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Bicyclist on the Camino

annelise

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Past
Dear all,

Well knowing that this is a controversial issue on the forum, i just wish to add my impressions.

At a time (May this year, 2011), I at one time chose to take a rather round-about way along a highway instead of walking along the camino-track, which to me seemed straight into an abyss (but of course this meant quite a few more km's of walking on the highway. It felt safer to me – I feel bad about steep descents).

And to my delight – as I had thought that I would have felt quite alone – almost infallible on that stretch, all byciclist hurtling down the highway, passing me trudging along on my lonely camino with my backpack, yelled 'Buen camino' to me! – Wonderful encouragement, indeed. Loved the encouragement.

On the flip side, I would also say that although the majority of bicyclists seems to be respectful of walkers, this is not necessarily always the case.

This I especially experienced on narrow paths. I never had problems with giving the right of way to polite bicyclist, and when I stood back to give a pass, I sometimes asked: Are there more coming?

But I also encountered some rude cyclists. What I am especially peeved (resentful) about is that:

- on narrow tracks, bycyclist would with a 'without thank you' expect you to shift yourself into the wet high vegetation in order to pass

- on broad tracks – with a lot of passing opportunities - where you as a walker are trying all the time to select the most passable track - the bicyclest would still expect you to give them the right of way – on that same track - sometimes with yells.

I am sure that you on on this Forum are not among the bad byciclists.

Yes – I expect that I may come into some flack for this!

But nevertheless,

Kindest, Annelise (Denmark)
 
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Hi Annelise!

Sorry there were inconsiderate cyclists out there. I try to be nice to everyone, even though my Swedish grandfather taught me to run over Danes. :D

The worst I ever saw was a young Spaniard who was working as a bicycle guide. He was not only flying past walkers, he had clients watching his bad example. I kept my mouth shut rather than give him a lecture on how to behave in his own country, but it still bothers me that he would be so unprofessional.

What do we do with people like that?
 
Having walked and ridden, I have experienced the cyclist who thinks they own the track but on the otherside, there are also the walker with headphones on, and no matter how many buon camino you yell out, they are oblivious !!!
 
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