Portugal and Seville – 2022

Portugal and Seville Advanced Motorcycle Training Tour – May 2022

After a long pause due to the global pandemic, our riders returned to one of our most beloved destinations Portugal. It was supposed to be via Seville in Spain too, but as Covid had created problems with travel, we cancelled the little trip over the border into Seville to lesson the issues that may arise!

This post-Covid advanced motorcycle training tour saw a full group of 16 riders take on the majestic Douro Valley, the rugged borderlands of Elvas, the mountain roads of Serra da Estrela, and the hidden gems of the Algarve, including the legendary “helter-skelter” road.

This wasn’t just a return to touring; it was a celebration of connection, camaraderie, and coaching. With outstanding roads, incredible food, and even a bit of romance along the way.

Tour Summary:

🗓️ Duration: 14 Days

🌍 Countries Visited: Spain, Portugal

📍 Highlights: Douro Valley, Elvas, Monte Gordo, Helter-Skelter Road, Serra de Estrela

🫶 Tour Vibe: High heat, coastal rides, scenic rest stops, tight-knit camaraderie

🏍️️ Riders: 16

🛠️  Adventures: Covid outbreak, bike drop, Harley breakdown, biker-themed restaurant treatment

The Route: Day-by-Day Breakdown

Day 1 – Plymouth (UK) → Ferry to Santander (Spain)
Boarded the ferry with the full team, spirits high and bikes loaded.

Day 2 – Santander → Chaves
Crossed the Cantabrian mountains into Portugal. A fantastic first day in the saddle.

Day 3 – Chaves → Porto
Winding through the Douro Valley into the heart of Portugal’s wine region.

Day 4 – Porto → Elvas
Rode east through rolling hills and vineyard valleys, arriving near the Spanish border.

Day 5 – Elvas → Vila Nova Milfontes
A lesser-known gem on the Alentejo coast with epic scenery en route.

Day 6 – Vila Nova Milfontes → Monte Gordo
A coastal blast south to our beachside base for the next few days.

Day 7–10 – Monte Gordo
Rest days, beachside rides, and “secret” sessions on the now infamous helter-skelter road. A tight and twisty rollercoaster nestled in central Algarve.

Local bikers welcomed us at a restaurant that even decorated their private dining area in Kawasaki green – talk about hospitality!

Day 11 – Monte Gordo → Covilhã (Serra da Estrela)
Back on the bikes and heading north, we rode the N2 – Europe’s longest national road. The riding got better every hour.

Day 12 – Covilhã
A full day exploring the best roads of Serra da Estrela. Sweeping corners and stunning mountain views made for a perfect penultimate day in Portugal.

Day 13 – Covilhã → Santander
A long ride across Portugal and northern Spain to board the ferry home.

Day 14 – Ferry arrival in Plymouth → Home
A slightly quieter ride home after an incredible fortnight of riding.

The Unexpected: Covid, Cupid & Chaos

It wouldn’t be a riding tour without a few surprises:

• One rider brought more than just luggage. Covid made its way through the group, affecting about half the riders during the trip. Spirits stayed high, and we made it work. There was an action plan for this anyway but it still caused problems as we headed south.
• A couple joined us who had first met some years before on one of our France tours. Now married, they returned for their biking honeymoon with the group – Cupid strikes again!
• A dropped bike led to an emergency welding job and a heroic save by a local mechanic.
• One Harley-Davidson didn’t survive the heat. Its cooked battery forced its rider to catch a different ferry home from Bilbao!

Highlights of the Tour

• The N2 – Portugal’s answer to Route 66, stretching from north to south, offering some of the best A-road riding in Europe.
• Helter-Skelter Road – A tight, twisting local route we keep secret for a reason. It’s a rider’s dream.
• Monte Gordo hospitality – Incredible food, warm local welcome, and beachfront sunsets made this a perfect rest stop.
• Serra da Estrela – Challenging, scenic, and utterly addictive mountain routes that tested and rewarded every rider.

What the Tour Included

• Advanced rider coaching and guidance throughout
• Return ferry crossing (Plymouth ↔ Santander)
• 13 nights in hotels or B&Bs with breakfast
• Daily guided routes across Portugal and Spain
• Rest days, scenic diversions, and plenty of gastro treats

Not included: Fuel, lunches and dinners, personal insurance and breakdown cover.

The Verdict

This 2022 Portugal trip was more than just a tour, it was a milestone. Riders returned to the road, to advanced training and to each other. Friendships were renewed, skills sharpened and adventures shared.

If you’ve never toured Portugal with us, you’re missing one of our most rewarding and popular journeys we do. But don’t just take our word for it – come and experience the magic for yourself.

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