Biking Options for People Who Mostly Want to Walk?

[Mcbarry355]

Hi!

I am really looking forward to my upcoming Camino in March of this year. My sister and I are hoping to complete the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago. We are planning to walk but are unfortunately on a bit of a tight schedule - we have 10 days while she’s on her spring break and I will need to return to my job in the hospital. We are trying to come up with a plan for if we fall behind or if we need to take things slower and easier than we are currently planning.

We are wondering if there are places where we might be able to pick up a rental bike for a day or two just in case we lose some time?

Thank you so much, buen Camino!

 

[Tincatinker]

We are wondering if there are places where we might be able to pick up a rental bike for a day or two just in case we lose some time?

Probably, and Godgle will be your friend but you might find you’re wasting a lot of valuable walking time faffing about hiring and returning bikes. Switching luggage systems ( you definitely don’t want to try cycling with a rucksack on your back). Porto to Santiago is very doable in 10 days walking if you’re reasonably fit, traveling light and up for it. If you are really worried about falling short maybe look at public transport options to give you a flying start out of Porto

Happy planning and Bom Caminho

 

[trecile]

I agree with @Tincatinker. You don't have a lot of time - don't waste it messing around with bike rentals/returns.

Figure out how far you are able to walk each day, then start close enough to Santiago to get there in the time that you have available. Ponte de Lima would be a good place for 10 days at a pace of 15 km per day that's not too strenuous. If you start from Porto it would be more like 25 km per day.

 

[falconbrother]

We’re walking the Frances in June. We’re also on a kinda tight schedule. So, our plan is to knock off a couple of days in the middle with a train or bus.

 

[Xali1970]

If you're short on time or get behind, a bus ride will make up a few stages in a couple of hours.
It's your camino, only you have to be happy with it, don't sweat the small stuff

 

[markie6]

what Tinker said, plus to others wondering. You would be surprised what is achievable to normal fairly fit individual when time is short. That doesn't mean you have to push too hard. You could send your bags, you could skip a day if needed. These are all possibilities if you were to have an injury anyway

but don't fret about too much. Good luck

 

[Corned Beef]

Shortcuts:

1. Porto metro goes all the way to Povoa de Varzim (first 15 miles)

2. At Viana do Castelo you can pick up the railway to Caminha (ferry for the coastal route) or Valenca (Central route)

3. If still on the coastal, Vigo is the next rail option which has a number of stops all the way to Santiago

4. If on the Central route, you cross to Tui and there is a rail line all the way to Santiago merging with the Vigo line at Redondela.

You can take a bike on Porto Metro, CP (Comboios de Portugal) trains and RENFE trains. There are lots of bus options too (which take bikes) but with so many other non-bike options you can walk knowing there are a number of shortcuts available.

 

[mattythedog]

Hi!

I am really looking forward to my upcoming Camino in March of this year. My sister and I are hoping to complete the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago. We are planning to walk but are unfortunately on a bit of a tight schedule - we have 10 days while she’s on her spring break and I will need to return to my job in the hospital. We are trying to come up with a plan for if we fall behind or if we need to take things slower and easier than we are currently planning.

We are wondering if there are places where we might be able to pick up a rental bike for a day or two just in case we lose some time?

Thank you so much, buen Camino!

In 2016, Bike Iberia would deliver and pick up a rental bike anywhere in France or Portugal with a day or 2 notice. Drop off was easy; I just left the bike at a hotel in Santiago, and they got it at their convenience . They had 4 or 5 types of bikes. They had 2 sizes of panniers you could rent. I think they were still in business last year