Getting over that "true pilgrim " thing.

[Peregrinopaul]

I'm well on my way up the Via de la Plata, well, sort of. This is my 5th pilgrimage on a bike, and this time I have realised that following the walkers' track is not for me. I'm staying on the roads. A couple of times I've been "seduced" by the sylvan beauty of the track and have later regretted it, at least my knees have, pushing my loaded bike through the inevitable gullies and rocky bits. So, I've totally adopted these wonderful Spanish roads. At present I'm en route from Plasencia to Salamanca, which has involved a considerable detour on the N630 through Bejar, a lovely town. At times, because of the proximity of the Autovia Ruta de la Plata I've almost had the impression that I'm on a private road. So, no more annoying the walkers on my part. I'm really enjoying this. (A pilgrimage not without some pain though; for the walkers it's all about feet, for us bicigrinos its all about ....well you know.

 

[jerbear]

Smart move

 

[Kiwi-family]

A true pilgrim heads to his destination. I suspect if he can grab a ride in a donkey cart for a few miles he would take it. A cyclist would do as well to put his steed on the nicest road he can find.

 

[Finisterre]

Sore bottom ?
I believe a dash of surgical spirit is helpful.
(if a little bracing)

 

[evanlow]

My sentiments exactly. For me most of my Caminos has always been walking except for two. In 2014 I cycled for the first time in Italy on the via Francigena and 2016 on the Camino Mozarabe from Cordoba to Merida (from my friend's home 110 km on day zero to Cordoba plotting my own route).

Both cycling Camino it has always been trying to cycle on track until it is not possible then switch. The daily number of hours is essentially the same as a walker. The feeling is that on average cycling takes double the effort.

It has given me the understanding on the differences of both walking and cycling. They are both different, and at the same time, the same....

 

[Eddiebee]

Just remember the "true pilgrim" didn't get on a plane to fly home!

Buen Camino

 

[Icacos]

Just remember the "true pilgrim" didn't get on a plane to fly home!

Buen Camino

And didn't fly there either.
Moderators: This is all fun!

 

[naplesdon]

OMG, what a Revelation.
This is my seventh Camino but it will be the first Camino Frances I do on a bike from Pamplona to SdC. I know the route like the back of my hand and where to divert from the pilgrim path to the roadways, but road works, etc. I never gave that a consideration.

 

[t2andreo]

Don: Just trust Santiago to sort it for you. It WILL all work out. See you on the other end in July...

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I struck an unanticipated problem today. My private N630 highway kept vanishing on the way down from the pass above Bejar; it actually morphed into the Autovia. After two disastrous wrong turns at roundabouts, (and they're always downhill) I asked a local for directions, and got the dreaded finger-wave - "No! No! - Via de Servicio!" And redirected back up the hill.

 

[natefaith]

Sounds stressful, Paul. Be careful and take care!! Buen Camino.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Not sure what this has to do with the "true pilgrim" thing -- FWIW, if I biked it, I'd do exactly as you've decided.

 

[William Marques]

I struck an unanticipated problem today. My private N630 highway kept vanishing on the way down from the pass above Bejar; it actually morphed into the Autovia. After two disastrous wrong turns at roundabouts, (and they're always downhill) I asked a local for directions, and got the dreaded finger-wave - "No! No! - Via de Servicio!" And redirected back up the hill.

We biked that section back in 2002 and stayed on the Autovia. We always wondered what would have happened if we turned off. In some ways it is good to hear there was no alternative and there was a very wide hard shoulder.

 

[Introibo]

Sore bottom ?
I believe a dash of surgical spirit is helpful.
(if a little bracing)

Goodness me ! A peeled banana strategically placed would be better

 

[Finisterre]

Don't start that sort of talk! Ivar will be cross.

 

[Saint Mike II]

And didn't fly there either.
Moderators: This is all fun!

Except that if you come from the other side of the world there is no real alternative.