Author
Tomás Faria
IMBA-Certified MTB Guide · Trans Madeira Finisher · Trail Builder
Funchal, Madeira
About Tomás
Funchal-based IMBA-certified MTB guide and Trans Madeira race veteran with 9 years riding and guiding Madeira's enduro + XC trail network. Tomás has personally helped build over 15km of singletrack on the Paul da Serra plateau and rides 200+ days a year. He writes every operator and trail review himself after a current-season ride.
Credentials
- IMBA Level 2 MTB Guide certification
- Trans Madeira Enduro Race finisher (3x)
- 9+ years guiding in Madeira
- Wilderness First Aid certification (current)
- Trail-builder (Paul da Serra + Pico do Arieiro networks)
Areas of expertise
- Enduro vs XC vs e-MTB tour selection
- Trans Madeira race logistics
- Trail difficulty calibration (Trailforks vs operator scales)
- Bike-park (GAMBLE / Estaca) progression
- Shuttle vs self-pedal logistics
- E-bike tours on coastal levadas (and which to avoid)
- Multi-day package fit by ability
Methodology
Quarterly trail sampling across difficulty bands — beginner XC, intermediate flow, advanced enduro, expert gravity. Operator audits as fee-paying client trips, never disclosed in advance, with assessment focused on guide competence, bike condition, shuttle reliability, and group-skill matching. Difficulty ratings re-validated each season as trails change with weather and use.