If you want a challenge, you are in the right place. In this figure 8 shape route, you will realize that numbers are not always the best way to tell if a climb is hard or not. The day starts going up the "Cercados de Espino (GC-505)" valley, which then link with one of the most loved climb in the island: Soria. This is a very nice climb, with a few switchbacks "Grand Tour" style. Its not too steep, but we are just warming up! After Soria you will end up in "Barranquillo Andres" a small little village between the mountains and the Soria dam. Be aware that beyond this point you may have not other chance to refill your bottles until "San Nicolás". We turn left into "El pinar" road to start our 4.3km hard climb to GC-605 junction, be ready to some steep (but shorts) climbs in a very rough road surface (its a private road after all, the wider the tyre the better) Take a breath on the summit and be ready for the best descent (and very technical) on the island: "Serinity" (its also one of the best climbs in the opposite direction) We take the right at the GC-200 junction and made our way into "San Nicolas". We call this climb "Azulejos" (tiles) because you will see some colourfull walls in the mountains on your right, just like if they were made by tiles. You may found "Juice man" along the way in one of the curves of the road, where you can shop for fresh beverages, but be aware they are not there at all times, so dont plan for you refill just there. Steep descent into "San Nicolas" will get you at the start of the, by now, just the "Valley" (GC-210). Head towars the center of the island with again, very rough and narrow road. Be aware that its a two lane road even when a car and a bike doesnt fit together. Fortunately, you will find very few cars, and probably just a few motorbikes, you are in the middle of nowhere. After the first dam "Presa del Parralillo" you will find a tunnel that leads you to Acusa and Artenara after that, but we are not here for that, we are here for Valley of Tears, wich starts at this point taking the right just before the tunnel (GC-606). Now you have 12km of suffering and pain with one of the most brutal climbs on the islands (and Spain, and Europe, and...) Its long, its steep, its hot, its rough, its lonely, but its beatifull. Also you have some small flats section (even a little descent) to give you legs a little rest. Once you reach "Degollada del humo" you are (almost) done with the climbing. You can rest and have a snack in Ayacata and getting ready to the descent back home. 1 to 1 ratio is recomended for this ride. Compact at the front and a 34 on the rear, even if you are very fit and thin. You can climb it with a 28 teeth for course, but you need to grind your legs quite a bit. Avoid this climb on the summertime, although I have done it... but Im a masochist...