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When venimar started, the idea was never just to offer a place to stay or a bike rental on its own. It grew out of Quinta da Victória and from the wish to create something that would feel genuinely connected to the place. During the renovation in 2021, we started looking at what could make the Quinta more useful and more interesting for the people who come here, and the old double garage became the beginning of the bike rental.
We started with 10 e-bikes, and from there the rental has grown step by step. Since August 2024, venimar - Bike rental & tours has been open to our guests and to the public here in Areosa. Over time, the idea has kept developing in a natural way, always guided by what makes sense for the location and for the people who use the bikes.
Why gravel bikes now
We have now added the new KTM Gravelator Aluminium bikes to our fleet, and this feels like a very fitting addition. Gravel bikes sit in a flexible middle ground: they are comfortable on the road, but they also give you more freedom when the route becomes less straightforward. For day trips, mixed terrain, and rides with a bit more variety, they are a very practical choice.
At the moment, we have the new gravel bikes in sizes S, M, and L. That gives us a good range for different riders and different plans. For us, the point is not simply to have another bike available, but to offer a setup that fits the kind of riding people can realistically do from here.
Where they make sense
A gravel bike is a very good option if you want one bike that can handle several types of rides. It works well on paved roads, but it becomes especially interesting once the route includes gravel, quieter paths, or longer stretches where comfort and flexibility matter. That is also why we see it as a strong option for bikepacking and multi-day rides.
We will also be offering bags for the gravel bikes, so guests who want to ride longer distances can use them for more ambitious trips, including sections of the Camino de Santiago. In cases like that, it will be possible to exchange luggage for the bike bags when we deliver the bikes, and then switch them back again in Santiago.
What this means for venimar
For us, adding gravel bikes is part of the same idea that has shaped venimar from the beginning: building a company that feels connected to the Quinta and to the way people actually move through the area. The landscape between the sea and the mountains offers many possibilities for different kinds of rides, from relaxed outings to longer days on the bike.
We also work with many guests who are passing through for practical reasons, including pilgrims. For that reason, delivery and pickup have become an important part of the service, and we have extended that beyond fixed places whenever it makes sense. It is one more way of making the rental more useful and easier to use for different kinds of trips.
What comes next
This blog will be a place to share useful information, a bit of inspiration, and the stories behind the different bikes and services we offer. Over time, it will also help us explain things more clearly for guests who are planning ahead or simply trying to understand which option fits them best.