My Story on Two Wheels: The Road That Brought Me Here
In 2026 — just around the corner — it will be ten years since I began this project.
There are moments in life that change who we are, what we do, and how we see the world.
2016 was that turning point for me: the moment I decided to transform the bicycle — something that had always been part of my life — into a way of showing Lisbon to those eager to discover it.
It wasn’t just the beginning of a job; it was the beginning of a new life.
Since then, I’ve personally guided more than 3,000 bike tours, which means tens of thousands of people from all corners of the world, each bringing their own cultures, stories and personalities.
Every one of them left a mark on me — on how I see Lisbon, Portugal, the world, and even on how I lead a group.
Lisbon: A City I Know Like an Old Friend
I was born in Lisbon, grew up here, and have always lived in this country I deeply love.
The hills, cobblestone streets, narrow alleys and wide avenues were part of my life long before they became part of my work.
The morning light reflecting on the Tagus, the smell of fresh bread and early coffee, the long evenings in our tascas, the music drifting from open windows, the fado, the nightlife — Lisbon was always my everyday normal.
The beaches of Cascais, Caparica, Arrábida and Ericeira, and the mountains of Sintra were my playground. I spent holidays and countless weekends there, living small adventures that tied me even more to this region.
Portugal: A Country You Don’t Explain — You Feel It
I’ve travelled through Portugal from North to South — alone, with friends, and with family.
I know the big cities and the tiny villages, the mountain ranges and endless beaches, the natural parks and remote trails.
I’ve walked and cycled through landscapes that showed me the strength of nature, the diversity of our land, and the cultural richness of a small country with a big identity.
Perhaps that’s why guiding bike tours feels so natural: I know these places with the intimacy of someone who has lived them since childhood.
And early on, I realized something essential:
knowing a place matters — but knowing how to tell its story makes all the difference.
The World as a Classroom
As my experience grew in Lisbon, I understood I could evolve even more if I stepped outside my comfort zone.
Over the years, I travelled by bike in several countries — sometimes alone, sometimes with local guides — always with the same goals: to learn, to observe, to improve… and of course, to enjoy the ride.
I joined bike tours in Paris, Budapest, Barcelona, Vienna, Madrid, Panama and Lima, absorbing new ways of leading groups, storytelling techniques, and approaches to keeping travellers connected, safe and confident.
But it was the more remote journeys that truly shaped me.
The Journeys That Molded the Guide I Am Today
Africa: The Silence of the Savannah and the Wisdom of the Maasai
In Kenya, the bicycle carried me through landscapes where the horizon seems endless.
I rode among zebras, gazelles, giraffes standing still like sculptures, elephants who always had the right of way, buffaloes, rhinos, hippos — and even lions and hyenas watching us from afar.
In Maasai villages, children ran after our bikes with a curiosity that melted the heart. They wanted to see us, talk to us, sit on the bicycles, take photos.
Soon after, the elders would arrive — to greet us, talk, or simply check if we were well.
There was humility, strength, simplicity, and a deep respect for nature and time.
Africa is unpredictable, intense, alive.
Every day there taught me the importance of calmness, attention and flexibility.
South America: Where Nature Tests and Astonishes Us
In the Andes, between Peru and Bolivia, altitude and weather make everything more intense.
Endless climbs, cold that seeps through your gloves, trails turned to mud, and epic descents like the famous Death Road — starting above 4,000 meters and ending at 1,200.
But there was magic too: Inca villages, ancient mountains, vibrant colors, shy children with beautiful smiles, hot tea offered without a word.
These were physically and emotionally demanding journeys — which may be why they’re unforgettable.
Panama: Jungle, Humidity and Real Navigation Challenges
In Panama, the challenge was different: brutal heat, extreme humidity, sudden tropical rain, and forests so dense they almost hide the sky.
Cycling among giant trees, hearing exotic birds, and being watched by slow, gentle sloths was as beautiful as it was demanding.
Here I learned the value of orientation, composure, and quick decision-making.
The Danube Imperial Route: History in Cycling Mode
Riding the Danube between Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna was a lighter journey, but rich in culture.
Here I learned how beautifully cycling can combine nature, exercise, monuments and history — all flowing harmoniously in a single experience.
The Camino de Santiago: Faith, Identity and Slow Conversations
More than a route, the Camino is a lesson in humanity.
Through conversations with pilgrims, I heard stories of motivation, resilience, faith and personal transformation.
Those talks taught me the importance of listening — a skill every guide should master.
And All of This Returns to My Tours
Everything I lived — in Portugal and around the world — shaped the guide I am today.
When I welcome a group, I know I always bring with me:
✔ the knowledge of someone who grew up here
✔ the experience of more than 3,000 guided tours
✔ the calm learned in the toughest journeys
✔ the sensitivity to adapt each tour to each person
✔ the stories — so many stories — that I love to share
✔ and a genuine passion for what I do
And although this is my story, I don’t walk this path alone.
Today I have the privilege of working with a team of local guides who share this same vision — experienced professionals with thousands of tours led, who know Lisbon like the back of their hand and who bring the same human, safe and relaxed spirit to every ride.
Together, we create experiences that are not just bike tours, but memories that last for life.
The journeys gave me technique and perspective.
Lisbon and Portugal gave me identity.
The groups I guided gave me experience.
What do we try to offer every day?
Something very simple:
A safe, real, human, relaxed and fun tour — the kind of experience that stays with you forever.
