TransPortugal – Prelude

Why I’m Taking on the TransPortugal MTB Stage Race at Sixty

Turning sixty is supposed to mean taking it easy. Instead, I’ve entered the TransPortugal an 830km mountain bike stage race from Chaves to Tavira. Here’s why I’m doing it, how I got here, and what it means to still be pushing limits at sixty.

Sometimes you need a challenge in life. Comfort and routine can be reassuring, but they can also lead to stagnation. This year I turn sixty – an age where many might be happy to slow down, but as a lifelong cyclist, I’ve never been one for the status quo. So instead of putting my feet up, I’ll be riding the TransPortugal, a seven-day mountain bike stage race that crosses an entire country.

The Race

Starting in Chaves – known as the “key to the kingdom” for its strategic position on Portugal’s northern border – the race heads south through stunning landscapes before finishing with wet feet in Tavira, on the Atlantic coast. Over 830 kilometres and 14,200 metres of climbing, riders will face daily stages between 103 and 197 kilometres. It’s beautiful, brutal, and utterly irresistible.

You might ask: why take on something so demanding? Maybe it’s not about proving anything to the world, maybe it’s about proving something to myself. At sixty, I still want to test my limits, to remind myself that I can take on something big; something that scares me just a little.

A Little Background

I’ve been riding and racing bikes since I was a schoolboy. My dad raced on the road and track, and when my brother and I were old enough, we followed in his wheel tracks. My brother had the speed; I had the enthusiasm; which, in the long run, counts for more.

Later, I found myself working as a cycle courier in London, tearing around the city on a fixed-gear bike. It was fast, chaotic, and strangely addictive. Around that time, a new craze appeared; mountain biking and it changed everything. Those early MTBs were heavy, clunky, and had brakes that barely worked, but they were fun. Weekends meant jumping on a train to the Surrey Hills, blasting around muddy trails with friends, and coming home exhausted and grinning.

As always happens, those carefree rides led to racing. I raced all over the UK, not troubling the podium, but loving every minute. Over the years I’ve dabbled in everything: road, MTB, cyclo-cross, off-road orienteering, and adventure racing. If it involved a bike, I was in.

A Long Time Coming

I first heard about TransPortugal back in the early 2000s – the inaugural race was in 2003 – and thought, one day, I’ll do that. Fast-forward twenty-two years and that day has come. After two decades of casually (and not so casually) mentioning it, my partner finally gave in and bought me an entry as a 60th birthday present. Proof that persistence – or gentle nagging – really does pay off.

The Challenge Ahead

If you’ve ever ridden a stage race, you’ll know they’re among the toughest events you can do. In a one-day race, you can empty the tank and recover later. In a stage race, you have to do it again and again and again. You wake up sore, tired, and somehow have to convince your legs to keep turning.

I’ve only ridden two short stage races before – weekend events with four stages – and even those were punishing. This will be something else entirely. TransPortugal is a solo, unsupported race: each rider follows a GPS route, handles their own mechanicals and nutrition during the day, and only gets help once they cross the finish line. Then, thankfully, the organisers provide the luxury bit — four- and five-star hotels, mechanics, massages, and hot meals.

That’s one reason I chose this event. Some MTB stage races end with you crawling into a damp tent. I’ve done my time under canvas, and at sixty, I’ll take a proper bed and a good breakfast before tackling another 150 kilometres, thank you very much.

Preparing for the Unknown

Although I’m still racing regularly and have plenty of miles in my legs, I’ve never trained for a week-long stage race. That’s a new kind of challenge. Luckily, I’ve got some expert help: Ric Stern, head coach at CycleCoach and one of the UK’s top cycling coaches, will be guiding my preparation. Ric has over 25 years’ experience coaching riders to world, national, and Paralympic medals – and even a few Tour de France riders – so I’m in good hands.

Then there’s the bike question: hardtail or full-suspension? Tyres, saddle, spares, nutrition — the list of decisions feels endless. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing how I’m preparing, what I’m learning, and what choices I make as I get ready for the start line in Chaves.

The Road (and Trail) Ahead

I know there will be highs and lows along the way. Training, planning, and racing something like TransPortugal isn’t easy, but that’s the point. It’s about pushing beyond comfort, finding out what’s still possible, and enjoying the journey.

Next time, I’ll dive into the race itself, the stages, the history, and the logistics behind this incredible event. Stay tuned… the adventure is only just beginning.

Why not join me on the TransPortugal? Click here to see all the details.