Bikepacking Portugal with Juliana & Juliet
Lisa Roolant
An ultra bikepacking race like Gravel Birds isn’t your average cycling event. Spanning 750km across Portugal’s raw and rugged Alentejo region, it invites riders from around the world to go deep—into the landscape, into adventure and into themselves.
This year, Siesta Campers was proud to support the race as the official media van—chasing “the birds”, capturing stories and supporting from the sidelines.
Among the riders were two standout women bikepacking as a team:
Juliet Elliott, a UK-based cyclist named one of the most influential women in the sport, former pro snowboarder and content creator; and Juliana Veterano, a Brazilian-born, Girona-based nutrition coach and founder/host of the Zone2Speak podcast, a show that dives into the world of cycling.
Both are seasoned endurance athletes with a deep love for off-road riding and a shared mission to make cycling more inclusive—especially for women.
We spoke with Juliana and Juliet to reflect on what it takes to participate in a ride like this—the grit, the friendship and the magic of chasing adventure.
Tell us a bit about your journey into cycling—where did it all begin?
Juliet: My cycling journey began with commuting in London, but my bikes and parts kept getting stolen! That drove me to build the simplest, cheapest bike I could, from scavenged parts. I found an abandoned frame and converted it into a fixed gear bike—one gear, no brakes, just your legs.
I fell in love with cycling through that experience—finding flow through traffic, playing with the city’s rhythm. There was also a really cool scene emerging at the time, and I got completely hooked.
Juliana: I grew up in Rio de Janeiro riding bikes with my two brothers. A bike was just… part of life. My dad took me to school on a bike– no helmet, just sitting on the frame.
When I moved to the US for my studies, I started taking part in some gran fondos, but always just for fun. I joined a women’s cycling community in Miami, and was encouraged to do a triathlon, before eventually getting into Ironman half distances.
I guess you could say I got bit by the bug! I did that for 10–12 years, including during my time living in Dubai. It became a huge part of my identity—training, community, everything.
When I met my husband, a pro-surfer turned ultra-cyclist, I discovered gravel cycling and bikepacking. What intrigued me was the freedom and adventure.
What drew you to taking part in Gravel Birds?
Juliet: Really, it was just the chance to ride with Juliana and explore somewhere new!
Juliana: I had raced in Portugal before at BikingMan and completely fell in love with the Alentejo region. It reminds me of the African savannah. Huge horizons, golden hills, quiet roads. You barely see anyone for hours, but there’s always a café when you need one. That’s rare and magical.
Gravel Birds takes place in that same region during springtime. Flowers are blooming—oceans of purple and yellow—and birds are everywhere, which is where the name of the race comes from. Bikepacking in Portugal is peaceful, raw and deeply inspiring. Portugal just knows how to support an adventure!
What was your goal for the race?
Juliet: Our plan was to ride all day, laugh a lot, get ourselves into and out of silly situations and experience what the Alentejo region has to offer. We enjoy pushing ourselves too—but the main goal was to disconnect from everyday life and just enjoy the ride.
Juliana: It’s about the journey. We weren’t chasing podiums—we wanted to ride 150–180km a day, get good sleep and soak in the experience.
Juliet’s an incredible rider, and we work well together. We’ve raced as a team before, at Race Around Rwanda. We always say, racing as a pair means you’ll either become best friends or you’ll never speak again. Thankfully, it’s the former for us!
Now you’ve had time to recover, what are your reflections on your Portugal bikepacking experience?
Juliet: It started out super tough– WAY more climbing that we anticipated. Thankfully, we were fresh. Day two started well but we didn’t cover as much ground as planned. I started worrying about finishing within the timeline we’d planned. Realistically, we had plenty of time—but you always set internal goals.
Juliana: Yes, it started off beautifully—we were cruising. But it quickly got harder. By day three, the climbs near Santa Clara were brutal. By the time I reached checkpoint two, I’d already climbed 8,000m—the total for the whole race—but still had 250km left to ride.
That’s when I decided to stop. I had no pain, no injuries—I just knew my limit. And I wanted to stop on a high. I’d had a beautiful few days, reconnected with Juliet, soaked up the scenery. It was the right call. This kind of sport is about defining success on your own terms.
Juliet: It was a bummer when Juliana decided not to continue and honestly, I had moments of feeling bad about continuing alone. But it was important to me personally to complete the race and I'm glad I did.
How do you prepare for a bikepacking trip like this?
Juliana: You need to train your legs, your gut and your brain. There’s the physical side—power, endurance, technical skills. But also learning to fuel properly, carrying only what you need and solving problems on the go.
I pack light– spare bibs and socks, hygiene kit and a rain jacket. And I always test my bike bags loaded up—if something’s off, you’ll feel it over 750km.
Juliet: These races get easier mentally the more you do. You learn what to pack, what you can stomach and how far you can push. These days, my prep is mostly time on the bike and gym sessions. Experience teaches you what really matters.
Did you spot the Siesta Campers van during the race?
Juliet: Yes! I was so happy to spot the van when I realised I’d left my phone in the campsite on the first day of the race. I had no idea where it was… I realised I had to return to Castro Verde to a camping we stayed at to look for it. I spotted the Siesta Camper in the distance, and they came to the rescue!
Juliana: It was so cool to see the van out there—it fits the whole Portugal bikepacking vibe. It’s like a rolling basecamp.
Honestly, I’ve been dreaming about doing a van trip for a while—through the Pyrenees or Portugal. Having that kind of freedom, to stop when you want, to change your plan, to rest in nature—that’s the kind of adventure I crave for.
What cycling adventures do you have planned next?
Juliana: I'm racing Stone Circle in the UK next, then Juliet and I are planning a bikepacking trip in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Juliet: Bikepacking Cappadocia with Juliana, running in the Alps, a mountain bike stage race in Spain, Gravel Burn in South Africa and then Across Andes in November!
Juilana: Beyond that, we’re dreaming up our own women-led bikepacking rally—creating a space that welcomes more people into this incredible sport.
Follow the journey
Follow @julietelliott and @this.is.juliana.v on Instagram to keep up with their cycling adventures, and stay tuned for updates from next year’s Gravel Birds ride.