With one month to go before Gravel Birds 2026, we're looking back at what makes this event so special for us: a deep connection with Portugal, unique landscapes in Alentejo, and a warm atmosphere brought by volunteers and the organization. We also invite you to a social ride on Friday morning, to kick off the weekend together.
© All images were taken by Pedro Cardoso
With one month to go before Gravel Birds 2026, the excitement is slowly building.
For us, this event holds a special significance. Even though we live in France now, our connection to Portugal remains deeply rooted — and Gravel Birds 2026 is a beautiful expression of that. Riding through the landscapes of Alentejo is much more than just a route: it's rediscovering a certain light, scents, a way of inhabiting time. A return to something familiar, almost intimate.
Experience
But what makes this experience even more striking is the welcome. From the organization, the volunteers, and all the people met along the way. A simple, sincere, generous welcome — profoundly Portuguese. From the briefing to the most remote trails, there is always a smile, a word, a kind gesture. This human warmth accompanies every pedal stroke and gives the event an almost familial dimension.
Social Ride before departure
Once again this year, we'll have the pleasure of being part of the adventure, and especially of making our small contribution to it. We're organizing a social ride on Friday morning, the day before departure. A relaxed outing, no pressure, just to stretch our legs, meet people, share a coffee... and set the good vibes before the big departure on Saturday. It's often in these moments that the magic truly begins.
For those of you who are not yet familiar with the Gravel Birds experience, we leave you with the video from the 2025 edition. A great immersion into what awaits you: endless trails, heat, dust, and above all, that collective energy that makes the event so unique.
We'll see you there — ready to ride, share, and experience it together.
Velocidade is the feeling of freedom given by speed, the wind making your eyes water, the sound of the air blowing past your ears, a little taste of adrenaline that makes you feel good.
At Velocidade, we believe in the bicycle as the transportation of the future! We have created a range of responsible bike bags and backpacks, designed and handcrafted in our workshop in Mirepoix, Ariège. To learn more about our commitment, click here.
MADE IN FRANCE
We wanted to create our bags with a waterproof and UV-resistant Oeko-Tex certified fabric made in France.
DESIGN
Products designed to last a long time with raw material savings and that can be repaired, a sustainable design.
REPAIRABLE
In case of damage, no worries, we'll repair your bag!
COMMITMENT
As a committed brand, we donate 1% of our turnover to help preserve the environment.
RICARDO VIEIRA-FOUNDER/DESIGNER/SEWER
Ricardo has long been reflecting on reducing his environmental impact, whether through his sporting activities such as cycling and running, or in his daily life, having decided to be vegetarian more than 20 years ago. Curious and passionate, he began creating and manufacturing his first objects when his grandfather gave him a sewing machine for his 17th birthday. Since then, he has been dedicated to creating, repairing, and manufacturing with the same energy and in the same direction: that of sobriety and localism. Convinced that the bicycle is the ultimate decarbonized solution for everyday travel, Ricardo decided to create Velocidade, and embarked on the design and creation of handmade bags, in a completely artisanal way.
