Celebrating!

When it was all over, we enjoyed a few drinks on the Saturday evening. Where to next year?!?

Day 7 - Finished

A mountainous ride to finish - 540 miles covered in 7 days so nearly 80/day. Beautiful weather again and yet more stunning scenery. Portugal has been amazing. Now celebrating at the pool at our final hotel near Faro. 

Day 6: An amazing 82 mile Undulating Ride Through the Alantejo

Leaving the ruins of the Roman temple in Evora, we cycled across the Alantejo all day. The Alantejo makes up a third of Portugal and is made up of rolling hills with cork forests, vineyards, wheat fields and wild meadows. We had eagles circling above us and Alastair had a close encounter with an over-interested stork. The temperature reached 35 by the end of the day, and after a fast and furious ride we were more than ready for pasta, salad and local wine overlooking the river in Mertola. Another amazing day with disbelief that tomorrow is our last day. 

Days 4&5 - 190 miles from the Silver Coast to Evora

Leaving the coast, we've turned inland and had two tough days of 92 and 81 miles. The weather has gradually improved, leaving the coastal drizzle we cycled most of today in 30+ degrees through vast meadows of Spring wild flowers. Stunning! Passing pilgrims heading for the shrine at Fatima, watching circling buzzards and swooping storks, with just the sound of wheels turning and birdsong. Eating barbequed sardines washed down by red wine by the side of the road at 930am with any payment refused. The Portuguese have been warm, friendly and hospitable throughout the trip. The team is riding stronger day by day and we now feel a real unit. So 385 miles covered, 28500 calories burnt, 35 hours of hard peddling and some really sore bums. Spirits very high though!

Day 3 - More Photos

Day 3 - Headwind hits the Pink Pelaton

We had imagined this would be our easiest day, heading 60 miles south past the beaches of the Silver Coast. Unfortunately we cycled into am energy sapping headwind, and then a very poor forest track for 20 miles, full of pot holes. So instead of arriving in Figueiria da Foz at 2pm, we got in at 5:30. But morale is high and we're loving it!

Day 2 - Through Porto and a Wet Coastal Ride

85 miles and cycling till 7pm. Fast downhill to Porto passing through Guimares, but then the the rain came in and we couldn't see much of the beautiful beaches as we headed south. Now 25 miles south of Porto.