Patricia Stockton
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Ride from Leon to Santiago
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Looks like you missed the turn off around Herritas? There is a sign indicating walkers left, bikes to the right! That La Fabio is definitely not for bike! I covered this in more than a few of my posts. Still you just chalk it up to adventure!My friend and I hired bikes from Leon Bikes and so far have riden to El Fabio, we did very little research as that's the kind of gals we are (we are Aussies and not young) we have travelled the exact path, through rubble and gravel for a few days before becoming impossible (with 8 kilo's of Paniers) then hit some roads. We climbed and climbed up to Le Fabo and decided it is just too hard, so now we are waiting for our bikes to be taken to the top of O'cebereiro and we will walk and pick them up. I don't recommend what we have done to anyone, it is too difficult for the average rider. Maybe bike shop should have told us.
My friend and I hired bikes from Leon Bikes and so far have riden to El Fabio, we did very little research as that's the kind of gals we are (we are Aussies and not young) we have travelled the exact path, through rubble and gravel for a few days before becoming impossible (with 8 kilo's of Paniers) then hit some roads. We climbed and climbed up to Le Fabo and decided it is just too hard, so now we are waiting for our bikes to be taken to the top of O'cebereiro and we will walk and pick them up. I don't recommend what we have done to anyone, it is too difficult for the average rider. Maybe bike shop should have told us.
Congratulations to you both on getting this far! I'm sorry that you're finding it harder than expected, but I wonder if you would have been offended had the bike shop personnel suggested that as women of a certain age you would not be able for the long haul. One thing you may not have considered is that a hired bike that has not been set up specifically for you is unlikely to be a perfect fit and may impede your progress. Just as a walker would not undertake the long trek in shoes she has not tried and tested, so a long-distance cyclist is taking a risk with a laden bike she has never ridden before. If you decide to persevere with the hired bikes you may be reassured to know that, while it's not all down hill from O'Cebreiro, the climbs become less demanding, and it should take only another 2 to 3 days to reach Santiago. Finally, you might do yourselves and other trail-walkers a favour by following the road from here on. Onward and downward!
Cycling sounds like it would be easier. But the terrain is NOT smooth and paved. It is also hilly, muddy, and at times treacherous. I will not even delve into the competition for space with walking pilgrims. THAT is a different dynamic.
What I will say, as a three times walking pilgrim over that stretch of the Camino Frances is that at O'cebreiro, you have gotten through the worst the Camino has to offer. From there to Santiago, it is relatively much easier on bike, or on foot for that matter.
This said, the decision to use a bicycle is not to be taken lightly. In my view, and I have considered and researched it, this is something best left to dedicated "sprocket heads" who know what they are doing when riding cross country off road. I have have knee and ankle arthritis and even walking is painful some days. But I can manage ME alone, better than I can manage a bicycle, plus my achy breaky joints.
Casual pilgrims who think they will use a bicycle to make it easier to do are probably better suited to walking and using mochila transport services to move their rucksacks from one nightly accommodation to another.
Then again, this is my opinion. But, EVERYONE knows how to walk, more or less. Not everyone can handle a mountain bike, off road. Just sayin...
I hope this helps someone.
I hope that the comment about 'women being a certain age' impeding their abilities to mountain bike ride is said in sarcasm. Age should not affect your abilities, as long as you stay in relatively good shape!
Hey Patricia. Thanks for the heads up about the mud. Congratulations for getting through it! How is it all going now? I am trying to work out whether I will hike or cycle the Camino this year. Would you mind if I asked how long you have hired your bikes for and the total cost? I looked at hiring a bike for a month and it's going to cost about 800 Australian dollars, which is crazy. Does anyone know if second hand bikes are being sold along the way and the rough price?
I wanted to hire a bike to protect my delicate knees but for nearly $1000 I just can't justify it. before I was keen to do the 800km in the month I have on the trail. Now I think I will just walk to what my knees can handle and bus through the industrial parts to prevent injury.
All the best Patricia and co, I'm sure it will get easier for you guys from here.
Best wishes,
RaRa
Hey Patricia. Thanks for the heads up about the mud. Congratulations for getting through it! How is it all going now? I am trying to work out whether I will hike or cycle the Camino this year. Would you mind if I asked how long you have hired your bikes for and the total cost? I looked at hiring a bike for a month and it's going to cost about 800 Australian dollars, which is crazy. Does anyone know if second hand bikes are being sold along the way and the rough price?
I wanted to hire a bike to protect my delicate knees but for nearly $1000 I just can't justify it. before I was keen to do the 800km in the month I have on the trail. Now I think I will just walk to what my knees can handle and bus through the industrial parts to prevent injury.
All the best Patricia and co, I'm sure it will get easier for you guys from here.
Best wishes,
RaRa
Congratulations to you both on getting this far! I'm sorry that you're finding it harder than expected, but I wonder if you would have been offended had the bike shop personnel suggested that as women of a certain age you would not be able for the long haul. One thing you may not have considered is that a hired bike that has not been set up specifically for you is unlikely to be a perfect fit and may impede your progress. Just as a walker would not undertake the long trek in shoes she has not tried and tested, so a long-distance cyclist is taking a risk with a laden bike she has never ridden before. If you decide to persevere with the hired bikes you may be reassured to know that, while it's not all down hill from O'Cebreiro, the climbs become less demanding, and it should take only another 2 to 3 days to reach Santiago. Finally, you might do yourselves and other trail-walkers a favour by following the road from here on. Onward and downward!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?