Camino del Norte from June 20-July 13

[George]

Hello from Portland (part 2)
I am very excited since there is less than one month to go till I will start my second pilgrimage, and this time I will be with my daughters (11 and 14 yo). Last time I did the Camino Frances around same time of year. We will be biking from Irun to Fisterra, from June 20th to July 13th, I plan on bringing a tent, and sleeping bags just in case the albergues are full. I have heard that the ones that there there get filled up at times . And of course we will not be walking pilgrims, so that adds to the equation. If anyone has an especially wonderful place that should not be missed along the route, please let me know.
Hope to see some of you on the Camino!
George

 

[blaneymarine]

George,
How are you getting your bikes from The US to spain and how much does it cost?
Thanks
David from Rhode Island

 

[George]

Hi David,
My 11 yo and I will be riding a Bike Friday tandem and my 14 yo will be on her own Bike Friday Pocket companion. All Bike Fridays can break apart and go into Samsonite suitcases, that then becomes the trailer! They are AWESOME bikes and they are made Eugene, Oregon.
Here is the link to my tandem.
http://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/tandem/322
Buen Camino
George

 

[picosrider]

Hi George,
Also biking the Norte route, but Santander/Finisterra, and back via Primitivo, 3 weeks in July/Aug.
Have had some postings recently which might be of use, inc some places to visit.

Hi there
The sea views would be lovely - and the thought that the albergues may be less full in July is another great advantage. I'll start doing some research on that route. Where are you planning to start the Camino Norte?
Cheers,
Rachael

Hello again Rachael,
In 2005 we flew Stansted, England to Santander and flew back from Santiago. This year we are taking ferry from Portsmouth, England to Santander and thence Camino del Norte. However on return we are cycling to Lugo, then via Camino Primitivo to Oviedo. From Oviedo we detour to Covadonga before heading back down to the coast at San Vicente de la Barquera, and return to Santander.
Just a few places to encourage you, places on the Norte route. We had icecream on the beach at Comillas, crossed over the medieval 32 arched bridge at San Vicente de la Barquera (wonderful estuary views). Another fine estuary to cross at Ribasella. Picnic on the beautiful bay and beach at Colunga. Wonderful sea food and Asturian cider in the fishing village of Cudillero. More interesting little harbours at the fishing villages of Luarca and Tapia de Casariego, and the last sea vista at the wide estuary at Ribadeo. Here, crossing the bridge you enter Galicia and then head inland.
Most (all?) of the places that I have mentioned have hostals, or are very close by.
So get a map out and plan your pilgrimage!

Hi there
I'll start doing some research on that route. Where are you planning to start the Camino Norte?
Cheers,
Rachael

Hi Rachael,
Just a thought. I did this write up about this years trip to Santiago for my bike club, but it might help and encourage you with your planning.
See http://anerleybc.org/planning-a-cycling-adventure/

 

[George]

Hi
Thank you for the info! I will be sure to visit those places!
How much of your last trip was on roads? And how much was on the actual Camino Path? It seems that only a few bikers ride the actual Camino - is this true?
Thanks
George

 

[picosrider]

Hi
How much of your last trip was on roads? And how much was on the actual Camino Path? It seems that only a few bikers ride the actual Camino - is this true?
George

Large sections of the main Caminos are on road, so you have no option but to stick on tarmac! The Norte is no exception.
In 2005 we did all the Norte on road. We were on road bikes, not mountain bikes. There are some off-road sections which can be ridden on a road bike (all and where are detailed in the CSJ Guide Book). However the 2 ladies with us did not like riding off-road so we stayed on tarmac all the way. From reading many postings on this site it is evident that walking pilgrims do not like bikers on their paths, so that is another reason for staying on the black stuff.
Cycling on road is quicker, so you can go further in less time. E.g we will be able to add in the ride to Finisterra and Muxia this year. Riding the roads offers some great and varied scenery, in my opinion more and better than riding off-road. You still stay at the same hostals as walkers, so do not miss out on the varied company. So nothing to lose,but lots to gain!

 

[George]

Hi Picosrider,
I am primarily a Mt. Bike rider. I also have selective memory - I tend to remember the good stuff! I tend to remember the awesome downhill sections and forget about the uphill sections that it took to get to them. So when I try to recall my ride on the Camino Frances, in 2007, I tend to remember it as mostly trails and not pavement ;-)
Thank you for your time and perspective - I might turn into a road cyclist one day!
Cheers!
George

 

[picosrider]

Hi Picosrider,
I am primarily a Mt. Bike rider. I also have selective memory - I tend to remember the good stuff! I tend to remember the awesome downhill sections
George

Hi George,
I do both, in fact my "road bike" is just a Specialised Rock Hopper to which I fitted Schwalbe, Marathon 26 x 1.5 road tyres. Whilst not best suited to mud plugging they are fast on tarmac and adequate on much of the off-road camino. Except after long and heavy rain!
"Awesome downhill sections", not just confined to single track. Even better swooshing down mountain roads and round hair pin bends. Next year the Vuelta de Espana!
In fact this year, returning from Santiago we are going up into the Picos de Europa mountains to visit Covadonga, and then the lakes above Covadonga. Nearly every year this ride up to the lakes and down, does feature in the Vuelta. I did it 2 years ago, and the woosh factor beats anything else Iv'e done!