Getting a bike from the UK

[EmH]

Hi,

I'm planning on cycling from Pamplona to Santigao de Compostela however I'm not sure how to get my bike from the UK, does anyone have any suggestions? I know there's various shipping companies but grateful if anyone has any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[dah]

You can hire in Pamplona , two shops

Cycla Bikes
Biraka

 

[Corned Beef]

You can fly it for £49 with Easyjet or Vueling. But check the overall cost against the alternative option of hiring. Sometimes leaving your bike at home is more economical that using something like Sendbike.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Take a long ferry crossing to Bilbao or Santander.

 

[David]

Take the Brittany Ferry to Bilbao then either cycle to Pamplona (95 miles) or go by bus.
If you book a recliner seat for £11 on the ferry and then sleep on the carpeted floor in the seats saloon, lights off at night, it is the cheapest way to get to Spain from the UK (I always discount flying, to my mind no one should fly - or at least, if they do, they should stop pretending how much they care for the planet).
Brittany ferry ships are now converting to natural gas so no pollution plus electric for manoeuvring in port.

- the buses (very cheap) are actually luxury coaches with huge luggage storage - as a bike you would need to buy a ticket for it, collapsed and put into a box or bike bag and it goes as free luggage.
(Is easy, both wheels off, turn handlebars and pop it into a bag).

 

[Skinnybiker]

To paraphrase, travelling with a bike is the worst, travelling on a bike is the best way to travel. Getting from your home to the start of your Camino with a bike is an exercise in logistics and a compromise in terms of time Vs money. Plenty of money & short on time then rent, plenty of time but short of cash then ride. The Inbetween options are fly, ferry, train, bus, taxi but all will require some amount of disassembly and packing. Flying with a bike requires a bike box obtainable from your LBS, bus and train will probably require a bike bag. Look on cycling forums for more advice. Finally remember that lugging a bike around airports, bus stations, ferry ports etc is a royal PITA.