and to make things interesting, we’ll tally your score with the following points system:

• Each in-link originating from Czech or Slovak Republic = 5 points!!!
• Each in-link originating from the UK/Ireland/Scotland, Holland, Benelux, Germany = 3 points
• Each in-link originating from Spain, Sweden, Finland, rest of Europe = 2 points
• Each in-link originating from USA, Canada, Australia, NZ + rest of the world = 1 point

The person with the most points accrued wins a free set of new vertebrae ceramic gear cables (in black colour). These are valued at US$140 RRP, and are custom-made to the exact length of cable housing that you specify.

Competition closes midnight (GMT) 12th september, so go get gathering & send those entries in to win!

**THIS PROMOTION IS NOW CLOSED**

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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As you may be aware here at Tenerife-Training, we provide this free cycling information website as part of our Road Bike Rental Service in Tenerife. If you would like to do us a HUGE favour, please feel free to download, print & distribute the following pdf bike hire information pamphlets.

Suggested distribution places include: your local Bike Training Clubs, Official Cycling Organisations, Local Bike Shops. (for residents of Tenerife: Tourist Information Offices in the South of Tenerife, Apartments in Tenerife, Rural Casas & Fincas in Tenerife)

These are best printed on a laser printer, with coloured paper. Because I’m very fussy, I prefer to use complimentary colours which have a similar tone (for example bright red for one language and bright green for another, or else blue/orange). This is because most people are sick at the mere sight of plain white and pale-coloured paper.

NOTE: Please don’t print the image out directly though, because the print quality will be completely crap; print the pdf files linked above instead.

I also have a more detailed foldable A4 brochure available which provides more information about training & cyclo-touring in Tenerife… I’ll upload that when I have time.

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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Be in the running to win a matching FREE Thomson X2 Stem & Seatpost!!

All you need to look at the “filmstrip” image shown below, then visit www.Tenerife-Training.net, find out which of the THREE ROADS pictured are NOT pictured anywhere on that website…

Then simply e-mail your answers to cycling@tenerife-training.net, along with your name & postal adress.

Entries will be drawn at Random on the 15th of September 2007. The first correct entrant wins!

(yes, worldwide postage is included free of charge!)

Stem is 120mm x 1 1/8″

Seatpost is 31.6mm x 410mm long.

Tags: Sales Pitch by Dr. Leslie Brown
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