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LIVE from the Camino Mamils

rector

ONE HALF
Time of past OR future Camino
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Are some Mamils (Middle aged men in Lycra) dangerous to pilgrims? To day while walking between Fromista and Carrion on that long straight path that runs along the road, which has a cycle lane we were almost run over by 4 or 5 groups of cyclists on the pilgrim path on one occasion, on he only hill on that road, they never gave any warning and whilst doing in excess of 20mph scattered pilgrims everywhere on the hill. I have helped cyclists several times this trip, but today I was so close to sticking my pole in their spokes that it frightened me. What is the penalty in Spain for sticking you pole in someone's spokes?
 
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rector said:
. . . today I was so close to sticking my pole in their spokes that it frightened me.
Click to expand...
First, you're not alone in your impulse . . .

Yes, the Camino can be physically or mentally challenging, but there were times (at least for me) where the greatest challenge was charity in place of my own (arguably justified) wrath. First it was for the mountain bikers such as you described (although there are many courteous ones out there, and many are members of this forum), and then for the hordes of walking vacationers that begin in Sarria.
 
I am wondering. Do you see many people on tricycles on the way? I am planning to ride my recumbent trike next year but my goal is ten miles a day so I don't expect to be flying by anyone.

Thanks,
Marian
 
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I understand that there are bike routes that do not exactly follow that path that I can use to go around those narrow places. Do you know anything about that? It is part of the reason I am limiting my distance per day so I can go back an go around if I get stopped by conditions.

Thank you,
Marian
 
I am not certain about the guide to the Camino Francés, but the other CSJ guides give the alternative routes where needed for cyclists. You could contact CSJ (UK) to ask and for advice, or send for the guide(s) anyway.
 
Thank you. I so appreciate everyone's willingness to help. I believe I ordered that but it has not yet arrived.

Marian
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I think we may have encountered the same gang of MAMILs this morning, on the camino between Terradillos and Moratinos. They just about took out a blind pilgrim with his guide dog, who was just at that moment being barked-at by MY dogs!
Nobody hurt, but the racket and whirling wheels and shouting was sitcom-worthy!

Stop by on your way through Moratinos... Tyrrek keeps us supplied with proper Yorkshire tea!
 
A penalty for me would be loosing one of my poles. But it was oh so tempting a few times. Once I came within an inch of accidentally doing it when the second biker came whooshing by just as I was regaining my balance and moving back into the path.
 
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The other side of this story is that sometimes the bikes do have bells but the pilgrim just doesn't hear them. When I walked I was engrossed in my own thoughts, chatting with another pilgrim, or just focusing on the sounds of nature when oops, there was a bicycle with a bell right behind me.
 
Mamils? Seriously? HAHHAHAA!!!! Mamils and then also MaWils (?) are always dangerous! Just ask the fashion police
 
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I was never annoyed by the bikes in the early stages but as I got closer and closer to the end I learned what everyone was complaining about. It is a shame that that happens. So many bikers who gave no warnings. One even asked us to move aside into the rocks and mud so they could get by on their mountain bike.
 
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