Cycling in the Algarve

bedirect

I am supposed to be going to the Algarve for 5 days in November Has anybody
hired a road bike there, What are the roads like, should I bring my pedals-shoes

C3PO

I was in Quinta do Lago in June and hired a road bike for 4 days from a company called Megasport. They delivered and collected which was handy but it took them 3 attempts to deliver the ordered spec/size! I also thought it was very expensive @ approx €40 a day!
The roads around the area were in really poor condition and the Portugese drivers seem to think it is obligatory to drive within inches of cyclists! I really felt I was taking my like in my hands every time I went out (and I regularly ride on the N11!!)! If we return next year I'll probably bring my own bike and do some research into better routes for quiter/safer roads.
As an aside - if you are renting a bike I would suggest bringing your own pedals .... I never knew there were so many variables on Look pedals!!

sham2

Not road cycling but I went mountain biking back in May. I hired bikes twice from two different places. One was OK if a little battered, the other was shocking. Part of the routes I used were on roads going from one off road area to another along the coast from Lagos to Praia da Luz. I was with a guide for one from the UK. I thought the roads were in general mixed condition. But i was on an MTB so it didn't bother me. Think Kerry secondary roads with out the rain. Dusty. Smooth in places but maintenance questionable. I didn't think cars were a problem. Didn't see many. My guide said MTB was still a niche sport in the Algarve. Bikes are too expensive for them although I saw a few roadies and off-roadies in full gear and new bikes.

on_the_nickel

I went in May and rented a bike from some place in Tavira. Think it was €57 for 5 days, delivered!

The bike was old and too small for me, which is the danger with renting via email, but it was functional and groupset was fine. If I wasn't travelling with the 2 kids, I'd definitely have brought my own.

Having said that, I enjoyed the few spins I managed to fit in (did I mention I was with the kids?). The roads were fine, found a few quiet routes and some climbs and found the cars gave me more space than back home.

Climbed this http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Cerro-de-S%E3o-Miguel&qryMountainID=11960 on the last day before leaving. Would love to go back and do some longer routes.

langdang

Spotted a couple of places that looked like they would have decent bikes. One might have been megasport, not sure. Both were on the road between Albufeira and Almancil, somewhere near vilamoura. That road seemed at least as good as any Irish road. Saw a good few roadies out early on the day. But there are other smaller roads that you'd be glad of full suspension on.

Roadrat

Depends on what part of Algarve youre going. Faro-Tavira-Vila Real and Eastern Algarve are very good for MTBs. More roadbiking done over west (Loule etc.) but low standard of shops. Check out good Specialized shop in Faro with nice but expensive gear. I am presently in Cabanas for 9 days and although I took my roadbike with me , I've been bitten by the MTB bug and am having the time of my life. Also check out Algarvcycles in Olhao - lovely BMC gear and one of the owners rides pro for Tavira-Prio team (-called Nelson).Ciao and enjoy Nov.

bedirect

Thanks everybody,I have got a reply from a bike shop, 46 euro to rent a road bike for 3 days, i will let you know how it goes

volcanicash

any roads north of the A22 will be nice and quiet, with plenty of hills. stay off the N125, which is the old main road across the Algarve. Its lethal.

As on_the_nickel suggested, the sao miguel mountain is nice. you can cycle all the way to the telecom mast on the top for great views. Can be combined with Pego de inferno which is 20km away

07Lapierre

If your flying Ryanair, bring your own bike. €80 (€40 each way).

bedirect

got there and rented a road bike aluminium from megasport.pt, 3 days hire was 50 euro for aluminium or 100 euros for carbon. Good website they show you routes on their blog spot, megasportalgarveuk.blogspot.com. delivered the bike the evening before + collected it no problem, they took a swipe of my credit card as insurance. There is the A22 the motorway, the 125 is a secondary road but you can travel along the coast no problem on good roads.

coastwatch

Thanks for posting the info, looks like a good option for a short (warm) winter break

Rent a Bike in Algarve

Hello,

We calls Casa Abilio Bike and we are in Tavira, Algarve.
We also rent different kind of Bikes: btt, road Bikes, Cyclism and with the insurance accident included.

If you need more information about the prices and services that we have, just let me know for: info@abiliobikes.com

Thanks a Lot and enjoy