Route Suggestion (Frances)- 11 days

[baker_999]

Hi All,

I have an 11 day window (I can start cycling on the first day and ideally be in Santiago on the 10th day PM) and want to do a camino (be it Frances, Coastal, Porto etc) . I've been focussing research on the Frances route, but not sure this is possible in 10 days. I'm a competent cyclist and will be hiring a bike and packing light (hopefully!).

Does anyone recommend a more suitable route, or start point that could be taken to fit within this time frame? I'm not overly fussed about having days off to see things, I'm more intersted in the cycle and having evenings walking around, staying in auberge's. I am open to any route (or any other european cycle tours, in fact!) and any packing advice you may have, I also see there's some confusion about whether cyclists can follow the walking route (taking the road at certain points). Do most people carry a map or use their smart phone to find a route?

I have 2 weeks to prepare...!

Thanks for your help in advance,
D

 

[Paladina]

As no other answers are forthcoming, here goes:

I haven’t cycled the Portuguese routes, but I have cycled from St Jean Pied-de-Port, and while it’s possible to cycle from there to Santiago in 10 days if you are a competent cyclist, it is not really desirable. I’d advise you to keep one or two days in reserve in case of illness or injury, or even a new-found enthusiasm for travelling slowly. What starts as a bike ride may evolve into a different kind of journey.

Cyclists can ride on the walkers’ path, but most walkers would rather they didn’t. If you were to follow the pilgrim path - especially the Camino frances, which will most likely be crowded - you would in any case have to reduce your speed so as not to endanger or antagonise walkers. Either way, I suggest you pick a point of departure beyond Pamplona.

Search the forum for advice on bike hire, packing, navigation etc.

Buen Camino