Class of 2012 Bicycle

[Pat S]

Hello - I've pined to do the Camino for more than 25 years. I lived close to St.Jakobsweg in Weert (Netherlands) many years ago and ‘de weg’ & the shrines have always been a touchstone for me. The family I stay with in Weert runs an occasionally B&B and has hosted many pilgrims over the years. Currently I live outside of New York and finally have sufficient vacation time and a life conducive to put this trip together. The big first step was asking for the time off from my supervisor. I am now starting to plan the trip & look at the many considerations.

My rough outline- I'd ideally bicycle from the Netherlands to Santiago but am considering covering part of France by train to allow more time in Spain. I'm considering doing the pilgrimage in September and early October. I’m currently inclined to do the French way but would enjoy input from other cyclists. Also I’d enjoy any current information on shipping a bicycle, or hiring one.

Many Regards
Pat S

 

[duncan pm]

Excellent - I love the sound of your plan and wish you the very best in its preparation and fulfilment in its execution. You will love it, I'm sure.
I'm preparing for my 4th cycle of the camino - this will be my second on bike.
There is a wealth of information here that will satiate your desire for information but in no ways quench your thirst for the experience of actually doing the route.
I wish you the very best.

 

[sillydoll]

Guides
The Cycling Pilgrim on the Camino Francés: John Curtin 2007. Advice on bicycles, loading, and kit, prepared by cyclists, with information on means of getting bicycles to and from Spain, and some route suggestions for touring bikes away from the walkers’ route.

The Way of St James: Le Puy to Santiago – A cyclist’s Guide: John Higginson. 1997. Covers the entire French and Spanish route. http://www.cicerone.co.uk

A Practical Guide for Pilgrims: The Road to Santiago: Millán Bravo Lozano (Everest). A guide for walkers with a section for cyclists with stages, profiles and route descriptions.

3-in-One: Three Great Bike Trails – Camino Frances, Aragones and Via de La Plata. http://www.mundicamino.com

Camino Frances: Road Cycling Guide: In Spanish, but easy to use, the first guide path for cyclists. Mapping at 75 000 ° with GPS integration. The guide is aimed at both bikers and beginners who want to avoid the difficult sections.

Maps
http://www.bikemap.net/route/139920
http://www.esterbauer.com/ From the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela
Jakobs-Radweg (Bike Path). The total length of the Camino de Santiago – bike trail is 914 km. Variations and excursions are not included.

Cycle Blogs and websites

Forum:
For more information and a good place to ask questions of experienced bikers, join the Yahoo Bike forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Santiago_Bicicleta/

Camino Frances:
http://homepage.mac.com/verbier7/index.htm
http://www.caminocycle2006.com/
http://www.gaerlan.com/others2/camino/camino.htm
http://caminodesantiagobybike.blogspot.com/
http://www.interam.com/camino/indexeng.htm

Roscoff (France) to Santiago: layte.com/index.html
Uk to Santiago: buchaneers7.wordpress.com/
Via de la Plata: http://www.viaplata.eu/
Via Podiensis: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/
French Routes to Spain: vtt.compostelle.pagesperso-orange.fr/accueil.htm

General bike webs
http://www.bikeweb.org/ru_camino.htm

General Camino cycle site
http://www.amigosdelciclismo.com
homepage.mac.com/verbier7/home.htm
http://www.caminhodesantiago.com/bici3.htm