LIVE from the Camino El Camino on a Segway?

[gagseymt]

Talking to my colleagues at working and telling them when I retire in 18 months time I will be walking El Camino. But their suggestion is I complete it on Segway. Question, has anyone completed El Camino on a Segway?

 

[whariwharangi]

I would suggest a pogo stick would be more efficient. You don't need to recharge batteries for instance.

 

[Leaningforward]

Another recent thread concerned Segway and the Camino.

Using a Segway would be like using a screwdriver to hammer a nail. Possible, but inefficient and possibly dangerous for you and other pilgrims.

Steps, loose rock and gravel, mud (and ice/snow at some times and places) ...

Before you commit and spend money to make it happen, take a Segway on a multi-day hike over varied terrain and surfaces and do some research online as to access to electricity to recharge and municipal roads for otherwise impassable segments of the Camino.

 

[another walker]

Talking to my colleagues at working and telling them when I retire in 18 months time I will be walking El Camino. But their suggestion is I complete it on Segway. Question, has anyone completed El Camino on a Segway?

You might find yourself with the title of Arch carrot, or something less complimentary.

 

[wayan]

Recharging may be a problem. The segways I lead people on last about 3 hours on mostly flat terrain.

 

[CaptBuddy]

Talking to my colleagues at working and telling them when I retire in 18 months time I will be walking El Camino. But their suggestion is I complete it on Segway. Question, has anyone completed El Camino on a Segway?

That would be a great adventure.

But right now only humorous visions come to my mind. Excuse me for the whimsical.
Refit the Segway with a Half-track suspension and drive gear before using it.
Use rubber cover on your helmet, so the constant clicking will not disturb the other peregrinos.
Don't forget the bell, and use if passing walkers.
Most likely beer and wine with lunch is not advisable.
Finally, attach several Go-Pros; it will be Epic!

Excuse me, just a little attempt at humor. Like leaningforward says, it might be possible but planning will be important.

 

[Arn]

The last time you had a desire to do something that could possibly become a significant life's accomplishment, or a dream completed. Did you consult with your colleagues as to the best Way to approach it? For whatever reason, the Camino calls. Listen!

 

[Kanga]

I think a Segway is perfectly acceptable as long as you also use two walking poles, Goretex lined hiking boots, an Osprey backpack and an Altus poncho. Oh, I forgot the Vaseline! Apply it thickly to the palms of your hands so you don't get blisters.

 

[aussie]

Talking to my colleagues at working and telling them when I retire in 18 months time I will be walking El Camino. But their suggestion is I complete it on Segway. Question, has anyone completed El Camino on a Segway?

You'll miss out on so much of the amazing experiences possible if you choose not to walk, but then it depends on why you want to do it.

 

[Iamherdingcats]

I think a Segway is perfectly acceptable as long as you also use two walking poles, Goretex lined hiking boots, an Osprey backpack and an Altus poncho. Oh, I forgot the Vaseline! Apply it thickly to the palms of your hands so you don't get blisters.

Kanga.... I have read on the forums that Vaseline is out and Lanacane Anti Chafing Gel is the way to go these days!

Ellie

 

[Kanga]

Kanga.... I have read on the forums that Vaseline is out and Lanacane Anti Chafing Gel is the way to go these days!

Ellie

Love it. I'm very tempted to start a new fad. Not that I'm immune - I do have a Macabi skirt and a Camino buff....

 

[tyrrek]

Segways would really struggle with obstacles like stepping stones. Pogo sticks on the other hand...well, I could sit and watch that all day!

As a motorised vehicle I assume it would be considered akin to a motorbike and rule out staying in albergues, getting a Compostela etc. On the plus side, you could easily pay for hotels by charging pilgrims to have a go on it in the evening.

All in all I reckon a customised version that you could pull like a barrow across rough terrain (with your rucksack on it) and ride on the flat would be the way forward. ;-)

 

[Kanga]

Time to post these - I think he'd come all the way from Paris. This was in Estella (I think). Incredibly strong and fit looking fellow.



yep - it's a unicycle

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi it seems, at this stage, that you're just enquiring if, to our collective knowledge, anyone has every 'segwayed' along the Camino Frances and not that you're committed to doing it!
Well all I can say is that I've never seen a segwaying or indeed rollerblading or skateboarding pilgrim en route on any of my pilgrimages…..so far anyway.
Does anyone else think that perhaps a parked Segway and a group of knackered & footsore pilgrims might provide an 'occasion of sin'? I know I've been a whisker away from 'borrowing' a grazing horse/donkey heck even a fit looking cow but just didn't have sugar cube or an apple to hand.

 

[Kanga]

Don't know about the Frances, but when we were walking the Voie de Arles beside the Canal du Midi, we did accept a short ride on a canal boat....

 

[nellpilgrim]

Don't know about the Frances, but when we were walking the Voie de Arles beside the Canal du Midi, we did accept a short ride on a canal boat....

….well it would have been awfully rude to refuse….

 

[3walkingtoSantiago]

I saw a guy walking with a skateboard strapped on his pack. I guess he used it when on paved surfaces. Not a bad idea, if one can skateboard without doing oneself harm (in other words, not for me).

 

[Loretta Jane]

I have to say when I saw this topic I thought are you serious? On mountains, hills, gravel, rocks, mud, water, slate, fields, sidewalk, blacktop, ...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have to say when I saw this topic I thought are you serious? On mountains, hills, gravel, rocks, mud, water, slate, fields, sidewalk, blacktop, ...

There is a model built for just such traveling! The problem is that it has distance constraints that will require recharging during the day, or a spare battery. Using a Segway will be like using a donkey; you have to do it at the convenience of the conveyance.

 

[Christof Maria]

I think a Segway is perfectly acceptable as long as you also use two walking poles, Goretex lined hiking boots, an Osprey backpack and an Altus poncho. Oh, I forgot the Vaseline! Apply it thickly to the palms of your hands so you don't get blisters.

ahahahahahahahahahaha ;-) love it. <3

 

[Loretta Jane]

Did not know that.

 

[Leaningforward]

For more info about the ATV "Segway" MendiWalker provided a link to, see http://www.carbonfibergear.com/bye-bye-segway-hello-dtv-shredder/

On a practical note, are motorized vehicles permitted on the camino?

How about city streets and sidewalks in Spain?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

On a practical note, are motorized vehicles permitted on the camino?

Yes, for the most part. There are a few signs in forested areas prohibiting off-road vehicles. Like bicycles, there are parts where a Segway should stick to the road.

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

I have to ask : What kind of motorised vehicles are we talking about ?
And just a thought, but a Segway fitted with a hovercraft component for the rough spots might work....and a jet pack for those boring stretches

 

[tyrrek]

Plenty of pictures here (I don't want to infringe copyright by posting them).
http://www.segway.com/
The inventor of the Segway lived in my home county of Yorkshire and tragically died by driving one off a cliff into the River Wharfe.

 

[Annie Little]

I think a Segway is perfectly acceptable as long as you also use two walking poles, Goretex lined hiking boots, an Osprey backpack and an Altus poncho. Oh, I forgot the Vaseline! Apply it thickly to the palms of your hands so you don't get blisters.

AND start at St Jean ... but remember not to lean backwards

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

That's sad, Tyrek- did he take it on the dales to try out rough terrain when he was working on the prototype? I have family in Harrogate.

 

[Kanga]

Plenty of pictures here (I don't want to infringe copyright by posting them).
http://www.segway.com/
The inventor of the Segway lived in my home county of Yorkshire and tragically died by driving one off a cliff into the River Wharfe.

I may be wrong but I think the inventor was Dean Kamen, who is still alive. The man who died was Jimi Heselden, a philanthropist and millionaire, who had purchase the Segway company just before his death.

 

[tyrrek]

Kanga, you're right. I got my Segways facts mixed up. In any case, he was a very well off man, but very generous with his money.
He wasn't on particularly rough terrain, apparently. It was on an established but narrow walking path by the river. They think he was manoeuvring it to allow a walker past.

 

[Kanga]

Yes, he sounded like a good person.