Cycling the Le Puy

[Urban Trekker]

French way

• Urban Trekker
• May 1, 2016

Saint Jean Pied de Port

My camino companion and I are thinking about doing the Le Puy in 2019 when we hit 70. To date we have walked in order, the English, the Portuguese, the French ways, and the Way of Saint Francis in Italy.

At this time we are looking at the feasibility of cycling from Le Puy to Saint Jean Peid de Port. We are aware that the trail itself is not suitable for bikes. So, we are looking for any information on routes, bike rentals, accommodations, food, and stages. Bon chemin

Happy Trails

 

[Kitsambler]

I know the German-language guides from Conrad-Stein include bicycle routing (https://www.conrad-stein-verlag.de/...le-puy-en-velay-nach-saint-jean-pied-de-port/) If you don't speak German, no worries: maps are multi-lingual!

 

[AlwynWellington]

... we are looking at the feasibility of cycling from Le Puy to Saint Jean Peid de Port. We are aware that the trail itself is not suitable for bikes. So, we are looking for any information on routes, bike rentals, accommodations, food, and stages. Bon chemin

I can't reply directly to your information request.

Because of the muddy tracks (April 2016) I preferred the road for a substantial part of the journey and on some occasions was 10 km or more distant from the designated GR65 track.

And I enjoyed my route immensely.

One example: I had passed through Condom to stop at Larressingle. My intention the next day was to walk on roads to Manciet. The major way points were Gondrin and Eauze. This route was quite different to the GR 65.

Taking this route had me cross the Voie Verte de l'Armangac. This is an abandoned railway starting at Condom and now an exceptionally well graded and surfaced walk and cycle way with distance markers and rests and native bush either side. And I had this to myself for about 90 minutes until Gondrin.

I suspect you will find the GR65 uses a lot of roads or that roads are close by. And that you can plan using existing material to inform you. Talking with cyclists I encountered, staging will be quite different with 90 km to 100 km days being quite common.

Kia Kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[JIA]

French way

• Urban Trekker
• May 1, 2016

Saint Jean Pied de Port

My camino companion and I are thinking about doing the Le Puy in 2019 when we hit 70. To date we have walked in order, the English, the Portuguese, the French ways, and the Way of Saint Francis in Italy.

At this time we are looking at the feasibility of cycling from Le Puy to Saint Jean Peid de Port. We are aware that the trail itself is not suitable for bikes. So, we are looking for any information on routes, bike rentals, accommodations, food, and stages. Bon chemin

Happy Trails

I know this is quite an old post. My question...did you bike the Le Puy route? We are looking to rent bikes for simply a couple days on the route, and wondering if you have any contacts in that area, mostly in the Eauze - Arzacq-Arraziguet area. Any suggestions would be helpful!

 

[AlwynWellington]

@Urban Trekker and @JIA , kia ora (greetings,, good health)

On reflection:

I have walked from Le Puy and found the path away from roads not the most convenient. In fact I preferred to walk on roads (even where there was a separate path) from Saint-Come d'Olt onwards. Your area of interest has good roads with with good shoulders.

My recollection is the main roads from Condom through Gondron and Euaze to Aire-sur-l'Adour were good for walking. In the station yard at Condom you can begin the Voie Verte de Armangac. This is a repurposed railway from here to Gondrin (and beyond) and a veritable paradise for walkers and cyclists. No hills, good visibility wide path and frequent rest points.

Kia kaha tatou