The journey is a challenge Paul set for himself in order to support the non-profit, which aims to “encourage young people from the area to do more things outside and have fun, such as getting on their bikes, playing games in the park or kayaking”, he told The Portugal News.

“During Covid-19, I was volunteering in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, helping people who were self-isolating or couldn’t go out, by delivering their shopping or picking up their prescriptions”, the cyclist recalled. “The programme would occasionally issue out emails where there were trustee positions that needed to be filled and Tyneside appealed to me.”

“I’m from the area, so with my passion for cycling and the outdoors, it seemed to be a good cause to get involved with”, Paul explained. “I became a trustee three years ago since then I’ve been looking for a way to raise money for them.”

Getting Inspired

“It was a culmination of things last year”, Paul described his motivation for the journey. “My son took a year to travel, and I’m not getting any younger, so I just thought to myself, I want a challenge. Something out of the ordinary, as my son is seeing the world.”

“The idea for the trip was originally thought up two years ago, since I’m lucky enough to have a holiday home near Carvoeiro, I figured I could just cycle there”, he recounted. But a chance to bring it to reality finally came when Dave, a friend of Paul’s, “mentioned he’d always wanted to drive through Spain and Portugal”, so he was invited to join the journey as the support crew.

“It makes it a lot easier”, he elaborated on Dave’s role in making the challenge possible. “I won’t have to carry everything, and from a safety perspective, if something goes wrong, there’s someone to help you out.”

Challenging Yourself

The ride, a distance of 2,000km with 25,000 metres of climbing, has been divided into segments across 14 days. It’s due to begin in Tynemouth on August 26, and the estimated arrival date in Carvoeiro is September 11, 2024.

“It might be quite hot, this is not the ideal time to be doing this, but it’s the only time Dave and I could go together. We just have to be aware, set off quite early in the morning and drink lots of water”, Paul stated on the issue.

The route for this trip starts with a leg from Tyneside to Portsmouth, then down to Santander in Spain, west from there across the Spanish north, and finally following the N2 down the entirety of Portugal. The finish line is set to be Helder’s Bar in Rocha Brava, Carvoeiro.

“Many people go cycling from Helders, a semi-amateur group, the bar brings us all together and gets us out”, he explained the bar’s significance. “Meeting the guys there really helped me, as they showed me areas to ride in the Algarve that I wouldn’t have found myself.”

“I remember when I first started cycling and there was a time when I thought I’d never be able to cycle in the Alps, but I have”, Paul Nixon shared, hoping to inspire people to pick up their bikes and go for a ride. “Try and push yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve if you put the effort and training in.”

“Don’t be put off by traffic risks, or the bad behaviour from drivers, once you develop the confidence, a lot of the concerns will go away”, he concluded. “It’s a barrier in the beginning, but the benefits balance out, both mentally and physically.”

To support Paul Nixon and his mission to raise funds for Tyneside Outdoors, please visit: Fundraiser - Paul Nixon - My Race to Portugal (tynesideoutdoors.org.uk).

Author

A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.

“Wisdom begins in wonder” -  Socrates

Kate Sreenarong