Fresh grilled sea bass with herb butter, cataplana de marisco, bacalhau à brás, local figs with queijo fresco, perceves, chargrilled piri piri chicken, pastéis de nata warm from the bakery.
Vinho Verde from the Minho, Alentejo reds from sun-baked vineyards, Medronho brandy by the fire, local craft beer from Sagres, espresso from our La Marzocca, and nightly sundowners with the Atlantic at your feet.
The Algarve 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. Evenings are spent at some of the region’s finest properties, including the beachfront Porto Covo Praia Hotel, the peaceful Praia do Canal Nature Retreat, and the mountaintop Pure Monchique Hotel.
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.
Pick-up from Porta Romana (10:30) or Florence Airport (11:00). Drop-off arranged on departure day at 8:30am.
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.
Our journey starts in Porto Covo, considered one of the most beautiful areas in Portugal. Porto Covo is situated on the Alentejo Coast, a little over two hours south of Lisbon. It is a stunning countryside area, surrounded by the ocean, sand dunes, and pine forests. This is a gentle ride to shake off any cobwebs and ensure that everything is to your liking on your Pinarello. If something isn’t quite right, now is the time to talk to the mechanic.
On our second day, we will ride inside the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo, an area sandwiched between the wild hills and the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Along the way, there are little villages and farms stretching out in every direction, criss-crossed by empty, undulating roads. Aside from the occasional tractor, we can expect to have the road to ourselves all day.
Aljezur is a small town on the Vicentine coast with houses typical of the Algarve’s rural architecture, where colored window openings and platbands enhance the white façades. The winding, narrow streets of the town transport the visitor to the distant times of the Arab medina.
Today, our ride takes us to Sagres. This charming, narrow village boasts breathtaking views of the Algarve’s stunning landscape and a sense of being at the edge of the world. Its rugged cliffs, standing tall above the churning sea, are adorned with historic fortresses that highlight Portugal’s impressive maritime heritage. Sagres is a unique sanctuary where white storks choose to build their nests on the sheer cliff faces.
Today we tackle one of the most legendary climbs of the Volta ao Algarve. The Mount Fóia climb, nestled near Monchique, is a staple of the race and the most renowned climb in the region. Spanning 7.3km with an average gradient of 5.9%, it may not be the most grueling (although watch out for a few steep sections), but it perfectly embodies the essence of road cycling in the Algarve.
Alte, a charming village situated in the Algarvian Serra, is renowned for its narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings adorned with vibrant flowers, and a relaxed ambiance, offering an authentic Algarve experience. Notably, the Volta ao Algarve, an annual cycling event, passes through one of Alte’s streets, where locals create the “Tour Clothesline.” This unique initiative involves hanging 200 cycling jerseys from around the world on a clothesline as the peloton races past.
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: Lisbon Airport
Pick-up: Lisbon Airport 10am
Drop-off: Lisbon/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: Michael Effron
Editor’s Letter: 2026 inGamba Magazine
Paris Roubaix, Cubism, Futurism and Franzi Koch: Behind the Scenes of The Magazine on Our Podcast
The Keepers of the Cobbles: The Magazine Sneak Peek
Editor’s Letter: 2026 inGamba Magazine
