Logistics of taking a bike from Barcelona to Bilbao/Irun

[Danny Fernandez]

Hello all!

I'm embarking on my first Camino (Del Norte) in Aug this year, and will by cycling and camping along the way. I have given myself approx 2 weeks to get from ideally Irun (or Bilbao if it proves too difficult to get to Irun) to Santiago.

As I live in Barcelona (and have a touring bike) I intend to bring my bike with me. However, I'm finding it a bit of a logistical problem getting there. Trains allow bikes on board but they need to be boxed. As I am travelling alone, even the logistics of getting a boxed bike + bags/camping equipment to the train station is going to be tough.

If there is a way of bringing a bike without a box, I could happily cycle to the train and jump on board without the need / hassle / struggle of packing everything (and moving around the city with a boxed bike + bags).

Has anyone travelled within Spain with their bikes, and if so, how did you do it?

An option I am looking into is getting the bike shipped from BCN to Irun a few days before, and then I can collect my bike when I arrive.

Also, I will need to do the reverse process when returning from Santiago to Barcelona. Do you know if it's easy to either travel with a bike (bus/train) or send a bike from Santiago?

And finally, do you think 14 days is enough time to get from Irun - Santiago. I'm new to cycle touring but am fairly bike fit (have been regularly cycling for the past 5 years).

Any help would be great.

Many thanks,

Danny

 

[mspath]

Check the bicycle transport services offered by the Correos. See more here.

 

[Danny Fernandez]

Thanks so much Mspath! It's a real help, and seems like the perfect solution to my query!

 

[Castilian]

Hi Danny Fernandez! Welcome to the fórum!

If there is a way of bringing a bike without a box

You may go with a bike without a box on Regional, Regional Express and MD trains (as well as, sometimes, on Cercanías). The number of bikes is limited but by booking in advance you shouldn't have problems. However, it will take more time than a direct train, it can be more expensive than taking a direct train if you book it in advance, you would need to make the route on stages and due to schedules you may need to make an overnight stop along it. The route would be: Barcelona-Zaragoza; Zaragoza-Alsasu(a) (pueblo); Alsasu(a) (Estación)-Irún. Being with a bike, you can bike from Alsasu(a) Pueblo train station to Alsasu(a) Estación train station but if you don't want the hassle, you can make: Zaragoza-Araia and Araia-Irún.

 

[AdaR]

Hello all!


And finally, do you think 14 days is enough time to get from Irun - Santiago. I'm new to cycle touring but am fairly bike fit (have been regularly cycling for the past 5 years).

Any help would be great.

Many thanks,

Danny

Danny, It looks like others have given you input on the logistics of getting to your starting point. It is your 2nd question that I want to address. I biked from Pamplona to Santiago last September, and we gave ourselves 3 weeks. We had zero days in Burgos and Leon, so actually only rode for 19 of the 21 days. That pace worked for us, as we averaged about 30 miles (<50 km) per day. If you are a very strong cyclist, your 2 week goal might be doable. Personally, that would be a bit too aggressive for my taste and abilities. Besides the physical challenge of that timeline, it seems that it may not allow time to enjoy the pilgrimage. I understand that everyone embarks on the Camino for very different and personal purposes; but there is much to be said for taking time to smell the roses and live in the journey rather than the destination.
Buen Camino

 

[Danny Fernandez]

Thank you all for your input. I think the best / simplest way for me will be sending my bike via the Correo service. I live close to a Correo office in BCN and they can box it there etc.

AdaR - thank you for your input. I would certainly love a little longer - my 14 days is flexible (give or take a couple of days). I agree - I certainly love to travel at a slower pace. Perhaps I'll start from Bilbao (making the journey slightly shorter) and it means that I will be able to begin as soon as I arrive in Bilbao (as opposed to getting to Irun).

Thanks again everyone for your input - you are a very helpful bunch!

Buen Camino!