• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Cycling the il Primitivo

Davroos

Active Member
Having walked this in April, and seeing that someone asked about cycling this Camino, I had a spare week up my sleeve, so I decided to give it a go.

Before I went, I downloaded this GPX file - http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=rzhiqrhlmlkjnntm but it wasn't really helpful as it did not stick to the track which is what I intended. I did make a complete GPS link and this is it here - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1270277 . I also used Mundicamino for profiles, but this isn't the best bet as the heights are out and so are the distances

Day 1 - Oviedo to Tineo

The route is well marked and is a pretty easy ride until you get to Salas. The hill out of there is a killer, so I did push, especially when it got steep. I also pushed after the little road section. In Bodanaya, the guys there said not to ride across the top as it was very muddy. I did give it a go, but it was far muddier than in April so for the last 5Ks, I rode on the road

Day 2 - Tineo to Grandes de Salime

I pushed out of Tineo and once up the top, I rode down the hill and visited the Obana monastery. Returning back on the track, I stopped at el Fresno for a coffee and the lady there said that the climate was good so I decided to go to Hospitales. I pushed the bike up to the top, the views were great and the track ws so well marked, you couldn't really get lost. Rode onwards to Berducedo and Le Mesa before I dropped down to the dam at Grandes. You need good brakes here as it is very steep. Riding up the other side was hard as I was worn out after a long day. I did alternate between riding and pushing until I got to the track with 1.3Ks to go. Pushing up there was very hard. Once up the top, it was a simple ride to the albergue

Day 3 - Grandes de Salime to Lugo

Getting out of Grandes was simple but hard on the mind as I found it hard to ride up hill. I also had to push it up the large hills for where the border of Asturias and Galicia meet, but once past that, it wasa very fast ride into Fonsagrada. I moved onwards and knew that there was one large hill waiting for me at A Lastra. I had to push this one, and as the track is badly washed out, I found that I was in a hole and the bike wasn't. The bike fell into the hole and it was pretty hard getting it out on my own. At the top, I ate some lunch in the village, and after Cadavo, it pretty much is all downhill to Lugo. I had to leave the bike outside the albergue which I wasn't happy about and somebody tried to steal my wheel overnight !!!

Day 4 - Lugo to Melide

Simple ride, no technical work, and as I had walked the Roman road, I rode the official route. This was 2Ks longer but it was actually faster. I found this out because another cyclist went that way and I had to wait for him to arrive. The last hill before Melide wasn't to bad and it was a nice short easy day, but once again, I had to leave the bike outside.

Day 5 - Melide to Santiago

Easy ride, no technical problems and the hills were not hard and four hours llater I arrived in Santiago

When I rode, I gave loads of room to the walkers, as I came up behind, I always gave a hola and buen camino. I was easy on the track because being a walker, I don't like to see degredation. One problem that I did find was that the solo walkers who wore headphones, could not hear me and even though I yelled, it was hard !!!

The only other problem was that it was hard to take photos as you are always on the go

5 days was a big push and if you are to do this, i would say, maybe add one more day, and also have good shoes for walking/pushing and take compeed. My mountainbike shoes had good grips, but I did get blisters !!!

Here are the links to my blog with photos

Day 1 - http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ... /tpod.html

Day 2 - http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ... /tpod.html

Day 3 - http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ... /tpod.html

Day 4 - http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ... /tpod.html

Day 5 - http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ... /tpod.html
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

Most read last week in this forum

I have walked several caminos since 2013 and am hoping to experience the Primitivo in September. Recently I have developed a nasty intermittent pain in the ball of my feet, especially the left...

âť“How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top