Highways and sigh-ways on the Via De La Plata

I actually looked at this option in the region of Caceres, but the bad message is there seem to be no bike hire places on the Via de la Plata ;-) Buen Camino! SY

christopherharley said:

Hello all,

Oh, the amount of my own work I'm behind on now from reading through this wonderful forum!

On a very sudden urge, I've decided to walk the Via De La Plata this year in May. I'm not sure why I've chosen this path, but it seems right to me. 'The Call', I suppose some people may describe it as; a pull that I can't seem to shake. It would make more sense, time-wise, to walk the Northern Route (and I know, living on the coast in Australia, I would adore it) but Via De La Plata currently holds my heart. For a reason I do now know.

The issue is that I have slightly less time than I'd like to complete it (and I am determined to start from Seville), so I was thinking of hiring a bike for a portion of in. Nothing excessive - 1-3 days riding maximum. Are there are any long stretched of ashphalt/highway, or particularly uninspiring sections clumped together, that anyone would recommend cycling through? (I'd prefer to ride them than catch public transport, I think). How many days wiggle room may this then leave me? And will this take away from my Camino?

I was tempted to ride the whole thing but, no -- I know that I need to walk it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Christopher.

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Hello Christopher
I don't have the capacity to walk the whole Via de la Plata, due to work commitments, but I do walk 8 / 9 days each year. I am back again in mid May this year to continue where I left off last year. I will walk 280 klm over the 8 days. I intend to go back in about 6 years from now, when I retire, and walk the whole VDLP again.
I read your post and, as I got through it, I was quite surprised by your ultimate question. I can fully relate to your desire to do the VDLP and to walk it. I absolutely love it. But I would never have wanted to cycle a portion of it. I know that you are travelling a very long distance to get there and that is a factor. BUt to answer one of your questions, I think that it will take away from your Camino. But that's always a subjective assessment.
Quite honestly, you could cycle any portion that you choose. I have been passed by cyclists every day that I have walked the VDLP.
It is a question of logistics perhaps. 3 days cycling might cover 300 to 400 klm. That is about 12 to 16 days walking versus 3 days cycling. So, you will save 9 to 13 days by cycling for for 3 days. Personally, if I could spare those extra 9 to 13 days, I would definitely continue walking.
The interesting question is whether to cycle the road or cycle the walking path. If, as I mentioned earlier, that I have been passed every day while walking on the VDLP by cyclists on the Camino, then clearly, they have been cycling the walking path rather than the asphalt road. Food for thought perhaps!! Let me know what you think.
Buen Camino Christopher. Perhaps we will cross paths in May, Although I am continuing from La Calzada de Bejar in mid May. I wish you well.
David

Is it anathema to suggest that if starting in Seville and arriving in Santiago and not ahving enough days to do it in are all givens, then perhaps taking a bus would not be the end of the world? Or could you just do the actual VdlP route (ie not Sanabres as well, not the Frances either) and stop in Astorga - wold that give y0u enough time to walk every step?