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I can't speak to the Frances, but from Bilbao there are official bicycle pilgrim reroutes - take them. They are there because the pedestrian route is not accessible to the typical road bicycle (some might be accessible to mountain bikes) or would create a dangerous situation for both cyclist and pedestrian. For the most part, I believe you would be sharing the vast majority of your time with other pilgrims.
If you really want hills though, the stretch from Irun to Bilbao is definitely more challenging. I don't think you'd get to Santiago in your 10 days. But you'd have a fantastic and beautiful trip, with lots of physical challenge. And the best food... IMHO
If you want to stay in the Albergues, I would respectfully request that you think about how your trip could become a pilgrimage to you. There are many, many different ways to think of pilgrimage - for example, learning the history of a place, reading up on cultural way markers, or an intentional practice of becoming a better person. None of these are religious, but will open your experience potentially into something deeper. It will give you some common ground with others staying in the Albergues and allow you to experience the richness of hte community on the Camino - a pretty amazing part of doing this.
If you really do not want to explore this aspect of the Camino, that is fine too.
Hello curious to see whether you have started your Camino. I myself will be attempting to bike the Francis starting in Pamplona May 12th.Hi - I was hoping to get some advice on a few things so here we go...
Looking to tour through N. Spain on my bike by myself as I have wanted to it for a while. Not for religious reasons, I just like riding my bike and Spanish food! I'm a 28 year male and I ride a reasonable amount (was in italy last summer with 2 panniers and average 90-160km a day depending on hills). Ideally the trip would be 10 daysish (thinking it will be ~800km bilbao to santiago)
Main questions which i would love to hear people thoughts on are:
1. Francis from Pamplona (potentially actually starting in Biaritz/Bilbao) or Norte route again probably starting in Bilbao. Leaning towards the the North route as I would like to get into the hills and worried the francis might get boring if its all flat for the 1st half? Is this the case?
2. To camp or not to camp. So I have a light weight tent and gear which i quite like the idea of using however. Is it easy to find places to camp? Are there many nice space to freedom camp quickly for the night. Will i have to book Albergues in June time far ahead (i like the idea of being flexible)
3. Road vs Actual route. So i know on a road i can cover ~100km a day inc. a few hills on a loaded bike...no idea how this would translate to on the actual route? Am i gaining anything by sticking on the actual route vs roughly following it on the roads eg. easier navigation, social aspect as might see fewer people.
Thanks in advanced! Really want to do it but a bit daunted at bike touring by myself!
James
Hi, You say that "from Bilbao there are official bicycle pilgrim reroutes" - how do I find these reroutes? Is there a map online or a printed map or itinerary? I'm biking from Bilbao to Santiago in May, on a hybrid bike. Thanks
Wikiloc has various cycling and MTB routes for the Norte. I have used the CSJ’s 2 part guide, which has some advice for cyclists on which parts are less suitable for cyclists. I poured over google maps and Norte app and plotted route onto ViewRanger at home beforehand to reduce the decision time at each Bici/Camino variance. Most of the yellow Bici arrows on the Norte steer cyclists towards a better surface and/or gradient. I have followed walkers path in dry conditions in late September, sometimes it is worth it! But now in March/April I’m tending to follow those Bici arrows and increasingly I’m staying on a road rather than the Camino due to mud fatigue!Hi, You say that "from Bilbao there are official bicycle pilgrim reroutes" - how do I find these reroutes? Is there a map online or a printed map or itinerary? I'm biking from Bilbao to Santiago in May, on a hybrid bike. Thanks
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