Martinhal / Sagres, Algarve
Discussion
I have stayed in Budens just up the coast quite a few times. Really nice area, once you get past Lagos it is not very congested or 'touristy', lots of nice local tavernas and deserted beaches (and bankrupt golf courses).
I have not taken the bike (yet), but plan to so have made mental notes on areas to ride. In general the main roads West of Lagos (N125/N268) are quite wide with a reasonably decent surface, in the summer there are quite a lot of local cyclists out early morning or late evening. The smaller roads Souht of the N125 tend to be OK but North of it can be a bit hit and miss, sometimes you will turn onto a perfect tarmac road that is like marble only to find 1/2 mile further on it becomes an unmade dirt road! Going North from VdB on the coast a high % of the roads are unmade, you would be fine on a CX bike but I wouldn't want to try it on a decent roads bike! The main N roads are all decent tarmac and at that time of the year I would imagine will be quiet.
The coast road from Pria to Sagres is nice (weaves in and out of villages a bit - not an 'obvious' coast road), a few very nice climbs and a few dicey descents with some breath-taking views! There is a fantastic climb on the coast road heading West into Selema (due South of Budens) - always fancied having a go at it, the hire car used to struggle getting up it in second gear!
IIRC a lot of the roads into the smaller roads North of the N125 from Budens West are unmade once you hit the signposted villages, although they show as roads on the map! We decided to do a bit of exploring North of Budens last time we were there, it had been raining the week before and most of the roads no longer had a surface - I think we got about 1/2 a mile North of the N125 before you needed a 4 x 4 (or hire car).
It is a fantastic area to ride - very lumpy so bring your climbing legs, but to get the best from it you will need to explore. Also, it is always windy, but in the morning and evening the winds seem to pickup significantly!
While you are there seek out Restuarante O Tiago in Budens - looks like a total shi7 hole from the outside but is an absolute gem of a place, we found it in the 'rough guide' - initially dismissed it (despite the fact it was walking distance from our appt), but once we tried it kept going back!
Also, Broadies Steak house on the N125 towards Lagos from Budens is excellent - run by a Scottish chap is the best Steak and Pizza we found in the area! Very friendly welcome and extremely good and well priced food.
Agua na Boca in Selema is very special, not cheap but a 'last night' treat - make sure you book ahead even out of season as people come from miles to eat there........food really is that good!
If you fancy a Chinese then I recommend the Royal Garden in Luz, friendly, cheap and extremely good.
Have a great time, really is a nice and reasonably unspoilt area of the Algarve for a break.
I have not taken the bike (yet), but plan to so have made mental notes on areas to ride. In general the main roads West of Lagos (N125/N268) are quite wide with a reasonably decent surface, in the summer there are quite a lot of local cyclists out early morning or late evening. The smaller roads Souht of the N125 tend to be OK but North of it can be a bit hit and miss, sometimes you will turn onto a perfect tarmac road that is like marble only to find 1/2 mile further on it becomes an unmade dirt road! Going North from VdB on the coast a high % of the roads are unmade, you would be fine on a CX bike but I wouldn't want to try it on a decent roads bike! The main N roads are all decent tarmac and at that time of the year I would imagine will be quiet.
The coast road from Pria to Sagres is nice (weaves in and out of villages a bit - not an 'obvious' coast road), a few very nice climbs and a few dicey descents with some breath-taking views! There is a fantastic climb on the coast road heading West into Selema (due South of Budens) - always fancied having a go at it, the hire car used to struggle getting up it in second gear!
IIRC a lot of the roads into the smaller roads North of the N125 from Budens West are unmade once you hit the signposted villages, although they show as roads on the map! We decided to do a bit of exploring North of Budens last time we were there, it had been raining the week before and most of the roads no longer had a surface - I think we got about 1/2 a mile North of the N125 before you needed a 4 x 4 (or hire car).
It is a fantastic area to ride - very lumpy so bring your climbing legs, but to get the best from it you will need to explore. Also, it is always windy, but in the morning and evening the winds seem to pickup significantly!
While you are there seek out Restuarante O Tiago in Budens - looks like a total shi7 hole from the outside but is an absolute gem of a place, we found it in the 'rough guide' - initially dismissed it (despite the fact it was walking distance from our appt), but once we tried it kept going back!
Also, Broadies Steak house on the N125 towards Lagos from Budens is excellent - run by a Scottish chap is the best Steak and Pizza we found in the area! Very friendly welcome and extremely good and well priced food.
Agua na Boca in Selema is very special, not cheap but a 'last night' treat - make sure you book ahead even out of season as people come from miles to eat there........food really is that good!
If you fancy a Chinese then I recommend the Royal Garden in Luz, friendly, cheap and extremely good.
Have a great time, really is a nice and reasonably unspoilt area of the Algarve for a break.
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