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Exploring Inland Portugal on the Ecovia 11

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Waiting for the CP train from Porto to Fungalvaz. A ragged man gave us advice on which platform to stand on, before he completely disappeared from the train station. Slightly tinted windows bathe sepia light in the train carriage. They’re not too busy, carriages populated by silent unnamed NPC characters in a video game. Trains were always on time and the guards helpful. It’s a relaxing way to get around here. Chlo dropped her bike off the train onto the platform and punctured immediately on the platform edge.

We cycled from Fungalvaz to the first campsite of this leg: camping redondo (English). On the way went through Tomar. Great roads, viaduct, satsumas.

Day 2 and we were properly into the riding. It felt great to be away from the coast, away from the city. Descending dodging a storm, over Albufeira de Castelo do Bode. We took the N2 as far as Vila de reí – expecting a legendary cycle route but finding a grim dual carriageway. Truck horns blared us off the road. Sidestepped our way to Abrantes with low hopes for the campsite, we thought it was just a play park. Parque Tejo turned out great – a science park cum architectural campsite. We had kebab dinner. Tried to eat at a good lookin’ chicken place but it was closed.

The following morning I ran to the top of the highest hill I could see. Chlo had a lie in. Set our course for Montargil vía last night’s closed piri piri Chicken place, sat down by a main road and lunched in the best chicken we’ve ever had. Planned a ‘mostly’ off road route, but couldn’t take a few of the paths due to artillery, also unsure of the hunting rules. Discovered acres of cork and olive forests. Tapped it out on road, long day and we felt the first chill of cold. Arrived to empty campsite.

Morning. Headed up hill into Montargil village and made breakfast of eggs and fruit whilst sat in an unfinished sports ground. Coffee and toilet paper issues. Soon up onto sandy trails and we were riding off road for the whole day, perfect riding and great conditions. Our happy place. Big dog and wild boar prints.

Here we picked up the Ecovia11 cycle trail. It’s an off-road cycle route between Lisboa and Badajoz. The trail is a network of double track used for farming and hunting, mostly sand over hard pack but with some sections of grass. It’s badly way marked so some GPS is recommended. We didn’t see another cyclist or walker for the entire time we followed it. Bikes with 35mm+ tyres are OK. We started in lovely Coruche, enjoying the winding trail and cork/olive/rice agriculture.

Our journey on the Ecovia11 took us to Herdade do Moinho Novo, a fancy farm stay with an animal rescue. Splashed out on a highly disappointing massage.

Our final stop before Lisboa was Joao’s place. An odd arrangement of furnishings and animals, but charming and incredibly relaxing bar the perpetual cockerel. From here it was a short ride to Lisbon via a ferry.

The end of the first leg, Lisboa and Sintra

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The dreamy Ecovia11 cycle trail safely delivered us to Belém, our landing for a few days of explorations in Lisboa before heading back to the UK.

Starting in Belém we made a B-line to Pasteis de Belém. Famous for inventing the ubiquitous Pastel de Nata pastry, this monastery café had been on our gastronomy must-eat for ages. Finally we tasted the delicious nata here. They’re really good, and quite different to any of the others we ate – the pastry is much crispier and a little thinner, almost cracker like – but they were not the best that we had on our trip.

Into Lisbon and we had to find some bike boxes to pack our bikes for the plane. In the UK this would be easy – you’re doing the bike shop a favour if you take any cardboard off their hands. In Lisbon it’s a different story. Shops will gladly sell you a box, sometimes at €30 a box! Ludicrous. We just couldn’t find anywhere that would hand them over, but we did find a good bike shop that packed bikes in boxes for €20 each – fair enough. Biclas did an awesome job of packing our Bokehs in next day timing, too.

In Lisbon we did our usual – find awesome sandwiches, eat more cheap and tasty food, walk a lot. The food in Lisbon is pretty awesome, but the Bifana was something else. We loved the Pastel de Nata from Manteigaria.

One day we explored some of Sintra because it was so easy to get the direct train from Lisbon, and it looked pretty magical. There’s not much to say about Sintra that hasn’t already been said – lots of tourists etc., but still marvellous for a day trip. We loved the chalet with its cork and bark ornamentation.

4 days was enough for us to decompress from life on the road and to get ready for a bittersweet journey back home.

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A tough week

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Week 3 of our adventure and we explore the Basque country.

This week we look back on what has been a pretty tough week, although if you look at the videos, it’s hard to tell. Just shows how easy it is to not see the whole picture online! There were definitely some amazing moments though, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Watch as we cycle up, up, up and cruise on down, through the Basque hills and mountains.