The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Azores Bike & Hike: Climbs and Trails of São Miguel

July 2nd to July 11th

Ride Coordinator: Rick Hill
Report by: Carol Anderson

The word of the day, everyday, was WOW!  Our circumnavigation of Sao Miguel Island, one in a cluster of mid-Atlantic ocean islands known as the Azores, was -- WOW. 

We met in the seaside village of Agua do Alto, just east of Ponta Delgada, and biked and hiked our way around the island counterclockwise until we returned to Ponta Delgada. 

We began with a shake down ride that included a 5-mile hike half way through the ride.  The hike went into the hills and included negotiating tunnels with our headlamps. 

The next day started with a short boat ride to Ilheu de Vila Franca just off the coast.  This tiny island has a beautiful atoll in the center where many of our group took quick swim.  Then we began the tour’s serious climbing.  Up and over, we descended to and spent the next 3 nights in Furnas located within a volcanic complex of the Furnas crater.  On the first full day in Furnas we did an epic ride to the eastern most region of the island.  It was a beautiful ride but challenging.  The next day we did a hike to the rim of the Furnas caldera.  This hike was more strenuous than the first but we were rewarded with amazing views and finished with a picnic.

We moved on to Ribeira Seca on the north coast where we spent the next 2 nights.  Many did the optional climb, an additional 2,300 feet in 6 miles, to the Lagoa do Fogo overlook.   The next day offered us the most challenging hike yet.  Hiking along the coast meant several climbs and descents to and from the coast.  A picnic lunch was our reward at the end of the hike.

Our last biking day was another epic day consisting of a climb to the rim of the Sete Ciadade crater.  With the option of riding or hiking on the dirt road along the rim of the crater, we had plenty of time to admire the enormous crater on our way to the Vista do Rei (the main overlook). One last picnic lunch was provided along rim.  After just a bit more climbing, we descended for 12 miles to our hotel in Ponta Delgada.

Our last day of the tour offered a variety of activities.  Some people went on a whale watch, some went on a hike, some packed their bikes, and some took the day to explore Ponta Delgada.  The farewell dinner was a surprise.  We were taken by bus to a farm that specializes in breeding pure blood Lusitano horses.  We had a tour of the stables and a short history lesson regarding the breeding of these regal horses.  After a great dinner we were treated to a dressage demonstration by the owner’s sons and their horses.

Lodging on the tour was fantastic – top rated hotels with excellent amenities and great food.  The maps, cue sheets and GPS tracks were accurate and easily followed.  Group meals were excellent including one in a restaurant on the shore specializing in seafood; one prepared in a cozido (food cooked underground in the thermal hot springs) followed by a traditional folk dance demonstration; and, of course, the final meal at the horse farm.

Easy Rider Tours staff coordinated closely with Rick Hill to provide great support such as water and snacks, several picnic lunches and mechanical support.  Snacks were often a local treat such as fresh queijadas (a custard pastry), fresh pineapple, mango, and the best fresh oranges.  The picnics always included a variety of local cheeses, bolo levedo (a local sweet bread), tuna, a selection of salads and oreo cookies.  And once we even had ice cream!

Road conditions?  Generally excellent with the exception of short sections of cobblestone streets. Traffic?  Not a problem.  Drivers were extremely patient and courteous.  Grades?  The ride description was spot on:  “this is a hilly tour and there are occasional steep climbs that exceed 8%”.  Yet everyone was up for the challenge and everyone did every mandatory climb without use of the support vehicle.  Our reward was spectacular views of the coast, volcano calderas, and some incredible descents.  And if we started to rue the day, there were huge, fully blooming hydrangeas everywhere that put a smile back on our faces.

Thanks to Rick Hill and Easy Rider Tours.  This trip is worthy of a rerun in the future.