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Marlan D. Hines Cycles the Entire Length of Portugal!
Fundraising for World Cancer Research Fund
Story
MDHD, Inc. a wellness based organization, aims to motivate and develop peoples battling preventable diseases and mental illness. We chronicle experiences and share them with others’ fighting to live and thrive!
Please join this October as we cycle the entire length of Portugal with World Cancer Research Fund UK honoring Sonja Sellars - Cancer Survivor! Over a 6 day period we will cycle to raise awareness and support world-wide cancer prevention research.
- Day 1: Chaves – Lamego
A wonderful first day on the bike as we head south through this traditional area of northern Portugal. We pedal through small villages and towns, many of which are fortified with thick walls of castles. The abundant spa towns grew up around the mineral water treatments – popular in the 19th Century despite the lack of paved roads. The road surfaces are good now! Our route is rolling with very little flat and, although there are a few sharper inclines through the day, most hills are fairly steady with plenty of freewheeling descents to keep it varied. Pedalling among the sloping terraced hillsides of the photogenic Alto Douro wine region forms one of today’s highlights; the micro-climate here is perfect for port wine grapes. This is the oldest controlled wine region in the world and has World Heritage status. After crossing the wide Douro River itself, which flows from Spain into the Atlantic at Porto, it’s uphill to the lovely town of Lamego, dominated by its hilltop medieval castle.
Cycle approx 101km (62 miles)
- Day 2: Lamego – Barragem Aguieira
Lamego sits part-way up Montemuro, a low, green mountain which dominates the countryside between the rivers Douro and Paiva. Though a gradual climb, it is one of the longest of our trip and brings us to the highest point on our trip near Bigorne (960m) - though we continue to undulate across the plateau until a wonderful descent with far-reaching views brings us to the bridge over the Paiva River. The rest of the day undulates, with more downhill than up, as we pass through countryside of woods and farmland dotted with palm trees and white-painted terracotta-roofed villages. As we head south we pass through outskirts of larger towns, seeing a more modern Portugal, still with the ever-present backdrop of rolling green hills. As we near the end of our day we cross the River Mondego and end our day near the impressive Aguieira Dam.
Cycle approx 127km (78 miles)
ROUTE PROFILE
- Day 3: Barragem Aguieira – Sertã
Some very lumpy terrain awaits us today as we head through central Portugal. Riding alongside the Mondego, Portugal’s longest river, for a short stretch, winding roads and short climbs bring us to the pretty village of Góis, where the first significant climb of the day beckons. The wooded slopes are beautiful, and every now and then the trees open up to views over the surrounding remote hills and green valleys. Descending, we traverse this ruggedly beautiful central region, crossing the impressive Cabril Dam and tackling a series of hills through the Serra da Lousã range. Well-preserved villages nestle between granite hillsides and pine forest; though tough at times, today motivates us with its stunning wild scenery. We finish in the attractive riversdie town of Sertã.
Cycle approx 112km (69 miles)
ROUTE PROFILE
- Day 4: Sertã – Montemor-o-Novo
Our longest day sees us leaving the mountains of northern Portugal and crossing into flatter southern Portugal. First, however, we tackle Melriça Peak, where a monument marks the geodesic centre of Portugal. With the day’s main challenge behind us so soon, we can enjoy a long stretch of predominant descent (with a few small climbs just to keep it varied!) to Abrantes, on the banks of the River Tejo. The longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, the Tejo marks a change in scenery and terrain as we ride south on rolling roads through the beautiful Alentejo region. Known for its undulating fields of wheat and cork trees, olives groves and vineyards, it’s wonderful cycling country through small towns and villages – and although still hilly, the hills are considerably lower and easier! We pass another reservoir at Montargil, crossing the dam, and head south and gradually uphill to the historic town of Montemor-o-Novo, overlooked by its crumbling castle.
Cycle approx. 176km (109 miles)
ROUTE PROFILE
- Day 5: Montemor-o-Novo – Castro Verde
Typically described as flat, the Alentejo disproves that myth today as we continue through beautiful, rolling landscapes which have no significant hills, but very little flat either! As we progress further south, cork becomes more prevalent though we still pass the ubiquitous olive groves and sun-parched corn fields. It’s a tiring day, but the charming villages and small towns of white-painted houses, often featuring impressive cathedrals and hermitages, give us plenty of excuses for photo-stops as we head gradually uphill towards historic Castro Verde.
Cycle approx. 127km (78 miles)
ROUTE PROFILE
- Day 6: Castro Verde – Faro
We make the most of the predominantly flat morning as we ride through the lower Alentejo, and start ascending once we cross into the Algarve. The landscape becomes greener and wilder again as we cross our last mountain range, the Caldeirão, and enjoy the views from Barranco do Velho, which has featured many times in the Tour of the Algarve professional cycle race and is a fitting place for our last challenge. From here it’s downhill to Faro, a wonderful cruising descent of approx 30km, all the way to the end of our ride. Our finish lies on the banks of the Formosa River, where you can smell the salt of the Atlantic Ocean!
Cycle approx. 96km (60 miles)
ROUTE PROFILE
There is no cure for cancer. However, research suggests that only five percent of cancers are hereditary. That means the non-inherited causes of cancer — the lifestyle choices we make, the foods we eat, and our physical activity levels — have a direct impact on our overall cancer risk.
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