bananarama
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2016
Frances 2017
VdLP 2022
Frances 2022
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Hi, well done! and thank you for sharing with us.UPDATE: all done!
Well not quite because although I did cycle to SJPDP, my knee had began complaining a lot by then. I did SJPDP > Dax by train hoping a days rest would be enough, but the following day I knew the adventure had ended. I had to stick around Dax for 5 days waiting for the first available bike slot on the train to Paris. After that it was a train to Dieppe, ferry across, and then wife and dog waiting at Newhaven to pick me up.
A few things I took away from this trip:
- Is the N-630 Spain's equivalent of Route 66? I had it mostly to my self, some sections were really nice, others boring, but all in all I really enjoyed it.
- Despite having 35mm tires, I did manage to do some segments of actual camino and they were really good fun. The section between Casar de Cáceres > Tagus River was awesome. I ended up on a sandy tracks surrounded by sheep in what felt like the middle of nowhere.
- Spain's "cafe con leche" and France's "Pain au chocolat" are incredible. I regret not having more of them.
- Spanish cities are not fun when its hot. Staying in Salamanca and Zamora was (in a way) a waste, and in hindsight I should have stayed at small villages throughout, for example, Aljucén was really nice.
- One of my favourite days was the "transition" day between Zamora > Sahagun, because despite not been on the camino, the route was very quiet and beautiful.
I'm a first time bicigrino too, spending a week or so on the VDLP starting later this month. You probably have found it already but here's a link to a couple of great sites: https://www.cyclingspain.com/via-de-la-plata-cycling/, https://www.larutaenbici.com/enHi, well done! and thank you for sharing with us.
I'm planning to do this in october, first time as a bicigrina (rolled my ankle badly in spring and still recovering, so walking is out).
Would you mind sharing some of your experiences? I'm a complete newbie on the bike! some of my questions (I have loads!).
1 did you bring your own bike? or rented one? what kind of bike did you have?
2 which route did you do? on the via de la plata app they have two, one for road bike and one for mtb). is it signed? easy to follow?
3 places to stay (or not?) and visit?
4 trying to go lightweight, what to bring etc
5 any random thing that you would have liked to know beforehand?
Thanks so much already!
Cheers,
Mon
Hi Thank you! found the guide book and hesitating to buy it as it is hard to get stuff to Europe after Brexit and delivery time through swiss bookstore is over two weeks.I'm a first time bicigrino too, spending a week or so on the VDLP starting later this month. You probably have found it already but here's a link to a couple of great sites: https://www.cyclingspain.com/via-de-la-plata-cycling/, https://www.larutaenbici.com/en
There is also a great guidebook written by John Hayes https://www.cicerone.co.uk/cycling-the-via-de-la-plata. It shows both on and off road routes and combination of the two. You can combine it with the fantastic Spanish website https://www.gronze.com/ which lists Alberques along the route.
Buen Camino
You too. I downloaded the book to my ipad. Planning my route on my phone screen is just too hard and as weight is less of a problem on the bike the ipad should be very handy.Hi Thank you! found the guide book and hesitating to buy it as it is hard to get stuff to Europe after Brexit and delivery time through swiss bookstore is over two weeks.
CyclingSpain is amazing, thank you! I have decided to just hire a bike, to avoid alot of hassle.
Hope you'll have a great time. So looking forward to it!
So sorry I didn't see this until now...Hi, well done! and thank you for sharing with us.
I'm planning to do this in october, first time as a bicigrina (rolled my ankle badly in spring and still recovering, so walking is out).
Would you mind sharing some of your experiences? I'm a complete newbie on the bike! some of my questions (I have loads!).
1 did you bring your own bike? or rented one? what kind of bike did you have?
2 which route did you do? on the via de la plata app they have two, one for road bike and one for mtb). is it signed? easy to follow?
3 places to stay (or not?) and visit?
4 trying to go lightweight, what to bring etc
5 any random thing that you would have liked to know beforehand?
Thanks so much already!
Cheers,
Mon
Hi! Thank you for your replies (and taking the time to reply).So sorry I didn't see this until now...
My tardy replies:
1) I have my own "CX" bike, with 2 panniers at the back, and 2 big bottles on the forks (see picture). I boxed it in the UK, it flew with me to Seville as checked-in baggage, and at Seville airport I put it together and cycled into the city centre using Google maps.
2) I winged it when it came to the route. The N-630 was my go to option but I did include some non-asphalt sections when I felt like it which I really enjoyed. Lots of signs, and if you have something like Google maps it is impossible to get lost.
3) For me it was more about been outside in the countryside so I was pretty happy regardless, but Salamanca was quite impressive. You can see the city 10km out and it feels like going back in time when you enter the centre. The (only) albergue has ~13 beds and opens at 4pm I think; it's very nice.
4) Keep it simple. You'll need one kit for cycling which you'll need to wash at the end of everyday, and one kit for chilling in the afternoon/evening/night. Plus a sleeping bag. Some toiletries, plus bum cream to stop the chafing.
5) Not really, this is my 3rd camino on the bike, so I knew roughly what to take and do. My tips would be factor 50 no matter how tanned you are, and enjoy the caffeine boost from the cafe con leche.
P.S. Bare in mind I cycle to work every day, 2 hours a day, even during winter, so I may not be the best person to give advice. Either way keep asking questions and I'll answer.
Hi! Thank you for your replies (and taking the time to reply).
Love the bottles on the front fork. How do you attach those?
I finally settled on renting a bike, mostly as I didn't want to ride on my made for speed roadbike. I want to enjoy the countryside and be a bit more comfortable on gravel roads.
Happy to hear the route is straightforward enough and that mixing and matching the mtb track with the N630 is feasible. Did you use a specific guidebook, app, map?
Cheers!
mon
Hi how did your trip go?Thanks!!
I've got no fixed plans yet, either Gijon or Santiago, or somethings else. I've got the better part of two weeks, we'll see.
The rental company will drop the bike in Seville at my hostel, and then will either pick it up in Gijon or I can bring it back to Santiago. They were recommended, so hopefully it all works out.
If you're not aware CrazyGuyOnABike is a treasure trove of bike journals.Hi how did your trip go?
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