Portugal - When???

Well it's over 18 months since the pandemic hit in Australia and grounded us all. 

My desire to cycle in Portugal remains and as soon as borders open, I hope to be there.  

Being Australian, there may still be complications for returning home despite being fully vaccinated. Hopefully government arranged quarantine restrictions will be relaxed and Australians can get back to travelling the world. 

Fingers crossed for July 2022!

Portugal 2020

Planning is underway for my upcoming trip to Portugal. This will be my second solo trip but this time to a country I’ve never visited before. So, I’m completely out of my comfort zone apart from having my trusty steed with me.

I’ve chosen Portugal based on feedback from others who have only good things to say about the culture, food, and the weather. :-)

I will be flying into Lisbon and cycling my way up the coast to Santiago de Compostela. This is not my first Camino, having travelled the French Way in 2013. I have four weeks to complete the round trip heading off in early July, the hottest part of the Summer. And also the driest! Bring on the sun.

My route planning is still in development with my current estimate around 1100km but more on this in a future post. Until then, just ride!

Summing Up

As always, I try to end my blog with some lessons learned, so here goes...

1. I took an Australian travel sim for my phone. Although only 3G and unable to hotspot my iPad, I was very grateful to have it for contact and navigation.
2. Google maps worked a treat in the larger cities particularly with directions activated so I could just listen to the instructions rather than be looking down at my phone all the time. It was much safer and very accurate. I also had Maps.me and had downloaded the maps so I could view them offline without using data. My mapping with the Michelin Road Atlas and my navigation skills worked perfectly.
3. The shuttle system at CDG is not set up for large luggage. You can't take a trolley into the lift. This made moving my bike box and baggage quite a challenge.
4. I used a company to transport me between Paris and CDG this time. It was worth the money, particularly as I was on my own.
5. I am considering investing in a dyno hub for my next trip to make charging devices easier and safer. This trip I had a battery and charger stolen. No big deal but a real nuisance. With a dyno hub, I wouldn't need to worry about this.
6. The Hotel De La Porte Doree was excellent! They stored my bike box even though I didn't stay with them on my return.
7. The Brico in inner-city Paris still stocks Shellite!
8. I need to reduce the weight of my bike - possibly smaller rear panniers as I didn't need so much space.
9. The MSR Hubba Hubba NX was superb allowing me to store my belongings with me in the tent. Downside - it leaked from the main seams! Guess that will be going back!
10. Travelling alone was quite liberating although I was very happy to have company for part of my trip. Special thanks to Elodie and Gabri for joining me!
11. Despite a few days of intense heat, I had amazing weather. You have to be prepared for everything from cold and wet through to hot and humid.
12. The Specialized Sequoia performed extremely well. The new wheels built by Paul at Road Bike Rescue were faultless.
13. I'm not a fan of the Velo routes - sometimes the surface is poor quality and they can be quite boring. Signage is not great either.
14. If you want to see the TDF in Paris and you want to get to the Champs Elysees, make sure you on on the correct side of the ride route because once the riders come through, you cannot get across.
15. French wine is so cheap!

Now to start planning the next trip.....

My last day in Paris

After transferring from my Paris apartment to my airport hotel in preparation for my Wednesday flight, I headed back into Paris for the afternoon. Such a lovely city.

Paris

Paris is such a lovely city. So grateful to have spent the day with Elodie!