michelle grech
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Walked from Astorga to SDC in May 2012.
Cycled the Frances from SJPP May 2014
Cycled the Portuguese from Lisbon May 2016
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Stage | Partial | Total |
Irún - Zarautz | 49.5 | 49.5 |
Zarautz - Markina | 48 | 97.5 |
Markina - Bilbao | 57 | 154.5 |
Bilbao - Castro Urdiales | 50.3 | 204.8 |
Castro Urdiales - Güemes | 61.6 | 266.4 |
Güemes - Santillana del Mar | 61.5 | 327.9 |
Santillana del Mar - Colombres | 52 | 379.9 |
Colombres - Ribadesella | 55.2 | 435.1 |
Ribadesella - Gijón | 67.5 | 502.6 |
Gijón - Soto de Luiña | 66.1 | 568.7 |
Soto de Luiña - La Caridad | 69.6 | 638.3 |
La Caridad - Lourenzá | 49.3 | 687.6 |
Lourenzá - Baamonde | 65.3 | 752.9 |
Baamonde - Arzúa | 63.6 | 816.5 |
Arzúa - Santiago de Compostela | 39 | 855.5 |
i am planning on riding in Sept. I would love to hear about your trip. Are you renting a bike when you get there? Road or Mtn bike? Will you make sleeping arrangements ahead of time or day of? Really looking forward to hear about your adventure!Hi All
I'm planning to cycle del Norte from Irun to Santiago in May/June 2022 and have planned to do it in the following 15 stages. Could someone who has done it already give me some comments about my plan? Whether some stages are too long or too short? Or whether I should stop elsewhere? I've cycled the CF and Portuguese before and loved both. I try to stick to the walkers route as much as possible. The Buen Camino app seems perfect for highlighting non-cyclable parts. This time I will be opting for an Emountain Bike. Any recommendations are welcome. Thank you:
Hi Denise. We are renting an e mountain bike this time. Did the Frances and the Portuguese on my mountain bike which I took with me from Malta. Quite a hassle to be honest, so this time we decided to rent an ebike and make things a bit easier on us. Def a mountain bike though as we like to stick to the walkers' route as much as possible. You will def hear about our trip as we usually do a write up about it to help future cyclists since there isn't as much info for cyclists as there is for walkers. I had done the same for my previous Caminos too. Hope all goes well.I am planning on cycling in Sept. I would love to hear about you
i am planning on riding in Sept. I would love to hear about your trip. Are you renting a bike when you get there? Road or Mtn bike? Will you make sleeping arrangements ahead of time or day of? Really looking forward to hear about your adventure!
Hi Michell, Can you share where are you renting the e-bike from? I will be starting the camino del norte (cdn) on June 03 on my mountain bike but my friend will have to use an e-bike this time. Are you aware of any variants needed when riding the cdn. on an e-bike? Thank you!Hi Denise. We are renting an e mountain bike this time. Did the Frances and the Portuguese on my mountain bike which I took with me from Malta. Quite a hassle to be honest, so this time we decided to rent an ebike and make things a bit easier on us. Def a mountain bike though as we like to stick to the walkers' route as much as possible. You will def hear about our trip as we usually do a right up about it to help future cyclists since there isn't as much info for cyclists as there is for walkers. I had done the same for my previous Caminos too. Hope all goes well.
Michelle
Hi, Michelle again. Even when I have not cycled del Norte yet, my past experience has taught me that my energy level is pretty low during the first 2 o 3 days of the Camino due to jet lag, so I agree with you to start slow. In addition, the first few stages until Bilbao are advertised as taff. Finally, San Sebastian has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain and per square meter in the whole of Europe! So I shouldn't rush my stay in that beautiful city that is one of 5 must-see cities of that Camino!Hi All
I'm planning to cycle del Norte from Irun to Santiago in May/June 2022 and have planned to do it in the following 15 stages. Could someone who has done it already give me some comments about my plan? Whether some stages are too long or too short? Or whether I should stop elsewhere? I've cycled the CF and Portuguese before and loved both. I try to stick to the walkers route as much as possible. The Buen Camino app seems perfect for highlighting non-cyclable parts. This time I will be opting for an Emountain Bike. Any recommendations are welcome. Thank you:
Stage Partial Total Irún - Zarautz 49.5 49.5 Zarautz - Markina 48 97.5 Markina - Bilbao 57 154.5 Bilbao - Castro Urdiales 50.3 204.8 Castro Urdiales - Güemes 61.6 266.4 Güemes - Santillana del Mar 61.5 327.9 Santillana del Mar - Colombres 52 379.9 Colombres - Ribadesella 55.2 435.1 Ribadesella - Gijón 67.5 502.6 Gijón - Soto de Luiña 66.1 568.7 Soto de Luiña - La Caridad 69.6 638.3 La Caridad - Lourenzá 49.3 687.6 Lourenzá - Baamonde 65.3 752.9 Baamonde - Arzúa 63.6 816.5 Arzúa - Santiago de Compostela 39 855.5
Can I ask, who you rented bikes from?Hi Michell, Can you share where are you renting the e-bike from? I will be starting the camino del norte (cdn) on June 03 on my mountain bike but my friend will have to use an e-bike this time. Are you aware of any variants needed when riding the cdn. on an e-bike? Thank you!
Jim
Thanks for this. Exactly what I was after. Will have a look at the stages again but to be honest I did take the altitude into consideration and only combined more than 2 walking stages when they were marked as not difficult on the guides. Exactly why I did the first few stages quite short to enable us assess the bikes. Thanks so much for this.Looking at your stages I can only see a couple where you might have a problem. Take the Lourenzá - Baamonde section where you are combining a 65k section with a 1300m climb. That may not be possible with your battery capacity, something you won't be able to judge until you've had a few days using the rented bike. Check the next section from Baamonde too.
It won't be much fun pushing a 22kg bike with 15kg panniers up the 10% slopes on that section.
With e-MTB's you are better to look at the height profile per section rather than the raw distance as you are at the mercy of battery capacity (unless you carry a spare one). You can look at the profile here.
Northern Way - Camino de Santiago - Full walk
This Camino starts in the chic seaside city of San Sebastián (Donosti in Basque), a real paradise for foodies: it is the city with the second highe... - 835.8 km, +16693 m. Bike ride in Irun, Euskadiridewithgps.com
Range Anxiety: Another thing to check with your e-MTB is the way the battery discharges. Some will take a while to show any drop in capacity and then fall away quite rapidly. You might think you have a charge to get you to the section end but don't. You'll only know after a few days riding the bike. You can judge your sections then - though they look OK bar two now.
We are booking with Bikeiberia. There is also Bicigrino who do rentalsCan I ask, who you rented bikes from?
Your trip looks wonderful. I have an ebike here in hilly Washington and the drain on the battery is significant. I make it a point to keep it on the lowest less battery taxing setting but still get battery anxiety at about 60 miles. My specialized VADO allows me to put in my mileage range and will divy out energy to make sure I make my distance goal but at times it is like I am riding a 50 lb bike. Slow and heavy. I thought about buying another battery to carry for really long rides that are hilly but that comes with a hefty price. (600.00) Please post pictures I cannot wait to follow your travels.Hi All
I'm planning to cycle del Norte from Irun to Santiago in May/June 2022 and have planned to do it in the following 15 stages. Could someone who has done it already give me some comments about my plan? Whether some stages are too long or too short? Or whether I should stop elsewhere? I've cycled the CF and Portuguese before and loved both. I try to stick to the walkers route as much as possible. The Buen Camino app seems perfect for highlighting non-cyclable parts. This time I will be opting for an Emountain Bike. Any recommendations are welcome. Thank you:
Stage Partial Total Irún - Zarautz 49.5 49.5 Zarautz - Markina 48 97.5 Markina - Bilbao 57 154.5 Bilbao - Castro Urdiales 50.3 204.8 Castro Urdiales - Güemes 61.6 266.4 Güemes - Santillana del Mar 61.5 327.9 Santillana del Mar - Colombres 52 379.9 Colombres - Ribadesella 55.2 435.1 Ribadesella - Gijón 67.5 502.6 Gijón - Soto de Luiña 66.1 568.7 Soto de Luiña - La Caridad 69.6 638.3 La Caridad - Lourenzá 49.3 687.6 Lourenzá - Baamonde 65.3 752.9 Baamonde - Arzúa 63.6 816.5 Arzúa - Santiago de Compostela 39 855.5
On May 8, I will start my Camino del Norte from Santander on similar sections Santander - San Vicente de la Barquera - Ribadesella - Gijon - Cudillero - Luarca - Ribadeo - Abadin - Baamonde - Monastery of Sobrado - Santiago de Compostela. I would like to know if you include sights on your way, such as the Palacio de la Magdalena and the Centro Botin in Santander, or the Admission to El Capricho de Gaudí in Camillas. And which places of interest on this route should be visited. What have you planned?Hi All
I'm planning to cycle del Norte from Irun to Santiago in May/June 2022 and have planned to do it in the following 15 stages. Could someone who has done it already give me some comments about my plan? Whether some stages are too long or too short? Or whether I should stop elsewhere? I've cycled the CF and Portuguese before and loved both. I try to stick to the walkers route as much as possible. The Buen Camino app seems perfect for highlighting non-cyclable parts. This time I will be opting for an Emountain Bike. Any recommendations are welcome. Thank you:
Stage Partial Total Irún - Zarautz 49.5 49.5 Zarautz - Markina 48 97.5 Markina - Bilbao 57 154.5 Bilbao - Castro Urdiales 50.3 204.8 Castro Urdiales - Güemes 61.6 266.4 Güemes - Santillana del Mar 61.5 327.9 Santillana del Mar - Colombres 52 379.9 Colombres - Ribadesella 55.2 435.1 Ribadesella - Gijón 67.5 502.6 Gijón - Soto de Luiña 66.1 568.7 Soto de Luiña - La Caridad 69.6 638.3 La Caridad - Lourenzá 49.3 687.6 Lourenzá - Baamonde 65.3 752.9 Baamonde - Arzúa 63.6 816.5 Arzúa - Santiago de Compostela 39 855.5
Hi, to be honest that’s one thing I don’t plan much of. I leave that for the evenings on the Camino during dinner with a glass of wine when I check the next day’s route in detail included recommended places of interest! My only plan so far is the Guggenheim in Bilbao as it has been on my bucket list for a long time. Would be great if you send me some recommendations after your trip!On May 8, I will start my Camino del Norte from Santander on similar sections Santander - San Vicente de la Barquera - Ribadesella - Gijon - Cudillero - Luarca - Ribadeo - Abadin - Baamonde - Monastery of Sobrado - Santiago de Compostela. I would like to know if you include sights on your way, such as the Palacio de la Magdalena and the Centro Botin in Santander, or the Admission to El Capricho de Gaudí in Camillas. And which places of interest on this route should be visited. What have you planned?
Thanks, glad you liked the video.Great video, lovely scenery and looking forward to going back to that coast again. A couple of questions.
Looks like you were on the pilgrim trail for most of the journey. How much road did you have to do as the trail was too difficult.
Second question is about your backpacks. These tend to shift the centre of gravity when travelling. Was it a deliberate choice so you could have carry-on panniers on the flight(s)?
Bonus question. Any punctures or mechanical problems?
PS I recognise the bike, especially the pack on the handlebars. Surprisingly useful.
I did wear out the brakes though due to the very steep downhill parts.
Woohoo, what a beautiful part of country. Thank you for sharing. My little folding bike and me on a beach or ferry, could be a religious experience.So we did this! Cycled this incredibly beautiful route on our rented ebikes. The Buen Camino app worked wonders in keeping us off the walkers route only when necessary. The battery lasted all day every day but we did work hard to keep it always on the lowest assistance required. I can’t even begin to express the beauty of the scenery through it all. All went according to plan. No problems with storing and charging bikes but we did make bookings beforehand and informed them of our requirements. We put a video together which I shall post in this thread. Anyone who wants any help with their planning please get in touch. This was my 3rd Camino and by far the most beautiful route and least crowded. I def recommend a side visit to Playa de Las Catedrales. We took a taxi from Lourenzá at 4pm after our day cycling was complete and according to the tide time. I have the taxi guy details for anyone who needs them. It is a hilly route so those using a normal bike be prepared and train hard.
Link:
Hi Paul. We rented from Bikeiberia. No complaints. Bicigrino look like they’re well kitted out and their network might be better. More expensive too.Hi, great pics!
Who did you rent your bikes from?
I am looking at Bicigrino.
Thanks
Paul
Michelle, You posted your original plan. Can you please post your final stages as you did them, based on the feedback you got, and make any comments on things you would do different after your experience. Also it would be helpful to know your days in hours...typical start and end time, hours moving vs breaks. I'm taking my wife and 15 year old son who have not done long distance biking in july, I'm trying to make sure they will not struggle despite having e-mtb bikes. Thanks.Thanks for this. Exactly what I was after. Will have a look at the stages again but to be honest I did take the altitude into consideration and only combined more than 2 walking stages when they were marked as not difficult on the guides. Exactly why I did the first few stages quite short to enable us assess the bikes. Thanks so much for this.
We have watched your you tube video many times. We are going to rent our bikes from bikeiberia. We are going back and forth if we wanted to rent e-bikes. The distance is not a problem on a regular bike but I am concerned about the hills. We have a year to train but they look steep and it looks like there are many hills. I know E-bikes are heavier. Was that ever a problem? How much did yours weigh and which e-bike did you go with? How did you store your bikes in hotels, pensions, Albergue at night or if you wanted to go on a hike, beach, dinner in town. We are going to make reservations ahead of time. any advice what to ask the place about bike storage? What worked best for you? Your video is inspiring. I appreciate all the time you took to make it. Thank you. NysaSo we did this! Cycled this incredibly beautiful route on our rented ebikes. The Buen Camino app worked wonders in keeping us off the walkers route only when necessary. The battery lasted all day every day but we did work hard to keep it always on the lowest assistance required. I can’t even begin to express the beauty of the scenery through it all. All went according to plan. No problems with storing and charging bikes but we did make bookings beforehand and informed them of our requirements. We put a video together which I shall post in this thread. Anyone who wants any help with their planning please get in touch. This was my 3rd Camino and by far the most beautiful route and least crowded. I def recommend a side visit to Playa de Las Catedrales. We took a taxi from Lourenzá at 4pm after our day cycling was complete and according to the tide time. I have the taxi guy details for anyone who needs them. It is a hilly route so those using a normal bike be prepared and train hard.
Link:
I'll confirm the range challenge.Looking at your stages I can only see a couple where you might have a problem. Take the Lourenzá - Baamonde section where you are combining a 65k section with a 1300m climb. That may not be possible with your battery capacity, something you won't be able to judge until you've had a few days using the rented bike. Check the next section from Baamonde too.
It won't be much fun pushing a 22kg bike with 15kg panniers up the 10% slopes on that section.
With e-MTB's you are better to look at the height profile per section rather than the raw distance as you are at the mercy of battery capacity (unless you carry a spare one). You can look at the profile here.
Northern Way - Camino de Santiago - Full walk
This Camino starts in the chic seaside city of San Sebastián (Donosti in Basque), a real paradise for foodies: it is the city with the second highe... - 835.8 km, +16693 m. Bike ride in Irun, Euskadiridewithgps.com
Range Anxiety: Another thing to check with your e-MTB is the way the battery discharges. Some will take a while to show any drop in capacity and then fall away quite rapidly. You might think you have a charge to get you to the section end but don't. You'll only know after a few days riding the bike. You can judge your sections then - though they look OK bar two now.
We had done this in May 2022 following this post. We never charged during the day only at night. We always pushed ourselves to use minimal assist plus a bit of competition who ends up with more battery charge left helps!!I'll confirm the range challenge.
With my ebike I just about made 100km with 1200m+ ascent using a dual battery (1125Wh) setup using the lowest assist mostly, 60km days in hilly situations would gobble up about 60% of the combined battery setup.
Depending on the battery capacity of your rental bikes (400Wh or 500Wh) if the stage you're aiming for has more than 1000m ascent I think it'll be a challenge to do more than 45-50km without a lunch-break top-up (there was a "heated" discussion about the "charge on a break" topic here : https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ing-on-the-camino-contributing-to-cost.73593/).
hi Michelle, your video is amazing and very inspirational. We are planning to cycle the Norte May/June 24. Were your brakes discs or traditional and also I have read some of the latter parts are, and I quote; "very, very hilly". We will be on standard mountain bikes. Will we be ok?. ThanksThanks, glad you liked the video.
If you use the Buen Camino app you will see the green detours on the map. I would say we were off the walkers' route for 20% of the route. Still as beautiful though and did not mind that at all.
The panniers and back pack were both carried on the flight. We only kept the daily needs in the back pack and they were very light. They also served as our 'going out exploring after the ride' bags. We kept our wallets, passports etc there. They had no affect at all on our center of gravity.
Luckily no punctures. I did wear out the brakes though due to the very steep downhill parts. Luckily the rental company had thrown in a spare set which I got someone to replace in Sobrado which is very close to the end. Should have done it before really and avoided a lot of screeching.
Yes the handlebar bags came with the bikes. Very useful to have easy accessible items. I had to remove mine though as it kept interfering with my filming since I had the gopro on a chest mount. Luckily we had taken a bungee chord with us and we could strap it on the rack on top of the panniers. It also double up as a washing line in our hotel rooms
Your video was great!! it got me excited about my planning for this in the coming year, end of May/beginning of June. I've done the Frances and Portuguese by foot and southern coast of Portugal by mountain bike. I am looking forward to the Norte. Where did you girls rent your bikes from? When I did the coast of Portugal I rented from a local bike shop and just rode it back.So we did this! Cycled this incredibly beautiful route on our rented ebikes. The Buen Camino app worked wonders in keeping us off the walkers route only when necessary. The battery lasted all day every day but we did work hard to keep it always on the lowest assistance required. I can’t even begin to express the beauty of the scenery through it all. All went according to plan. No problems with storing and charging bikes but we did make bookings beforehand and informed them of our requirements. We put a video together which I shall post in this thread. Anyone who wants any help with their planning please get in touch. This was my 3rd Camino and by far the most beautiful route and least crowded. I def recommend a side visit to Playa de Las Catedrales. We took a taxi from Lourenzá at 4pm after our day cycling was complete and according to the tide time. I have the taxi guy details for anyone who needs them. It is a hilly route so those using a normal bike be prepared and train hard.
Link:
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