bedding in albergues

[Zofia Carolina]

Hello. My husband and I are starting on bicycles from Burgos around 16th September and hoping to arrive at Santiago de Compostella in about 2 weeks. We are totally unfamiliar with what is offered at albergues in terms of bedding. I understand most but not all offer blankets. What about pillows? I often am cold at night. Should we bring our own sleeping bags, pillow cases and sheets. What do you recommend? Are nights cold at that time of the year?

 

[jl]

At this time of the year I would be inclined to take a sleeping bag if you have room. As you get closer to SDC the frosts will start and so evenings could be colder than a month or so ago. Buen Camino, Janet

 

[sulu]

What about pillows? I often am cold at night. Should we bring our own sleeping bags, pillow cases and sheets

Hi!
as jl said you will need a sleeping bag. Most albergues provide pillows. When I walked the Frances the albergues in Galicia provided a disposable sheet and pillow case, I have a feeling this practice may have been extended. you don't want to be cluttered with sheets etc, unless you can get some muslin that is very light. I carry a thin 'sarong' type effort, it serves many purposes, not least to wrap around a pillow, or, in those rare occasions when there is no pillow, to wrap around some clothes, to make a pillow. My sleeping bag is of the sack variety, I imagine that with the 'mummy' type you do not have to worry about a pillow cover. If you come across one of the disposable sheets early on hold onto it until you are sure this is going to be a regular occurence Do a search on here for sheets because I am sure someone gave some good info last year. All the very best with your planning.
Buen camino
Sue

 

[mspath]

Hi Zofia Carolina,

Since you are biking be sure to check out the Forum topic Biking the Camino listed below. It provides useful tips and advice from past biker pilgrims

Are you familiar with this Spanish web site >> http://www.bike-line.blogspot.fr/. It has a handy list of bicycle friendly albergues. To obtain the list scan down about midway on the home page to where PASAPORTE BIKELINE appears on the right above a red backed photo of bikers in blue. Click the photo and the 2011 listing pops up in west to east sequence, ie following the camino.

Lightweight sleeping bags are good for autumn. A polyester/silk bag liner is also handy. Generally albergues offer pillows. A large pillowcase or simply a piece of fabric to cover the pillow could be useful if you worry about dirt. No one takes sheets. By late September it could be quite chilly crossing the mountains ie from Astorga west.

Happy pedaling and Buen Camino,

Margaret

 

[Deleted member 3000]

If you need to be warm to sleep, take a sleeping bag. September often has some of the hottest days of they year, however, so a silk/nylon/fleece sleeping sack may be sufficient supplemented with a blanket. You are required to have a sleeping bag, sleep sack, or sheets for reasons of hygiene. In my experience, only Leon's albergue lacked pillows. I have never stopped in a place without blankets, though you may have to ask.

Buen camino.

 

[shinydragon]

Some have nothing and are very cold, but did send my sleeping bag (and big pack) on with a sick pilgrim in a taxi and used just a liner the last three nights of my walk alng with blankets provided.

 

[peregrina2000]

I always carry a sleeping bag, a lightweight one that weighs less than a kilo, and find that I always need it (but I always walk in May-June). Others don't because they are more resistant to cool temps. Night temperatures are often low enough that the bag alone will not keep me warm, so I wind up asking for blankets. I've been finding fewer albergues with blankets over the last few years, because of bed bugs they've told me. But usually by asking the hospitalera/o nicely they can find something for you to put on top of your body to add warmth, even if the blankets are not generally available. Buen camino.

 

[Zofia Carolina]

Thank you all, very much for a quick response with your advise. Sleeping bag it is.
Zofia C.