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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
I am loving watching your journey, but I'm very glad you included mention of the negatives – many YouTubers 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!
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 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.
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.
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.
30 Comments
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.
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.
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.
Visit outside of europe, you will meet really lovely people, you will experience real kindness. Be safe
Wow, those are very steep paths.
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.
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!
this is a great channel, iv just subscribed
As a Portuguese citizen and biker, I can relate to your bad experiences, unfortunately… but hey, not everything is always bad…
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!
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.
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.
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.
I’m planning on riding the N2 and I hope it’s good
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
I am loving watching your journey, but I'm very glad you included mention of the negatives – many YouTubers 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!
I have pushed my bike up hills like that in Slovenia.
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 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.
👌👍
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.
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 !
Very good
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.