Good Morning everyone!
As you will have no doubt seen, the riders have already saddled up and are making good progress towards their first checkpoint!
Having made good on my promise to work my way through a KFC Wicked Variety Bucket last night, you’d think I wouldn’t be in too energetic a mood myself, but I’ve had my morning coffee and I’m ready to go too!
So, what facts have I managed to garner about Cascais, where the ride departed from?
Cascais
Cascais is historically a fishing town, situated on the Westernmost tip of Portugal it was also favoured as the destination of choice for Portuguese nobility when they were looking for somewhere to take their summer holidays.
As a result, Cascais now has a delicate fusion of that fishing heritage, while also having a regal feel due to the Disney-like 19th Century Villas that adorn the shoreline.
According to the Cascais tourism guide (which has been a godsend for me here, I won’t lie!) it’s a great place to stay but also the perfect location for a day-trip from Lisbon, for those wanting to relax and get some sand between their toes on the golden beaches.
Monumento aos Descobrimentos Portugueses
The monument that can be seen in the background of the group picture above commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese Discoveries.
The statue, designed by Joao de Sousa Araujo, depicts a young woman wrapped in a sail, looking out to the horizon and holding a strong rope that would be used to tether newly discovered lands to Portugal itself.
It was originally placed on the roundabout in the Cidade de Vitoria Square, then in 2001 it was moved to the a spot next to the Hotel Baia, before finally finding it’s current home in 2006 to make way for the construction of an underground car park.
I could go into the Portuguese Discoveries in more detail, but literal hardback books have been written on the subject and I don’t think I could do it justice, so there’s something to go and research yourself if I’ve piqued your interest!
Next Stop
Checkpoint one is now well within sight, where the views look to be absolutely stunning!
I will return shortly with a further update, but until then here’s a video of the team setting off!