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This is a fantastic daily blog with great emotion and great photos. I don’t know how Madis has the time and energy at the end of the day.
It’s not being posted to the forum but I’ve been following the Facebook posts. For anyone starting the VDLP it’s a good read.
I start on my bike on...
Hola Robert, some great advice already and PeregrinoPaul´s pov on a slower leisurely ride makes sense. I can´t help with which Camino. I cycled the VDLP to Gijon two years ago and am planning to try it again next month. I remember it being quite hilly!! and lots of pushing but great riding and...
The post from Grousedoctor above is pretty similar to my own experience of the VDLP and The Francis (part). I use two 20 liter waterproof panniers and fluorescent pannier cover and that´s plenty of room for spare clothes, sleeping bag, basic tools and personal stuff. As an experienced walker, my...
The post above from OnHellas is pretty similar to my own experience. I´ve taken my bike from Spain to France and Belgium by plane using a strong cardboard bike box which I got from my kindly local bike store. Airlines charge for oversize luggage and this should be on the website. I packed my...
A post above has already mentioned the Museo Jamon in the town of Monesterio on the VDLP. It´s worth a visit explaining the background to the famous Iberico pig. Perhaps more importantly the cafes in the town served the best Toastada de Jamon I have ever had.
I useful tip I got from this forum a few years ago was to shave using a blob of hair conditioner and no need to take a bulky can of shaving foam. Now I carry a tiny plastic bottle with me. Weighs next to nothing and works a treat.
There are so many travel options to get you to your start point. As others have already posted you will almost certainly need to break your journey with a couple of changes. For example, there is a coach from Santander to Oviedo, along the coast, and then a change down to Leon which is a major...
I don´t want to miss out on this lively discussion. Personally I wouldn´t wear jeans for a long walk because of the thick inside seams which chaff / rub after a while. My trekking trousers have smooth flat inside seams.
There is already lots of good advice here. I love the idea of biking whilst your friend is walking and great tip from Perigrinopaul above that you can use the time searching out the best places to eat whilst they catch up.
Last October I biked the VDLP, I used two 20 litre rear panniers and a...
Good luck with your plans and preparation. I rode the VDLP in Sept and really enjoyed it. Your timing looks good. I also probably went too quickly completing in 14 days so if I did it again (Spring next year!) I would take a bit more time. There are a lot of fantastic posts on this forum with...
I live in Spain and used my own bike. I posted it from my local Post Office to the main Post Office in Seville and started from there. There are several very helpful posts on the forum covering transporting a bike around Spain. On my return from Gijon I was able to take the bike on the long...
Good luck with your plans. I completed the VDLP in October, it was a challenge, I´m 66 also, but hugely enjoyable. I rode from Sevilla to Gijon as I have walked the Francis to Santiago some years before. I used a hybrid bike with touring tyres, back panniers and handlebar bag for essentials and...
I don’t know if this will help as I don’t know what your plastic bike box is. But last month I posted my bike in a strong cardboard bike box from my local Correos Office (Post Office) to the main Correos office in Seville. I caught the train to Seville (I live in Spain) and picked up my bike...
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