Whether we are hammering through Aljezur on a long Algarve winter cycling ride or stopping for a coffee on a Algarve bike trip, we are in the home of the best Sweet Potatoes in the world! I’m sure we all agree we ride to eat or is it that we eat to ride, either way a great day in the saddle deserves a day at the Festival da Batata-Doce de Aljezur.
Aljezur is a small market town dominated by the ruins of a tenth century Moorish castle, which sits at the top of a narrow and very steep cobbled hill. But for those of us who love Algarve winter cycling rides on the sunny roads of the Algarve it’s a good landmark for some of the great ride routes on offer in the fantastic south coast of Portugal. The variety ranges from long undulating roads following the awesome Atlantic coastline or a hidden lane down to a secluded beach with amazing views all the way. Then of course it’s also one of the starting points for the climb of Marmelete, one of the many climbs on the Serra de Monchique, but more of that later.
So back to the Hot Sweet Potato or should I say Batata Doce, when ever you travel by bike one of the highlights for us is the new foods that are part of the memorable journey. Each year around early December is the time to celebrate this winter vegetable with the Festival da Batata-Doce de Aljezur. Full of eateries, entertainment, stalls and local produce and lots of kilos of Batata Doce. Whatever you do when you next visit the Algarve make sure you taste it’s sweet potato, either hot on it’s own or in a popular dish or even in a cake or biscuit, you won’t be disappointed!
It’s certainly been added to our post Algarve Winter Training Camp rides menu, thank you Algarve, Portugal.
