Biking from Belgium

[BelToSdCByBike]

Hello All,

My name is Sven and I am interested in biking the route from Belgium to Santiago. There are no concrete plans yet, but I'm in the process of gathering all kinds of information about routes, practical stuff and also transportation/parking, the journey back...

One big question remaining for me is: how to get back with my bike and gear to Belgium when I reach SdC? One of the idea's I have is to drive by car to SdC, look for a safe long-term parking, get the plane back to Belgium and then start my trip.

When reaching SdC, I have my car available to drive back with my bike and all my gear to Belgium.

Any idea's on this?

have nice day!

Sven

 

[Former member 49149]

All I can say is Buen Camino! Others will have ideas for you...

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I will be flying into Bordeaux with my bike in an Evoc bike bag, the best on the market. My intention is to collapse the bag and forward it by DHL or similar to Ivar in Santiago. Pack up and fly from there. Another option is to arrange for a bike shop in Santiago to box the bike for you. I know that a few forum members have done this.

 

[Marc S.]

Hi Sven. There are several companies that arrange transportation of bikes from Santiago to Belgium. You can find some more information about this on the website of the Vlaams Genootschap:

Hoe geraak ik terug thuis? – Vlaams Compostelagenootschap

compostelagenootschap.be

I have heard good stories about this company and also have some experience with them (not bike related, but I was loading a van with stuff that they brought to an albergue in Spain - run by friends). Reallly nice and committed people. They transport your bike back home, while you can take the train or bus.

Voorstellen – Camino Fietstransport

camino-fietstransport.nl

 

[BelToSdCByBike]

Hi Marc! The Camino Fietstransport looks promising, thanks!

 

[Stroller]

Two solutions: Cycle back or go by train. For the train you will need a bike bag/box which I believe are available in SdC, to cycle back, just you legs and time.

 

[Anamiri]

We sent a bike from Santiago to Paris. Correos were very helpful. I cant remember who supplied the box. We did have to carry it through Santiago in the box through very busy pedestrian streets which was a slight challenge.

 

[VNwalking]

Box the bike, and take the train or fly.
There's a morning train from Santiago direct to Irun/Hendaye. It arrives in the evening, so you'd need to spend the night, then proceed back to Belgium the next day.

Lots of options about route. I just walked from Den Bosch to Givet on the Via Monastica, and the part from Scherpenheuvel to a bit past Dinant would be bliss on a bike. Less so after the French border. But the way you go depends in large part on how you want to get across France and into Spain.

Accommodations were challenging. If you haven't already, join both the Amis de Compostelle and Vrienden op de Fiets, because people in both these groups can host you in their homes. Such beautiful generosity, and a lifesaver.

 

[mumcompost]

Indertijd hebben wij voor 2 Caminos gebruik gemaakt van "Soetens" ... ik weet niet of dit fietsentransport nog bestaat

 

[BelToSdCByBike]

In the past I did a lot of bike rides, even on steep terrain: I did 3 times Ventoux (3 sides), Peyresourde, Soulor, Galibier (both sides), Croix de Fer (3 sides), Col de la Madeleine, Col de Sarenne (both sides), Les Deux Alpes, Mortirolo, Col du Sabot, Col du Soulor, Alpe d'Huez, Col d'Ornon, Col de l'Aspin, Col de Marie-Blanque, Col du Pourtalet, Col d'Eaux-Bonnes, Alto de Hazallanas, Col de Notre Dame des Abeilles, Col du Glandon, Col du Tourmalet, Col du Mollard, Pico Veleta, Passo Stelvio (Both sides), Gavia ...

So I think I do know what climbing is I am not scared of steep climbs. Bring it on!

 

[SabsP]

In the past I did a lot of bike rides, even on steep terrain: I did 3 times Ventoux (3 sides), Peyresourde, Soulor, Galibier (both sides), Croix de Fer (3 sides), Col de la Madeleine, Col de Sarenne (both sides), Les Deux Alpes, Mortirolo, Col du Sabot, Col du Soulor, Alpe d'Huez, Col d'Ornon, Col de l'Aspin, Col de Marie-Blanque, Col du Pourtalet, Col d'Eaux-Bonnes, Alto de Hazallanas, Col de Notre Dame des Abeilles, Col du Glandon, Col du Tourmalet, Col du Mollard, Pico Veleta, Passo Stelvio (Both sides), Gavia ...

So I think I do know what climbing is I am not scared of steep climbs. Bring it on!

And of course do not forget the Muur van Geraardsbergen...

Cheers from a fellow Belgian!

 

[BelToSdCByBike]

Natuurlijk "De Muur van Geraardsbergen". Als ik de Belgische cols nog moet opnoemen was ik nog even bezig...

 

[SabsP]

Natuurlijk "De Muur van Geraardsbergen". Als ik de Belgische cols nog moet opnoemen was ik nog even bezig...

Always welcome in the Tuscany of Belgium aka Haspengouw.
Ok...serious again : all the best with your plans! Happy preparations.

 

[VNwalking]

Natuurlijk "De Muur van Geraardsbergen". Als ik de Belgische cols nog moet opnoemen was ik nog even bezig...

We went off piste on the Via Monastica to save some kms and found ourselves folowing the Eddy Merckx route.
Does that count?

 

[BelToSdCByBike]

the Eddy Merckx route.

That is a nice route. Has some steep (but reasonably short) climbs.