Domingo, 28 de Abril, os jardins do Casino do Estoril foram o local escolhido para o primeiro Group Ride do GFNY Portugal, um treino de reconhecimento do percurso do Medio Fondo e que corresponde ao inicio e fim do Gran Fondo.
Com a concentração marcada para as 8.30h, numa espectacular manhã de domingo com temperaturas a lembrar as manhãs de verão, os ciclistas foram aparecendo e agrupando junto à tenda da Specialized, aproveitando para espreitar alguns dos modelos bem conhecidos da marca.
Antes da partida, a organização sorteou algumas lembranças da Specialized e do GFNY Portugal, pelos ciclistas presentes [eu tive a sorte de receber um boné de ciclismo], e pouco depois das 9h iniciámos o nosso treino/reconhecimento, devidamente guiado pelos embaixadores da prova: Américo Silva, Luís Silva e Paulo Martins.
Partimos em ritmo moderado em direcção a Cascais onde contornámos a icónica baía, um destino sempre obrigatório se estiver de visita a esta cidade. Seguimos em direcção ao Guincho e a sua estrada junto à marginal, que tem sempre tanto de vento como de beleza natural.
Na subida para Malveira da Serra, deu-se a prevista divisão do grupo, quem queria pedalar um pouco mais rápido seguiu na frente e quem preferia apreciar a vista continuou no segundo grupo. Depois da subida veio a descida para a Praia das Maçãs e a partir daqui foi um sobe e desce constante ao logo da costa, com paisagens do melhor que temos em Portugal.
Voltámos a virar para o interior e seguiram-se longas rectas, sempre com Sintra como paisagem de fundo, até ao km 50, onde fizemos a nossa paragem para abastecimento e troca de ideias sobre esta espectacular manhã de bicicleta.
No abastecimento, os dois grupos voltaram a juntar-se num só e seguimos em pelotão compacto os restantes 30kms. Esta ultima parte do percurso, de Pêro Pinheiro ao Estoril é mais citadina, menos exuberante no que a paisagens diz respeito, mas igualmente desafiante, com subidas longas e curtas.
No final foi uma manhã espectacular, onde pedalámos durante 80kms integrando um grupo muito animado, sempre devidamente apoiados por motas e viaturas da organização e guiados por ciclistas experientes.
Se ficaram com vontade de participar num Group Ride do GFNY Portugal, fiquem atentos pois brevemente teremos a segunda edição, ainda melhor que a primeira!
Sunday, April 28, the Estoril Casino gardens were the venue for the first Group Ride of GFNY Portugal, a training ride to recognize the course of the Medio Fondo that corresponds to the start and finish of the Grand Fondo.
With the concentration scheduled for 8:30 am on a spectacular Sunday morning with temperatures remembering summer mornings, cyclists appeared and grouped together at the Specialized tent, taking the time to stare at some of the brand’s well-known models.
Before the ride, the organization raffled a few souvenirs from Specialized and GFNY Portugal, from the cyclists present [I was lucky enough to receive a cycling cap], and shortly after 9am we started our training / recognition, duly guided by the ambassadors of the race : Américo Silva, Luís Silva and Paulo Martins.
We set off at moderate pace towards Cascais where we rounded the iconic bay, a destination always obligatory if you are visiting this city. We continue towards the Guincho and its road next to the sea, that always has as much of wind as of natural beauty.
In the climb to Malveira da Serra, the group has expected split, who wanted to pedal a little faster followed in the front and who preferred to enjoy the view continued in the second group. After the climb came the descent to Praia das Maçãs and from here it was a constant up and down along the coast, with landscapes of the best that we have in Portugal.
We turned again inland and followed long straight roads, always with Sintra as background, until the km 50, where we made our stop to supply and exchange ideas on this spectacular morning by bicycle.
In the supply, the two groups become one again and road in a compact peloton the remaining 30kms. This last part of the route from Pêro Pinheiro to Estoril is more city-centered, less exuberant in terms of landscapes, but equally challenging, with long and shorter climbs.
In the end it was a spectacular morning, where we pedaled for 80kms, integrating a very lively group, always properly supported by motorcycles and vehicles of the organization and guided by experienced cyclists.
If you feel like participating in a Group Ride of GFNY Portugal, stay tuned since we will soon have the second edition, even better than the first!
Sunday, April 28, the Estoril Casino gardens were the venue for the first Group Ride of GFNY Portugal, a training ride to recognize the course of the Medio Fondo that corresponds to the start and finish of the Grand Fondo.
With the concentration scheduled for 8:30 am on a spectacular Sunday morning with temperatures remembering summer mornings, cyclists appeared and grouped together at the Specialized tent, taking the time to stare at some of the brand’s well-known models.
Before the ride, the organization raffled a few souvenirs from Specialized and GFNY Portugal, from the cyclists present [I was lucky enough to receive a cycling cap], and shortly after 9am we started our training / recognition, duly guided by the ambassadors of the race : Américo Silva, Luís Silva and Paulo Martins.
We set off at moderate pace towards Cascais where we rounded the iconic bay, a destination always obligatory if you are visiting this city. We continue towards the Guincho and its road next to the sea, that always has as much of wind as of natural beauty.
In the climb to Malveira da Serra, the group has expected split, who wanted to pedal a little faster followed in the front and who preferred to enjoy the view continued in the second group. After the climb came the descent to Praia das Maçãs and from here it was a constant up and down along the coast, with landscapes of the best that we have in Portugal.
We turned again inland and followed long straight roads, always with Sintra as background, until the km 50, where we made our stop to supply and exchange ideas on this spectacular morning by bicycle.
In the supply, the two groups become one again and road in a compact peloton the remaining 30kms. This last part of the route from Pêro Pinheiro to Estoril is more city-centered, less exuberant in terms of landscapes, but equally challenging, with long and shorter climbs.
In the end it was a spectacular morning, where we pedaled for 80kms, integrating a very lively group, always properly supported by motorcycles and vehicles of the organization and guided by experienced cyclists.
If you feel like participating in a Group Ride of GFNY Portugal, stay tuned since we will soon have the second edition, even better than the first!
