Ride Portugal Dh Holidays

Thanks for a brilliant time, See you soon 

Rideportugal is proof of how a DH holiday should be. Rideportugal, is the real DH deal, not for beginners, don’t expect smooth groomed bike park style tracks. There’s more natural tracks featuring angry rocks, steeps, gaps, jumps, step downs, speed, flow and all-round gnar, to satisfy any true DH rider. All the DH tracks have numerous lines with lots of opportunities on each track for riders to man-up a notch. It will raise any winter weary downhillers stoke-o-meter to the max from the first run & maintain it at max all week from the first pedal stroke.  

 

The uplifts are serviced by ‘damage free’ trailers and 4x4’s direct from the accommodation. Your host Brian will guide guests down any of the 10 tracks, (most of which he has created from scratch) each having their own unique uncompromising style & features, sharing advice on lines, for riders to get the most out of the tracks so they can hit the biggest lines & features over the next few runs. He works tirelessly with Nancy & Sam to create a superb holiday experience. The exploiting of guests enjoyment of DH is outstanding to the point that Rideportugal can be treated like a DH boot camp, the sole purpose being to smash out as many runs as your body & bike can cope with, trying to conquer Brian’s awesome creations, you came for dh you're undoubtedly going to get dh. 

 

A holiday here will make any true DH rider question their life’s destiny of living the DH dream, only to experience the comedown of reality whilst packing the bike for the homeward journey. 

A true downhillers holiday!!!

 

I only dropped in for a couple of days up-lift guiding whilst on holiday in the area, so can't comment on the whole pacakage set-up, but wish I was!

The biggest draw for anyone looking for a trip has to be the terrain. Ride Portugal aren't operating from a ready-to-go park location, they have gone out into the hills and cut, dug and built an amazing array of trails that give as good as you can go.
From rutty rocky gullies, big boulder slabs, stone and root step downs, purpose built (and well shaped) gaps and tables, the trails have it all. There were times I felt like I was back in Moab, other time flat out Alps, then threading it steeply like S.Wales (minus the wet). The guys should justifiably be well proud of their network and there is plenty of it. 

In two days I rode two different locations and at each a number of trails. I guess because they ride a lot themselves they seem to know the balance between letting you session a trail to fully get the feel and hit certain lines, but then when to move on and try something different. We averaged about four runs a trail with each being about five minutes plus if ridden straight through. I don't race, but it seems an ideal place to come if thats something your into, even in just a short time I was faster and hitting stuff I might usually roll or ride around. The simple style of guiding used by Brian and his team helps you avoid any big suprises, but still lets you ride the trail as you see it which was cool.

I ride a long travel Enduro bike, not a DH rig, which coped well enough with it all (In fact there are some really good Enduro style runs they took me on), but on balance I'd say its more DH orientated business and that sort of gear and riding is what to bring and expect. The only thing they don't do is hire bikes, which would be nice if you are looking to drop in for a few days like me, but on balance being on your own bike  that you know is good for riding this terrain. If you're coming for a week or more, I'd recommend bringing plenty of spares (tubes, chains, mechs/ hangers, tyres) as its a tough environment.

Value wise I paid €40 per day which I feel was a really fair price for the riding time and locations I got in return, but mostly would  look into getting a crew together for a week of sun, fun and riding in Portugal :)