Day 7: Cycle Algarve- The Foia Loop

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A beautiful day at a relaxing retreat hotel...
A short 20 mile ride was planned but all the ascent comes in first 10 miles.  The reward is views from highest point in Algarve.

We took a pre ride photo just in case we didn't make it back..
The first stretch was on cobblestone or what I lovingly call Portuguese chipseal.

Marco and Ricardo led us on a back route to avoid a busy section of the road.

Once we got to Monchique we started serious climb.

We had rewards all along the way.  At 1200 feet ascent, I first saw the ocean...
We kept riding, slow but steady up the grade...
At 1900 feet ascent we were treated to another territorial view...
At 2300 feet ascent, we were at the top.  Ricardo made it up before me, but seems he got a push assist...

And Matt got a nice high 5 for making the grade...

After a quick snack break, we headed down to the Velochique cafe... hoping to avoid any rain from darkening clouds...
Took me 1:45 hours to get to the top and 20 minutes back to Monchique...

Wherever this day took each of us, ending back at our beautiful oasis for a meet up on the plaza is well deserved...

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