Cete to Rio de Moinhos Motorcycle Route Along Rio Sousa

The road section discussed here is located in northern Portugal, connecting the towns of Cete and Rio de Moinhos. This route lies within the Porto district and runs through a semi-urban and rural landscape. The road follows the Rio Sousa river for a portion of its length, a tributary of the larger Rio Douro. The elevation along the route varies from 84 meters (276 feet) to 435 meters (1,427 feet), providing some vertical relief. The nearest settlements to the start and end points are the towns of Cete and Rio de Moinhos, respectively. An interactive map showing the road can be found at the end of the article.

The route spans approximately 26 kilometers (16 miles) and is surfaced with asphalt of generally good quality, rated at 4.1 out of 5. The road is moderately twisty, with a curviness rating of 1.95 on a scale where 3 is extremely curvy. It predominantly features two lanes (about 79%) with a smaller portion of single-lane sections (about 10%). The width of the road is mostly wide (about 86%), with narrow and middle-width sections each comprising about 6% of the route.

Speed limits along the road are set at a maximum of 50 km/h (31 mph), reflecting the road's semi-urban character and safety considerations. Approximately 37.6% of the route passes through inhabited areas, including several streets such as Rua do Miradouro, Rua Ernesto Silva, Rua da Ponte, and Avenida Dom Manuel I. The road also includes a roundabout named Rotunda da Liberdade.

A notable feature of this route is its adjacency to the Rio Sousa river for about 7% of its length. The Rio Sousa is a tributary of the Rio Douro and extends for nearly 70 kilometers (43 miles). The proximity to the river adds a natural element to the ride, with sections of the road running alongside the watercourse. More information about the Rio Sousa can be found on its Portuguese Wikipedia page.

The road passes through several settlements and streets, including Rua do Moinho do Cubo and Avenida 1 de Julho. Both Cete and Rio de Moinhos are small towns that mark the start and end of the route, respectively. These towns provide opportunities for stops and exploration of local culture and amenities. The route's passage through inhabited areas means riders should be attentive to local traffic and pedestrians.

This article focuses on the specific road section between Cete and Rio de Moinhos as shown on the map below. The road offers a balanced motorcycling experience with moderate curves, good surface quality, and a mix of rural and urban environments. Riders should be aware of the speed limits and the presence of inhabited areas along the route.