No Rush. Just Portugal.
Sandra & Mike, 🇨🇦
Sandra & Mike, 🇨🇦
Route: Sesimbra - Lagos
Format: Gravel Go Self-Guided Bike Tour
Dates: 14 riding + 4 rest days, November - December 2025
Bikes: Finna Landscape
Setup: Rear rack + own panniers
Stays: Hotels & Guesthouses
Format: Gravel Go Self-Guided Bike Tour
Dates: 14 riding + 4 rest days, November - December 2025
Bikes: Finna Landscape
Setup: Rear rack + own panniers
Stays: Hotels & Guesthouses
Customer Review
★★★★★
★★★★★
My husband and I (both seniors) rented bikes from Gravel Travel in November 2025 and cycled from Sesimbra to Lagos! Daniel was amazing to deal with. He provided a really great route for us that was mainly gravel trails and quiet backroads.
Before even dropping off the bikes, Daniel provided information on how to get from the Lisbon airport to Sesimbra including the bus schedule. When he dropped off the bikes he spent time making sure they fit us well and provided repair kits, water bottles, water, cell phone holders, panier racks… The bikes and the equipment were in perfect condition. We spent 14 days cycling and Daniel checked in with us every day, altered the route as needed, and provided descriptions of what each day would be like and the highlights not to miss.
We took the train back from Lagos with the bikes. Daniel provided train schedules and information on how to travel with the bikes and met us at the station to make sure everything went smoothly. It was like having our own personal travel agent!
We cannot imagine any better service and would highly recommend Gravel Travel and Daniel to anyone wanting a great cycling experience in Portugal. Thanks so much Daniel!
Before even dropping off the bikes, Daniel provided information on how to get from the Lisbon airport to Sesimbra including the bus schedule. When he dropped off the bikes he spent time making sure they fit us well and provided repair kits, water bottles, water, cell phone holders, panier racks… The bikes and the equipment were in perfect condition. We spent 14 days cycling and Daniel checked in with us every day, altered the route as needed, and provided descriptions of what each day would be like and the highlights not to miss.
We took the train back from Lagos with the bikes. Daniel provided train schedules and information on how to travel with the bikes and met us at the station to make sure everything went smoothly. It was like having our own personal travel agent!
We cannot imagine any better service and would highly recommend Gravel Travel and Daniel to anyone wanting a great cycling experience in Portugal. Thanks so much Daniel!
Along the Way in Pictures
Planning an Autumn Adventure
Sandra and Mike contacted us in October while planning a three-week cycling holiday in Portugal for the second half of November. As experienced cyclists, they preferred to organise their own accommodation but wanted carefully planned routes, reliable bikes and local support throughout the journey.
Their biggest priority wasn't distance or elevation—it was avoiding traffic whenever possible. They wanted to spend their days on gravel roads, forest tracks and quiet backroads, even if that meant taking a slightly longer route.
November is actually one of our favourite months for cycling in southern Portugal. The weather is usually dry and comfortable, with daytime temperatures around 18–20°C, while the low season offers complete flexibility. Rather than booking accommodation months in advance, we planned the journey around 14 riding days and 4 flexible rest days. This allowed Sandra and Mike to book hotels just one or two days ahead, deciding along the way whether to keep riding or take a day off depending on the weather, how they felt, or simply a place they wanted to explore a little longer.
One of our longest discussions was about the bikes themselves. Sandra and Mike had spent years touring on traditional trekking bikes with front suspension forks and weren't sure how comfortable a gravel bike would feel. I recommended our FINNA Landscape bikes, explaining that the steel frame, and more comfortable riding position, flared handlebars and wide tubeless tyres would provide all the comfort they needed—even without suspension.
Fortunately, that proved to be exactly the right choice.
Their biggest priority wasn't distance or elevation—it was avoiding traffic whenever possible. They wanted to spend their days on gravel roads, forest tracks and quiet backroads, even if that meant taking a slightly longer route.
November is actually one of our favourite months for cycling in southern Portugal. The weather is usually dry and comfortable, with daytime temperatures around 18–20°C, while the low season offers complete flexibility. Rather than booking accommodation months in advance, we planned the journey around 14 riding days and 4 flexible rest days. This allowed Sandra and Mike to book hotels just one or two days ahead, deciding along the way whether to keep riding or take a day off depending on the weather, how they felt, or simply a place they wanted to explore a little longer.
One of our longest discussions was about the bikes themselves. Sandra and Mike had spent years touring on traditional trekking bikes with front suspension forks and weren't sure how comfortable a gravel bike would feel. I recommended our FINNA Landscape bikes, explaining that the steel frame, and more comfortable riding position, flared handlebars and wide tubeless tyres would provide all the comfort they needed—even without suspension.
Fortunately, that proved to be exactly the right choice.
Following the November Sun
We met Sandra and Mike in Sesimbra and, to make the first riding day a little more enjoyable, drove them beyond the city's long climb before the cycling began. From there, the journey settled into an easy rhythm that would last almost three weeks.
Travelling with Sandra and Mike was a real pleasure. Since they were booking accommodation as they travelled, every few days they would send us the location of their next guesthouse or hotel. We would then fine-tune the following day's route so it finished right at their front door.
Along the way, they also shared their impressions of the places they stayed. More than anything, they appreciated warm, welcoming hosts and the opportunity to meet local people. Thanks to their recommendations, we've since added several wonderful guesthouses to the list we suggest to future travellers.
The weather turned out to be almost perfect for cycling. Daytime temperatures stayed comfortably between 16-19°C (61-66°F) throughout nearly the entire journey, with dry days, beautiful sea air and the soft, lower autumn sun creating a very special light along the Atlantic coast. Apart from one or two brief morning showers, there was almost no rain, and the weather never required changing their plans.
As a result, Sandra and Mike barely needed the rest days we had built into the itinerary. Instead, they chose to spend the remaining days relaxing in the small fishing village of Salema, enjoying the slower pace of Portugal's southern coast before returning home.
They travelled back independently by train, and we met them again at Pinhal Novo Station to collect the bikes. By then, it felt less like meeting customers and more like catching up with old friends.
One small detail that made us smile was how much they liked the phone mounts we include as standard on all our touring bikes. They decided to take the same mounts home so they could keep using them on their own rides in Canada.
A few days later, we received one of the warmest reviews we've ever been given, together with a wonderful collection of photographs from their journey.
Thank you, Sandra and Mike. It was a privilege to be part of your first cycling adventure in Europe, and we hope Portugal won't be your last.
Travelling with Sandra and Mike was a real pleasure. Since they were booking accommodation as they travelled, every few days they would send us the location of their next guesthouse or hotel. We would then fine-tune the following day's route so it finished right at their front door.
Along the way, they also shared their impressions of the places they stayed. More than anything, they appreciated warm, welcoming hosts and the opportunity to meet local people. Thanks to their recommendations, we've since added several wonderful guesthouses to the list we suggest to future travellers.
The weather turned out to be almost perfect for cycling. Daytime temperatures stayed comfortably between 16-19°C (61-66°F) throughout nearly the entire journey, with dry days, beautiful sea air and the soft, lower autumn sun creating a very special light along the Atlantic coast. Apart from one or two brief morning showers, there was almost no rain, and the weather never required changing their plans.
As a result, Sandra and Mike barely needed the rest days we had built into the itinerary. Instead, they chose to spend the remaining days relaxing in the small fishing village of Salema, enjoying the slower pace of Portugal's southern coast before returning home.
They travelled back independently by train, and we met them again at Pinhal Novo Station to collect the bikes. By then, it felt less like meeting customers and more like catching up with old friends.
One small detail that made us smile was how much they liked the phone mounts we include as standard on all our touring bikes. They decided to take the same mounts home so they could keep using them on their own rides in Canada.
A few days later, we received one of the warmest reviews we've ever been given, together with a wonderful collection of photographs from their journey.
Thank you, Sandra and Mike. It was a privilege to be part of your first cycling adventure in Europe, and we hope Portugal won't be your last.
Why We Love Travelling in November
✓ Comfortable daytime temperatures of around 64–72°F (18–22°C) — ideal for long riding days without the summer heat.
✓ More flexibility when planning your trip. Unlike the busy season, there's usually no need to book accommodation months in advance. Many hotels and guesthouses can be booked just a day or two ahead, making it easy to adjust your plans as you travel.
✓ Excellent value for accommodation. Comfortable guesthouses and small hotels often cost €50–80 per night, with prices commonly around half or less of what you'd expect during the peak season.
✓ Most guesthouses, restaurants and tourism infrastructure are still open, while the beaches, villages and roads are far quieter than during the peak season.
✓ Generally dry and stable weather. Rain is uncommon, although an occasional wet day is always possible, making November one of our favourite months for longer cycling holidays.
✓ The Atlantic at its most peaceful. Softer autumn light, quiet coastal roads and an unhurried pace make this one of the most rewarding times of year to explore southern Portugal.
✓ More flexibility when planning your trip. Unlike the busy season, there's usually no need to book accommodation months in advance. Many hotels and guesthouses can be booked just a day or two ahead, making it easy to adjust your plans as you travel.
✓ Excellent value for accommodation. Comfortable guesthouses and small hotels often cost €50–80 per night, with prices commonly around half or less of what you'd expect during the peak season.
✓ Most guesthouses, restaurants and tourism infrastructure are still open, while the beaches, villages and roads are far quieter than during the peak season.
✓ Generally dry and stable weather. Rain is uncommon, although an occasional wet day is always possible, making November one of our favourite months for longer cycling holidays.
✓ The Atlantic at its most peaceful. Softer autumn light, quiet coastal roads and an unhurried pace make this one of the most rewarding times of year to explore southern Portugal.
..