The team have made it to the half way point, resting up momentarily in Ribamar!
Initially I couldn’t find much information about Ribamar, and a quick google just brought up a plethora of places to stay and properties to buy in the area.
Rather confusingly, a couple of websites referred to it as Ribamar (Santo Isidoro) so I initially thought they might be the same place, but a glance at google maps shows they are a 40 minute drive apart… and another map shows it in a completely different location all together that is on our team’s route…
More research revealed that there are two Santo Isidoro’s in the general vicinity of where our teams are riding, but as they are currently passing through the one in the Porto district, I’ll tell you a little bit more about that.
Santo Isidoro (the one ‘up north’)
I feel like I’m doing a real disservice to Portugal here with my complete ignorance, but I’ll do my best what I have at hand, and it feels a bit more like the ‘good old days’ as I’ve got population stats and everything!
Back in 2001 Santo Isidoro was home to 1495 inhabitants, although I suspect that may have increased significantly by now. I’m guessing the Portuguese don’t have a love affair with censuses like we do here in England.
During Medieval Times (the period, not the American restaurant chain) Santo Isidoro acted as a resting point for travellers passing through the region, and in 1809 played host to a bloody battle between the French and the Portuguese during the French invasions.
The region is primarily known for its Agriculture, so that will no doubt put a smile on Gav’s face as he cycles through the area. What might not please him, and the other riders quite so much, is that Santo Isidoro is also atop what is described as a ‘large mountain’ on Wikipedia…
Apparently Santo Isidoro is a perfect alternative to Ericeira if you are looking for somewhere a bit quieter to stay, and want to avoid the hustle and bustle of a crowded town.
Lunch Time
That felt a bit more like it, didn’t it! Unfortunately there were no movies filmed in Santo Isidoro, and no Wetherspoons/Tesco’s drama either, but at least we know how many people lived there over 20 years ago, and that’s what counts… right?
The next stop marks lunch time for our intrepid cyclists, and as of writing this they are about an hour away. Stomachs will be grumbling and Max will likely be picturing those Bifanas floating in front of him like some sort of oasis mirage in the middle of a desert, so hopefully it’s smooth sailing on to Casa Da Vila!
Until then here are a few videos from the last leg.
No man left behind!