16th MTB Raid SodiGás – Margens do Cávado

The 16th MTB Raid SodiGás – Margens do Cávado begins and ends beside the Cávado River at Praia Fluvial de Merelim S. Paio, in Braga, Portugal. It is a May morning mountain bike event featuring a timed 45 km raid, a 25 km non-competitive family ride, and a walk that starts half an hour after the cyclists. The main raid presents medium physical and technical difficulty, while the family ride is low difficulty and open to younger riders from age 14. The routes traverse forest trails and rural paths through several local parishes, positioning this as an off-road community raid rather than a road cycling race. The competitive field is divided into men’s and women’s categories, including elite, masters, gravel, and e-bike divisions, with chip timing for the race. Trophies are awarded to category podiums, the best team based on the combined time of its top three riders, and the first rider to reach a designated mountain point; surprise prizes are also drawn among participants. The event limits entries to 500 and accommodates families and walkers, aligning with the organizers’ emphasis on active leisure and group spirit.