A convivial lunch was held at “A Gaivota” children’s home in Albufeira
Algarve Senior Bikers celebrated their 15th anniversary with a ride from Boliqueime to the “A Gaivota” home for children and teenagers in Albufeira.
The ride was through the countryside with a break for refreshments at the Fontes in Alte.
After the ride, the celebrations continued with a BBQ with all the boys and girls at the home, the staff and the ASB members and guests.
A big ‘thank you’ to the Gaivota staff and to all the members and guests who contributed all the food and ‘goodies’ for the BBQ.
The ASB has supported the home for many years and, I am proud to say, has raised many thousands of euros for their benefit in addition to helping to provide items like birthday presents, Easter eggs and covering the cost of trips to theme parks, etc.
Members’ donations are very much appreciated and make such a difference to the lives of all the children.
As a result of the anniversary celebrations of the Algarve Senior Bikers and the associated fundraising, I was able to present Dra Isabel Barrocas, the director of Gaivota home, with the sum of €2,550.
A special ‘thank you’ to ASB member Martin Holloway who raised €1,000 by running quiz nights in Carvoeiro. I understand this funding is to be used to help with the cost of visits to various theme parks and a camping holiday for the kids later this year.
Since I founded the ASB on Portugal Day in 2010, the membership has grown steadily, and it was good to see some of the members who attended the first meeting at this event.
In recent times, the ASB has become more diverse with inclusion of the ASB Gravel Road riding group established by Andrew Chilton and longer five- and seven-day road tours through Spain and Portugal being organised by Walter Kollert.
The usual monthly rides and events continue to be popular and well attended to the point where the numbers have to be divided into smaller, more manageable groups.
These events usually consist of a ride through some of the most scenic areas of the Algarve and Alentejo with stops for coffee and ending with a social lunch.
Upcoming event
The next event will be a group ride and lunch on June 27. We will meet at the Repsol service station at the N2 roundabout in São Brás de Alportel. Meeting at 9.45am for 10.15am departure.
The ride will be on some small back roads to Baranco Velho and north towards Ameixial before going west through the hills to Malhão for coffee and on down through the beautiful valleys to Santa Margarida to arrive in Alte for lunch at Restaurant O Folclore.
To sign up, visit www.algarveseniorbikers.com | Facebook
By David Shirley, founder of Algarve Senior Bikers
