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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
5 May 2024
11 May 2024

AZORES WITH SPENCER FLEISCHER

$8,950
Lead Guide:

Manuel Cardoso

Marooned 1,360km west of the Portuguese coast and 1,925km southeast of Newfoundland, Canada, the archipelago of Açores shelters a world of lush subtropical gorges, dazzling crater lakes and towering volcanic ridges, adrift in the crashing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Tales of pirate attacks and mythical princesses are interwoven in the folklore of the islands, but the stories of visiting cyclists are only just beginning to be written. Revered as ‘the Hawaii of the Atlantic’ for its lavish beauty, the Azores is a cluster of nine volcanic islands that exists as an autonomous region of Portugal.

But the Azores isn’t a destination where cyclists come to retrace the training rides of pro cyclists – it’s a spectacular island arena that beckons you to uncover new adventures of your own. To cycle around its shipwreck-riddled coastline and jagged crater ridges feels like exploring a forgotten island paradise.

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

MANUEL CARDOSO

The Quiet Crusher

Manuel Cardoso is no longer sitting on the front of the pack, pulling everyone along at what some would describe as a “brisk” pace and what others are unable to describe at all, because they’re too busy gasping for breath and holding onto the wheel in front of them for dear life. Manuel is now sitting just slightly off the back of the pack. As I look back, I realize he has that look on his face. The look which struck fear in the hearts of the Pro Peleton for many years. The look which is part grin, part mischievous child and all business. He is about to start some shenanigans. Sure enough, just a few kilometers later and Manuel has picked one lucky contestant out of the pack and they are sitting-in, waiting, like predators, for the perfect moment. For Manuel, just like when he raced pro, this is when the road turns slightly up, a spot in the road where it gets tough for everyone. And he accelerates with his breakaway “partner” in tow. It is something to see. He ramps it up to a speed with which no one can latch onto the back and with such precision you have to question whether or not you actually want to try and close the gap he has created. And you can’t see it, but you just know, he is grinning from ear-to-ear.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:
Ponta Delgada
FINISH LOCATION:
Ponta Delgada
TOTAL ELEVATION:
8,218m
TOTAL DISTANCE:
408km
DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Day 3 – 87km
Furnas — Nordeste

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 2 – 2,185m
Furnas — Lagoa do Fogo

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

FURNAS TEST RIDE

Sunday | 26km & 587m

Our first ride is an easy spin to shake off the cobwebs, but it’s also very pretty, heading south and west along the Furnas Valley. Here we are going to pass by two active volcanic sites to see the boiling caldeiras in action, as well as the gorgeous Terra Nostra Park, multiple hot spring pools for soaking and swimming, and the stunning Furnas Lake. 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.

2

FURNAS — LAGOA DO FOGO

Monday | 82km & 2,185m

This route takes us north towards Miradouro de Santa Iria with its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. But the highlight of this ride is the climb and views of Lagoa do Fogo, a lake sitting in a crater of a dormant volcano that formed about 15,000 years ago. The green of the volcanic walls filled with lush vegetation contrasts with the clear blue water of the lake, making it one of the most beautiful places in the Azores undoubtedly.
3

FURNAS — NORDESTE

Tuesday | 87km & 1,757m
Shy of 90 kilometers, this ride should test your stamina and reward your efforts with stunning countryside and plenty of quiet roads. Today, we ride northeast in a loop that circles Pico da Vara, the highest peak in São Miguel. Expect viewpoints with great views over the lush green scenery and spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean.
4

FURNAS — CANDELARIA

Wednesday | 57km & 1,108m
This point-to-point ride will take us to our new home in the Açores. We ride along the coast and almost the full length of the island of São Miguel until we reach Calheta. On the way, we are going to spot Vila Franca do Campo, a small volcano islet with a circular crater, and Ponta Delgada, São Miguel’s picturesque capital. Ponta Delgada was elevated to the status of city in 1546, after the first capital of the island — Vila Franca do Campo — was devastated by a terrible earthquake in 1522.
5

VISTA DO REI LOOP

Thursday | 82km & 1,255m

This loop takes us west towards our only climb of the day, Miradouro Vista do Rei. Miradouro Da Vista Do Rei translates to “Viewpoint of the View of the King”. The spot got its name from King D. Carlos I and Queen D. Amelia, who visited the area on July 6, 1901. As we climb, you are going to start seeing the two multi-colored lakes down below, with the town of Sete Cidades off to the side. Surrounding the lakes and the town is the lush green crater rim.
6

SETE CIDADES LOOP

Friday | 71km & 1,326m

During our last ride, we headed south and then west, and eventually made our way up to Pico do Carvão, which is the highest point of the day. The most challenging and breathtaking part of the ride was yet to come, so we conserved our energy for later. On our way back home, we make our way up to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, which is one of the seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, and also the largest natural fresh water reservoir in the Azores. The lake is divided into two lagoons – Green Lake (Lagoa Verde) and Blue Lake (Lagoa Azul), which are connected by a shallow channel. The difference in the color of these two lagoons is due to the way light reflects off each of them. According to legend, the two lakes were formed from the tears of a blue-eyed shepherd and a green-eyed princess who shared a forbidden love. A low bridge crosses the channel on the main road.
7

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.

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

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