Portugal Gravel

Location: Evora, Portugal

2027 Dates:

Price: $4950

Airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport

*We suggest arriving 1-2 days early to avoid travel delays and adjust to the time zone. After you reserve your slot on this trip, we'll be in touch with our pre-trip suggestions and supported reservations.

Evora, our home base.

Portugal Gravel is set amongst the grounds of the Castelo Ventoso Country Estate. Surrounded by historic cork oak groves and nothing but Portuguese skies for as far as the eye can see, this cycling escape is an incredibly tranquil experience. Castelo Ventoso is 25 minutes from the city of Evora, a Unesco World Heritage Site and wonderful destination for enjoying the beautiful culture of Portugal’s Alentejo region. During the trip we will explore the Alentejo countryside, extending a circumference of roughly an hour in each direction.


Trip Highlights

  • Explore the Alentejo Region by bike on both beautifully paved roads and well maintained dirt and gravel roads.

  • Relax by the pool, enjoy the private padel court, and sip Alentejo white wines while experiencing the tranquility of Castelo Ventoso Country Estate.

  • Experience 1 entire day sightseeing around the city of Evora (Unesco World Heritage Site)

  • 50/50 daily road to gravel miles. 

  • Easy steps toward pre and post trip travel and lodging plans. 

Food

An aspect of Portuguese cuisine we love, especially in the Alentejo region, is how approachable and comforting it all is. Dishes are fresh, they speak to each season, and offer a wonderful balance between different meats, seafoods, and vegetables. In The Cyclist’s Menu’s Portugal kitchen, we’re focused on bringing outstanding fresh foods to our tables, while sharing some of our favorite family style meals we’ve fallen in love with during our time in Portugal with you. You can expect to be taken care of no matter your dietary needs, have access to plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, and eat well knowing your body's digestion and performance are our number one priority while traveling overseas. 


Castelo Ventoso Country Estate:  Dare we say Castelo Ventoso is our favorite accommodation of all of our trips. The main buildings and property are absolutely incredible, comfortable, and offer space for a quiet moment, while the kitchen and outdoor dining patio bring us together for lasting memories around the table. Castelo Ventoso perfectly balances traditional Portuguese architecture and style with modern amenities. A former outpost for Jesuit priests escaping Evora’s busy city life, the property has only been in the hands of 3 families over the course of the last 300 years. We are thrilled to host Portugal Gravel in a place that celebrates the fantastic beauty found in the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo region. 



Accommodations

  • 5 nights/6 days accommodations

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) 

  • Mechanical support (including bike build and breakdown)

  • Professional cycling guides

  • Daily support vehicle

  • Ride nutrition 

  • A gallery of professional photographs will be available for purchase following your trip

What’s included

What’s not included

  • Airfare

  • Shuttle to/from Lisbon airport *We have arranged multiple shuttles for you to choose from, depending on which day you arrive and depart. Please be in touch upon booking and we can get you scheduled in.

  • Bike rentals

  • Gratuity for guides

  • Personal shopping 

  • Massage therapy 

Itinerary

Day 0 - Optional & highly recommended early arrival to Evora

  • If you choose to arrive 1 day early, please be in touch with us so we can arrange your lodging and provide food & wine information.

  • Land in Lisbon

  • Catch our 4PM scheduled shuttle to Evora at the airport

  • 5:30PM arrive to our special lodging at The Cicioso Hotel

  • If you traveled with a bicycle, our mechanic will swing by to pick up your bike box and built it up so it’s ready to roll upon your arrival to our lodging for the week tomorrow.

  • As soon as you settle in, make your way to “restaurant alley” near the square for a beautiful outside dinner as the sun sets. Upon booking this trip, we will provide details about all of our favorite places to eat!

Day 1 - Shakedown Portugal Spin

Ride Option 1: 20 miles, 1200 elevation gain

Ride Option 2: 32 miles, 1900 elevation gain

  • If you are landing in Lisbon today, we will have a scheduled shuttle to pick you up at 11AM. Please plan your flights accordingly.

  • Meet at 12:30PM: Welcome lodging for the week! Castello Ventoso

  • For those of you who arrived one night early, we will pick you up at 11:45AM.

  • Settle into your rooms upon arrival. If you traveled with a bike, Noe Mencias (our mechanic) will built your bike.

  • 1PM: Chef Z will serve a light lunch

  • 3PM: We’ll hop on our bikes for 1.5 hours to shake the travel legs out.

  • 5:30PM: Happy Hour, followed by dinner prepared by Chef Zander.

Day 2 - Cabrela Loop from Montemor-O—Nova

Ride option 1: Mostly Gravel - 55 miles, 3,000 elevation gain

Ride option 2: Gorgeous gravel + some amazingly quiet paved miles: 40 miles, 2,000 elevation gain

After breakfast this morning, we’ll shuttle on of the most magical network of dirt roads in the area. We have two ride options today.

Lunch mid-ride today under a huge and very old cork tree.

Post ride: Optional massage in the afternoon & pool time!

5PM: Happy Hour, followed by dinner prepared by Chef Zander.

Day 3 - Arraiolos Railway Station - Castle Loop

Ride option 1: 39 miles, 1500 elevation gain

Ride option 2: 28 miles, 900 elevation gain

After a beautiful breakfast at our abode, we’ll head to downtown Evora to begin our ride! Today we’ll ride up to the Castle of Arraiolos & enjoy a picnic high up overlooking the Alentejo.

On our return back to Evora, we’ll all change out of our cycling clothes and make our way into The Chapel of the Bones - a must see! After that, our guide to will lead a short walking tour throughout the city of Evora. Bring some extra cash today because the shopping is spectacular and the cafe and wine stops round out the day perfectly.

Upon our arrival back our abode, jump in the pool, enjoy a massage and meet us for a beautiful happy hour followed by dinner with Chef Z.

Day 4- Chill Day

Optional recovery day spin: 1.5 hours

Today is all about slowing time down. We have massage therapist at the house all day + 2 shuttles going back and forth from downtown Evora for you to enjoy the culture, shopping, food, beer, wine.. The day is yours!

5PM: happy hour followed by a dinner by Chef Zander.

Day 5 - Serra d’Ossa - Loop from Estremoz

Ride option 1: 52 miles, 3600 elevation gain

Ride option 2: 37 miles, 2200 elevation gain.

This is our final big ride adventure for the week! We’ll shuttle down the road to make sure we get the best of the best roads & explore new territory .

We’ll enjoy lunch in a field of poppies, before we finish our ride in a forrest of Eucalyptus.

Open afternoon for massage and pool time.

For those of you flying home tomorrow, Noe Mencias will box your bikes up after the ride today.

5PM: Happy hour, followed by our final family dinner prepped by Chef Zander.

Day 6 - Departure day

We’ll all enjoy one final beautiful breakfast all together!

  • 9AM Shuttle 1 departs: To the Lisbon Airport

  • 10AM Shuttle 2 departs: To drop off at The Cicioso Hotel

  • A magical week all together - Bon Voyage!

Bike Rental Options

Megamo Carbon Gravel Bike

  • Cost: 380 Euros

  • Rear derailleur – SRAM Apex AXS 12-speed

  • Shift lever – SRAM Apex AXS 1×12-speed

  • Cassette – Sram 10-52

  • Crankset – SRAM 45

  • Brakes – Sram Apex AXS Hydraulic

  • Wheels – Rodi 700×45

Included in this rental:

  • Saddle Bag

  • Tire Levers

  • Extra Tube

  • 1 Bottle Cage

  • Mini Pump

Megamo E-Gravel 29er

  • Cost: 410 Euros

  • Frame: Aluminum

  • Fork: Carbon

  • Shifers: SRAM Apex, 1×12-Speed

  • Derailleur: SRAM Apex, 12-Speed

  • Crankset: SRAM 45

  • Cassette: SRAM 10-46

  • Brakes: SRAM Apex Hydraulic

  • Wheels: Disc Rodi 700×45

  • Battery: Integrated 36V, 504Wh

  • Motor: Mid-Drive, 200W & 65Nm

Included in this rental:

  • Saddle Bag

  • Tire Levers

  • Extra Tube

  • 1 Bottle Cage

  • Mini Pump

What people are saying…

More Than a Ride — One of the Best Experiences I’ve Ever Had on a Bike. Without exaggeration, it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a bike. From start to finish, this was incredibly well thought out. Every detail—from the routes to the daily flow to the overall experience—was dialed in. But what truly set it apart was the people. The guides—Emily, Betsy, Noe and Heidi—were exceptional. Supportive, encouraging, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone had a great experience. They struck that perfect balance of pushing you when you needed it and making sure you were enjoying every mile. Having Noe on course as a mechanic was a game changer. Knowing any issue could be handled quickly gave you the confidence to just ride—no distractions, no second guessing. Shannon, running the swag vehicle, was incredible. She always seemed to show up exactly when you needed her—like she had a sixth sense for the group. And somehow, she captured amazing, candid photos of the entire experience without ever being intrusive. Those moments are something I’ll have forever. And the food—Chef Zander absolutely crushed it. After long days in the saddle, every meal hit perfectly. It wasn’t just good—it was something you genuinely looked forward to. What really stood out, though, was the culture. The entire crew created an environment that was welcoming, supportive, and just plain fun. You come for the riding—but you leave remembering the people. If you’re even thinking about doing this camp—do it. It’s not just a ride, it’s a complete experience. And it’s one I’d sign up for again in a heartbeat. With so much gratitude, Kenan C.

What’s included

  • 5 nights/6 days accommodations

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) 

  • Mechanical support (including bike build and breakdown)

  • Professional cycling guides

  • Daily support vehicle

  • Ride nutrition 

  • A gallery of professional photographs will be available for purchase following your trip

What’s not included

  • Airfare

  • Airport transfers to/from Venice Airport

  • Bike rentals

  • Gratuity for guides

  • Mid-ride café stops

  • Personal shopping 

  • Massage therapy 

  • Beer and Wine

Ready to have an adventure of a lifetime?

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