In September, take part in GFNY Portugal and get the adrenaline flowing as you compete in a real professional cycling road race. As a bonus, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of mountain and sea landscapes on a route that takes you through Cascais, Mafra and Sintra.
The town of Cascais was chosen to host this event of the Granfondo New York international cycling series and the two routes - Granfondo of 162 km and Mediofondo, 82 km, will start and end there. The race starts at the Cascais Marina, heads along the Estrada Marginal, passes the Estoril race track before going through Mafra, Ericeira, Azenhas do Mar, Sintra Mountain Range, Malveira da Serra, Cabo da Roca, Guincho Beach and finishing in the centre of Cascais. It is an ambitious route that crosses areas of great natural beauty and historical richness covering almost 2,300 meters of total altitude.
This test is seen as a huge challenge of strength and personal resilience, where direct competition with other athletes is a defining feature. This is the GFNY spirit, since the event is open to both amateurs and professionals as it recreates a real professional road cycling competition, urged on by the slogan "Be a Pro For a Day".
Cascais is therefore hosting one of the 16 GFNY events scheduled for 2018. The concept was born in New York in 2011, and has quickly expanded to a number of international regions and cities. It is currently the competition that attracts the largest number of cyclists of different nationalities. The New York event has already assembled athletes from 93 countries and the inaugural event in Portugal is also expecting participants from the four corners of the world.
Find more information at:
- http://gfnyportugal.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/gfnyportugal
Algarve Granfondo is the Official Granfondo of the Volta ao Algarve, one of the best cycling stage races in the beggining of the season. The 2016 edition of Algarve Granfondo will take place on 21st February, coinciding with the last stage of the Volta ao Algarve.
The Algarve Granfondo is an unique chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Algarve, the Europe’s most famous secret.
Taking place in early cycling season, the Algarve Granfondo has two route options:
-For those who are in good shape all over the year, the organization proposes the Granfondo: 135 km with 2600 meters of cumulative elevation gain. This option includes five climbs: Rocha dos Soidos, Alto do Malhão – where finishes the last stage of the Volta ao Algarve -, top of Caldeirão, Barranco do Velho and Clareanes.
- For those who prefer to start the season in moderate pace, the best option is the Mediofondo: 83 km with 2300 meters of cumulative elevation gain, which includes the climbs of Benafim, Barranco do Velho and Clareanes.
The start will be given at the center of Loulé, at 9:00. The arrival is scheduled for the same location. The consecration of the winners happens, however, on the podium of the Volta ao Algarve, on top of Malhão.
The Granfondo and the last stage of the Volta ao Algarve will have a timetable compatible in order to ensure that the participants in Granfondo can watch the final stage of Volta ao Algarve, a race with some of the best teams and cyclists in the World.
Taking part in the Algarve Granfondo is a chance for the amateurs cyclists being part of the Volta ao Algarve.
Find more information at:
- http://voltaaoalgarve.com/en/algarve-granfondo/
- https://www.facebook.com/algarvegranfondo/
- https://www.facebook.com/VoltaAlgarveOfficial
- http://www.visitalgarve.pt/Mountain Biking
- http://www.viaalgarviana.org/
- Algarve, Europe's most famous secret
- Guide to Nature Tourism in the Algarve
- Guide to trails in the Algarve
- Algarve Map
