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Good luck and Safe Journey.Hi all! I'm new to this Camino.. ie. I have never done one! Basically.. I'm female, 66, an avid cyclist from Ireland. Have done a few solo pannier unsupported trips within Ireland. I would love to cycle Seville to Santiago along the Via de la Plata on & off road, probably alone but am open to having someone, preferably female with me with a similiar mantra. I intend spending at least 3 weeks at this, leisurely, & interested in the history of my surroundings, Late April 2023
Lots of advice needed...this would be my first overseas trip
Thanks!Welcome!
For a first bike trip abroad and first time camino, the VDLP will be a great adventure! It has a great infrastructure, is largely flat for the first half at least, before it gives way to the hills and mountains of Galicia to the North and it's full of astonishingly well preserved Roman architecture.
It seems to be quite popular with cyclists these days, and from my own observations, often groups of spanish men who do it in 10 to 15 days. This does mean you're not likely to see the same people every day, something to bear in mind. Late April is a great time, before it gets too hot!
Happy planning!
Just noticed that you answered my last question.Hi all! I'm new to this Camino.. ie. I have never done one! Basically.. I'm female, 66, an avid cyclist from Ireland. Have done a few solo pannier unsupported trips within Ireland. I would love to cycle Seville to Santiago along the Via de la Plata on & off road,
Not necessarily! Am totally open to any advice I will be renting a bike@Flog is quite right. The VdlP is the perfect first Camino for someone on a bike. It was my first, at a similar age to you, although I was not an avid cyclist. My Camino took me 21 days, Lea surely as you suggest.
A couple of questions. Are you taking your own bike, if so what kind? Do you intend to follow the walking trail exclusively?
Thank you,!Welcome!
For a first bike trip abroad and first time camino, the VDLP will be a great adventure! It has a great infrastructure, is largely flat for the first half at least, before it gives way to the hills and mountains of Galicia to the North and it's full of astonishingly well preserved Roman architecture.
It seems to be quite popular with cyclists these days, and from my own observations, often groups of spanish men who do it in 10 to 15 days. This does mean you're not likely to see the same people every day, something to bear in mind. Also, many municipal albergues if you choose to stay in them, give precedence to foot pilgrims, so necessary to arrive a bit later. Not a big deal but again, something to be aware of.. Late April is a great time, before it gets too hot!
Happy planning!
I will probably we renting a MTB bike, perhaps an e one. I would like to follow the walking trails as much as possible. I have been looking at John Hayes on & off road route. As I say my biggest concern is safety@Flog is quite right. The VdlP is the perfect first Camino for someone on a bike. It was my first, at a similar age to you, although I was not an avid cyclist. My Camino took me 21 days, Lea surely as you suggest.
A couple of questions. Are you taking your own bike, if so what kind? Do you intend to follow the walking trail exclusively?
"Safety" in what sense - bicycle, traffic, assault, dehydration, getting lost? These concerns would be dealt with in different ways.my biggest concern is safety
As a woman travelling solo, my personal safety regarding assult would be my biggest concern. I was just wondering if this were an issue on any of the remote areas of VDLP"Safety" in what sense - bicycle, traffic, assault, dehydration, getting lost? These concerns would be dealt with in different ways.
Thank you very much for that useful information, & the alert cops app,., Don't dogs just hate bikes!I did part this year from Seville to Caceres. Safety doesn't seem to be uppermost in people's' minds as I came across a number of single peregrinas. You're more likely to have issues with (bl**dy) farm dogs who seem to delight in chasing anything that passes. So work out quickly how to drop a gear.
As regards the route, I gave up off-road on some sections as the MTB was difficult to handle on the rocky soil even with my years of cycling. So don't rule out taking the N630 which is a quiet road when not close to cities - and likely safer.
As regards incidents that have been reported here by peregrinas, they tend to be on the more popular routes like the Portuguese or Francis. Don't think there has been one on the VDLP but others will confirm.
Then there is the very useful "AlertCops" app which you should have on your phone.
Hola - renting a bike (from my observations - not experience) can be a bit tricky. From posts on the forum going back 4 or 5 (or more) years is that there is a time limit - two weeks, maybe three. Most of the rental companies were set up for the Frances Camino starting from Pamplona. May I suggest that you do some more searching both here on the Forum but also via google. If you do go ahead and rent may I also suggest that you invest in a very, very good/strong bicycle chain and lock. May also suggest that you read some of the post of people who have walked the Via de la Plata. It will give you some ideas of what they have faced - hills, river crossings, on-road & off-road. Best wishes / Buen Camino.Not necessarily! Am totally open to any advice I will be renting a bike
Hi there, thank you for your reply. Did you rent your bike & the panniers? If so, Were you pleased with the bike rental? What company did you rent from? I intend starting in Seville too, best wishesGood 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 went almost all the way on the road. The off´-road route just looked a bit daunting to me. The N630 was pretty quiet with light traffic apart from in and out of major towns. There were a lot more long slow climbs than I had anticipated and I had to walk and push the bike uphill quite frequently. Do be prepared for some solitude, I hardly met anyone, only in a few Alberques in the bigger towns. Next year I´m planning to cycle the Francis. Happy to chat more
Hi, did you complete the ride or maybe you're still en camino? It's always interesting to know how a novice bicigrino fares especially as parts of the Via de la Plata is not always that easy to ride. Hope you enjoyed the journey. RichardThank you, ideally I would prefer to have my own bike, I will have to investigate!
We’re midway coping with thunderstorms and sections where services are very scarce - fantastic cycling though !Hi, did you complete the ride or maybe you're still en camino? It's always interesting to know how a novice bicigrino fares especially as parts of the Via de la Plata is not always that easy to ride. Hope you enjoyed the journey. Richard
I'm afraid, I didn't do it, maybe next year. It's still very much on my mind.Hi, did you complete the ride or maybe you're still en camino? It's always interesting to know how a novice bicigrino fares especially as parts of the Via de la Plata is not always that easy to ride. Hope you enjoyed the journey. Richard
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