Newbie Bike Questions

[Robo]

OK, let me first say I am not a cyclist as such. The last time I rode a bike was probably 20 years ago.

My preferred mode of travel on Camino is my feet. But.....

I am taking my 'dearly beloved' with me next year on the CF starting in St Jean. She walked from Sarria with me last year as a taster, and now wants to try a longer distance. So I thought 800 kms was a good start

I'd like to have a Plan B up my sleeve in case my wife needs a 'break' from walking. Or if we start to take a really long time. I've allowed 50 days to Santiago.... A change is as good as a rest I guess.

So I thought maybe we could hire bikes for some of the less interesting and flatter sections. Thinking of the area between Fromista and Leon. This part we can also stick to the roads and still be close to the Camino. And I understand that we could hire bikes and have them dropped off at the start of the section and picked up at the end.

All good so far...

Then I'm thinking about clothing. Again, we are not cyclists and so do not resemble Alberto Contador every Sunday on a ride around the local park

I started thinking, as we might only be cycling for a couple of days, that we would just wear our hiking gear. Or at least, buy some cheap sports shoes along the way to use cycling.

Then I started talking to a colleague at work. He is 60+ and a Tri-Athelete! You know the type, rides every weekend on a $10,000 bike!

His response was, well you'll need to at least take a pair of Knicks. Why I asked. I never found the need to wear Knicks cycling as a kid?

That kind of threw him for a minute

He then explained that even a pair of Knicks (shorts not bib style) would provide some cushioning. What about a piece of foam and gaffer tape I responded? He then starts to look at me like some kind of curious alien..... And further explains that the benefit of Knicks is also to reduce chaffing......

OK, so my question.........finally. To the experienced BiciGrinos.

If we are going to ride bikes just for a couple of days, do we really need to worry about any special clothing, footwear etc? I certainly won't be carrying any, as the bikes are just a Plan B, so we would buy anything we need along the way...

The only additional item I might throw in, useful for walking too, is a Hi Visibility vest for each of us. (very light) Useful when walking/cycling along roads in poor visibility.

Skulks back into the corner, feeling rather like he has walked into a Hells Angel Club House asking where he can buy a Vespa

 

[mark connolly]

I rented a bike to ride from Leon to Astorga. No need for any special clothing. If you want to go with the High Res vest, knock yourself out. On the ride from Leon to Atorga, I did not ride on the camino itself, I mostly rode on the roadway adjacent to the camino (N-120 I believe). They maybe some parts of the camino where it is better or a must to travel on the road rather than the camino. I don't know where those parts are; so you may want to seek the advice of other bicigrinos, etc.

Good luck.

Mark

 

[David]

Robo, hi. I think your cycling friend may have fallen in to the modern marketing concept of an expensive costume for each activity. Remember when you were a child? Everything you did you just did?
Were you to rent bikes you can wear whatever you want, you really can. Exactly the same as walking - you don't need specialist clothing, nor a hiking costume, you just need good comfortable shoes, a lightweight pack and a few other things and off you go.

Mind you - you say "flatter less interesting sections" ? Why should 'flatter' be less 'interesting'?? The Meseta is marvellous, wonderful! - but that is only my opinion!

You have fifty days and you have both walked Camino before .. you may find - I hope that you do - that you love very moment and there is no need for a plan B

If there is - if you choose to cycle and the rental option is difficult and/or epxensive - well .. you could pop into a big supermarket or a Decathlon, buy the cheapest bikes they have and then give them away in Santiago!!

Buen Camino to you both!!

 

[hel&scott]

Skulks back into the corner, feeling rather like he has walked into a Hells Angel Club House asking where he can buy a Vespa

I showed this to my daughter for advice, as she cycled the French route. Once she had picked herself off the floor and recovered from her laughing fit, she pointed out that the Camino, especially the Frances, is best walked. Even she abandoned her bike and has done all her subsequent caminos on foot.
That said, she did suggest I lend you my old biker jacket... Not sure full leathers emblazoned with "Hel on Wheels" is going to be that useful though.

 

[Flatlander]

Hey, Robo,
Why are you skulking??? There ain't nothing wrong with taking a bike on the Camino! There's a lot wrong with some of the behaviour of some cyclists on the Camino, though, so don't fall into that trap ;-)

Yeah, your friend is ...... misguided. In order to cycle all you need is ...... a bike!

I know nothing about renting, I brought my own, cycled it actually, there and back.

Once the saddle isn't falling apart, it will be fine. It may need to be adjusted, though, so make sure you know how to do that for each saddle. Sometimes a few mm change can have a big change in comfort. What feels good in the shop may not feel quite so good on the road after a few hills

Your usual hiking gear should be fine. Boots, maybe might be a bit much for the bike (I have issues with my ankles if I wear heavy boots on my bike for a reasonably long ride). But a cheap pair of sandles will work too (unless it's the depths of winter!) and a great advantage of sandles is that you will soon be seeking out every puddle you can find to have the water splash onto your bare toes! If ever there's a physical sensation to bring me back to childhood.....

One thing to consider is your packs. You DO NOT WANT to carry them on your back! You really don't! It's not comfortable! And it's not safe. There's no point in buying panniers for a few days. Maybe the bike shop can include them in the rental? You could strap the backpack on the back of the bike (use good quality bungee cords & fasten securely - you do not want them coming loose and falling into your wheel!). Just remember that the lower the load on the back the better the bike will handle - important if you're not used to cycling with a load and given the quality of some of the surfaces you'll be riding.

A great advantage of the bike is the freedom to explore side routes and visit places that are too far away for walkers. A lot more opens up on the bike! Be careful..... you might be converted!

As a back up plan, it could be a lot of fun!

Frank

 

[Robo]

Mind you - you say "flatter less interesting sections" ? Why should 'flatter' be less 'interesting'?? The Meseta is marvellous, wonderful! - but that is only my opinion!

We certainly aim to walk all of it. I really see no sense in cycling it, as it will be a totally different experience travelling at 3 times the speed! I'm not a fan of cycling the Camino as you know.

This really is just a plan B, as my wife may struggle with 800 kms. She has Plantaar Faciitis. (to match my Achilles Tendonitis) So the bikes were just a plan B to give her feet a short break, and maybe catch up a few days. Probably just cycle 2 days.

I don't see flat as less interesting. But there are some flat and less interesting parts. Or slightly less interesting than other parts

So if I was to cycle any of it, I would pick those sections where the Senda merely parallels the road. Like Fromista to Carrion for example. It would also make for easy cycling.

Hopefully we won't need to resort to bikes at all.

Though I note from the various websites shared here, hat hiring bikes is really not that expensive. I think I saw e60 for 3 days. If we cycled 2 days (covering 6 days walking distance) we would save 3-4 nights accommodation anyway.

Anyway, touch wood we won't need bikes

 

[David]

This really is just a plan B, as my wife may struggle with 800 kms. She has Plantaar Faciitis. (to match my Achilles Tendonitis) So the bikes were just a plan B to give her feet a short break, and maybe catch up a few days. Probably just cycle 2 days.

There's me, being glib again - apologies - mea culpa

 

[Shelova]

I don't cycle but cycled from Burgos to Leon this May. Loved it . I bought cheap biking shorts and gloves from decathlon in Burgos for a total of about 12 euros.i have to say it was the best advise ever. The path is not all smooth, so you do run into stony - rough bits. The bike shorts (worn without underwear, which was new to me) was a life saver, I think without it I would not only chafe but have terrible saddle sore.My companions got ones that look like normal shorts outside but we're std bike shorts underneath. Gloves also help protect the hands from sun burn etc. So do get them, for 12 euros if you think they are to heavy to carry later, you can dump them.

 

[Mark T17]

Hi Robo,

Interesting read, as for me I'm about to depart SJPDP on 16/9/17 on a 2 week ride to SDC. I simply cant take a month off work otherwise I would have walked, so cycling was the only viable option. I'm more of a runner than a biker so I did some research and my needs are probably a little different to yours. I'm planning on doing about 70 km per day, so padded bike shorts and anti chaffing cream seemed like must have items for me. Everything else I'm taking is standard quick dry shorts, shirts, fleece and a rain jacket. Check out the Bike Iberia and Bicigrino websites for bike hire packages, etc.

Good luck, M

 

[Cambridge Pilgrim]

I don't cycle but cycled from Burgos to Leon this May. Loved it . I bought cheap biking shorts and gloves from decathlon in Burgos for a total of about 12 euros.i have to say it was the best advise ever. The path is not all smooth, so you do run into stony - rough bits. The bike shorts (worn without underwear, which was new to me) was a life saver, I think without it I would not only chafe but have terrible saddle sore.My companions got ones that look like normal shorts outside but we're std bike shorts underneath. Gloves also help protect the hands from sun burn etc. So do get them, for 12 euros if you think they are to heavy to carry later, you can dump them.

I would 100% second this advice!

You don't need to look like Alberto Contador but you really should wear padded cycling shorts even if you're only thinking of cycling for a couple of days.

Think of your backside as the equivalent of your feet and give it the same level of consideration. It will thank you for it!

Here's how we dealt with our rucksack when cycling (our Camino was 3 days walking, 11 cycling). It's practically empty on the second picture.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/biking-part-which-part.47267/#post-506542

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hi Robo (and Mrs Robo) - as most will know I have both cycled from Pamplona and (in May this year) walked from St Jean and I have to say the 4km per hour walk was a totally different experience. The 50 days you have allocated should be more than sufficient - you can have those necessary rest days; explore "off-camino" (hire a car/taxi or take a bus!).
If you are really thinking about a bike for that Western end of the Meseta then the best advice I can offer - cheap will do but make sure that it has good (wide off-road) tyres. Renting or buying is really your choice - if you are intending to resume walking from Leon then maybe contact one of the good bike shops in Leon to see if they have some second-hand bikes that would be suitable and they might also be able to transport them to Fromista.
If you are only doing comparatively short days then the cycle nicks (the padded shorts) are not necessary (but the anti chaffing cream is recommended). Off course the other thing you will need is a cycle helmet - they are compulsory in Spain when riding outside of town areas.
Buen Camino!!