Cycling St Jean to Leon in early Sep - tips or advice please

[popslave76]

Hi all

Having cycled last year from Leon to Santiago and having the greatest experience of my life, this year I am cycling from St Jean to Leon in order to "complete" my camino (in 2013 i'm doing the lot!).

I have a couple of questions and am looking for any tips or advice

1. Last time i went in October, this time i'm doing early September. I know it will be much busier. Do you think it will be a problem finding albergues? Can anyone recommend any which are cyclist friendly? Even what time you should be aiming to arrive to get a bed? Also, any recommendations on particularly interesting alberques to stay in, eg convents or monasteries?

2. Can i get my pilgrims passport in St Jean? And if so where?

3. What places would you recommend I see and or stay in? Interesting sights, beautiful nature, interesting towns or villages? I was particularly fond of the little unusual villages from last time, particularly the hillside ones, so things like that would be great. Also, any bits of history i should make time for along the way? And finally, I'd like to swim, so any recommendations of good pools or rivers or lakes would be amazing.

Thanks all. Last time you were all so helpful to me, so I'm sure you will be able to help this time. And if anyone's going at the same time, say hello, maybe we can run into each other along the way...

Appreciated, James

 

[mspath]

James,

Although I am no longer a cyclist but a walker, nevertheless here are a few answers to some of your questions.

1. You may wish to investigate the Bike-line Service for cyclists on the Camino. it lists those albergues which are cyclist friendly. See >>http://bike-line.blogspot.com.es/

One such albegue is at Viloria de Rioja just east of Belorado. Acacio and Orietta have a wonderful refuge for pilgrims which is also cyclist friendly. I stayed there late October 2010. They have created a comfortable oasis from abandoned animal sheds; there are 10 comfy bunks in a dorm heated by a wood burning stove and great showers that water you and not the ceiling, walls or your clothes. Wifi is available as is a multilingual library specializing in books by Paulo Coelho. See >> http://www.peregrinando.org/.

2. In Saint-Jean the office for the Amies du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle can provide you with a both a Credential and lodging assistance. Their volunteers help run the albergue at 55 rue de la Citadelle. Recently renovated this is a fine place to stay, but they do NOT take reservations. If their albergue is full they will help you find lodgings when you are on site.

3. There are many wonderful vistas and places on the camino. One truly exceptional one is the church at Eunate near Puente la Reina. This small, circular structure is more than 1000 years old and may be based on the plan of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Nestled into the rolling countryside it is truly timeless. Within the dim interior one senses the deep peace of eternity. Don't miss it!

Buen Camino,

Margaret