David Raquel joins Shimano Portugal to take Gravel even further.
Some people cycle for miles. And some people cycle for stories. David Rachel clearly belongs to the second group.
A self-proclaimed cycling enthusiast, and especially a gravel bike lover, David has built a genuine connection with this community over the past few years, marked not only by the kilometers he accumulates, but above all by the experiences he shares. It is precisely this spirit that now takes on a new dimension with his partnership with Shimano Portugal, where he assumes the role of a dedicated gravel influencer.
More than just bicycles or equipment, this collaboration is born with a clear purpose: to inspire more people to discover gravel as a form of freedom and exploration.
More than just cycling: experiencing Gravel
For David, gravel riding isn't just a discipline, it's a way of life. It's about escaping the predictable, trading the road for trails.
It's in this context that initiatives like the now emblematic Rota do Pampilho emerge, a ride that started among friends and quickly took on a life of its own within the community.
"The Pampilho Route wasn't born sweet - it was born raw, dusty, with the dry taste of earth stirred up by the wheels."
This route, approximately 170 km long, connects Lisbon to Santarém and back, crossing the Tagus River, exploring the heart of Ribatejo and offering a complete experience: fluidity, scenery, and that perfect balance between challenge and pleasure. Along the way, there's even room for an unconventional goal – the search for the best pampilho, the region's typical sweet, which becomes the "emotional fuel" of the journey.
Today, the route is already traveled by many other cyclists, many of them strangers to each other, but united by this same desire to explore. And that's precisely what Davi intends to enhance.
What's coming next?
This partnership with Shimano Portugal will not be limited to sharing moments — it will be built through concrete experiences, challenges, and content that brings people closer to gravel riding.
Among the highlights is participation in Rebound on May 30th, a global event that celebrates the spirit of adventure and community of gravel riding, where each participant designs their own path, but all share the same purpose.
In addition, the following are planned:
- Sharing trails open to the community (including the Rota do Pampilho)
- Inspirational content about routes, preparation, and gravel experience
- Activities that encourage new riders to try it out
Gravel and GRX: the freedom to go further
The growth of gravel cycling is closely linked to the evolution of equipment designed for this type of terrain. That's where the GRX universe comes in — developed specifically to meet the demands of this type of terrain.
More control, more comfort, and greater versatility allow each cyclist to go further, with more confidence — whether on long adventures like the Pampilho Route, or on shorter rides at the end of the day.
But, in the end, the most important thing remains the same: the experience.
This partnership is, above all, an invitation. An invitation to break out of the routine, explore new paths, and rediscover the pleasure of cycling without haste. To download a track, gather friends, or simply set off alone, and see how far that dirt road can take you.
Because, as the Pampilho Route clearly demonstrates, sometimes everything starts with a simple idea.
And it can end in a story worth telling.
