Testimonials

Gary and Susie were the perfect hosts; they were so welcoming and friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them.  Susie’s cooking was excellent, not just extremely tasty but plentiful and nutritious - just what you need to refuel and provide energy for the following day.  

Its tranquil setting in the hills with easy access to a myriad of different rides makes Delucci the perfect location.  On far superior road surfaces to the ones we are used to back in England - and with virtually no traffic - we experienced a whole range of beautiful Portuguese landscapes, including the spectacular dam and reservoirs of Pedrogão Grande, stunning vistas along the Mondego River,  pretty Schist villages and rolling hills dotted with vineyards.

Gary is an expert guide.  He quickly assessed our cycling ability (not quite at the level of the many elite athletes that he has worked with!) and tailored our rides accordingly, constantly encouraging us and giving us handy tips along the way and, with his amusing catchphrases and hilarious stories, there was never a dull moment.  

We so enjoyed our experience that we have already signed up for the six-day event, Ride Across Portugal, which will take us all the way from the North to the South of this beautiful country.  We can’t wait!

Not only is Flash the perfect host, he is the perfect guide, from building a bespoke bike to meet your specific requirements, through to developing a daily training plan and selecting appropriate routes around the wonderful Serra da Lousa mountains, his pre-ride instructions are clear and informative and his encouragement throughout is motivating and innovative.

Flash’s dedication to his craft is an inspiration and I look forward to my next visit at the wonderful Delucci Retreat.”

...The whole set up is incredibly welcoming from the moment you set foot inside this bundle of paradise and it wouldn't be the same without the first class personal treatment from Flash & Susie.

The accommodation is spotless, very comfortable and the views from the balcony are beautiful each morning and evening. The climate pretty much guarantees uninterrupted cycling.  Over two trips, total of 12 days, in end of April and end of October, not one day of cycling was lost due to poor weather!

With nutrition being so important for Flash's mountain rides, the food from the Delucci kitchen is just as superb.  Chef Susie's culinary skills are just fantastic, so much time, effort and thought goes into selecting the best ingredients and menu, always ensuring that you get right nutrition for your next day's cycling.

Cycling with Flash can be as serious or fun (infact, you get big helpings if both) as you wish.  By asking all the right questions, Flash can assess how to go about ensuring that you cycle away from your time at Delucci an improved cyclist.   Even if you are already an accomplished cyclist, Flash will have plenty of challenges up his sleeve to test your metal.

On my first trip Flash taught me how to really engage with a bike ( I hired one from his wide range of top bikes), and one of his first assessments was that I had been 'sitting on my bike, not riding it' !  I soon learned how to ride my bike!  And on my second trip I even managed the infamous MFO.

Getting to Delucci Retreat, couldn't be easier.  The first time, I hired a car, but didn't really need it once other than to get from and to the airport. The second time, I took the train (with a bike box) to Coimbra, all very straightforward. For the return, I had first class transportation using the shuttle service, from outside the Delucci door, straight to the door if the passenger terminal in Lisbon.  This is definitely the way to end a fantastic time at Delucci.  I for one will use that service for my third trip."

Shirley Hayden