I would like to hire bikes for myself and my teenagers when we come to Cavoeiro, In fact I'm thinking of building a shed and buying some bikes, but am unsure as to how safe it is riding around Carvoeiro.

I know that you have to watch out for tourists driving on the 'wrong' side of the road, but in general how do the locals, such as BD1, Roy, Biffa etc think about the safety of cycling in the area?

Thanks
Tricky

All the blue lines on the roads that have popped up over the past months are meant to be something to do with improving road safety for bikes but it oesn´t mean that they are going to remove all the cars that are the real danger.
Unfortunatly here, the best roads to cycle on that give enough space for cars to pass safely are all the big roads, namely the EN125 qand nobody would want to cycle along that (no views, lots of traffic, one of the most danderous roads in Europe) although the plans have been submitted to improve the EN125 but this generally looks like a whole load more round abouts and not that biker friendly.
All the minor roads are not great to cycle on and because there aren´t many cyclists generally here drivers aren´t expecting to see any and drive accordingly. You could always go and do some off road cycling you wouldbe quite safe there!
Anyway, you must be crazy wanting a bike in CVO, have you not seen those hills!!

I agree with Bubbles last satement, who would want to cycle up those hills, it can be bad enough walking at times.

The blue lines don't have anything to do with safety so don't be misled, from what I understand the blue lines mark the 'Ecovia do Algarve' a bicycle & pedestrian route that crosses the Algarve but the lines cut across junctions & roundabouts without any thought to road safety.
There used to be a company that did bike safari's, they would take bikes & riders up to Monchique & then the riders would follow a trail down, don't know if they're still around.

Its starting to look like at 'No' then.
I must admit I haven't seen many bike riders in all the years we have be coming, but I did think it would be nice.

As for the hills , I'm currently running three miles a night in the UK and am not really keen to continue it in Carvoeiro over the summer, so thought a bike might be a bit better (I tend to fall over when I'm running downhill)

Thanks everyone

The Portuguese are mad about cycling & we get a lot around where we live, I guess you just have to keep your wits about you & be very careful.

http://www.funnycoolstuff.com/2006/09/1 ... ays-black/

blue wrote:http://www.funnycoolstuff.com/2006/09/1 ... ays-black/

Nice!!

My kids ride their bikes but just around this area and only during the day. I think it's a case of as long as your careful you should be O.K

We have tried various cycling activities - my husband and friends have gone road biking locally (looping round Ferragudo/Lagoa/Carvoeiro) - we borrowed bikes from friends locally but you can hire them from the shop at the top of the out road I think - standard mountain bike 10E/day or 40E/week. They took all the back roads and seemed to enjoy themselves.
In a fit of enthusiasm a group of us also went off-road biking along the coast with a mountain biking company based in Lagos - the guide led us and showed us where to go, mended our punctures and it was great - but I ended up walking up all the hills! They provided bikes, helmets, guide etc.
We have looked at buying 2nd hand bikes but are probably going to go for new ones from the bike shop just outside Portimao - there is a shop up the back road in Lagoa but they don't speak much English - Ana from the shop outside Portimao is very knowledgeable and helpful and they are part of a larger chain so they can resource stock from other branches if needs be. Can't remember the name of the shop offhand (think it is BikeZone ?) but could probably dig it out if anyone was interested.
Conclusion - cycling round cvo is only for the fit and medium serious biker.

Does anyone know the name and contact details of the mountain biking company mentioned in Lagos?? Would like to organise a trip as a gift when we are out for New Year.

It's called The Mountain Bike Adventure and is on www.the mountainbike adventure.com website. We did one of their day trips a couple of years ago - 4 of us with a guide doing a circuit round the headland south of Lagos - stopping for lunch/snack on the way. Bit too much like hard work for me but the men loved it. The lads running it also do surfing stuff on the West coast. They were great, equipment/bikes good but I think our guide would have preferred some more 'serious' bikers! The phone number that I have got is a mobile : 918 502 663 but I am sure you can contact them via the website.
I would attach a photo but never did suss out how to do it - laser blazer usually does it for me!
We will be out over new year with some friends and the hubbies will be going on some bike rides locally. If you wanted to join in please feel free to get in touch.
Best of luck.
Alison

Thanks alot Alison,will send an enquiry to that web page. Thanks for the offer,we are also out over New Year with some family and friends.My brother in law is a keen cyclist,trying to plan a surprise for him as a christmas gift.