Fresh grilled sea bass with herb butter, cataplana de mariscoa—a mixed seafood stew cooked in a sealed pot, bacalhau à brás—a shredded salted cod with eggs and potatoes, carapau grelhado—grilled mackerel, local figs with fresh soft cheese, chargrilled piri piri chicken, and warm custard tarts straight from the bakery.
Vinho Verde—a light, slightly sparkling green wine from northern Portugal, Alentejo reds from sun-baked vineyards, Medronho brandy by the fire, local Algarve beer, espresso from our La Marzocco, and evening drinks overlooking the Atlantic.
Portugal’s southern Algarve region means beaches and blue skies to most people. But for cyclists, it means something else entirely: coastal cliff roads, punchy inland climbs, and some of the most rewarding riding in Europe. This special women’s edition of our Algarve randonnée is your invitation to find out why.
Portugal runs deep in the inGamba DNA. Many of our guides, soigneurs, and mechanics call it home, and on this trip you’ll benefit from that insider knowledge at every turn. The Algarve is their backyard, and for one week, it’s yours too.
The riding here tells two stories. Along the coast, dramatic cliffs drop to the Atlantic, with rolling routes that keep the ocean in view. Head inland and the character shifts entirely: quieter roads, wilder terrain, and climbs that demand your full attention. The most iconic is Mount Fóia near Monchique, a 7.3 km ascent at an average gradient of 5.9% and a fixture of the Volta ao Algarve, the prestigious February race that draws the world’s best riders to these very roads each spring. You’ll have the chance to take on some of those same routes yourself.
Off the bike, the Algarve rewards just as generously. Whitewashed villages, Moorish architecture, golden beaches, and a food culture built around the sea: fresh clams, stuffed squid, xerém, oysters pulled straight from the estuary, and fruit so ripe it barely needs a plate. The first two nights are spent at Vila Galé Lagos, a beachfront retreat sitting directly on the sands of Meia Praia with sweeping Atlantic views, a world-class spa, and the kind of easy, coastal energy that makes the perfect introduction to the week. From Day 3 onward, the trip moves inland to the Viceroy at Ombria — a five-star resort nestled in the rolling hills north of Loulé, designed as a contemporary take on a traditional Portuguese village, with cobblestone plazas, five restaurants drawing on the best of Algarvian produce, and a full-service spa to take the edge off the bigger days in the saddle.
Borgolecchi is a destination in itself. Non-riding companions can enjoy a full programme of cultural experiences, relaxation, and Tuscan exploration while you’re on the bike.
Your host for the week is Katie Bolling — inGamba team member, passionate cyclist, and the driving force behind the Women’s Week programme. With over 35 trips and nearly 20 different itineraries under her belt, few people know the inGamba experience as well as Katie. She’s the one who’ll stop to photograph the group on a climb, arrive at the finish with cold beers, and make sure every single person feels at home from day one.
For cyclists who like to keep the legs turning without too much time out of the saddle. Expect gentle undulations, flowing roads, and a rhythm that lets you soak in the scenery as much as the ride.
Stay in the stunning locations that we know and love, and spent years finding.
The latest DOGMA F engineered for any road, equipped with the lightest electronic groupset available. E-bike option also available.
Every breakfast, lunch and dinner — from handmade pasta to Fiorentina steak grilled while you watch. Wine, espresso and aperitivi included.
We pick you up, we drop you off. Nothing to arrange, nothing to worry about.
High-tech performance meets luxury for the optimal riding experience with our Custom 36.5 kit.
Professional soigneurs with peloton experience ease sore muscles and prepare you for the next day.
Five mechanics work meticulously to ensure your Pinarello is race-ready every single morning of your trip.
Don't worry about chores whilst you're away, all cycling kit is cleaned overnight, so it’s fresh, dry and ready to go each morning.
Make use a beautiful day bag from Ideal & Co. Yours to keep after the trip.
Fill your pockets with fresh snacks, or make use of an entire Enervit collection.
The week starts here, and it starts gently. Lagos offers an easy first spin: coastal roads, quiet morning traffic, and enough short punchy climbs to wake the legs up without tiring them. Use the day to dial in the bike, settle into the group, and remind yourself that the Algarve sun is not decorative.
The Serra de Monchique rises sharply from the coastal plain and earns every meter. Cork oak and eucalyptus line the road as the gradient steadies into something sustained and honest, with views back toward the Atlantic opening up the higher you climb. At 1,320 meters of gain over 87 kilometers, this is the day that separates intentions from legs.
A day of transition, but not an easy one. The route cuts inland through the rolling terrain between the coast and the Algarve hills, climbing steadily as the sea drops behind you and the landscape turns drier and quieter. You arrive at Ombria having earned it.
Halfway through the week, and the legs get a day off. Technically. Alte is one of the most handsome villages in the Algarve — whitewashed walls, cobbled streets, and a terrace that justifies the detour entirely. The climbing is still real, but the pace is your own.
The biggest day of the trip, and it knows it. The Serra do Caldeirão is the most remote corner of the Algarve: no towns, no through traffic, just long exposed ridges and descents that demand your full attention. At 94 kilometers and nearly 1,730 meters of climbing, Cachopo is the kind of ride you'll still be talking about at dinner.
A proper send-off. The Malhao delivers 1,400 meters of climbing across 75 kilometers of road that feels earned after a week in these hills. The legs are tired in the best possible way, the route is familiar in all the right places, and the end is in sight — though not before the road has had its final say.
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.
Paulo began mountain biking at 16, and his love for the bike, road cycling, and the mechanics behind it all followed naturally. Almost a decade later, he took the leap into a career as a bicycle mechanic, all while continuing to race at gran fondos and amateur events. He joined inGamba in 2019 as a mechanic, and has since grown into one of our guides.
”"We're specifically trying to give our guests the closest experience of what it means to be in a pro team, at any speed."
With years of experience in the professional peloton, our mechanics and soigneurs bring WorldTour-level care to every detail of your ride. Up to five mechanics work meticulously each day to ensure your Pinarello is perfectly tuned and adjusted for you alone—not just race-ready, but dialed to your precise preferences. Meanwhile, our soigneurs draw on their own experience as professional riders to anticipate your needs before you voice them: bottles filled and positioned exactly right, ride food prepared and timed to fuel you through the hardest climbs, post-ride massages that ease tired muscles, and the kind of quiet, confident support that prepares you mentally and physically for whatever the road brings next. This is the care that once belonged only to the pros. With inGamba, it’s yours.
”Everything was first class. The team took excellent care of us, and the bikes were in perfect condition. I also liked the roads we travelled, views were stunning, rides were the right amount of “challenging”, and the encouragement from the guides was really great.
Betty I.Guest in 2025
”"The whole experience is magical. The rides are stunning. The care and attention to detail is first class. The massages are a lifesaver."
Lyn K.Guest in 2018, 2019 & 2023
”"The best in the industry. A once in a lifetime experience every time! The people that make inGamba are the reason you will want to travel with them again and again."
Victoria P.Guest in 2024
Single Supplement: $1,200 per person · Private Trips: Available on request for groups of 6+
Guests of inGamba are passionate cyclists who love the sport and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Most of our community are experienced riders of all ages and various abilities, who appreciate great roads, fine food, and unforgettable company.
While everyone enjoys a challenge, no one’s chasing a pro contract here. Instead, the focus is on sharing incredible rides at a comfortable pace, soaking in the scenery, and enjoying the journey. You’ll find more “middle of the pack” and “social” riders than hard chargers at the front, and with our exceptional staff-to-guest ratio, every rider is fully supported, no matter their speed or style.
Fly to: Faro Airport
Pick-up: Faro Airport 10am
Drop-off: Faro Airport, hotel departure 8:30am
We recommend arriving the night before. Our concierge can help with hotel recommendations.
Gratuities are customary if you feel the staff delivered an exceptional experience. Most guests find 10-20% of the trip cost appropriate. All tips are split evenly among the entire team, as it’s often those behind the scenes who make each week truly special.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your booking. View our cancellation policy →
Need to change dates? Contact us as early as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Browse our extensive Journal, featuring world-class writers and photographers and a host of great content about food, wine, cycling, and so much more.
The Faces of inGamba: Karina Maher and Michael Kovac Return to the Ride
Viva Portugal!
Women Who Ride: Kate Veronneau, Katie Boling & the Rise of inGamba Women’s Weeks
The Perfect Springtime Pasta Recipe—Courtesy of inGamba Chef Tomi Morgade
Viva Portugal!
