N2 CHALLENGE - A Typical Day on the Bike

08:00 Buffet Breakfast

Each selected hotel provides a varied and complete breakfast menu to enjoy whilst the support crew prepare your bidons.

09:00 Stage Briefing

You will be given you an itinerary card which conveniently fits into your back pocket.

The card provides information and locations of feed stations, major climbs and emergency contact numbers.

Your .gpx maps will have been sent to you several weeks prior to your arrival. Load up your stage map and we're ready to depart after the briefing.

We tend to ride as a group for the first 50/60kms to the Hydration Stop. The Ride Leader maintains an average pace so as not to stress your legs first thing in the morning.

Those who prefer to ride a quicker pace are welcome to ride off the front.

09:30 Departure

Whilst you’re enjoying the ride with your friends, the Support Crew will transfer your luggage and bike box to the next hotel, prepare the first hydration station and the lunch station.

If you run into difficulty during the day the Broom Wagon will provide assistance or if you have a major mechanical, the Support Crew will recover you to the next hotel.

We carry a comprehensive set of tools and emergency spares which should fix most problems. However, you should bring some spare tubes, a spare tyre, chain and gear hanger just in case.

11:30 Hydration / Snack Stop – FS1

The Support Crew will refill your bidons, supply you with more energy bars and some fruit.

After FS1 the group tends to fracture into smaller groups defined by the pace each group prefers. However, the Ride Leader will always maintain an average paced group for those who want to ride in an organised peloton.

You’re welcome to form into quicker or slower groups depending on how you want to ride the next 50/60kms to the Lunch Stop.

14:30 Lunch Stop – FS2

The Support Crew will have prepared a very nourishing and delicious lunch stop. Each day is a different menu. They’ll also refill your bidons and supply you with more energy bars to sustain you through the last segment of the Stage.

After FS2 the Ride Leader tends to accompany and support those riders towards the back of the peloton and provide encouragement up the last few climbs of the day!

Cut off times are very generous but if you need a helping hand, the Broom Wagon will speed you to the hotel where you can recover, ready for the next day.

17:30 Arrival Stage End Hotel

You will have been checked in and your suitcase delivered to your room.

The Support Crew will have prepared a Protein Shake for you which is iced on hotter days.

You’ll be handed your Tote Bag in which you would have placed your footwear. In your Tote Bag you will find your Room Key, Stage Card and Energy Bars for the following day.

You will also be supplied a laundry bag in which to place your cycling kit every other day. Your kit will be returned the following morning.

20:00 Dinner

Each evening varied and regional dishes are prepared for you to enjoy. The 3 to 4 courses are created using locally sourced produce and, of course, wine from the region.

OUR TOURS

Our routes and tours have been created with assistance from some of the most reputable professionals from the cycling world including World and Paralympic Champion, Dame Sarah Storey, Yanto Barker (Founder of Le Col), Michael Hutchinson (Dr.Hutch) and Paulo M. Almeida, Portugal's famous endurance rider.

With the benefit of this quality of involvement you can be assured that our tours supply the same level of support and organisation experienced exclusively by professional riders.

From the moment you land we will take care of you.

  • We transfer you to and from the airport
  • Transfer details for each tour are on the Entry Form
  • All meals are included on all of our Tours (within itinerary)
  • All tours benefit from well stocked and staffed Feed Stations every 60kms plus a Recovery Station at the destination hotel.
  • We’re always grateful for the company if you want to take a breather and travel in the Broom Wagon to recover during any of the stages.
  • We will check you into each hotel and you will find your baggage in your room on arrival.
  • We laundry your cycling kit every other day and return it to your room the following morning.
  • At the end of each day’s ride, you’ll get to know Portugal’s bountiful gastronomy and superb wines in our selected restaurants.
  • Every stage has challenges for all abilities.
  • Each group benefits from the invaluable knowledge of our local guides and the vehicle assistance of our exemplary support crew.
  • Stages are carefully designed to ensure every rider feels challenged but not overwhelmed.
  • Our pro-rider friends, who frequently drop in, love to share the experience with you.

WHO CAN ENTER

Our Tours are accessible to all abilities regardless of riding style.

We’ll send you details of our Coaching Partners. They can help you prepare for the event and ensure you enjoy the ride; returning to the hotel at the end of each day satisfied but not overwhelmed.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

At Volta Pro Tours, we are taking a leading role in helping to bring the UK in line with its 'Net Zero by 2050' target. As a Net Zero company, we reduce our carbon emissions and offset those which are unavoidable.

To find out more visit www.netzeroconsultants.co.uk