I still have a few days left in Portugal before crossing into Spain, but I have an observation rolling around, waiting for further confirmation. Portugal seems, up to now, to be the following: Portugal is the California we wish still existed. A few similarities: Weather Ocean Surfing Lemon, orange and other fruit trees not found… Read More Tour Interlude: Weekend in Braga

Less prose and more photos today, inadequately capturing two very nice short rides, first downhill to the coast from steep Coimbra, followed by a jaunt amid the dunes along the beach running north to Aveiro. Here’s the Strava blow-by-blow for each Day 5 https://www.strava.com/activities/1036917090/embed/3ea74af3aa072a07eb1e2ef625577d58e59a3442 Day 6 https://www.strava.com/activities/1037859198/embed/fc5ca74602a0c6d5ae2b5126d2fc5947ddcfe7f0 And now on to snaps… The not-quite-high season-scene… Read More Tour Days 5 & 6: Coimbra to Praia de Mira to Aveiro

There are three chainrings on most bikes these days, and the second, middle, ring usually gets almost all the work. It’s the go-to ring when things are flat. Yesterday was a day with very little second chainring usage. https://www.strava.com/activities/1034845304/embed/fd0b2c3874d7650c268444e6d77fa5144f41fe4c For those not clicking on the Strava embed (apologies that I’ve not yet figured how to… Read More Tour Day 4: Leiria to Coimbra

Wonky Internet in Nazare means two posts in one from a really great hostel in downtown Leiria. One so misses solid Internet, and feels slightly embarrassed for having missed it. Day 2: Peniche to Nazare Yesterday’s ride was only about 60 km, but the 15 mph and higher head/cross wind made for very slow going.… Read More Tour, Days 2 & 3: Peniche to Nazare to Leiria

Having finally escaped Lisbon’s velvety clutches, the tour began in earnest about 30 km outside the city in Sintra. The Saturday holiday crowd was in full force in this popular daytrip town, with its castles and palaces. I was only interested in getting out of town, and with the help of a non-English speaker was… Read More Bike Tour, Day One: Sintra to Peniche

After having spent an extra 48 hours or so in Lisbon, and there are far worse places to spend an extra 48 hours, the bike tour is scheduled to finally, formally, officially and ceremoniously begin tomorrow morning at a small bike shop along the river in the Braço de Prata section of Eastern Lisbon. Tonight… Read More 2017 Bike Tour Rockin’ Eve: Really Getting Ready, Sorta