


Algarve Cycling Training Camps

With its excellent weather conditions and a network of varied, traffic-free roads, the Algarve in Portugal is the ideal destination for cycling training and quality rides over the winter / spring. With a menu of endurance rides and climbing routes available during your Algarve cycling week in the sun. Join Paul Hughes, 20 years international cycling coach and Bridget Evans, retired professional racing cyclist, for the very best combination of challenging and epic rides.
Start the day with the sun rising ready for a great day in the saddle. Fully charged heading out at a comfortable pace, warming up the muscles on our chosen ride option for the day. Effective training is best accomplished with a gradual increase in effort and nothing could be better when we hit the quiet country roads of the Algarve, small undulations and twisting roads are everywhere. Once in a rhythm the kilometres/miles flow by with ease as we pass Portuguese villages that haven’t changed in many years. Time to take on a small climb and stimulate those muscle fibers, early season style, small chain ring comfortable high cadence if you wish or strength intervals if you’re looking to improve that all important muscle strength!
Looking for a coffee-break or keep it constant, fat-burning metabolism at its best, three, four or five hours every day tailored for that all important scientific progressive overload effect. Great training rides sometime need to be easy when it’s time to wind down the effort as we return to the hotel to relax and get ready for another perfect Algarve training ride tomorrow.
With quality riding on the roads of the Algarve between the October – May period, keep the legs turning and avoid the cold wet months and that unwanted cold or flu! As all good cyclists would agree it’s also the time of the year to maintain good condition and build that important aerobic fitness for a great year of cycling ahead. The natural setting of the Algarve offers a variety of climbs and a network of roads, perfect for a challenging week and also moderate distance rides each day.
Algarve cycling training camps can be tailored to your current experience and ability or cycling goals, get ready to experience unique ride routes all in one terrific training week with the professionals of Practice Bicycle in the Algarve Southern Portugal.
If it’s more of a Portugal cycling holiday and less of a challenge that you are looking for, take a look at the Natural Algarve Bike Trip.
Challenging Bike Tours
Challenging – 75 km to 110 km/day per day
Quality 7 Day Tour:
4* Hotel Accommodation, $1169 per person
Rides Only:
Without Accommodation, $858 per person
Or make it custom, from $1469 per person
Portimao, Portugal
September – May
7 Days / 6 Nights
2 to 8 people
Single room – $310
Bike hire – $400
Half board – $180
Airport Transfer – $210
One of our most recent cycling delights came in 2011, when winter in the French Alps was not the cycling paradise we know it to be. The Practice Bicycle team relocated to Portugal and discovered a hidden gem in the Algarve.
After exploring different locations we hit the hub of this secret European cycling destination. Great cycling routes require a variety of terrain, duration, challenges and directions. After all if you can’t get enough of cycling like the Practice Bicycle team its the constant changing views, landscapes and environment that keeps us asking for more!
It could be the Cape St. Vincent coast and the tip of Sagres. The Serra de Monchique mountain range and the challenge of Foia (902m / 3000ft) the highest point of the Algarve or one of the many smaller challenges around this forest mountain. The undulating hinterland with a net work of quiet traffic free roads.
The choice is endless with road cycling in the Algarve, Portugal.
We run our Algarve Cycling Training Camps from September to May. Below are all our scheduled small-group departures for road cycling in Portugal. To enquire about joining, click the “Enquire Now” button next to the tour date.
If you want to travel on different dates, don’t hesitate to contact us about arranging a custom Algarve Cycling Training Camp!
* training rides based on an endurance training week, options for additional time, climbs or recovery rides as required!
* Proposed Endurance Itinerary Week Total Distance 490km / 300mi with Total Elevation 4700m /15000ft
* A selection of challenging climbing rides, recovery rides or rest days as required!
* Climbing Itinerary Week Total Distance 565km with Total Elevation 5750m
These proven itineraries are ideal for the avid cyclist looking for quality rides each day of 80 – 100km/62mi. You will be surprised by the variety of terrain and rides available to you in the Algarve, Portugal.
Each cycling route during this European winter, spring period cycling vacation will be tailored specifically to your bike riding ability, experience and goals. With either an Endurance itinerary or Climbing itinerary and the option of a combination of both, in addition Recovery rides are always available to maximize your cycling week.
If you are preparing for an event with specific training or need a week of great riding in the sun. The Algarve is your destination.
The destination for your Algarve cycling training camp is the town of Portimao / Praia da Rocha.
The closest airport is Faro Airport (Portugal) situated in the south of Portugal and serviced by many low cost European airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2.com.
Shuttle transfer services operate between the airport and Portimao / Praia da Rocha.
For international guests arriving in Lisbon (Portugal) you have a choice of connecting flights to Faro Airport or alternatively public transport train or coach service to Portimao, in addition amazing value car rental companies are also available with all of these options allow for a 3hr travel time.
It is also possible to fly to Faro Airport (Portugal) via the following locations Lisbon (Portugal), Frankfurt (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), London Gatwick (UK), Oslo (Norway), Amsterdam (Holland), Geneva (Switzerland).
The Algarve Cycling Training Camps offer proven accommodation at Portimao and Praia da Rocha, the ideal location to relax after your ride each day.
Handpicked 4* accommodation includes, the Tivoli Marina Portimao Resort. These are quality studios within a nautical complex on the River Arade and a short 400m walk to the Beach and Restaurants.
Absolutely! Look for our ‘Rides Only’ package to get on this challenging cycling week without using our accommodation.
Arrange your own stay in the Algarve which has a comprehensive selection of apartment accommodation available and come to the rides just like you would back home!
Each day you will join the Practice Bicycle Team at a Portimao/Praia da Rocha meeting point. Meet your ride leader and experience a variety of ideal rides to maximize your cycling on the warm roads of Europe’s new cycling destination the Algarve,Portugal.
The Training Camp is about great riding and being outdoors as much as possible, especially as many guests have come from very cold climates.
Guests who come with their training buddies, enjoy interaction post cycling.
For most it’s time to relax, rest and recover. Either by the pool or a drink and stroll on the beach, there are also plenty of great restaurants / bars, shops to choose from within walking distance of your hotel.
I guess with tired legs RELAXING is high on the agenda! If massage is something you enjoy, this can also be organized for you.
‘Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday’
The one location bike tour experience is the brain child of Bridget Evans (Owner/Operator). On retiring from professional cycling it was the pure pleasure of cycling that evolved the proven Practice Bicycle philosophy of one location. Including everything enjoyable and removing the less pleasurable is our goal of your perfect cycling holiday experience.
Packing and Unpacking each day was tiring, stressful and time consuming. With insufficient time to relax, enjoy and experience the place before it was time to move on again.
With a life spent discovering the very best locations to Practice Bicycle, including the discovery of endless ride options exploring in every direction from the one perfect location.
Experience the very best cycling of your life when you Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday!
For your added convenience we have quality carbon road bikes as an optional extra available to you with your Algarve Cycling Training Camps.
Many of our guests prefer their own bikes for maximum cycling pleasure. Should logistics and travel arrangements make this too difficult then our bike hire is the perfect solution.
Depending on availability and size we have several brands available including Focus, Sensa and Giant carbon bikes are recent models with Shimano Ultegra or 105 componentry.
Paul Hughes and Bridget Evans will lead your rides each day during the Algarve cycling training camps. Sharing with you their significant experience at the highest levels of international cycling which includes riding on the roads of Europe since 1996.
With coaching knowledge & experience of all cycling ability levels and age groups including teams at professional elite racing level you will be riding with a very unique team. In addition Owner Bridget Evans a very accomplished bike rider in her own right offers a wealth of knowledge and experience acquired as a professional bike rider on the world tour for over 10 years competing in many prestigious international races with great success.
The skill set of bringing together riders of different abilities is a special trait with this team, ensuring that each of your rides makes for a perfectly tailored road cycling in experience in Portugal.