Biking the camino del Norte

[Consumerdriven]

Hi everyone. Happy New Year. This is my first posting. I'm a Minnesotan. Womperjawed by a divorce, my friends suggested the pilgrimage and I've begun the planning process. I'm too busy and have been fumbling about trying to figure it out on my own and tinker toy it together - fly into x, get bike from y, follow route z, stay at a,b,c places, make sure i eat at d,e,f and so on... So, I'm wondering two things. Is the experience short sheeted if i have someone else help me with all the details....and even if that's true, do any of you know where I can get help on getting this set up? This is all I know: I know why I need to go and am going - in march or april this year. I'm doing this alone. I'm not bringing a bike. I can fly anywhere. I hear the northern route is good for biking. That's about it. Thank you for any help you can provide.

 

[Sagalouts]

Hi consumerdriven
I have only ever walked the Norte and it is a great way but I know nothing about biking it,but I do know about being on the Camino while dealing with separation and then Divorce and the walking helped me deal with all the a,b,c and d things and helped me move on from the ex things too
I don't think I could have done this with a bike and all the other complications,the Camino can be a healing place,and the quite contemplation found in walking worked for me
have a great Camino but from one who has been there have a relaxed one
Ian

 

[Consumerdriven]

Thank you Ian. I unfortunately can't take that much time away from my work or my son. Appreciate your kind words. I remember this amazing food segment on television with Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Stipe eating on the northern coast. I imagine reflection, learning how to go forward, eating amazing food, falling deeper in love with Spain.

 

[Davroos]

Hi

I have ridden il Primitivo twice and via de la Plata once. To ride off road, be prepared to push, especially on the Norte. I say this as everyone that I have spoken to states that it is very up/down and if you take the Oviedo route and jump on to the Primitivo, this is the same !!!

Now I am also looking at the Norte, but as I don't have the time, I am thinking of doing it on the road, which personally, is not how I would normally do one, but then again, a lot of the roads on most Caminos follow the original paths and the paths have been adapted.

As for distance/time. It is around 800ks. The VDLP is 1000ks and this took 3 of us 13 days to ride/push and this is a lot flatter. For the road, I am going to do this in 8 days, including going to Finistere and Muxia which will be around 1000ks.

One last thing, are you cycling fit?

Thanks

David

 

[boomers50]

A quick couple of thoughts (I've both cycled and walked the Camino Frances,) 1. You can buy a cheap but reasonable mountain bike at Decathlon store in Spain. I think a road bike is too restrictive. 2. Go super light... try to max 20 pounds of super light clothing. It can be done and makes your trip much more enjoyable. 3. Go as early in the spring or late in the fall to avoid the crowds. 4. Just do it... the hardest part is in the leaving. 5. Flying into Paris then go via ground transport seems to be a good way to go. 6. Solomon waterproof trail runners and a pair of Tevas are by far the best shoes i've some across (or I guess you could go with mt biking shoes and teas. 7. Best trip of my life... enjoy

 

[obinjatoo]

I biked across France to the Camino Frances and then cycled it to Leon. As touring rides go it was great. I walked to Santiago from Leon. What I realized that although the biking was great, actually walking as a pilgrim had a whole different feel to it. Do as you will however if it is a pilgrimage you want then walk. If you want a bike ride which I'm all for there are fabulous long distance routes all through Europe.