- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times
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I believe that walkers and cyclists should be able to coexist on trails if folks use common sense and the trails are wide enough.
It would be nice for both to co-exist but I must admit the most disappointing and aggravating part of my Camino Pilgrimage were the bikers. I found the majority to be rude and reckless. Very few signaled they were coming. They came at dangerously fast speeds even in some of the most narrow lanes. Their attitude seemed to be "The Camino trail was made for us, we own it, out of the way." I was disgusted. I want to repeat, SOME were courteous but the majority NO!I believe that walkers and cyclists should be able to coexist on trails if folks use common sense and the trails are wide enough. Many cyclists passed us on the trails this spring without incidence... Sometimes with no audible warning. I have been sharing mountain bike trails for many years and am used to bikes ringing as they come through. However, when the trails are quite narrow (about 1 meter wide), and very close to the highways - such as near Salceda - it might be safer for everyone if the bikes road on N547! There were several bikes which went through at least 20 hikers at close range on a narrow path! It was dangerous. The cars were coming rather fast on the highway. We walkers all parted like the Red Sea, so the bikers would not have to get off their bikes and be inconvenienced. I will not yield in such a situation again! The bikers either need to get on the highway or wait till the pathway widens and then ride, or walk their bikes through...
There are many posts above which mention specific examples of frightening near-misses, etc. In my post I said that I would avoid busier Caminos. I don't think it's correct to say that someone who mentions a particular event is generalising. My comment about bikes in cathedrals and art galleries was about the aesthetic experience of a slower, walking meditation. We've spent millions of years travelling by foot. Choosing that mode of transport is a personal choice with a lot of resonance for some. Bikes are everywhere. Good luck to them. I avoid them whenever I can.My wife and I have been cycling the pilgrimmage trails for 15 years, some 6000 km. We have never come close to hitting a walker. It is not that difficult to co-exist.
During that time I have had a few more friends killed biking on roads. I never take a paved road if there is a trail or farm road option.
Please don't post derogatory generalizations about all cyclists. Some of us are actually not bad people and would like to meet other pilgrims without them assuming we are their adversaries out there.
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