Day 7: Faro and beyond

140 km and 600 m of climbing

For the first time this week, the morning is cloudy and chill. I clearly suffer from a vital attack on my respiratory system. So i am not really in the mood to cycle very long distances today. In the morning i decide to keep my cycle ambitions limited to the track between the campsite and the train station of Lagos.

With the daily coffee, i ordered a pastel de Belem (on advice of a Portugese colleague) to give an additional push.

And it was required , the hills in this region are painfully steep.

All of a sudden the blossom saison started. Many trees exploded color fully past days. With support a good mood during cycling.

Lagos

Lagos is the end station of the Algarve local train. For 10 euro you can travel to Faro, 100 km further. The bike is free of charge as long as there is place. I did not had real competition for the bike spots.

The train works as a convenient greenhouse, i enjoy the heat if the sun while listening to music. The ride taks 1 h and 45 minutes.

Faro

I got from many people the suggestion to go to Tavira or Santa Luzia. And with the train, it is an easy assignment to accomplish. I will use my time to travel by train to the best places in this area. As many cities here are stacked with holiday houses of seniors.I

Faro i have a transit time of 1 h. Ideal to have a local lunch and a coffee before traveling further.

Tavira

Tavira is clearly very touristic including all the street sales people.

Unfortunately the campsite of Tavira did not accept cyclists with a tent, only campers and caravans. A bit of nummer. I remind myself, every rejection is actually an re direction to something better.

I cycle to the next village where the other camp site of the area is located.

Cabanas

The Atlantic coast route is signposted very well in this area.

The camp site is almost full. It is crowded with seniors mainly from Germany.

I have to ask for a hammer and some stainless steel pins to fixatie my tent on the rock solid floor. I am the only tent between many big campers. The neighbours even come to have a look what is was planning to do with a bike on this big space.

To close the day, i cycle to the waterfront of the village for the views and diner