São Mamede Granfondo

Fueling strategy for a granfondo in the hot Alentejo

Pre-race meal 3h out (06:00 for 09:00): 2 g/kg carbs. 15 min before: 25 g gel plus 500 ml with 800 mg sodium. During 5 to 7h: 80 to 100 g/h via isotonic bottle (60 g) plus gel (25 g) every 45 min. Sodium: 1,000 mg/h plus salt-stick every 30 min once 28C+. Caffeine: 200 mg split into two doses (km 60 and km 100).

June 2025 saw record min of 31.5C in Portalegre. For hot weather: two large bottles (750 ml) per leg, Maurten hydrogel for climbs, salt capsules in jersey pocket, reflective white helmet, UVA/UVB sunglasses. Carb loading 2 days out: 8 to 10 g/kg/day. Post-race: 1.2 g/kg carbs plus 30 g protein in first 30 min.

The course: Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

Open roads with signage. Route crosses the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park (only range in Alentejo exceeding 1,000 m). Iconic climbs: Castelo de Vide to Marvão, Esperança, Reguengo. 131 km Granfondo: estimated 2,200 to 2,500 m of climbing. Cut-offs: Granfondo 7h30, Mediofondo 6h, Minifondo 5h.

Logistics: point-to-point from Arronches to Castelo de Vide

Arronches 3h from Lisbon via A6 or 2h from Badajoz. Accommodation in Portalegre, Castelo de Vide or Marvão (medieval town a must-see). Bag drop with transfer Castelo de Vide back to Arronches. Entries close June 3. Open to FPC licence holders and non-licence riders 16+. Compressport is title supplier.

Compared to the Gerês Granfondo (same day)

The São Mamede Granfondo is held on the same day as the Gerês Granfondo (June 7, 2026): pick one. Gerês offers Atlantic-mountain scenery and thermal spa. São Mamede offers point-to-point with medieval Marvão skyline. For Mediterranean and castles pick São Mamede. For granite mountains and Atlantic microclimate pick Gerês.