Portugal from North to South

Less busy than the main roads, the N2 offers a more intimate experience, ideal for bikepacking or road trips. The desire has been there for a while, but it took patience to find the right moment, balancing personal life and life in the workshop. September seemed like the right time given the heat, the busy road, and the less intense workload of bag production in the workshop.

I often have the opportunity to ride part of the route because we go to Portugal every year and my grandparents lived in a tiny village that's on the route. So often, every summer I have the opportunity to climb this very hilly region. And with all these years accumulated in this part of the Beira-Baixa, I also knew that temperatures can reach 38 or even 40 degrees. These are factors that influence the choice of the late season...

After discussing this project with my brother (Paulo), who is also a cycling enthusiast, we decided to take this trip across Portugal together, along with his friend Rui. The team is assembled and we have an appointment in Lisbon the day before departure to take the bus to Chaves, our starting point.

We've all experienced that moment when a carefully planned project collides with unpredictable weather. Those days when storms and unforeseen events seem to defy our dreams of adventure. But sometimes, luck changes, and that's exactly what happened to us. The drive to the starting point was still damp, but the weather forecast filled us with hope. Scanning the maps, everything pointed to ideal conditions for our journey.

Pleasant temperatures , neither too hot nor too cool, perfect for pedaling without constraint. A clear sky , tinged with blue as far as the eye can see, to illuminate each stage of our journey. A light wind coming from the north , ideal to accompany us without slowing us down.

From the very first kilometers, the scenery quickly transformed into a veritable living fresco, blending nature and heritage. Forests, rivers, villages and towns steeped in history, medieval castles in almost every major city. Between each turn, we were transported to another era or immersed in unspoiled nature. This blend of history and landscapes made each stage a new surprise.

Each stage was punctuated by breaks in small cafés where the welcome of the locals touched us each time. The bicycle is much more than a means of transportation. It is an invitation to simplicity and connection: it breaks down barriers and invites authentic exchanges and symbolizes mutual aid, where a smile or a helping hand is often given without expecting anything in return.

The welcome of the Portuguese people, always generous, ready to do anything to give a helping hand or a simple, warm smile...

After three days of pure bliss on our bikes, we arrived in Castro Verde in the evening, just 140 km from our final destination, Faro . That same evening, there was electricity in the air and we could see that the weather was changing. As we set off at dawn after a good Portuguese breakfast in a tiny café, the wind was blowing strongly from the south, making every pedal stroke more demanding. The heavy, dark clouds created a dramatic atmosphere, offering a breathtaking natural spectacle.

After braving these conditions, the skies opened up as we arrived in Faro . Sun and warmth greeted us, transforming the end of the stage into a moment of pure bliss. This final stage reminded us that difficult moments make the finish even more beautiful. The effort, the untamed nature, and the final reward will remain etched in our memories.

After a well-deserved resupply in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, we boarded the train to Lisbon. We had one last moment to savor the memories of this adventure, lulled by the passing landscape.