Just finished the Camino over 20 days with 3 rest days, one in Burgos, Leon and Santiago. A fantastic experience, but riding the track 90% of the way meant there was a lot of MTB skills needed by the group. We had 12 members in our group and pre organised accomodation due to our bikes and number of people.
Getting the bikes to the start was a nightmare - the airports were great, but the Renfe is very fussy and refused our bikes, we had to forfeit the tickets and hire a car to Pamplona, the taxi to St Jean - not the cheapest way to do things, but no choice.
The first day was to a town past Zubiri and this was a HUGE day. Don't underestimate the climb, as it starts from almost the town and doesn't stop much all day. Scenery is stunning although we had fog too. If it was raining it would be very unpleasant. In places the track was really wet and deep mud, going through the rocky pass was pushing the bikes, but possible. We were very pleased our accomodation had a hose as the bikes really needed a wash.
Day 2 was very narrow along the creek, but beautiful. Many of the walkers don't like the bikes, but tolerate them. The scenery continued to be stunning and so varied.
I am not going to go through every day, but rather to point out there is a lot of climbing, sharp pinches and some really tough days, O'Cebrero of course is a huge climb, and again we had no views. Overall however it was all fantastic and well worthwhile. You do get fitter on the trip, but a high level of fitness (60km on a road bike comfortably) would be a guideline - with hill work.
We had an amazing group, no complaints, all capable and positive which makes it much easier.
We rode the 90km to Finisterre in one day in the rain, I would suggest this is broken into 2 days to enjoy it more, but well worth finishing to The End of the World - so beautiful.
We hired a bus to bring us home, not riding back to Santiago, and we were very glad. Not cheap at 50 euros, but still pleased we did. Hope this helps others who are thinking of the ride.
We had some hire bikes, others brought their own, some transferred luggage, others carried theirs, but were a lot slower.
Getting the bikes to the start was a nightmare - the airports were great, but the Renfe is very fussy and refused our bikes, we had to forfeit the tickets and hire a car to Pamplona, the taxi to St Jean - not the cheapest way to do things, but no choice.
The first day was to a town past Zubiri and this was a HUGE day. Don't underestimate the climb, as it starts from almost the town and doesn't stop much all day. Scenery is stunning although we had fog too. If it was raining it would be very unpleasant. In places the track was really wet and deep mud, going through the rocky pass was pushing the bikes, but possible. We were very pleased our accomodation had a hose as the bikes really needed a wash.
Day 2 was very narrow along the creek, but beautiful. Many of the walkers don't like the bikes, but tolerate them. The scenery continued to be stunning and so varied.
I am not going to go through every day, but rather to point out there is a lot of climbing, sharp pinches and some really tough days, O'Cebrero of course is a huge climb, and again we had no views. Overall however it was all fantastic and well worthwhile. You do get fitter on the trip, but a high level of fitness (60km on a road bike comfortably) would be a guideline - with hill work.
We had an amazing group, no complaints, all capable and positive which makes it much easier.
We rode the 90km to Finisterre in one day in the rain, I would suggest this is broken into 2 days to enjoy it more, but well worth finishing to The End of the World - so beautiful.
We hired a bus to bring us home, not riding back to Santiago, and we were very glad. Not cheap at 50 euros, but still pleased we did. Hope this helps others who are thinking of the ride.
We had some hire bikes, others brought their own, some transferred luggage, others carried theirs, but were a lot slower.
