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Recent content by ricksca

  1. ricksca

    How Remote Is It??

    Laurie, Thank you for your reply. I think the thing that is slowing me down more than the remoteness is the Spanish that I haven't used for 15 years (and which wasn't so hot then). I know that in rural Spain English won't be of much use. It sounds like my situation is a little like yours. I'm...
  2. ricksca

    How Remote Is It??

    I have been planning to do the CF, but am discouraged by the descriptions of people leaping out of bed at dawn to get a place at the next refugio. I want to amble and hate feeling the need to be aggressive and competitive for scarce resources. Having said that, C. de Madrid might be a solution...
  3. ricksca

    Sticks or no sticks, that is the question

    I infer from your post that you use your poles primarily for climbing. I would like to offer another perspective. I use my poles exactly the same way they would be used for cross-country skiing. That is, I use them extended long and push off with them on every step. This does 2 things: it gives...
  4. ricksca

    Experience with Cycling-Rentals

    Yeah, that was my thought. Thanks for the confirmation. I spend enough time as it is fixing my Specialized FSR Comp. Can't imagine a Murray going 500 miles without major frustration :D
  5. ricksca

    Experience with Cycling-Rentals

    Interesting idea. Any idea how much it would cost to buy a mountain bike as you suggest?
  6. ricksca

    Sleeping bag or just liner for Camino in May to reduce weigh

    Wait a minute, Randi. Are you saying that the length of a man's toothbrush doesn't matter??
  7. ricksca

    Sleeping bag or just liner for Camino in May to reduce weigh

    Yeah, I thought the Weight Weenies were nuts too...until I hiked with my friend who was carrying 16 lbs to my 35. Ok, the toothbrush handles may be a bit much, but after you've hiked with a 2 pound tent, a 2 pound sleeping bag, and a 2 pound pack, for a total under 20 (water is heavy, no getting...
  8. ricksca

    From Santiago to Biarritz or Madrid on return

    Given a choice, would it be easier (or cheaper) to get to Biarritz or Madrid on completion of the Camino from Santiago? I could book the return flight from either.
  9. ricksca

    Telephone calls from Spain to Home?

    As an addendum to the Skype suggestion: While I know that many have advised leaving electronic devices home (for some really good reasons), there just isn't a more useful gizmo than the Ipod Touch. With the Skype app, every hotspot becomes a free phone call conduit to everyone in the world who...
  10. ricksca

    Wing It?

    Winging it doesn't mean being clueless. I like maps.
  11. ricksca

    Wing It?

    Thank you all for your great suggestions. Particularly, the Caminoguide online is a bulls-eye. And, yes, Madrid seems to make more sense than Paris. (Just ordered maps from Amazon :-)
  12. ricksca

    Wing It?

    I have been driving myself a little nuts trying to decide how much planning I need to do for a May Camino. My pack is in order for clothes, sleeping bag, etc. I am an experienced packer/hiker, so that's not the issue. It 's travel arrangements from Paris to SJPDP, books/maps, and other Camino...
  13. ricksca

    What Size Water Bottle?

    I have never had to unpack everything to fill the bladder. The sleeve is accessible from the top of the pack. Maybe if the pack was packed drum tight it would be hard to slip the full bladder back in, but i have not had that problem.
  14. ricksca

    What Size Water Bottle?

    Yeah, I'm a water wimp. I live in California where we don't fool around with dehydration. I think I'll carry the 100 oz's. Thanks!
  15. ricksca

    What Size Water Bottle?

    I am trying to bring the smallest pack/weight I can. How small a water bottle can I get away with to last between refills? Or, put another way, what's the longest distance between water? I'm sure that my Camelback would be plenty, but who wants to carry 100 ounces of water if you only need 32...

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