While I soaked up the tranquil charm of the Portuguese countryside, John had the thrill of a lifetime with a truly unique experience — a day riding vintage off-road motorcycles through the raw, untamed beauty of the Serra do Açor. He joined one of Portugal’s most exciting new ventures: Vintage Enduro Tours.
Adventure awaited them in the wild Serra do Açor, and for bike lovers — or even just thrill seekers — this is paradise on two wheels. These aren’t your average modern machines. We’re talking vintage, fully-restored enduro motorcycles — raw, powerful, and unapologetically old-school. The kind of bikes where you don’t just ride — you feel every rev of the engine, every bump of the trail. There’s a certain gritty romance in the air: the rich smell of oil and exhaust, the rumble of engines echoing through the mountain passes, and the satisfying hum of tires gripping dusty tracks.
The guided routes take riders deep into the folds of Portugal’s hidden gem, far from the tourist trail. John roared past ancient stone villages, through pine-scented forests, and along winding, rocky trails that only these nimble, rugged bikes could navigate. One moment you’re climbing steep ridgelines with sweeping views across the valley, the next you’re plunging into shaded glens, dodging roots and rocks like a scene from a wild rally film.
A big part of what made the day so seamless — and unforgettable — was Lee, the brilliant host and guide behind the tour. His local knowledge, passion for the area, and eye for the perfect trails turned what could have been just a fun ride into a real off-road adventure. He tailored the experience to the group’s ability and spirit, always ready with encouragement, a joke, or just the right route to push the day from good to great.
And here’s the kicker: Vintage Enduro Tours is quite possibly the only place in the world where you can experience this kind of ride on a fleet of classic bikes, all together and in such pristine condition. That makes the adventure not just thrilling, but truly rare.
After a long day of twisting trails and adrenaline, the group returns to base, dusty but grinning, for a pre-arranged lunch and a well-earned cold beer. The air is full of stories and laughter — tales of tight turns, near misses, unexpected vistas, and the unforgettable feel of vintage horsepower. Would they do it again? Absolutely. Would they change anything? Not a chance. It was an experience to remember — one that’s already penciled in to be repeated.
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting off the beaten track, both literally and figuratively, and doing something wild, raw, and real — this is it. Ride vintage. Ride free. Ride Portugal.
