The Gilldaleys
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015 camino Frances
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thats a tough one,as a walker i have seen an older guy stumble fall and knock his head after being hurried out of the way by a cyclist,its not so easy to jump out of the way when tired with a bag on your back,, we met cyclists that pretty much ran us out of the way and this kind of created a them or us feeling,on the other hand others were really aware and gave us time to move.. it sounds to me like the fact you cared enough to ask the question you will fine,, problem for you i think maybe that walkers are not so much in groups and can be pretty spread out meaning you may have lots of stop ,start and go and slow down situations.Hi everyone,
We have never done the pilgrimage before, and I am struck by the numerous comments about how busy the Frances route is. I have been informed that it is OK to cycle on mountain bikes as the paths are shared use and other people have obviousley enjoyed the trip on a bike. The travel company I have looked at recomends it also as a good route to cycle. Please could someone give me a clue about how busy busy is, like is it Oxford street Saturday before xmas or walking through a high street in town or a walking festival in the countryside. We are considering cycling , I have been out voted 5-1 over walking so in the interests of democracy I really need to persevere with organising a cycling trip, but if it really is too busy for bikes we will need to walk as we will be walking anyway, just with bikes!! We are used to shared use paths where we live at home (north England, rural area not really busy) We generally find we pass groups of walkers every 100 to 200 metres or so and as there are not millions of us cyclists we all get on reasonably well regarding going round people or standing at the side, just saying hi or commenting about the weather or the wildlife. The busiest place is a promenade we use which is a melee of people walking, running, kids on scooters, old people on mobility scooters,dog walkers all sorts and even here everyone just weaves round each other with no real problem. So please can someone help. We are a family with 4 kids so we will have travel in the summer school hols.
Thanks a lot
The Gilldaleys
Hi everyone,
We have never done the pilgrimage before, and I am struck by the numerous comments about how busy the Frances route is. I have been informed that it is OK to cycle on mountain bikes as the paths are shared use and other people have obviousley enjoyed the trip on a bike. The travel company I have looked at recomends it also as a good route to cycle. Please could someone give me a clue about how busy busy is, like is it Oxford street Saturday before xmas or walking through a high street in town or a walking festival in the countryside. We are considering cycling , I have been out voted 5-1 over walking so in the interests of democracy I really need to persevere with organising a cycling trip, but if it really is too busy for bikes we will need to walk as we will be walking anyway, just with bikes!! We are used to shared use paths where we live at home (north England, rural area not really busy) We generally find we pass groups of walkers every 100 to 200 metres or so and as there are not millions of us cyclists we all get on reasonably well regarding going round people or standing at the side, just saying hi or commenting about the weather or the wildlife. The busiest place is a promenade we use which is a melee of people walking, running, kids on scooters, old people on mobility scooters,dog walkers all sorts and even here everyone just weaves round each other with no real problem. So please can someone help. We are a family with 4 kids so we will have travel in the summer school hols.
Thanks a lot
The Gilldaleys
Unfortunately I have to agree. For me a pilgrimage is a lot about contemplation. That was sometimes difficult when I had to look over my shoulder all the time for passing bikes. Especially at small paths where cyclists were shown a different route, but some of them stubbornly took the walking path. I am Dutch, I own a bike instead of a car, I have nothing against bikes or bikers. But in some situations walkers and bikers are just not an ideal combination.I am trying not to judge anyone but, personally I found the bikes annoying.
Gerry-- when in July were you there? I walked into Sarria on July 8, made it to Santiago on July 13th. You are right about the bikers after Sarria, way more inconsiderate on average from bikers before Sarria. Many were behaving as if the Camino was a bike trail exclusively and the walking pilgrims were on THEIR trail. I saw many pilgrims on close calls with speeding cyclers coming in from behind with no warnings and bad attitudes. A shame.I went in July of this year and there were times the bikes were coming too close to the walkers.
Gerry-- when in July were you there? I walked into Sarria on July 8, made it to Santiago on July 13th. You are right about the bikers after Sarria, way more inconsiderate on average from bikers before Sarria. Many were behaving as if the Camino was a bike trail exclusively and the walking pilgrims were on THEIR trail. I saw many pilgrims on close calls with speeding cyclers coming in from behind with no warnings and bad attitudes. A shame.
Hi everyone,
We have never done the pilgrimage before, and I am struck by the numerous comments about how busy the Frances route is. I have been informed that it is OK to cycle on mountain bikes as the paths are shared use and other people have obviousley enjoyed the trip on a bike. The travel company I have looked at recomends it also as a good route to cycle. Please could someone give me a clue about how busy busy is, like is it Oxford street Saturday before xmas or walking through a high street in town or a walking festival in the countryside. We are considering cycling , I have been out voted 5-1 over walking so in the interests of democracy I really need to persevere with organising a cycling trip, but if it really is too busy for bikes we will need to walk as we will be walking anyway, just with bikes!! We are used to shared use paths where we live at home (north England, rural area not really busy) We generally find we pass groups of walkers every 100 to 200 metres or so and as there are not millions of us cyclists we all get on reasonably well regarding going round people or standing at the side, just saying hi or commenting about the weather or the wildlife. The busiest place is a promenade we use which is a melee of people walking, running, kids on scooters, old people on mobility scooters,dog walkers all sorts and even here everyone just weaves round each other with no real problem. So please can someone help. We are a family with 4 kids so we will have travel in the summer school hols.
Thanks a lot
The Gilldaleys
Hi, Are the alternative bike paths signed? I agree that bikes should not be on footpaths, too dangerous. Sometimes that happens in the forests near where we live.@EmiaThis is my daily 'commute route':
Unfortunately I have to agree. For me a pilgrimage is a lot about contemplation. That was sometimes difficult when I had to look over my shoulder all the time for passing bikes. Especially at small paths where cyclists were shown a different route, but some of them stubbornly took the walking path. I am Dutch, I own a bike instead of a car, I have nothing against bikes or bikers. But in some situations walkers and bikers are just not an ideal combination.
Only in a few places. Generally there is a road running parallel to the footpath. European cyclists have maps that they use to locate the nearby roads. The bicycles on the footpath are the ones that do not want the road. They want the "authentic" route. Of course, the authentic route was paved over when roads were invented, and they would be on it if they would follow the road!!Hi, Are the alternative bike paths signed?
Quite frankly, I think they just want to be noticed by the walkers. A feeling of power, or some such.
Cyclists - make your presence known in plenty of time when walkers are ahead.
Hi everyone,
We have never done the pilgrimage before, and I am struck by the numerous comments about how busy the Frances route is. I have been informed that it is OK to cycle on mountain bikes as the paths are shared use and other people have obviousley enjoyed the trip on a bike. The travel company I have looked at recomends it also as a good route to cycle. Please could someone give me a clue about how busy busy is, like is it Oxford street Saturday before xmas or walking through a high street in town or a walking festival in the countryside. We are considering cycling , I have been out voted 5-1 over walking so in the interests of democracy I really need to persevere with organising a cycling trip, but if it really is too busy for bikes we will need to walk as we will be walking anyway, just with bikes!! We are used to shared use paths where we live at home (north England, rural area not really busy) We generally find we pass groups of walkers every 100 to 200 metres or so and as there are not millions of us cyclists we all get on reasonably well regarding going round people or standing at the side, just saying hi or commenting about the weather or the wildlife. The busiest place is a promenade we use which is a melee of people walking, running, kids on scooters, old people on mobility scooters,dog walkers all sorts and even here everyone just weaves round each other with no real problem. So please can someone help. We are a family with 4 kids so we will have travel in the summer school hols.
Thanks a lot
The Gilldaleys
Thank-you this is really helpfulNorthern England eh?
The Tissington and Monsal trails are busier at weekends than the CF. On weekdays I would say the CF has more foot traffic than either. The are hardly any dog walker in Spain in comparison to UK levels except in Lugo on the town walls.
All in my experience and it is quite limited. Personally I would choose the Camino North. Only because my brother, keen cyclist and Spanish resident thinks it a nicer ride. Save the CF for a less frenetic crossing.
Gilldaleys:
Hello and welcome to the forum.
For a starters, I would second the recommendation that you review the statistics provided monthly by Johnny walker. This will give you a sense of the volume of Pilgrims on a Monthly basis. Where they start and whether they are walkers or some other means.
The route is well marked and in most places accessible by both bike and foot. There are several sections I would never take a bike but have seen the occasional rider. Most of the route has access to nearby roads, so detours or marked suggestion to cyclist (bici). A few cyclist like any group are discourteous and have created a little less love from the walking community. Bells are appreciated as many times we walkers are in the zone.
I would not hire a guide or a transport company. They can be expensive and in my opinion offer little value. There are several good guide books that list accommodations and you can easily plan your own daily treks. Albergue for the most part will accommodate walkers before riders. That said, it might be a good idea in smaller towns to use Private Albergues, casa rurals or hotels. They are usually a few euro's more but you can reserve rooms ahead of time.
The Summer is the busiest time of the year so there will be a lot of walkers off and on. That said, the real crowds do not begin until Sarria. you will be spending a lot of your day weaving between groups of Pilgrims. The first day out of SJPdP and Roncesvalles could also be a bit crowded
Have a wonderful Camino. I am sure you will create many great family memories.
The Camino Norte could also be a nice alternative to the Frances and provides lots of scenic ocean views.
Ultreya,
Joe
Thank-you for taking the trouble to write all this, it is really very helpful to us.Gilldaleys:
Hello and welcome to the forum.
For a starters, I would second the recommendation that you review the statistics provided monthly by Johnny walker. This will give you a sense of the volume of Pilgrims on a Monthly basis. Where they start and whether they are walkers or some other means.
The route is well marked and in most places accessible by both bike and foot. There are several sections I would never take a bike but have seen the occasional rider. Most of the route has access to nearby roads, so detours or marked suggestion to cyclist (bici). A few cyclist like any group are discourteous and have created a little less love from the walking community. Bells are appreciated as many times we walkers are in the zone.
I would not hire a guide or a transport company. They can be expensive and in my opinion offer little value. There are several good guide books that list accommodations and you can easily plan your own daily treks. Albergue for the most part will accommodate walkers before riders. That said, it might be a good idea in smaller towns to use Private Albergues, casa rurals or hotels. They are usually a few euro's more but you can reserve rooms ahead of time.
The Summer is the busiest time of the year so there will be a lot of walkers off and on. That said, the real crowds do not begin until Sarria. you will be spending a lot of your day weaving between groups of Pilgrims. The first day out of SJPdP and Roncesvalles could also be a bit crowded
Have a wonderful Camino. I am sure you will create many great family memories.
The Camino Norte could also be a nice alternative to the Frances and provides lots of scenic ocean views.
Ultreya,
Joe
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