I am loving watching your journey, but I'm very glad you included mention of the negatives - many KZfaqrs will edit those out! I attempted to cycle from Faro to Porto last summer via Lisbon, but I gave up in Lisbon as the busy roads, the drivers, the road surfaces and the bad accommodation were all sucking the enjoyment from the journey. I was nearly killed by a bus driver in Setubal, and I was even harassed by a drug dealer at one point! It is a shame, as Portugal is undoubtedly a stunningly beautiful country - I have some lovely photos - but I don't think I would ever try to do a long bike tour there again. Oh, and my hands were hurting for a couple of months after the trip and they still sometimes tingle - I think riding over the deeply rutted back roads damaged my nerves!

Cycled Southern Portugal in early Spring from Faro to Evora took the Comboios de Portugal to Lisbon (I like to try rail systems in each country to see how bicycle friendly they are) and cycled from Lisbon to Lagos and then back to Faro. Maybe it was bad timing and in middle of tourist season for you guys, but I went in early spring (a bit cold) and had most campsites fairly empty, quiet and well serviced. The RV vacationers seemed quite friendly, smiling and saying hello to me. I stopped for water at this one small farm town asking for water and the farmer offered me bottled water to drink and fill my waterbottle. In my mix of limited Portuguese and Spanish during conversation he told me spigot water in those parts was not very good. I did incur some very bad and broken up paths and decided to use the very wide shoulder on a highway till some motorists passing by told me to use the path. Some sections I felt like I was riding the Paris-Roubaix course (cobbles)! One part of the Eurovelo down there was literally in a mountain bike trail next to a golf course that was partially a quagmire of mud! Other than those small sections, I had a rather nice ride seeing small and historical sites, Portugals beautiful Coasts and having the best coffee I've tasted (and snacking on Pastéis de Nata, ummm!). Hostels and campsites were very accommodating to cyclists and the Faro Airport was super nice when I couldn't find a bike box to pack my bike for the flight home. Some of the bike paths are better suited for mountain bikes though! I would highly recommend Portugal again but emphasize the shoulder seasons.

I did cycling as well on the Iberian countryside and I will do it again. And I noticed a difference of mentality as well between Spain and Portugal. Thanx God there are exceptions everywhere!

It's interesting to have negative viewpoints too, it's more useful than positive ones, and it's also an opportunity for things to improve.

As a Portuguese citizen and biker, I can relate to your bad experiences, unfortunately... but hey, not everything is always bad...

I'm doing road cycling from Valencia to Lisbon and my last days in Portugal are absolutely horrible with the local culture of driving...

Don't come to Portugal in July and August. Everything is super crowded and people are stressed to get their vacation. September and May is perfect though.

Have to admit that I'm a light bike-packer myself. So when I first saw your bike set-up (fully loaded with bags front and aft), I really blurted out: gosh, that's definitely not my cuppa tea! Plus the kind of steep slopes 'ere and there, cobble stone road surfaces etc., I'm convinced that cycling in (at least that part of) Portugal isn't a good idea for me😂 Love from Hong Kong😘

Very honest and brave review. I am sorry you have had this experience. Safety comes first always. If you have saved other cyclists from difficulties you have done a great job. Well done and thank you!

I’m Portuguese and a biker. I regret so much listening to your experience, but I know that drivers aren’t always polite. If you decide to come again to Lisboa, Estoril or Sintra, me and my family will be happy to show you the region so you can leave here with a different experience. Thanks for the video.

Portugal has never been on my list but its sad to see fellow cyclists having bad experiences, it happened to me in Panamá 🇵🇦 I see you ride with a standard touring setup and bike, 4 Panniers and extra bag, kind of limits your off road possibilities. Maybe a lighter and more Bikepacking oriented set up can take you off of the main roads, that’s what I do! Cheers!

you are lovely people . hope one day meet you in Portugal.

Thank you!!

At 06:50 is a mitical bike passage for bike riders. The biggest amateur bike event finishes in Porto Covo by passing that part and climbing until the middle of the village. I don't cycle on roads in Portugal because of what you have said in your videos. I avoid at all costs the roads and focus on offroad trails. Will follow your chanel and stay safe.

I have never been in Portugal and am planning a bike trip. If you are biking, can anybody tell me a bit about camping and places to shower. I guess it is pretty easy to find a place to spend a night, right?

Hi I had a completely positive experience walking the full Portuguese Camino. Was that your experience also. I have cycled toured Munich to Venice trail and I nod and wave to people but get limited response. It was the same in my home country Australia. I suppose the Camino is a community. Love the storyline in each video and the cinematography! Well done.

Costa Vicentina - isn't a place for bike riding, especially in the summer, because the roads are super narrow and fullllll of cars. Just imagine a place where used to live a 1000 people and it became a place of 10000, that's bad for everyone. And it became a place for tourism, and it became a very expensive place to visit (if you don't know where to go, where to stay, and those smalls things, it could mean a pain in the ass). But nowadays you have a natural path almost from Sines to Sagres, away from the busy roads. And another thing I agree with you, is that southern people aren't that friendly, but you can find good people there also. Be aware that you can't wild camp in the natural park, if authorities find out they will fine you. Have fun in Portugal 💪 Obs. I am a Portuguese and I lived in that area for 5 years.

Sorry for some negative experiences. I did ride the N2 north to south and back in April and may this year. Excellent and beautiful. Also no difficulties with traffic. Some dogs were angry. Beautiful people. I did stay in b&b or hotels. Will do it again definitely! N2 is highly recommended.

What would you say are the differences between cycling Portugal and Spain? Thanks for your videos, I love them!

Loved the video, in regards of the bad experience: yes, they drive like mads, but are very friendly. Thing is, summer is just not the right time. Everything is too tense, especially last summer with the heat and amount of wildfires. Did you do the whole Eurovelo 1 through Portugal? What percentage of paved vs unpaved road do you think it covers?

It’s a shame it didn’t go well at times. Great, honest video footage ✌️

Hi guys, thanks for the videos. I just discovered the EuroVelo and was truly excited about doing #1 but now that ive done some research roads don't seem to be very safe and getting ran over is the last thing you wanna experience abroad. I was planning to do Oporto to Lisboa by bike, on a scale to 1 to 10 how good/bad would you rate the route? any other part of the route you would recommend instead. Thank you very much!

sorry for the experience :( Portugal is great if you’re into biking off-road. But in general, Portuguese drivers aren’t respectful of cyclists. The issue is really a lack of cycling culture and infrastructure. I think a lighter setup and more planning to avoid main roads would've helped too.

Visit outside of europe, you will meet really lovely people, you will experience real kindness. Be safe

I have pushed my bike up hills like that in Slovenia.

Thanks for producing this clip. Periodically the sound track masks your voice, and I am unable to understand you comfortably. Your negative experiences remind me of a German couple whom I met cycling in New Zealand. She was so intimidated by the motorists that she returned to Germany, and her man stayed to finish the trip. She described it as "the worst" she'd experienced. I cycled 3500kms in three months in the NZ South Island with probably less than 500kms on State highways, preferring the more challenging or shingle roads over passes etc. It was worth it.

this is a great channel, iv just subscribed

Wow, those are very steep paths.

Portugal is a great country for biking and much more. Unfortunately, we still have many uneducated ( on the road code and basic respect for fellow human ) frivers out there. Every time I go out on my bike ( 7.000 k/year ) I have to deal with that fact. We will get better, I hope. Nevertheless, just want to point out that in 2021 we had 23 cyclist fatalities in our roads. France had 200+, Germany had 400+ and Spain 63. Numbers are what they are, and I ' m not denying or neglecting what our roads look like if you' re on a bike. Spain does have a relatively low number of fatalities, and thatbis somewhat explained by the fact that there the chosen country for most pros, and in some regions it makes a great deal of their income with tourist cycling activities related. Still, my apologies for the bad impression some drivers give of a, otherwise, beautiful place to cycle and live in.

Very good

That's why I quit cycling in the US is because of the danger and negativity. Sad to see it's in Portugal also. Guess I'll stick to mountain biking.

be smart when biking, drive on the small roads, usually more beautiful and a LOT safer

Just comleted N2 After N125 to Faro after 3 weeks on Spain where no driver issues couldnt believe Portuguese driving. Within minutes of artiving I was nearly killed. Determined to get to Chaves I nearly gave up a few times espAbrantes. I had to cycle middle of lane to dtop lorries and cars from passing with inches to spare. Forget N2 if you want to enjoy country. Stressful, you just need to dtay alive. Glad back in Spain ehere there is great cycling culture and football. Portugal all football with aggression that goes with this. My love to you. I will never visit Portugal AGAIN. Plus Spain has more wildlife and more yhan Portugal.

👌👍

Some countries are really doing their best to make cycling safer. I was very surprised for example that cycling through Londen or through Paris was so easy! In Norway I could tell if a car passing me from behind was from Norway or not: Norwegians are an example on the road! And I share your disappointment with EuroVelo routes. I had also bad experience with it in France. To me it seems, from what I see online, that EuroVelo’s main objective is to make money, rather than optimise routes for long distance cycling. I like your videos, but why is it always you who is doing the talking? I would like it even more if you share the talking 😊. Good luck! Have fun!

I'm so sorry again for the behaviour of and I hope, the few portuguese that made your Portugal experience miserable. I am ashamed, what can I say more... Nevertheless is important that you report your bad experience, maybe people see and change but I will not hold my breath. The lack of respect for other vehicles in the road is a constant in Portugal unfortunately.

That's a lot of portuguese people that gonna hate me. But we have all to agree in 2 thinks: 1- In most part of the country you gonna have bad experience on the traffic because people dont respect cyclists except in small town; 2- If you had traveled on the north of Portugal you would have an all different idea about us!

A++++. Another very well filmed and produced video. Well done. As I said in another video, I don't think Portugal offers anything special. You can ride in much nicer scenic places and not fear for your life riding your bicycle. Your videos confirm what I already knew. Portugal is a cyclist hating nation up there with the US, Australia and here in the UK. Why cycle there when you have a much nicer time next door with it's neighbour Spain. Spanish drivers are for the most part very considerate to cyclists. Even when you are riding on a wide shoulder the cars approaching from behind still move to the other side of the road to give an even bigger margin passing you. On smaller narrower roads they wait patiently until they can safely pass. Not so in Portugal. They seem to be like pyschopathic A-holes. I would never ride there nor encourage any one else to. It is too dangerous. Not worth dying for. Avoid.

I’m planning on riding the N2 and I hope it’s good

Pagando pra ganhar curtida nos vídeos

I'm portuguese and I must say that people when getting behind the wheel don't respect nothing nor anyone. The roads are not safe in Portugal, it's comon knowledge. My apologies.

Portugal is too hilly not good for biking, maybe bad drivers but good people.

im portuguese, and i got tell you, it is true, portuguese drivers dont have any respect for nobody, ciclists, pedestrians, other dirvers.. it is a shame, I love my country, but a lot of people here are egocentric, and i dont know whay, im not that kind of person.. a feel sorry for you guys , i hope you come back soon, and visit my city, Porto (north). Best regards

Keep the Sangria flowing and all will be good, no Sangria is evil, it made me very ill once. Freedom camping is good, but if you needed emergency services, could they find you? Google snakes. I know car drivers are annoying you, but the cyclist will always come of worse. Please have fun, but take care. Sorry, an old persons opinion. When you get to my age, there's always a few close calls, but you learn by your mistakes, never to drink Sangria.

I'd like to know where you are each time and at each camp ground. The Portuguese people are very nice people, but as soon as they're sitting in a car, they become monsters...

Unfortunately, Portugal has the worst drivers in terms of respect for cyclists. It seems like they have a strong dislike for cyclists. Fortunately, I have seen some improvement in the last few years, but the older drivers still do not respect cyclists at all. I have stopped riding my road bike because of this.

I am a portuguese ciclist, i made thousands of kms a year, in the +30 years of cycling , mayby i haved 4 or 5 conflicts with cars of other road users, maybe the problem was your driving or atitud or what ever, and also you say you had problems but you dont show them on video !

100% - it's an absolutely horrible country for cycling. There are so many roads I avoid completely because I know I'll be threatened and afraid. Road from Lisbon to Ericeira? No thanks. Road from Sintra to Colares? I'd rather not.

Too much weight on bikes. And poorly chosen roads. There are quieter and more accessible off-road roads. When I ride I try to make the routes between the Eurovelo , Strava, etc. For future travelers coming from Lisbon to the South, do not do Lisbon / Cacilhas / Setubal the best will be Lisbon / Montijo / Setúbal. Good pedaling.