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PORTUGALBIKE.COM

Bicycle Tours & Mountain Biking
Pontinha, - Portugal

 PortugalBike.Com - Portugal Bicycling Vacations & Biking Tours
http://bicycle-tours.GordonsGuide.com/portugalbike

Overview

Since 1995, PortugalBike.com has been organizing guided bicycle tours in Portugal under the name of BTTour. They have already organized more than 200 bicycle tours and more than 8000 people have ridden with PortugalBike.com.

In 2003, they decided to offer something else – to show their beautiful country to those who live beyond Portugal’s borders. PortugalBike was created to share with people all over the world some of the most unique biking experiences.

In 2006, PortugalBike.com was a finalist in the PUBLITURIS Travel Trade & Hotel Guide 2005 Awards for the Best Company of Active and Animation Tourism in Portugal.

Being a Portuguese-owned company, they know the country better than anybody else and PortugalBike.com wants to expose people to places and curiosities about Portugal that only a Portuguese knows! Their goal is that you visit Portugal …riding a bicycle!

On PortugalBike Tours, you have the opportunity to visit the historical, cultural and landscape heritage in natural parks, enjoy the sun and the beaches, and at the end of the day you can recover your strength with an exquisite dinner. You can taste famous wines, amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and sample typical dishes of each region of Portugal.

You will rest in cozy and charming accommodations. PortugalBike.com always chooses four-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region or Tourism in the Country. The accommodations are always the best offer of each region.

What can guests expect on a PortugalBike Tour?
PortugalBike tours are designed so that riders begin at a certain point and end elsewhere. You do not start and end at the same place. PortugalBike thinks that is the best way to discover Portugal …riding a bicycle! Read the specific information about each ride to learn more details.

PortugalBike tours can be guided (with a guide) or self-guided (with a GPS device with all tracks recorded). The big difference between the prices for guided and self-guided tours is that the self-guided tours do not include dinners, picnics, energy bars and water during the day. There is always a backup car to provide any assistance you may need. If you want to take a self-guided tour with dinners included, this can be arranged.

PortugalBike tours have a maximum of 16 participants, and a minimum of two. Larger groups are also possible upon request and according to availability. Bike tours are prepared for one week (7 days / Saturday to Friday).

The dates of PortugalBike tours are according to their calendar, or on request, according to availability and with a small extra fee. The prices are for the scheduled PortugalBike Tours. If you wish a different date, ask for prices and availability.

What kind of tours are offered?

There are three types of PortugalBike Tours:

  • Road Bike Tours are on asphalt roads (100%). PortugalBike always tries to avoid roads with a lot of traffic, preferring secondary roads. On these tours, you ride more kilometres per day than on a hybrid bike tour. These tours can be guided or self-guided (with a GPS device on the handlebar), so that you are completely free to ride at your own pace, but there is always a backup car to give you any assistance you may need. You use a Road Bike (700x23 wheels with carbon frame). Participants are usually 35-70 years old.
  • Hybrid Bike Tours are mainly on asphalt/tarmac (more than 70%) with some off-road rolling trails. Usually the tours are a little bit longer than the Mountain Bike version tours. It is the best and most relaxing way to know a country by bicycle while also having fun. These tours can be guided or self-guided also. You use a Hybrid Bike (700x38 wheels with a little front suspension). Participants are usually 45-70 years old.
  • Mountain Bike Tours are mainly on off-road rough trails (more than 65%), sometimes technical, with very little asphalt/tarmac. You need some biking skills and you need to be in good shape. Usually, these tours are a little bit shorter than the Hybrid Bike tours. It is the best way to know a country and feel the challenge of nature. These tours are always guided (ask for self-guided); you will only have to follow your guide through wonderful single-tracks in nature. You use a Mountain Bike (26x2.1 wheels with front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes). Participants are usually 25-45 years old.
The goal is that people visit Portugal … riding a bicycle!

Difficulty Levels
Each PortugalBike Tour is classified according to its difficulty level, from 1 to 5. Level 1 is the easiest and level 5 is the most difficult.

  • Levels 1 and 2 are for Beginners (you are not in good shape).
  • Level 3 is for Intermediate Bikers (you must be in good shape).
  • Level 4 is for Advanced Bikers (you are fit and in good shape).
  • Level 5 is for Expert Bikers (you are in very good shape - you are a winner!).
Besides the classification for overall difficulty level of each PortugalBike Tour, each day is also classified from 1 to 5. When the trails are difficult, guests ride less kilometers per day and when the trails are easy, they ride more kilometers per day. Please note that the purpose of PortugalBike Tours is not to train, but only to enjoy your bicycle, nature and environment.

Travel & Industry Awards

  • Finalists in the PUBLITURIS Travel Trade & Hotel Guide 2005 Awards for the Best Company of Active and Animation Tourism in Portugal

Affiliations

  • Licensed by Turismo de Portugal with Licence no. 12/2003.
  • PACTA Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Cultural Animation and Nature and Adventure Tourism Companies)
  • ARPTA Member Associated (Regional Association for the Promotion of Tourism in Alentejo)
  • APECATE Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Professional Organizers of Congresses, Tourism Animation and Events)
  • CITUR - According to Portuguese law, we established a partnership with CITUR, a Travel Agency with Licence number 468/1985, to sell the accommodations for PortugalBike Tours.

Payments Accepted

  • PayPal
  • Wire Transfer

    Reservation Policy

    Book your Tour. After you receive confirmation from BTTour/PortugalBike that your booking is possible, you have to pay a deposit in the amount of Euro 300/person by Bank Transfer to our bank account or via PayPal within five business days.
    The final payment for your PortugalBike Tour is due until 45 days before the Tour begins.
    According to Portuguese Law our company had to establish a partnership with a Travel Agency to deal with the Accommodations for our Tours. Therefore, Final Payment is divided into the amount referring to the Tour and the amount referring to Accommodations. You will receive 2 PayPal Invoices with the respective amounts. The Invoice referring to the Tour will be sent by BTTour-PortugalBike and the Invoice referring to Accommodations will be sent by CITUR (the Travel Agency that works with us).
    If we do not receive a Final Payment until the above deadline, we will assume it is a cancellation, and your paid deposit shall not be refunded.

    Cancellation Policy

    As we are a company that develops outdoor activities, BTTour-PortugalBike is subject to weather conditions at the time of the activity. Therefore, BTTour-PortugalBike reserves the right to change itineraries or tour arrangements in the event that weather conditions may endanger the SAFETY of our Customers. The following are examples of weather/environmental conditions that impact itinerary plans: landslide, trees blown off/fallen, cyclonic wind, earthquakes, rushing streams of water, fire or risk of fire.
    For those who have made a reservation and paid for a Tour and then change their mind later, a refund will be provided only under the following conditions:
    »»» The total amount paid (minus a Cancellation Fee of Euro 100/person) provided that the cancellation is conveyed in writing to BTTour-PortugalBike 45 days in advance;
    »»» 50% of the amount paid provided that the cancellation is conveyed in writing to BTTour 25 days in advance.
    NOTE: Cancellations received by BTTour-PortugalBike with less than 25 days notice do not qualify for any refund.