14 year old bicigrino...good idea?

[Lisakline]

Hello friends my husband and I, 70 and 60 yrs old, old hats at walking camino, are thinking of taking our grandson in spring 25. He likes bikes so we thought to become bicigrinos for this one. Has anyone done the Frances with teens? We are wondering about km per day, other teen bicigrinos, and bike Info in general. Thanks!

 

[Pilgrim9]

I found the Cyclist's Touring Club, now calling itself Cycling UK, in the UK to be a wonderfully-useful resource.

Cycling UK | Let's make a better world by bike

Cycling UK is the UK charity inspiring millions more people to cycle providing skills, motivation, advice, and support to enable everyone to ride a bike

www.cyclinguk.org

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I have seen plenty of family groups like that on the camino. You certainly wouldn't be the first!

 

[Lisakline]

I found the Cyclist's Touring Club, now calling itself Cycling UK, in the UK to be a wonderfully-useful resource.

Cycling UK | Let's make a better world by bike

Cycling UK is the UK charity inspiring millions more people to cycle providing skills, motivation, advice, and support to enable everyone to ride a bike

www.cyclinguk.org

Wow thanks this is just what we needed.

 

[Kirkie]

The day we arrived in Santiago there was a group of cyclist pilgrims from Italy. The nine year old among them was given the loudest applause... so once you pace the trip you will be fine with the grandson.

 

[Anamiri]

Hello friends my husband and I, 70 and 60 yrs old, old hats at walking camino, are thinking of taking our grandson in spring 25. He likes bikes so we thought to become bicigrinos for this one. Has anyone done the Frances with teens? We are wondering about km per day, other teen bicigrinos, and bike Info in general. Thanks!

We took our 13 year old grandson, walking not biking, but we saw a few kids biking with parents.

 

[J Willhaus]

We met a biking family with two boys in grade school on our first Camino. At 14, he may well out bike you!

 

[Lisakline]

We met a biking family with two boys in grade school on our first Camino. At 14, he may well out bike you!

Wow, very cool!!

 

[kelleymac]

I asked my 13 and my 16 year old to walk with me. My 13 year old said yes (as long as we could get roast lamb at some point along the Way). My 16 year old asked me why I wasn't renting a car. The 16 year old ended up staying home. My 13 year old and I walked from Leon, and then the next year, upon his request, we went back and started at SJPP. Wonderful days.

 

[trecile]

I think that as bicigrinos you and your grandson my have fewer opportunities to connect with other pilgrims. I would ask him if he would prefer to walk or cycle.
I have a friend who walked with his somewhat shy 18 year old grandson, and it really opened his eyes (the grandson's) as to how easy it could be to connect with other people, and he became more comfortable in social situations.

 

[SioCamino]

I think that as bicigrinos you and your grandson my have fewer opportunities to connect with other pilgrims. I would ask him if he would prefer to walk or cycle.
I have a friend who walked with his somewhat shy 18 year old grandson, and it really opened his eyes (the grandson's) as to how easy it could be to connect with other people, and he became more comfortable in social situations.

I think that depends on how you choose to engage with the time. This summer I met a young catalán boy (13) cycling with his dad. They seemed to be doing similar distances to myself (20-27km depending on the day) as I met them several times.
I assumed that the dad was lowering their distances to make sure his son was able for it and able to enjoy the journey. The kids told me it was because his dad wasn't as fit as he was and couldn't cycle as much!
They seemed to be enjoying their Camino , taking nice breaks, finishing the day by lunchtime, chatting to other peregrinas. I know a lot more about fútbol in Barcelona now!

 

[Tim Floyd]

Hello friends my husband and I, 70 and 60 yrs old, old hats at walking camino, are thinking of taking our grandson in spring 25. He likes bikes so we thought to become bicigrinos for this one. Has anyone done the Frances with teens? We are wondering about km per day, other teen bicigrinos, and bike Info in general. Thanks!

I took my 10 year old grandson who loves activity last spring along with my son in law. He saw amazing sights, met lots of people, enjoyed the entire experience. We started in Ponferrada and took 11 days so it was not too taxing for him (or me). I highly recommend the experience. It was a great memory for all of us.

 

[Roland49]

Dear fellow pilgrim,

Has anyone done the Frances with teens?

I've seen a baby in stroller, preschooler on scooter, pre-teens by foot on my CF in 2019.
Why not a teen on a bike?

The distances covered daily vary a lot, depending on terrain and willpower.
Look for a bicigrino map, the standard maps for hiking are almost useless for bicigrinos. There are special guidebooks with detailed maps for biking the CF.

Have fun and turn around from time to time!

 

[Lisakline]

I took my 10 year old grandson who loves activity last spring along with my son in law. He saw amazing sights, met lots of people, enjoyed the entire experience. We started in Ponferrada and took 11 days so it was not too taxing for him (or me). I highly recommend the experience. It was a great memory for all of us.

That sounds wonderful.