Col du Foia - Highest point in Algarve


We had a list of must do routes in the Algarve and we left the best two for our last few days in Portugal. We head out from our base, now familiar with the city exit routes north, to the quiet country roads and ahead the mountains sit in pea soup.

It is cooler today and we do expect rain at some stage, our route is basically climbing for 35km, then downhill all the way back to Portimao.  But its the last 10km of the climb which is the real test of the legs.

We are on tiny deserted roads, away from traffic where the cycling is just perfect.  But then perfection never lasts, does it.

I will be frank, we knew what was coming, but once the route takes a sharp left and turns skywards, any reasonable person will still curse and swear on 22% graded climbs.  

I can do a few metres maybe of 20% but that unrelenting hill that appears never to flatten out or reduce to 15%, is demoralising. I try and try, push as hard as I can, it takes all my effort, I'm probably holding way too much tension but can't help but grit my teeth, I'm about half way up this steep section, but then the brain sends me the safety warning, 'no you cannot do this'. 

I actually manage to get off, without toppling over while unclipping my shoes, a miracle... Phew relief floods into me and I feel the tension dissipate as I walk up the rest of the climb or at least till it flattens out.  Takes forever!

Our route pops us out back onto the main road, where we continue to climb to the top of Foia on much friendlier gradient.  "Why didn't we stay on the main road? Would have been so much easier" I tell myself. 

It feels a little like Ventoux, limestone barren on top, cow shit on the roads, but no sign of cows as the road curls it's way round and round like a donut, till we pop out on a flat top. Views are beautiful.










Weather comes in quickly and we gear up for the 35km downhill run back to Portimao.  It starts to rain by the time we reach our lunch stop and it pours while we enjoy great food and coffee, "cheap as chips"


We wait until it eases and enjoy the downhill spin on fantastic roads back to Portimao.  A great day, despite not being able to ride the 22% grades.  I guess one has to accept, when one is too old.


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