New cyclist - help with baggage forwarding?

[starship001]

I'm John and I'll be leading about 7 cyclists flying to Biarritz and going by train to St Jean Pied-du-Port for May 14th 2007. We hope to be able to send our bike bags on to Santiago, either from Biarritz or St Jean.

Can anyone offer any advice, please?

Many thanks

John

 

[larryflo]

Interesting John. I will arrive in Biaritz on the 15th for my second Camino. I wonder if it would not be easier to box the bikes, then have them re-boxed at the end of your journey. The cost is less than $20 per bike.

Also, I know a great fellow who will pick you up at the Biarritz airport in a van probably large enough for the seven of you and your bikes...for less than 100 euros.

Good luck.

Larry Florman
Louisville, Kentucky
USA

 

[starship001]

Hi Larry

Very many thanks for your prompt response.

I'd not thought of that - who would do the boxing at Santiago; an LBS? I had also thought to include some 'normal' clean clothes and some other little luxuries, but I gather these can go in correos boxes and be sent Poste Restante?

I have also been told that there is one good hotel in Santiago, which we planned to stay in for a couple of nights of luxury after the pilgrimage. Have you stayed there? Would you recommend it?

Thanks again,

John

 

[larryflo]

There is a good bike shop in Santiago with an English speaking guy. He will box it, arrange for a taxi to pick you and the bike up and take you to the airport.

I can't remember the hotel, but it was quite nice and right up the street from the place where you get your "compostella". What is the name of the hotel that you are considering.

I carried the clothing that I wore home from Santiago. Your panniers should have very little in them, unless, you are camping, in which case you should carry a psychiatrist with you.

Larry

 

[starship001]

No shrink required - this is a bunch of credit card tourists!!

Seriously, I had intended to only take Ortleibs with 40litres total, but being a big fella (250lbs) I am attached to my rathyer heavy Gelert XL sleeping bag which will half fill one bag!

Although I've cycled in five continents, all my previous long-distance rides have been fully supported, where all I've had to do is raise sponsorship then turn up to push the pedals. so there are a number of learning curves here.

Sorry, I don't know the name of the hotel, but I rcall someone saying it was across the street from the cathedral?? Is Santiago large enough to have several decent hotels?

 

[larryflo]

Yes, there is a 4 star hotel across the plaza from the cathedral. It is part of the Spanish chain of Parador hotels. What are you going to do for lodging en route? In fact, I did the Camino last May. I stayed at a hostel the first night in St. Jean Pied de Port. I was in a room with 14 people. 5 snored. 5 were up all night counting their beads, and 3 were shuffling plastic bags in preparation for leaving early. That was the last hostel. I stayed in 30-60 euro hotels after that. No reservations. Just sail in to town and there were always plenty of rooms.

I am old and fat (like you). I probably ended up pushing about 25% of the trip. I did very little only trail becasue it was too difficult. Next time I will do more on side roads rather than trail.

I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Larry

 

[jeff001]

Santiago hotel

The population of Santiago is 140,000. I am sure there are plenty of hotels.

 

[ivar]

For a list of some hotels in Santiago have a look here:
http://www.bookings.org/city/es/santiag ... aid=306118

there is a 4 star hotel across the plaza from the cathedral

This hotel is a 5 star hotel and you can find more info on it here.

For more background on the hotel have a look at this pdf document here

Buen camino,
Ivar

 

[steve]

New cyclist

At Biarritz last April, I assembled our two bikes at one end of the train station platform while we waited for the train to SJPP. I deposited the two cardboard bike boxes in the proper garbage cantainer, which pleased several locals. It must have been a very slow news day in Biarritz, as my efforts were recorded by a local TV station. There are bicycle hooks on the train to SJPP.

 

[starship001]

Thanks

Hi Steve

Very many thanks - just the information I was after.

John