Gay Quad Safari - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has long since established gay-exclusive entertainment by night but by day, all there was to do was visit/explore Maspalomas beach and sand dunes. Now there's a way to see more of the island that's a little different and a lot of fun - on a Quad-bike safari.

After being collected and taken to the Playa del Ingles office, we’re introduced to our guide for the day who explains briefly what we’ll be doing, seeing and where we’ll be going then tells us the safety tips and rules.

I was hoping to get an hour’s practise in before we started so I didn’t crash (or look un-cool as I span around in circles) but all we got was a quick guide to the switches and pedals. As it turns out, that was enough for everyone and we were off out of Playa del Ingles, through neighbouring San Fernando and after just 10 minutes or so, our first off-track experience driving over a dry river bed.

After we all get chance to have a good drive around, we’re all a bit more relaxed with the bikes and finally confident we won’t end up in hospital so back on road and we head inland and upwards to the nearest mountain which happens to be Montaña de la Data, where the rich folk live.

Having lived here for several years, all of that in the south I was pleasantly surprised to find we were then taking roads I’d never been on before. (Some were off track of course but then you’ve never seen me drive a car). I did like the fact they drove me to a re-hab clinic (I kid you not) and then we had a convenient break! However I think it was to enjoy the panoramic views down over Maspalomas rather than leave me there.

Onwards and upwards and they’d clearly done their homework setting up this route as we found more off-track roads along the way before reaching an impressive lake (reservoir) at the back of a stunning valley where we stopped for a sandwich and drink.

It was hard to decide if we would talk about how we’re all getting the hang of the bikes & get to know each other a little or just keep quiet and enjoy the tranquillity and scenery of the surrounding countryside. We picked gossiping and getting to know each other.

The journey back was of course a different route, more stunning scenery with breaks to lap it up, more off-track fun then back into Playa del Ingles.

The stops along the way we just grabbed a quick fag (no smoking whilst riding) but you could take photos if you want or if you don’t want to drag a camera around with you or risk it being damaged, the guide takes photos all the way round and back in the office you can see them all with an option to buy a high-res CD of them all.

Don’t dress to dazzle as there’s plenty of dirt and dust. Remember suntan lotion if it’s sunny and you’ll need a comb to do your hair when you’ve finished and take the helmet off.

You can chose to either ride the quad solo or if you’re bringing someone chicken with you they can go on the back. There’s the basic 4 hour day which we did, a full 8 hour “panoramic” day to see a whole lot more of the island or an “extreme” day for more confident/experienced riders where almost all of the day is off-track.

Got any more questions or want to make a booking? GET IN TOUCH with us at the canaryforum office either before you arrive or once you're here; we're located in the yumbo center.

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