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Cycling really is the only way to travel!
Emily & "Friends of Emily" met in Lisbon to begin the epic journey South through the quite simply wonderful Portugal! With no real idea of where to go, a road map was bought from the airport! An evening in Lisbon at Alfama Patio Hostel (worth night or two's stay, just for the pancakes at breakfast!!) the #BikeWankers formed a truely imense team ready to take on the hills!
Collection of 3 Touring Bikes & 1 Comfort Touring Bike (Ricki being too small for an adults bike!) from Bikeiberia - An amazing compnay who deliver & collect from anywhere in Portugal & Spain! Truely professional & helpful... The bikes were in great condition & perfect for everything we literally threw at them! Armed with our map & clean pants we were off on the road...
A short ferry ride to Sexial to begin the journey... South towards Sesimbra & the first enormous hill! Downhil & unstoppable!!! Sarah with a near death experience on the first corner, took it a bit wide & was face to face with a truck! Narrow escape on day one!
Wheres theres a downhill.. Theres an uphill!!! WOW! Thigh burning climb out of Sesimbra a beautiful little seaside town.. Onward with the journey... Heading East towards Setubal via the "Scenic Route" meanind more hills!
Stunning scenery led us to Setubal, where we had planned to spend the night. No room at the inn!! We were however pointed in the direction of the 'Campisimo'... 10 miles out of town The celebrations when we saw the sign at 9pm!! 21:30, pitching a tent on rocks in the darkness! Right laugh! Ham sandwiches & Sagres for tea, the life on the road!
Day Two... Oh the adventure continued! A wrong turn here & there led us off track slightly! "Private Property" signs ignored, a river crossed! Another late arrival at the next Campisimo! This time in Evora... The best thing about cycling in Portugal, not only that you really see the country your travelling in, but the people & support along the way! Toots & Beeps from passing motorists, who clearly thought we were bonkers!! A wave or a cheer was enough to keep the spirits high (although they were always naturally high!) We were having such fun! Great banter! Great country! Great people!
From Evora we absolutely flew south towards Beja, passing through Alvito & Cuba, great little villages in the countryside.. Amazing roads too! No more crazy sand tracks or pothole full country lanes. Smooth quiet back roads getting into the real Portugal! An ice cream to cool down with the locals then resting in Beja before the sunset! What was going on!? Early arrival meant we were able to relax a little longer before a few beers, football & bed!
Beja gave us our first taste of watching Benfica! They sure know how to celebrate!! Singing & dancing into the night! Superb!
From Beja the journey, if it could be possible, got better & better! The soring temperatures of Day 4 meant by lunchtime we were almost done (if it were necessary we would've carried on) It had got to the point where I could almost smell burning flesh due to the intensity of the sun! Mertola was the chosen town & what a gem! Located on a hill looking over the Guadiana River, offering plenty of river activities such as Kayaking or river cruises, a nocturnal wlk could also be arranged. Our B&B overlooked the river and as the sunset the coolness of the evening was welcomed by all! This was all of our favourite little towns along the journey. Made that little bit more special by the locals! Friendly, fun & welcoming!
When leaving Mertola South East towards the Spanish border, you are hit with the biggest hill around!! Boom! Thighs burning before they've even had time to warm up! The downhills, few & far between.. But you certianly made the most of them!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeee! Top speed without pedalling 37mph!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Ha.. Another fantastic days cycle down the border! More interactions with the Portuguese, who were everso friendly & laid back! No worries here!
Vila Real.. Choices.. Do we country hop, just for the night? Of course we do! All aboard the ferry to Spain!! 10 minute journey = 1hr 10mins! Time difference, like time travel! Losing an hour we couldnt wait to get back the following day! Isla Christina & a very expensive Campisimo! But what a night! Good Friday parade whilst eating tapas! Followed by sampling every local beer going! Spanish dancing until 5am.. A long & very slow stroll/stagger back to our tent...
Clocking up the miles & the banter kept coming! Monte Gordo, Portugal was the next stop (17miles) the shortest day in terms of miles, the longest with a hangover!
Then it was Storm Day! Black Black clouds, heavy rain & lightening! Awesome! Added some excitement to the ride! Next stop Faro & a Hostel to dry out!!!
Faro reached in 7 days... 500.6km.. 311 miles! Challenge complete!!! What a feeling!
Then there was Benfica!!! Portuguese Champions on Sunday.. Time for another celebration!! Street Party! Flags, banners.. Dancing & singing! Amazing!!
#BilkeWankers #Lads #we'veallhadadrink! #LovePortugal
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