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”The roads are succulent and bountiful, and the food and wine leave you breathless. The Pinarello bikes are to the highest standard of the purest gourmand. The personalities are rich and bold, yet full of subtle surprises. All is to be savored—and devoured.
Bill StricklandBicycling Magazine

29 Sep 2024

5 Oct 2024

Northern Portugal

$8,950

Lead Guide:

Sérgio Paulinho

Book Now EXPRESS INTEREST

On this week-long, point-to-point odyssey we’ll explore Portugal, from the sea to the mountains and from the mountains to the valleys, all from the vantage point of your saddle — and the dinner table, of course, because this is inGamba.

Starting in Porto, you’ll head north, turning skyward and into the mountains where the real riding begins in the Serra da Estrella National Park, which boasts the highest roads in the country and some truly spectacular views. Then, you’ll find your way to the unforgettable Douro Valley, with every inch of its steep hills wrapped in precious vineyards, for some well-deserved wine tasting before finishing in the enchanting city of Porto.

This trip will reveal Portugal’s unique landscape and culture, staying in a hand-picked selection of unique and charming properties along the way, taking you right to the heart of what we think is European cycling’s best-kept secret. Expect quiet roads and hours of fun on rolling roads through beautiful countryside.

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Check out the video for a taste of what’s in store!

Included With Trip:

All lodging*†
All food and beverages**
Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
Daily Bike Wash
Custom Castelli × inGamba cycling kit
Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
Laundry service for cycling clothing

*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
†Flights are not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges

MEET THE GUIDES

Sérgio Paulinho

The World Tour veteran

After an impressive pro career that started back in 2003, Sérgio Paulinho joined the inGamba team at the start of 2022 after his retirement. But we’ve known him for a long time, as not only did he race against our founder João Correia, but he was also a teammate of our star guide Manuel Cardoso back in the day. A two-time national champion in Portugal, Sérgio has also won stages at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, and in 2004, he won a silver medal in the road race at the Athens Olympics. So it’s fair to say the man has pedigree! It isn’t the racing victories that impress us most about Sérgio though, it’s his personality, his friendly nature on and off the bike, and the fact that he’s always ready with a smile. That said, if you find yourself running out of gas on a big climb, it certainly helps to have someone like him beside you!

Paulo Crispim

Paulo began mountain biking at the early age of 16, and soon his love for bicycles, road cycling, and mechanics were there. Almost a decade later, he decided to take the risk and become a bicycle mechanic, but he never stopped participating in granfondos and amateur races. He joined inGamba as a mechanic in 2019 and now he is also one of our guides.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

Porto

FINISH LOCATION:

Porto

TOTAL ELEVATION:

8,341m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

478km

DAYS RIDING:

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Day 6. Peso da Régua – Porto. 113km

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 2. Unhais da Serra – Penhas Douradas. 2,357m

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DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

Unhais da Serra - Tortosendo Loop

Sunday | 46km & 694m

Bem-vindo a Portugal! Our first ride is an easy spin to shake off the cobwebs, but it’s also very pretty, in the northern part of Portugal. This is the time to make sure everything with your bike is perfect – if something’s not quite right, let a mechanic or a guide know and we’ll be sure to fix it before the tough riding begins.

UNHAIS DA SERRA — PENHAS DOURADAS

Monday | 81km & 2,357m

Today we climb into the foothills of the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain chain. From there our picturesque ride will take us through the towns of Unhais da Serra and Seia before the ascent to Penhas Douradas – a “Hors catégorie” climb of 20km with about 1,000 meters of elevation gain. After a tough day on the bike, we will be welcomed into the peaceful surroundings of the national park of Serra da Estrela.

PENHAS DOURADAS – MARIALVA

Tuesday | 89km & 1,181m

Today we will go deep into the part of Portugal known as Beira Alta and near the birth town of João’s father, Sarzeda. We will start by riding down the glorious descent from the Serra da Estrela National Park and finish in the town of Marialva, a picturesque walled village that Literature Novel Prize novelist José Saramago describes as “…this complex of ruined buildings, and the mystery that unites them, the present memory of all those who lived here, that suddenly moves the traveler, brings a lump to his throat and tears to his eyes.”

MARIALVA LOOP

Wednesday | 61km & 1,075m

The historic village of Marialva was once a strategically important border fort, but these days it’s better known as charming medieval granite cottages and the imposing castle. This hilly route explores the peaceful countryside of the Beira region, passing through several quaint little towns along the way.

MARIALVA – PESO DA RÉGUA

Thursday | 89km & 1,080m

Today we ride towards Portugal’s most enchanting slices—the Douro Valley. This region is composed of mountains undulated into the distance, precipitous slopes, and mesmerizing patchwork of reds, greens, grays, and browns. And at the base of those slopes: the Douro River, the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula, which zig-zags as it twists into and out of the view. The first 50km of this route is on rolling terrain with a few easy climbs, while the last 30km follows the banks of the river into the town of Cambres.

PESO DA RÉGUA – PORTO

Friday | 113km & 1,953m

The climbing starts right away on this route, as we leave Peso da Régua behind and head for Porto. With more than 1,800 meters in elevation gain throughout the day, it won’t be an easy ride, but the stunning panoramas as we wind along the Douro River will more than repay your efforts. The gradients will get easier in the second half of the ride as we get closer to Portugal’s second city, where we’ll end our adventure in style.

DEPARTURE

Saturday

This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

STAYING LONGER?

Adventure Continues…
Do you plan to come a few days early, or stay on after your inGamba adventure has ended? Our concierge can help you plan with a carefully curated selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and guides. All of our recommendations have been hand-picked by a team of local experts, so you can spend more time enjoying all that this destination has to offer.

PINARELLO DOGMA F

Seven of the last 11 Tours de France have been conquered on a DOGMA, and the latest generation is now ready to continue that legacy of success. Whatever the road throws at you, the DOGMA F is always the right bike.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Pinarello Dogma F

COCKPIT:

ZIPP Service Course SL

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

SRAM RED eTap AXS

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Corsa Team

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1030

COLOUR:

InGamba Red

PINARELLO NYTRO GRAVEL

The NYTRO GRAVEL has a pure road racer DNA which upon launch marked an era in the E-BIKE/GRAVEL world. Featuring an iconic design, the Nytro Gravel is perfect for anyone looking for a road bike with powerful support for the toughest climbs.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Nytro Gravel E-Bike
(available for an additional fee)

COCKPIT:

ZIPP Service Course SL

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

SRAM RED eTap AXS

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Corsa Team

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1030

COLOUR:

Saturn Silver

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Next Post

Northern Portugal

Sérgio Paulinho

MEET THE GUIDES

Sérgio Paulinho

The World Tour veteran

Paulo Crispim

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

FINISH LOCATION:

TOTAL ELEVATION:

TOTAL DISTANCE:

DAYS RIDING:

GROUP SIZE:

LONGEST DAY:

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

Unhais da Serra - Tortosendo Loop

UNHAIS DA SERRA — PENHAS DOURADAS

PENHAS DOURADAS – MARIALVA

MARIALVA LOOP

MARIALVA – PESO DA RÉGUA

PESO DA RÉGUA – PORTO

DEPARTURE

STAYING LONGER?

PINARELLO DOGMA F

WHEELSET:

FRAMESET:

COCKPIT:

TIRES:

GRUPPO:

BOTTLE CAGES:

PEDALS:

BIDON:

SADDLE:

COMPUTER:

COLOUR:

PINARELLO NYTRO GRAVEL

WHEELSET:

FRAMESET:

COCKPIT:

TIRES:

GRUPPO:

BOTTLE CAGES:

PEDALS:

BIDON:

SADDLE:

COMPUTER:

COLOUR:

Portugal Articles

Why the Alentejo region is your next wine adventure

Why you need to visit the Azores with inGamba

MEET SÉRGIO PAULINHO, INGAMBA’S WORLDTOUR VETERAN

Secret Sardinia with the Summerhill Riders and CCC

Eat up the miles, Drink in the culture.

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Eat up the miles, Drink in the culture.

Head Office

Get In Touch

Eat up the miles,
Drink in the culture.

Eat up the miles,
Drink in the culture.