Bike Portuguese central route?

[Magfri]

Most of the discussion I see around biking the Portuguese way is about the coastal route. Does anyone have experience biking the central route? If so, can you bike the same path as the walkers or do you have to find alternate routes for some parts (parts problematic for bikes)? Thanks.

 

[Elle Bieling]

Hi there, I did not bike it, but from what I saw, there are several optional bike routes that stay on the road instead of very rough dirt paths/lanes. We walked this way, pushing a yound woman in a wheelchair and I'd advise you have a bike that handles mountain terrain as well as roads.

Also, after Ponte de Lima, the way is up, up, up and the climb to the top to the Alto da Portela Grande de Labruja, is on steep and rough Roman roads. All the bikers I saw attemping to do this were on a hike-a-bike with their bikes thrown over their shoulders. Not easy. Have a look here at my photos to see this rough day for bikers. I would definitely plan an alternative route on this day if it were me.