The Algarve Coastal Challenge, an initiative by Paul Beesley of Activity Algarve, saw an international group of cyclists ride the length of the region in just two days.
Held over a Saturday and Sunday recently, participants from Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Holland and Germany were first transported by minibus to Cape St. Vincent at 7.30am. There they started their first day of cycling, all the way back to Boliqueime.
An impressive 130kms of difficult terrain was covered in just over seven hours. They set off at the same time the following day to complete the second half of the challenge – from Vila Real de Santo António back to Boliqueime, a distance of approximately 115km.
“It was tough,” said Paul. “It’s a bit like running a marathon on Saturday, then running another one on Sunday.”
With this type of initiative, Paul hopes to raise awareness of the Ecovia do Litoral. “This cycle path was launched a few years ago amidst much publicity, but sadly it is not being maintained,” he said. “It could be a unique tourist attraction for the Algarve.”
