Route advice wanted: My partner and I are planning on a two-week bicycle tour through Portugal this September and looking are for some feedback.
We had planned to bring our own bikes but found a place that rents gravel or touring bicycles for two week saving us some logistical tetris. Apparently they deliver them and pick them up from a designated hotel anywhere in Portugal and Spain. Has anyone had experience with a service like this? The place is Cycling Adventure and they seem to have good review. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g189164-d1526348-Reviews-Cycling\_Rentals\_Tours-Sintra\_Sintra\_Municipality\_Lisbon\_District\_Central\_Portugal.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189164-d1526348-Reviews-Cycling_Rentals_Tours-Sintra_Sintra_Municipality_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html)
Second, a rough idea we have is to head North from Porto to Santiago de Compostela via the coastal route, then back down through the more traditional route. Eventually end up at the North end of the N2 and follow that South to Faro, potentially stopping at Lisbon along the way or later after we have the bikes picked up. Does anyone have recommendations for this route, alternate route ideas, or suggestions on things we should make sure we include?
Thanks so much!
by Impressive-Shoe5302
1 Comment
N2 is a dangerous road to cycle, in my opinion. High traffic, no cycling lanes and the vast majority of drivers does not take bicycles into account in their driving. It passes through plenty of interesting cities, but as a bicycle tourer myself, it is not a road I would advise, safety wise.
In Portugal I would advise to stick to cycling routes as much as possible. I don’t recommend sharing the road with cars, unless you really have to and the distance is relatively short. One example is to follow the EuroVelo1, that does the entire Portuguese coast line.