🚲 The Tejo 16 → 80 km Challenge
About the event
Week 2: Alhandra → Lisbon \| \~32 km Has your bike been gathering dust? Or perhaps you've been wanting to cycle more but haven't fancied heading out alone?
This autumn we're getting back on our bikes together with a Saturday morning cycling series along the Tejo, starting small and gradually building our confidence and distance together.
You don't need to be a serious cyclist, own an expensive bike or already be capable of riding 80 km. The whole point is to start at an achievable distance and see how far we can get together.
These are social rides, not races — beautiful routes, chatting along the way, planned stops to regroup and, of course, the option of a well-earned beer and some food at the finish. 🍺🚲
🌿 THE AIM Each week we'll gradually build up the kilometres by taking the train a little further out along the Tejo and Camino route, then cycling back towards Lisbon.
Our Autumn Challenge: 🚲 3 October — \~16 km 🚲 10 October — \~32 km ← THIS RIDE 🚲 17 October — \~48 km 🚲 31 October — \~64 km 🏁 7 November — \~80 km
We'll ride at a comfortable pace, regroup along the way and have planned stops for water, a rest and a chat.
Wherever possible, routes will prioritise cycle paths, riverside trails, tracks and quieter roads, rather than busy traffic.
You don't have to attend every ride or complete the entire challenge. Come for one ride, a few rides, or join us throughout the series and see if you can make it all the way from 16 km to 80 km!
🚲 WEEK 2 — ALHANDRA → LISBON 📅 Saturday 10 October 📏 Distance: approximately 32 km ☕ 09:00 — Meet at Baobá Specialty Coffee Roasters, Marvila We'll meet for coffee, introductions and a quick ride briefing before leaving Baobá at around 09:15 and cycling together to Braço de Prata station, approximately 3 minutes away. 🚆 09:26 — Train departs Braço de Prata 🚉 09:54 — Arrive Alhandra 🚲 \~10:00 — Start cycling back towards Lisbon
From Alhandra, we'll start cycling south towards Lisbon, following the Tejo through Alverca, Póvoa de Santa Iria and Sacavém before eventually returning to Marvila. The route will be a mixture of paved cycle paths, riverside paths, compacted dirt/gravel tracks and some uneven surfaces, with quieter roads used where necessary.
We'll have two planned social/water stops along the way, roughly every 10–15 km, so everyone has a chance to regroup, have a drink and a chat.
At our relaxed 15–16 km/h moving pace, expect approximately 2 hours of actual cycling and around 2½–3 hours overall once stops and regrouping are included.
We should arrive back in Marvila at approximately 12:30–13:00.
Then anyone who wants to can stay for a well-earned beer and some food. 🍺🍴
☕ GETTING TO THE MEETING POINT Don't be put off if Marvila isn't particularly close to where you live! Part of the idea behind these rides is to use Lisbon's train network to make adventures further along the Tejo accessible without needing a car.
If you're coming from elsewhere in Lisbon, one of the easiest options may be to bring your bike on the train to Braço de Prata.
From Braço de Prata station, it's only around a 3-minute cycle to our meeting point at Baobá.
So: 🚆 Train to Braço de Prata 🚲 Cycle \~3 minutes to Baobá ☕ Meet the group at 09:00 🚲 Leave Baobá around 09:15 🚆 Catch the 09:26 train to Alhandra 🚲 Cycle \~32 km back to Lisbon!
Bikes can be carried free on CP Lisboa Urban trains, subject to available space. At the end of the ride, you'll be back in Lisbon.
👭 SMALL GROUP — 8 PLACES ONLY To keep the rides friendly, manageable and safe, these events are limited to 8 cyclists, including the organiser.
We're also travelling together by train with our bikes, and although bicycles can be taken on CP Lisboa Urban trains, bike space is limited and can't be reserved.
For that reason, please only RSVP if you're genuinely planning to come. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as soon as possible so someone on the waiting list can take your place.
The small group is intentional — these…
