Portugal by Bike |

Portugal has a very early and rich history of exploration. One of the first countries to have ships sailing out into the open sea, Portuguese explorers were the first to sail around Africa and circumnavigate the globe. We decided to do our own exploration of this vibrant country by bicycle, making a short 250 km ride from Porto to Lisbon. Using rental e-bikes and on mainly flat terrain along the Atlantic coast, it was a fairly easy ride.

I’d been told that I would definitely purchase my own e-bike after using one for a week, but I won’t. They’re really good for a multi-day trip, but would be over-kill for what we do at home.

The other new thing for me and Chantal on this trip was riding in a group. Not a public group of strangers, but a family of brothers, a nephew and his son. Three generations spread out over Canada, Australia and Denmark. Never a sound of silence on this trip with lots of jabber in English, Danish and Australian.

Exploring Portugal by bike, we discovered medieval walled cities, some of the largest and most beautiful beaches in the world and rocky coast-lines with thundering breakers and scenery that defies photography. And Eleanor Rigby in my head.

Enjoy the following photos – the first blog of our Portugal trip.

[Click on any photo for the slideshow. Please leave comments at the bottom of the page]