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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
7 Apr 2024
13 Apr 2024

The N2 Donkey Week

$8,950
Lead Guide:

Manuel Cardoso

Often referred to as Portugal’s answer to Route 66, the Estrada Nacional 2 is the country’s most iconic road, winding its way the entire length of the country from the ancient city of Chaves to Faro, on the balmy southern coast of the Algarve.

Cutting right through the centre of this beautiful country, the N2 gives us a chance to explore a side of Portugal that is often ignored by visitors, who favor the coastal big cities and sunny beach resorts. We’ll pass through untouched mountain ranges, the stunning Douro Valley wine region, UNESCO World Heritage sites, spectacular lakes, and a host of historic villages and towns.

And you’ll be in the best of hands along the way because most of the inGamba team of soigneurs and mechanics call Portugal home. This special randonnée is an opportunity to share their intimate knowledge and discover one of the world’s most charming and unique destinations.

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:

Porto

FINISH LOCATION:

Faro

TOTAL ELEVATION:

10,211m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

754km

DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Montargil – Ferreira Do Alentejo,
Day 5 – 163km

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Tondela – Sertā
Day 3 – 2,080m

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

CHAVES – LAMEGO

Sunday | 100km & 1,897m

On the first day of our adventure, we will take on undulating terrain and a big climb from Vidago to the charming spa town of Sabroso de Aguiar, which is just under 7km long and has an average gradient of 3.2%. Throughout the day, we will encounter several more climbs as we travel along the edges of the Serra do Alvão mountains. The highest point of the ride will be around kilometer 49, just before Vilarinho de Samardã, followed by a long descent to Vila Real. Finally, we will face a 10km climb to Lamego, which will conclude our first day of adventure.
2

LAMEGO – AGUIEIRA

Monday | 125km & 1,779m

Suitably warmed up after our opening ride, day 2 is a little more challenging and opens with a big climb right out of the gate. Lasting 20km and gaining 952m in elevation, it brings us to the village of Bigorne, which at just under 1,000m above sea level is the highest point of the trip. That’s quickly followed by a 10km descent to Castro Daire, after which you’ll have 60km of rolling roads to look forward to before we arrive at our new base in the Aguieira Dam, with a couple of longer climbs thrown in for good measure.
3

AGUIEIRA – SERTA

Tuesday | 115km & 2,080m
There are a few short climbs peppered across the first half of the day, but the real business begins after 50km, around the town of Góis, where a 14km climb awaits us. At the summit we’ll have a little over 50km still to go, including a couple of long and technical descents on the kind of twisty, quiet roads that cycling dreams are made of.
4

SERTA – MONTARGIL

Wednesday | 106km & 1,256m

Leaving Sertã behind us, day 4 starts out with three climbs in quick succession, each a little harder than the last. The terrain around here isn’t very high, but don’t let the altitude fool you because this part of Portugal is anything but flat and with a total of 1,256m gain to get through, we’ll be going up and down all day as we cross the threshold into the Alentejo region, which literally translates to “Beyond-the-Tagus,” after the river that bisects Portugal and flows out to sea through its capital, Lisbon. This sparsely populated region is Portugal’s breadbasket and the landscape is a tapestry of oak trees, olive orchards and vineyards.
5

MONTARGIL – FERREIRA DO ALENTEJO

Thursday | 163km & 1,516m

The longest day of the trip is jam packed full of those Portugeuse rollers, so you can expect undulating terrain and leg-sapping little ramps from start to finish as we head deeper into Alentejo. This region produces almost half of all the wine made in Portugal, and in some neat synergy, it’s also the largest producer of cork in the world. Expect plenty of little historic towns and panoramic views across the unspoiled countryside before we arrive in the gorgeous town of Ferreira do Alentejo.
6

FERREIRA DO ALENTEJO – FARO

Friday | 149km & 1,619m
Rolling terrain for most of the ride on our final day, but be sure to keep plenty in the tank because there will be a series of tough little climbs after kilometer 84. The last climb of the day tops out at 580m – and promises a glorious descent to our finish line in Faro, on Portugal’s southernmost shore. We’ll end our ride right in the heart of the city, by the Faro Marina, overlooking the Gulf of Cádiz.
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

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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