GMM Run.

Day 1 Early start to the first day for the 650km’s to come, cruising a few hours on the highway to put some North in the run, a lunch stop 10 KM’s North of the A2 – A13 split, with its cool antique sports collection displayed on the walls, jumping off and heading East to Abrantes before picking up the N2 northbound. As the Sun started to fall crossing the hill top roads of Maguieja with its smooth long bends, descending down into Lamenga, the route was suddenly altered by a landslide blocking the N2, with the aid of the GPS we threaded through tracks, eventually finding the way to Lamenga and then onto the stop for the night, Southern side of the Douro from Peso da Regua.

Day 2 The ride West towards Porto along the North side of the Douro was just stunning, hillside after hillside of vine yards, beautiful houses and breath taking views, an amazing backdrop to the twisty and winding road N108, the 2 hour work out of corner after corner was eventual drawn to a close with the crossing of the river at Igreja Santo, heading SW to pick up the IC1 South to the night stop in Nazaire.

Day 3 Heading East across county in the Sea mist was a cool way to start what was to become the hottest riding day of the year so far. Heading again to Abrantes to pick up the N2 Southbound this time, the route East found a great road, rising out and above of the sea mist, over the hills into the Sun passing villages with some stunningly well kept buildings and architecture. Cruising on the N2 south bound, passing through the villages of “Water All of the Year” and “Tired” the Monargil reservoir comes into view, unusually full to the brim which can only mean either substantial rain fall through the winter months or the lockdown with the complete lack of thousands of tourists has preserved the water stocks. After a fuel stop just after crossing the dam where a very helpful fuel attendant removed her jacket to show off her curves in her old Faro Bike Club t-shirt, the road took us through the plains of the Alentejo just at the hottest part of the day, Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Go Out in The Midday Sun and all that, in this case – ride through the African like plains in 41ºC!

As the acres of Sunflowers standing to attention wizzed by, the heat was relentless the the playlist was in tune, Bruce Springsteens ‘Im on Fire’ was belting from the speakers. The welcoming twists and turns of the N2 as the Algarve boarder passed by brought the run to a close with a cool beer at Tia Bia. 1409.62 Kilometer’s 3 days, 2 hotels and countless coffees.