Riders: A Bit of Advice from the Wise

Dear riders,

We have created a list of tips that you may find useful prior to commencing Ride the Algarve Way charity ride. If you have any questions regarding the ride, please contact one of the organizers!

Jinny Harman: 917563050
Rod Frew: 282 443284
Nathalie Baart: 914248714

What to Bring – Tips and Information


1. The Algarve weather can vary in May. We often get warm sunny days but the evenings can be cool. Ideally, several layers of clothing are better rather than bulky jumpers and jackets. Lightweight rain jackets are a must just in case we get caught out in a rain shower! If you have one, a small saddle bag with waterproof lining would be very useful or alternatively a bum bag to clip around your waist. All personal belongings such as sunglasses and mobile phones are the responsibility of the rider.

2. No smart clothes will be needed, jeans and a jumper will do! We will be carrying bags for 20+ people so please travel as light as possible and bring your belongings in soft bags/holdalls.

3. Most of the days rides have been sponsored by a company and you will be requested by some to wear their corporate logo T-Shirt on that day. Hope you won't object!

4. Most days the rides will be in excess of 40kms.You will be in the saddle for 6-7 hours a day over some quite hilly and tough terrain and you may well get a sore backside! You may wish to bring saddle savers, sheepskin or other. If you don’t have one, we suggest you buy these beforehand as tack shops are rare on the Algarve!

5. A support 4X4, which can carry limited essentials, water and first aid etc. will follow for most of the way. Other bags will be carried in the main transporter.

6. Lunch will be provided en route each day; however, you may wish to bring extra sustenance and water so means of carrying these should be provided by you. On some days there are long stretches where access to a horse transporter will be quite distant.

7. What to wear. Please bring you own hard hats, we would suggest the lightweight type. Jodhpurs or short chaps and don’t forget when deciding on footwear that you may actually be walking over some difficult terrain to help your horse.

8. Accommodation is mixed. The eastern, interior Algarve is short on accommodation, so lodgings are not always entirely conveniently located and comfort is not always 4star! It will be clean and adequate and you certainly won't go hungry, or thirsty! But don’t forget this is a Charity Ride!

9. Smokers please note that no smoking is allowed while on horseback!

10. The Algarve sun is very powerful so sunscreen is a must and perhaps a baseball cap to wear at lunchtime.

11. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures so you may wish to bring a camera. Please remember you will be carrying the cameras so the smaller, the better. Disposable cameras would be ideal. If you decide to bring a digital one, don’t forget a spare battery!

12. Horses overnight at pre-selected stopovers, not always near riders' accommodation. Feedstuff and equipment will be carried in the main transporter, which also has accommodation for those responsible for the horses overnight. Feeding horses will be arranged by the organizers but preparing, grooming, saddling, washing down, tack cleaning, etc. will be the responsibility of individual participants. There won't, therefore, be much chance of a morning lie-in!

13. Please ensure you read and sign the liability waiver/ insurance letter.

14. Although we are doing this for PSP sufferers and for RDA children, you will be enjoying a fabulous ride through countryside that few have had the pleasure of seeing and over a route, which to our knowledge, has only ever been covered before in its entirety, on horseback, during the previous 2001 Charity Ride.