At Portcycling, every journey is personal. You might start with no bike, wearing sneakers, and using a borrowed helmet. That’s okay — we meet you where you are.
Portcycling Academy is the GROW stage in our athlete evolution system. Whether your goal is confidence, fitness, or international competition — this is where the real transformation begins.
From your very first session, you’ll work one-on-one with a coach who helps you step by step:
learning the basics,
feeling more confident,
training smarter,
growing stronger.
Until one day, you’re at the start line of your dream event.
We develop your cycling skills
Your Road to Succeed
A visual guide to your progress:
Start
Your first step into cycling, even if you don’t own a bike yet.
Learn
Build safety, handling, and confidence with your coach.
Train
Follow a structured plan adapted to your goals and lifestyle.
Join a PCA Core Team
Ride in a group, develop tactics, and grow your pace and power.
Race
Enter Granfondos, UCI events, or your first local competition.
Celebrate
Enjoy your transformation and set new goals with the Portcycling community.
Every cyclist moves through these stages at their own pace. PCA is here for every step.
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Is This for You?
Never ridden a road bike before?
Dreaming of finishing your first Granfondo?
Afraid of traffic?
Looking for a team and expert guidance?
Want to ride longer, smarter, safer?
Hoping to rediscover motivation after a long break?
If you said “yes” to any of these, PCA is your next move.
All Workout Programs
Choose Your Path to Success - Our cycling training programs are designed for every level.
Beginner's Course: Learn the basics and build confidence.
Intermediate Training: Enhance your technique and endurance.
Advanced Racing Program: Compete and win with elite training.
Personal Training: Learn cycling with a professional coach's expert guidance.
Online Training: Enhanced with Personalized Plans and Expert Coaching.
Masterclasses and Lectures: Dive into the Essentials of Bicycle Maintenance
We develop your cycling skills
Darina Balabai
Founder of the project and passionate cyclist.
At 36, I first tried road cycling and soon sought professional coaching to improve my technique. This significantly enhanced my skills, boosted my health, and helped me lose 10 kg. At 38, I qualified for the Granfondo World Championship. By creating this project, I aim to help beginners avoid mistakes and learn to cycle safely. Our team of professional coaches will help you confidently master cycling.
What our athletes say about us
The coach is excellent, and the Portcycling community is always there. I enjoy the relaxed group rides just as much as the focused intervals. It’s a balance that keeps me engaged.
If you want to reach a better level, you need professional and structured training. PCA makes that accessible. If you’re open to it and willing to be disciplined, it really works.
João da Bernarda
Lisbon
PCA team has been a big part of my cycling journey. While I initially joined for the structured training rides and performance-focused plans, I’ve come to value the community aspect even more.
Whether you're chasing watts or just looking to stay consistent and connect with like-minded cyclists, Portcycling offers a space for both. The training is solid, but what really stands out is the inclusive atmosphere and the support from fellow members. It’s more than just a cycling group, it’s a community that motivates you, on and off the bike.
Daniel Matias
Torres Vedras
Riding with Portcycling isn’t just about watts and wheels—it’s about connection, challenge, and the kind of camaraderie that makes you look forward to every single ride. Every session feels electric. Whether we’re rolling through quiet backroads or grinding up climbs, there’s a rhythm to how we move together—an unspoken sync that only comes from trust and time on the bike. Communication flows effortlessly, whether we’re sharing strategy in the paceline or just trading laughs between efforts.
A huge part of my progress has come through working with Coach Joana Leão, whose guidance has elevated my performance substantially. Under her coaching, I’ve become a stronger climber, now able to maintain higher sustained power and tackle ascents with more confidence and consistency. Her approach is smart, personalized, and always purposeful.
The kit is a standout too: sleek in design, and the Lancer bibs are incredibly comfortable, making every ride feel smooth and focused. It’s a setup that fuels confidence and keeps me coming back for more.
Miguel Franco
Costa de Caparica
Portcycling offers outstanding cycling classes with a personalized, patient approach. Each session is thoughtfully adapted to the rider’s level, with clear, constructive feedback that helps you grow confidently. The environment is supportive and enjoyable, making every ride both productive and fun. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn or improve their cycling skills.
Anna
Lisbon
Switching from running to cycling due to a knee injury, I found incredible support at Portugal Cycling Academy. Their coaches improved my pedaling technique and perfectly adjusted my bike, enabling me to conquer a 1000m climb for the first time. This achievement has inspired me to aim for my first GranFondo next year. Thanks to the Academy, I can pursue my passion pain-free and with new confidence. Join me and let's reach new heights together at PCA!
Nataliia Shovkun
Senior Marketing analyst in Big Automotive E-Commerce
Thank you all for such a lovely time and for your patience following my turtle speed. I really enjoyed and felt myself so proud of all the evolution on my riding skills since I started in February. A big and special thanks to Darina Balabai for all the encouragement and to my coach for being the best and more patience teacher. Hope to see you all in another ride.
Maria
Lisbon
Transitioning from running to cycling, I faced several challenges, but Portugal Cycling Academy was exactly where I found the help I needed. The Academy's coaches not only adjusted my bike fitting to make it more efficient and comfortable, but they also significantly improved my aerodynamics. Thanks to their professional approach and guidance on pedaling technique, I was able to greatly increase my endurance and speed. As a result, for the first time in my life, I managed to cover a distance of over 100 km with an elevation gain of 1000 meters. This was an incredible achievement for me, and I am grateful to PCA for their support and expert knowledge!
Alex Zhuravlev
General partner in Mento vc
The balance of professional coaching and supportive community at Portugal Cycling Academy is incredible. Each session is challenging yet rewarding, and I've seen remarkable improvement in my performance. Highly recommend for any cycling enthusiast!
José Álvarez
Loures
I love to ride with you and the guys who always come to ride. It's always an oportunity to meet new people. I'm glad that I met you, Portcycling project and some others guy that I talk to 😍
João Duarte, Lisbon
Bank employee
Joining Portugal Cycling Academy was a game-changer for me. Their comprehensive approach not only sharpened my cycling techniques but also boosted my overall fitness and confidence on the road. Truly transformative!
Max Burianov
Cascais
I’ve met some great friends through Portcycling and always discover cool new routes. It’s helped me push my limits and get better on the bike. Love being a part of this community!
Andrew
Lourinha
I had extremely wonderful training experience with Aleksandr. I have asthma and he design our classes on comfortable level for me. He also discuss with me everything around cycling and dip me into the culture. Moreover, he helped me to buy meet first road bike. Truly recommend him to everyone who want to enjoy cycling activities.
Even before joining a group ride, the Portcycling community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. It’s an amazing space to connect with fellow cyclists who are passionate, encouraging, and always up for sharing knowledge and good vibes. I’m excited to be part of a group that’s growing with such a positive spirit.
Portcycling is more than just a cycling group — it's a growing community of people who truly love the sport and support each other. The energy, connection, and drive to improve together is what makes it special.
Claudio
Mafra
I joined a PCA Coffee Ride in Porto without knowing anyone and left feeling like I belonged. The atmosphere was warm, the group incredibly welcoming, and the shared passion for cycling was contagious. It wasn’t just about the ride, it was about the link with people.
Even though I’m not part of the PCA team, both the ride and the community made me feel instantly included. It’s rare to find a place where everyone lifts each other up, no matter your background or experience. That sense of connection stayed with me long after the ride was over.
I first heard about PCA through social media and decided to give it a shot! I didn’t expect a simple morning ride to leave such a strong impression. But it did!! Great people, great vibes, and a genuine love for cycling and community. I found myself wanting to do it again before I even made it home.
Miguel
Porto
Our Partners
We collaborate only with the best brands and companies that provide top conditions for our athletes.
To join our academy, you need to sign up for one of the lessons: personal or group, especially if you are an experienced cyclist looking to improve your group riding skills.
Yes, to start, you will need a road or gravel bike, either your own or rented. You will also need a helmet and cycling glasses. Regarding clothing, it's necessary to wear specialized cycling attire during the lesson to prevent chafing in sensitive areas.
We offer a variety of programs including beginner courses, intermediate skill enhancement, and advanced competitive training, all tailored to meet individual cycling goals.
While having your own bike is beneficial, it's not mandatory. We offer bike rental services with a range of high-quality bicycles suitable for all levels of training.
Our coaches are highly experienced and certified professionals in the field of cycling. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure the best training experience for our students.
READY TO JOIN US? FILL OUT THIS FORM NOW!
We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to our club and embark together on an exciting journey through the world of cycling!
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