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I agree there are some places like that one I wouldn’t like to be ‘carrying ‘ a bike up even though the walk was stimulating and good views too. The cycle alternative sounds great as well- you can enjoy the best of both if you plan well.one big highlight which is not on the walker's route is the via verde near bejar and baños de montemayor. it was spectacular on a bike, and goes along an old railroad high above the valley with amazing views. strongly recommend you don't miss that.
one big highlight which is not on the walker's route is the via verde near bejar and baños de montemayor. it was spectacular on a bike, and goes along an old railroad high above the valley with amazing views. strongly recommend you don't miss that.
Mostly cyclists seem to prefer being on the camino route though where they can. I’d say in many instances it might be safer too. Looking through my photos of Vdlp I see so much beautiful park like sections and off roads that are very bikeable and I consider the essence of Vdlp. A shame to miss.
The Roman road route in the southern half tends to be wide farm track, with a good surface. Obviously in the mountain sections it is sensibly to stay on the bitumen.
I'm not much of a cyclist, but if I were I'd want to cycle on the tracks of the VDLP with a touring bicycle and not too narrow tires. Being on roads all the way would be less fun.
we are wondering the routes others have taken while cycling.
I found your observations very pertinent, Alwyn, particularly with regard to the CF. We mostly cycled the trail as far as Pamplona, excepting the steep and dangerous descents. Without doubt I felt my presence on that section to be inherently intrusive to the walkers, no matter how considerate I tried to be. Hence, after that for the most part I stuck to the roads. However I found the VdlP a totally different experience. Walkers were so few by comparison that any interraction was always welcome to both walker and cyclist, and I would usually stop for a chat, language permitting.I am envious, regardless of the route, that you can cycle at all....
. However I found the VdlP a totally different experience. Walkers were so few by comparison that any interraction was always welcome to both walker and cyclist, and I would usually stop for a chat, language permitting.
Good luck,I'm going to be going in the opposite direction,and probably a month behind you,be interested to know how you get on.Hey everyone,
Lovely website here. We are a couple from the United States who is planning on cycling the Via de Plata starting next month from Sevilla. We live in Andalucia currently. We are currently experiencing the rough heat of summer but we cycled over 100km last weekend to give ourselves a go and we think we can handle the heat of Extremadura.
Anyway we aare wondering the routes others have taken while cycling. Did you guys mostly stick to N630 (a paved, not heavily trafficked Carretera is my dream...) or try and follow the path of those walking? Any other general tips? We plan on alternating between Albergues and wild-camping, as well as bringing equipment for all types of weather we plan on encountering. Also we both have sufficient spanish to handle whatever strange situations we may find ourselves in over the course of the trip!
That looks a lot like bits of the Frances,only your first picture looks tricky.I’ll try to be more specific.In the southern half, before Salamanca, there were a few places on the track that I would recommend avoiding, even on a mountain bike.
Between Guillena and Castlblanco, the track is rough and has many gullies, but is passable with a little pushing. On subsequent caminos I took the road, but I am in my 70’s so …
Definitely avoid the track climb to El Calvario, aproaching Almaden de la Plata. I got in real trouble here. There is a detour which takes you around the ridge for bikes which is signed. On my first VdlP I ignored it to my cost.
The track climb to Monasterio, (10km) is a killer. In subsequent caminos I’ve used the N 630, still a challenging climb.
After Baños the road is the best option to Puerto de Bejar, then the track is really pleasant to Fuenterroble.
North of Fuenterroble, the track is difficult on the approach to Pico de Dueña, and I took a road detour.
All good until the mountains of Sanabres where I used the road and the tunnel.
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[On the VDLP] ... walking pilgrims don’t need to jump out of the way of cyclists for fear of death !!
I hear you AlwynMost paths in my region have signage showing a walker above and a cyclists and it is not infrequent to have text such as "shared path" and occasionally "cyclists must give way". And the general experience is one of courtesy to the other.
So I was greatly disturbed when walking on one side of a 3 metre wide path last week to have a two cyclist pass either side of me, from behind, at speed and talking loudly to one another.
Unless the cyclist knows the route well (having walked it beforehand) you don't know when the path may constrict down. The classic example is from Hontanas westwards. The start is on a road from the village. But soon the route is a narrow (sheep) track between fields with no room for even walkers to pass one another. And I guess almost impossible for a cyclists to walk beside their bike behind a walking pilgrim.
This is not an anti-cyclist rant (although I suspect some will see it as such).
I do suggest, unless the way is well known beforehand to be both walker and cyclist friendly, that cyclists use cycle ways or roads. And I suggest this based on my experiences, most of which are good. Regrettably, some go horribly wrong.
@kksweene, I bid you kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)
Alwyn@kksweene (and @OzAnnie), hi again
Since musing above I have now also read this post by travel writer John Hayes. He says he usually writes on walking trips he has undertaken. But in this instance he switched to a bike for the Via de la Plata (the surfaced way he says?) and followed the N630. He explains "traffic has deserted it, preferring to thump along the new motorway, leaving it virtually empty but for cyclists and a few local users."
If I am given enough time to walk from Sevilla I suspect I would also follow the N630 unless there was a very good reason in places to take to the current "normal" pilgrims route.
Kia kaha koutou katoa (may you all take care, be strong, get going when you can)
If I am given enough time to walk from Sevilla I suspect I would also follow the N630 unless there was a very good reason in places to take to the current "normal" pilgrims route.
Hey everyone,
Lovely website here. We are a couple from the United States who is planning on cycling the Via de Plata starting next month from Sevilla. We live in Andalucia currently. We are currently experiencing the rough heat of summer but we cycled over 100km last weekend to give ourselves a go and we think we can handle the heat of Extremadura.
Anyway we aare wondering the routes others have taken while cycling. Did you guys mostly stick to N630 (a paved, not heavily trafficked Carretera is my dream...) or try and follow the path of those walking? Any other general tips? We plan on alternating between Albergues and wild-camping, as well as bringing equipment for all types of weather we plan on encountering. Also we both have sufficient spanish to handle whatever strange situations we may find ourselves in over the course of the trip!
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