Sep 14
We landed around 2pm local time, rode the “moving stairs” (big highlight), collected our bike boxes and put together 2 bikes and 1 trailer with a tired toddler and 2 tired adults. It was a lowlight for sure but we made it. Once we were ready to ride we stopped multiple times for food and bathroom breaks THEN hit the road.
These first few days (or however long it takes us) we are following the Euro Velo 1 to get to the trailhead of the European Divide Trail (EDT) – about 150km. This takes us along mostly coast and little towns in Southern Portugal.
The Euro Velo 1 route went right by the airport so we were on a cycling route almost immediately, some separated bike route (mix of paved, gravel and trail or questionable single track next to golf courses), some sharing the road. We meandered along just off the coast from Faro Intl Airport to Quarteira. We passed a good looking beach along the way and stopped for me to have a swim. Axel is afraid of the waves but very stoked on playing in the sand!
We carried on into town and found an outdoor store for camping fuel and a little Italian place for dinner. Lobster canneloni and a salad and a beer and bellini. Route finding was a bit tricky so we did a few u-turns but found our “destination” for the night – a park near the beach between towns, a bit near a road and a bit near 2 nightclubs… But we made it work. We listened to the waves crash all night (and some bumping music at times). The moon is almost full and very bright and beautiful over the ocean.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12422670680
Bellini, good choice
How exciting. I love the the assembly station. You must have been just itching to get moving after that flight. what a gorgeous first day.