Guimarães 2012 CEC

This initiative is entitled “Get to know Guimarães by bike” and the centre of all activities will be at Largo do Toural. In addition to the fourth edition of the “Day One of Portugal” ride, the initiative will include a Portugal Bike Trial Cup competition, a gathering of antique bicycles and a bicycle circuit for children.

Being an official Guimarães 2012 event, the initiative aims to encourage the practice of sports and to commemorate the Battle of São Mamede (24 June, 1128), which came to be known as “the first Portuguese afternoon”.

The bike ride “Day One of Portugal” is free and open to all those interested. It will begin and end at Largo do Toural, after completing a low-difficulty path of approximately 12,5 kilometers at riding pace. It is thus intended to encourage the participation of all those interested, irrespective of age and physical shape. The organisation committee will also promote entertainment activities, a prize raffle and the awarding of gifts, as well as sports insurance for the participants who do not have one.

The “Day One of Portugal” ride will take place on the morning of 24 June, and its start will coincide with the beginning of an antique bicycles gathering that will finish at Penha. The Portugal Bike Trial Cup competition will take place during the afternoon. In this modality of cycling the main factor lies in the balance and control over the bicycle in challenging conditions. The purpose of this competition is to overcome a difficult track with obstacles located within “controlled zones” (sections). During the competition, which has a set time, it is not allowed to touch the soil with any part of the body and the bicycle (except the tyres). The bicycle circuits for children will be open from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

All those interested can sign up for the “Day One of Portugal” ride at www.tempolivre.pt or www.acm.pt. Additional information is also available from these websites.