I have been lucky enough to spend 9 fantastic days at a little coastal village called Burgau in the Algarve with my good friend John Poole. John has been coming here since early 2000 and has always mentioned to me how good the area is for outdoor activities, especially road cycling and mountain biking!I decided to go and see for myself after 20 yrs of riding and training in Mallorca.
Surprises galore awaited me upon arrival, first and foremost the very mild climate, which being so far south is expected...but not in late November!
Burgau was only 1hr 15 mins drive from the airport, following a good motorway system with little traffic once clear of Faro.
Arriving at the village was an instant ‘wow’...little old 'fincas' and quaint houses with a hotel perched at the top overlooking the beautiful waterfront, with lots of little restaurants scattered around the steep cobbled streets.
John took me for a coffee to chat about some of the rides we would be doing and looking at possible training camps in this virtual untapped stunning rural area...it reminded me so much of my child hood home in Cornwall before it became commercialised...rugged, yet inviting...scenery that caresses ones heart and the feeling of complete freedom!
The culture here is one of self sufficiency, living off the land and sea. Like most of Europe, food plays an important part of everyday life...bringing family and friends together to eat and drink some of the finest cuisine i have tasted! The cafes and bars were sublime situated in some real remote mountains with friendly locals serving some amazing coffee and cakes...omg the cakes...just delicious...all for virtual pennies!
The riding started from day 1, a short but undulating ride out towards Sagras (famous beer named after this place) being the most westerly point in Europe...next stop USA
The evening was so relaxing, sampling some amazing food at a restaurant near Lagos. What they do with the fish and meat dishes would bring a smile to Gordon Ramsey!
The next few rides were a little more difficult, if i ranked each ride out of 10, they would all be above 5 with the hardest being the last mountain ride at 10! With this in mind, if riders came here for a training camp a good base of fitness is recommended! The climbs were steep, the descents sometimes technical but fast and the wind is always difficult being so close to the Atlantic.
It’s a complete contrast to everyone’s favourite, Mallorca...the roads are a lot quieter with most rides only coming across 1 or 2 cars for 4 hours! The terrain is a lot harder, have to be honest, you have to work with every pedal stroke...but the scenery just immerses you in a state of aww with the tired aching legs being replaced with reinvigorated energy!
In my time here i met some lovely people...locals and ex-pats alike...all giving their time to chat. I had a few initial bike issues when i arrived and the local bike shop at Logos called G Ride were friendly and so helpful to get my bike sorted by the next day!
Meeting John’s good friend Miguel Aguas was a real pleasure, the manager at the local hotel and a real bike enthusiast. He took us on a superb last ride taking in some of the most breath taking views i have seen aside the coast of Mallorca...a ‘bucket list’ ride if there was ever one!
So all in all, Portugal was a place im so glad and lucky enough to experience. I have come away already thinking about a return visit, to sample more of the culture and amazing riding...oh and the food...omg the food!
N
Poco Loco Cycling
