CHRISTMAS ROUTE

Christmas Route is a non-competitive mountain bike tour based in Murtosa, Portugal, with the start and finish in town. It concludes the NGPS cycling calendar in a Christmas mood, but remains a self-reliant ride: there is no official timing, no race ranking, and no competitive prizes. Riders select between two GPS-led options, approximately 60 km for the longer course or about 45 km for the shorter one, and the field is limited to 300 participants. The route follows rural roads and areas connected to the Ria de Aveiro, so the day focuses on navigating, riding steadily, and sharing the season-end outing rather than chasing a result. There are no course markings, aid stations, or official support along the way, making the GPS file and normal traffic rules integral to the experience. Amateur cyclists and regular bike enthusiasts are welcome; younger riders can enter the shorter route from age 14 with adult supervision and written parental permission, while the longer route is for adults.