Southern portugal january?

[suffolkcindy]

As i get a few months off each winter and dont want to fly with my bike if i can avoid it im looking for non icey locations for cycle camping. I dont fancy morocco but hoping nearby might be ok. Anyone got experience of southern portugal in january? Looks cool springish with no ice but some rain which would be great touring for me. Looks cheap too as long as i ride inland and camp.

 

[stephenjubb]

yes done that twice in january you generally get sunny weather but in the country I got caught out by frost at night and had to sit through a storm for 3 days by the coast in severe weather so take a good tent.

Portugals weather can be deceiving.

In addition watch out if staying in a camp ground, some of the ground is rock hard and I needed to borrow a hammer to put my tent pegs in, so take strong tent pegs.

other than that you should be fine.

If you get chance I would recommend Sagres in south western portugal, some surfers go there but in winter the campsite is fairly empty, beautiful scenery and beach.

 

[Redvers]

Have done a couple of cycle tours from Braganza down to Sagres around Christmas/New Year time.

Both times the weather in the south was clear and dry, sunny by day but very cold at night with frost in the early mornings.
Light easterly winds. Actually very nice cycling conditions.

Some friends that live down that way say that sometimes in mid/late January they can get serious rain storms for two or three weeks. Still that’s just normal UK summer weather.

As long as you stay west of Lagos and avoid the worse excesses of the Algarve the country roads are pretty quiet and prices OK.

 

[suffolkcindy]

Thats very useful to know thank you both