Cycling in Albefueira

skerry

Heading off to the Algarve next week, staying a few km's outside Albefueira. Just wondering if any folks here have been out that way and rented bikes. Not sure what it's like for cycling over there terrain wise, but if anyone has been out that way and has advice regarding rentals shops and/ or routes that would be super. Hoping a get a few early morning spins in while the missus is sitting on her arse by the pool.

cipo

Search cycling in algarve here.. There are a few threads already.

if you can do the climb to monchique & foia do it.. It's lovely.

Get out early.. I was just there last week & it's hot...

skerry

cipo wrote: »

Search cycling in algarve here.. There are a few threads already.

if you can do the climb to monchique & foia do it.. It's lovely.

Get out early.. I was just there last week & it's hot...

Cheers, had searched for cycling threads for Albefueira but didn't search Algarve. Had a gander there and think the place I'm staying is about 20 mins West of Albefieira so looks like it might be about an hour away from Monchique.

lennymc

i couldnt find any bike rental places when i was there. it was christmas and i didnt look really hard. Looks to be some nice roads and hills.

Nwm2

skerry wrote: »

Heading off to the Algarve next week, staying a few km's outside Albefueira. Just wondering if any folks here have been out that way and rented bikes. Not sure what it's like for cycling over there terrain wise, but if anyone has been out that way and has advice regarding rentals shops and/ or routes that would be super. Hoping a get a few early morning spins in while the missus is sitting on her arse by the pool.

Get your bike from Tomás at Swiftmomentumsports.com. English guy, ex pro. Cheap. Will make up routes for you for a tenner.

My daily route was Portimao-Montchique-Foia or Silves-Montchique-Foia, challenging route, safe roads.

skerry

Nwm2 wrote: »

Get your bike from Tomás at Swiftmomentumsports.com. English guy, ex pro. Cheap. Will make up routes for you for a tenner.

My daily route was Portimao-Montchique-Foia or Silves-Montchique-Foia, challenging route, safe roads.

Cheers, seems he's about 20 mins drive away from where I am so might be a goer. Will drop him a mail today.

I was thinking, apart from bibs and jersey etc, to bring pedals and my own shoes. I presume these places have helmets, thinking it might be a bit bulky packing my own one.

Nwm2

skerry wrote: »

Cheers, seems he's about 20 mins drive away from where I am so might be a goer. Will drop him a mail today.

I was thinking, apart from bibs and jersey etc, to bring pedals and my own shoes. I presume these places have helmets, thinking it might be a bit bulky packing my own one.

He will deliver the bike to you.

I brought one bibshorts and one jersey. Wash them every day - by hand if necessary (get some €1 hand washing powder) hang them out to dry and they're done for next morning.

I brought my own helmet. Light and not too bulky as you can fill them up with clothes etc. Bring your pedals and shoes. Ryanair allow you a second small carry on bag too, so that helps.

C3PO

Highly recommend these guys - http://www.lisabikes.com/en/pages/rent-a-bike.html They'll deliver and will arrive exactly when they say they will (or at least they did for me in June!). Specialized Tarmacs and Roubaixs.

Great cycling once you get inland of the N125 which is a nightmare!

caadmium

+1 on Monchique. Great climb through with beautiful views. I can't post a url so here's a partial link to a Monchique loop from Silves: ridewithgps.com/routes/2288877. Some nice descending on this too although look out for rocks on the road. I drove to Silves and parked up the car but if you have more time this is doable as a nice 160k ish route from Albufeira too.

skerry

Cheer's folks, all sounds promising.

I've emailed the two sites suggested and so far Lisabikes have replied and said they can plan routes for me around where I'm staying. They also rent helmets so might save packing that too, just bring shoes and I'll be good to go apparently.

Over for 9 days so if I got two or 3 cheeky spins in while over there I wouldn't be doing too bad at all. Monchique looks a nice route, but about an hour ride away from my hotel to get on that loop so might be a bit far in that heat.

skerry

C3PO wrote: »

Highly recommend these guys - http://www.lisabikes.com/en/pages/rent-a-bike.html They'll deliver and will arrive exactly when they say they will (or at least they did for me in June!). Specialized Tarmacs and Roubaixs.

Great cycling once you get inland of the N125 which is a nightmare!

Are the roads OK for cycling safety wise (apart from getting across N125) ??

cipo

skerry wrote: »

Are the roads OK for cycling safety wise (apart from getting across N125) ??

Pretty much yeah. N125 & motorway (obviously) is busy all the rest are fine.

bedirect

yes this is a good area, most car hire places hire bikes, 50 euros for 3 days for an entry level road bike, they have back up numbers etc, all you need is your pedals. Go inland to Silves, its about 30 Km from Albuferia, also take the coast road to Amacado De Pera its about 10 Km from Albuferia

C3PO

skerry wrote: »

Are the roads OK for cycling safety wise (apart from getting across N125) ??

The roads (and drivers) around the coastal "touristy" areas are a bit rough in places but once you head inland everything improves dramatically! You can do nice big loops up in the hills on fairly well paved and very quiet roads. An Algarve road map from a petrol station is a worthwhile investment.