With 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and a vast semi-arid agricultural hinterland networked with quiet roads through managed cork groves, a rugged Atlantic coast and the fishing  salt and tourism based  Algarve, southern Portugal is perfect for fall cycling through a landscape stamped with a rich legacy of archaeological remains, including megalithic monuments, Roman temples, and the typical Moorish architecture of towns as Silves and Tavira.

(Marble City of Estremoz)

Our first "A" is the Alentejo region covering 1/3 of Portugal, a sparsely populated interior heartland producing much of the country’s’ cork, grains, meats and cheeses and fruits. It’s a landscape of quiet roads and vast fenced, often communally owned, managed oak forests with cleared grassy understory. Holm oaks produce acorns for pigs raised for Ibérico ham and cork oaks produce cork, of which Portugal is a major world producer. Common architectural features of the Alentejo are hilltop Moorish castles and white marble villages, landscape dotted with marble quarries with Roman ruins throughout. Artisanal specialties include rug and tile making, and the production of fine wines and charcuterie.

We’ll meet in UNESCO World Heritage City Evora, a 1.5-hour bus or train ride east of Lisbon and spend the next 3 days riding a loop route easterly to near the Spanish border. There are overnights at the fortified marble town of Estremoz with time to visit a tile history museum, Vila Vicosa with its tree lined avenues and Ducal Palace, and then we’ll ride back to Evora passing through tiny cobbled Portuguese towns with narrow streets and always a café. On Day 5 we can sightsee in Evora for the day or do an optional ride to Arriolos to see demonstrations of the important traditional embroidered wool rug weaving and see one of the few circular castles in the world. Leaving Evora we have a pretty ride west through rolling cork and pine forests, river bottom rice paddy fields and scattered citrus groves and wineries to our peaceful haven near Grandola, winner of the 2025 Conde Nast Johansen Excellence award for best countryside hotel in Europe. On our 6th day in the Alentejo, we’ll notice the hilly landscape turning sandier with more Pine and Eucalyptus trees as we approach the coast.

                                        (Managed cork forest “montado”)

Our next “A” is the Atlantic Coast where we’ll spend 3 nights and 2 days riding down Portugal’s wild coast- the Costa Vicentina- through a large coastal park. Think rugged rock headlands, pristine beaches and protected turquoise coves. Our first overnight will be in small beachfront hamlet of Porto Covo where you can walk the Fisherman’s Trail or kick back at a beachside bar and watch the waves roll into rock headlands. We'll ride along the coastline with headland views and boardwalks down to sand beaches with an overnight at an inland nature resort. We’ll ride through vineyards and farmland past Aljezur, the last town to be reclaimed from the Moors and picnic with expansive ocean views at the Carrapateira headlands, then cycle down the coast to the small fishing port of Sagres, where Prince Henry founded his 15th-century navigational school. Bring your binoculars as the Sagres peninsula, Europe’s southwestern most point, is an exceptional spot in the fall to watch raptors gathering for their fall crossing to Africa.

                                        (Anchor cemetery near Tavira)

The last half of the tour will be spent exploring the third “A”, the sunny Algarve. This is the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal, with it’s extensive sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and endless piri piri chicken restaurants. We’ll spend two nights in Lagos, historic center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery and, at one time, center of the European slave trade. You’ll have time to walk the scenic clifftop boardwalk, get out on the water on a sea caves boat tour, visit the two-story market or Slave Museum, or relax on one Lago’s beautiful beaches. From Lagos we’ll ride through inland hilly small farms to Silves complete with narrow twisting alleyways and one of the best-preserved Arab fortifications in Portugal. Leaving Silves, we’ll ride through orange and avocado groves and forests of chestnut and pine before we descend to our oceanfront hotel at Quarteira where we’ll have two nights to relax by the water. Well rested, we’ll enjoy our ride out of Quarteira with a gradual climb up to a stunning vista lookout before we descend to the flat, hard packed but unpaved waterfront cycle path Ecovia 1, which will take us along the waterfront past salt farms and small fishing villages. Our tour will end in the charming, Moorish town of Tavira, staying at Hotel Pousada Convento de Tavira.  There will be options for a local ride, a short ferry to the outer beaches, birdwatching tours, Fado music, and wandering based out of a beautiful, converted convent. On the last morning , riders will say their goodbyes and depart for home or their next destination.

RIDE RATING.  Based on the average over 11 days of required riding, this ride is rated as a 2B with a daily average of 42 miles and 2,310’.  We will have 3 days that exceed the ride rating (see below).  In total we will ride 459 miles with the possibility of an additional 70 plus miles if you wish to ride on two of our rest days. While this is a hilly ride, none of our climbs exceed 10% and most will be between 6 – 9%.

LODGING AND MEALS This tour includes 16 nights lodging with breakfast at 3- and 4-star hotels and at a converted convent (a pousada), 3 provided roadside lunches, 5 dinners and 12 happy hours with a beverage and where possible snacks.   The van will be carrying water and energy bars and will have planned van water and snack stops enroute.

LOGISTICS  The tour starts with a 5:30 pm orientation meeting / happy hour on Monday September 27, 2027, at the Hotel Albergaria do Calvario in Evora, Portugal. 

Most riders will likely be arriving via Lisbon (LIS) airport. From LIS take 4 subway stops or Uber to Lisbon Oriente station where you can catch a 1.5-hour Flixbus or the Camboios de Portugal (CDP) train to Evora then it's a short Uber or taxi ride to the hotel. Often connections will dictate an overnight in Lisbon probably somewhere near the Lisbon Oriente train / bus station to Evora and there are several hotels right beside the Oriente station.

Alternatively, Faro (FAO) airport in the Algarve is another major airport and hub for budget airlines Ryanair and Easyjet. There are frequent Camboios de Portugal train connections from Faro train station   to Lisbon Oriente train station (3-4 hrs) and then on to Evora (1 ½ hrs).  

The tour ends after breakfast on October 13th in our final hotel Pousada Convento in Tavira, Portugal. Transport options back to Faro include Flixbus (the station is very close to our hotel), Faro airport van transfer services, or the Camboios de Portugal train. To return to Lisbon there are five CP train departures a day from Tavira that all stop at Faro then proceed on to the Lisbon Oriente station, a total trip of 4 - 5 hours. At Lisbon Oriente station take the Red Metro subway line 4 stops to Lisbon airport or take a 10 minute Uber or taxi ride. Another option is Flixbus to Lisbon Oriente station.

BIKES: Road bikes with at least 28 mm tires are suitable for this ride. Portugese villages often have chunky bumpy square often marble cobblestones so consider a second pair of gloves if you have tender hands or a stiff riding bike. 

Rental bikes including e-bikes are available through Galicio Bikes of Evora.  Galicio will deliver rental bikes to our starting hotel and pick them up in Tavira on the day we ride into Tavira. Note that we have one full day in Tavira after rental bike pick up. Contact Galicio at : galacio-bike@hotmail.com   (+351) 266 785 672 landline or  (+351) 967 335 734 cell. Web:  Galacio Bike. Galicio bikes have been excellent on all 3 previous runnings of this tour. They have quality road, gravel and e-bikes. Please note that the ride coordinator does not get involved in any bike rental arrangements.

Tandems and e-bikes are welcome however all e-bikes must have removeable batteries for in-room charging.  For a fee of approx. 30 Euros Galicio will pick up bike boxes just before dinner our first tour night in Evora and deliver them to our final Tavira hotel.

VAN SUPPORT  Van support is not SAG support and rider transport in the van is restricted to emergencies only, major mechanical breakdowns (not flats), medical problems, and weather deemed to be too dangerous for riding.  You must be able to carry supplies for and fix a flat. The van will stay generally with the group and will have water and snacks stop various points along the way .

LUGGAGE  If you can, please use a soft sided suitcase as it is easier to fit into the luggage van. Due to limited space and handling requirements everyone is limited to one large bag weighing max. 35 pounds and one smaller bag.

RWGPS FILES:  The ride leader will send an email containing a link to the RWGPS Event file approximately 1 month prior to the start of the tour. These BAC routes come with all the bells & whistles including turn by turn audio navigation, custom cues, etc. Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the free Starter version of the RWGPS app to receive the voice turn by turn directions.   Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the file provided.

WEATHER   We should have very pleasant temperatures during the day in October. Ocean swimming is a possibility at several locations. The average maximum daytime temperature in Evora is 72°F. The average minimum temperature goes down to around 56°F at night. Tavira is slightly warmer with an average high of 76 °F. However, fall rains start in October which has typically 10 - 12 days of rain totalling around 3 inches for the month. So, while temperatures will likely be mild to warm, we could easily get a few soaking wet days.

                               (Porto Covo)

ETIAS  Participants will need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The following data will be required for each ETIAS application: personal biometric data (e.g. name, gender, data of birth, etc.) passport or travel document information, and background questions on an applicant's health and criminal record. 95% of applicants will receive a decision within minutes of submission. If an ETIAS application is approved, it will be issued for a period of three years or the date of the applicant's passport expiry, whichever date is sooner.  The fee is €22 (appx. $25) and free for individuals over 70.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION.  The tour’s estimated cost is $4,525 plus the $150 BAC fee.  The cost is based on an exchange rate of $1.26 = €1. The final payment may be adjusted if the exchange rate varies significantly from that  the budgeted 1.26 .

The deposit of $ 2,000 plus the BAC registration fee is due within 7 days of signing up for the tour. The final payment of $ 2,525 is due on April 1st, 2027. As usual with all BAC tours, after the tour there will be a detailed reconciliation published and all unused funds will be refunded back to tour participants.

The price includes 16 nights of lodging (double occupancy) with full breakfast each day; 3 lunches, 5 group dinners  and 12 BAC social hours with wine, beer, soft drinks and where possible snacks ; roadside water , fruit , snacks , energy bars  on the van,  luggage transport & emergency sag support; RideWithGPS route files; gratuity for the outfitter; ride coordinator's tour cost, and a 3% contingency in the event of unanticipated expenses or emergencies. It does not include: lunches or meals other than as stated above, admissions, bike rental, airfare, or transport to the starting hotel or from the final hotel..

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY   Singles should try to find their own roommate prior to signing up but the ride coordinator is happy to help assist putting single roommates together. After payment of the tour deposit, a single without a roommate will be drawn into the ride and given a limited timeframe to find a roommate.   If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a refund of the tour deposit (minus the non-refundable $150 BAC ride fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $ 1195 Solo Supplement and stay on the tour as a Solo.  If the single finds a roommate, the solo supplement will be returned

Solo supplement payments are due June 1st, 2027, and may be made in one of two ways:

1.     By check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. Checks should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193; or 

2.     By Zelle. This is how to use Zelle for a solo supplement payment:  In your online bank account, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org, then Initiate a payment making sure to enter the tour name in the  Message block.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett (nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org ) 

NOTE: Only solo supplement payments may be paid via Zelle. All other tour payments must be made by credit card through the BAC website.

                            (Sagres Beach - 1km from hotel)

HEALTH & SAFETY.   Covid is still circulating therefore getting an up-to-date booster is strongly encouraged. We will invite participants to a Zoom meeting about 6 weeks prior to the tour start date to discuss health and safety on tour.  Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY  Riders ride at their own pace, not as a stay-together group, and must be able to navigate from a navigation device (e.g., Garmin, Wahoo, smartphone with RWGPS, etc.), or plan to navigate by cue sheet and map. Excellent GPS routes, cue sheets, and maps will be provided. Riders must be able to handle minor mechanical mishaps (e.g., flat tires, minor bike mechanical adjustments) and carry anything they’ll need during the day such as sufficient water, tool kit, spare tube, pump, lunch/snacks, rain jacket, etc.

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Coordinator. While on the ride, support your Ride Coordinator with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please keep the Ride Coordinator informed of any special request you might have and respect their decisions.

INSURANCE: Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.

CANCELLATION POLICY The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. 

If the cancelling participant cannot be replaced, the unreplaced rider will be responsible for their share of the tour per person cost. In addition, for any cancellations made less than 60 days before tour start (i.e.: after August 02, 2027), Sitnica’s cancellation penalty (for one less tour participant) will also apply:  

           60 – 46 days before departure 10%               (29/07 – 12/08)
           45 – 29 days before departure 30%               (13/08 – 29/08)
           28 – 15 days before departure 60%                (30/08 – 12/09)
           less than 15 days before departure 100%       (13/09 – arrival)

If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour  plus a precluded participant's share of the fixed costs.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

SIGN UP  To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the Pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the $1800 Tour Deposit and $150 BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with any questions may contact the Ride Coordinator by clicking the name at the top of this Ride Description or by emailing Mark Miller at inthegame72@hotmail.com.