Hi - I was hoping to get some advice on a few things so here we go...
Looking to tour through N. Spain on my bike by myself as I have wanted to it for a while. Not for religious reasons, I just like riding my bike and Spanish food! I'm a 28 year male and I ride a reasonable amount (was in italy last summer with 2 panniers and average 90-160km a day depending on hills). Ideally the trip would be 10 daysish (thinking it will be ~800km bilbao to santiago)
Main questions which i would love to hear people thoughts on are:
1. Francis from Pamplona (potentially actually starting in Biaritz/Bilbao) or Norte route again probably starting in Bilbao. Leaning towards the the North route as I would like to get into the hills and worried the francis might get boring if its all flat for the 1st half? Is this the case?
2. To camp or not to camp. So I have a light weight tent and gear which i quite like the idea of using however. Is it easy to find places to camp? Are there many nice space to freedom camp quickly for the night. Will i have to book Albergues in June time far ahead (i like the idea of being flexible)
3. Road vs Actual route. So i know on a road i can cover ~100km a day inc. a few hills on a loaded bike...no idea how this would translate to on the actual route? Am i gaining anything by sticking on the actual route vs roughly following it on the roads eg. easier navigation, social aspect as might see fewer people.
Thanks in advanced! Really want to do it but a bit daunted at bike touring by myself!
James
Looking to tour through N. Spain on my bike by myself as I have wanted to it for a while. Not for religious reasons, I just like riding my bike and Spanish food! I'm a 28 year male and I ride a reasonable amount (was in italy last summer with 2 panniers and average 90-160km a day depending on hills). Ideally the trip would be 10 daysish (thinking it will be ~800km bilbao to santiago)
Main questions which i would love to hear people thoughts on are:
1. Francis from Pamplona (potentially actually starting in Biaritz/Bilbao) or Norte route again probably starting in Bilbao. Leaning towards the the North route as I would like to get into the hills and worried the francis might get boring if its all flat for the 1st half? Is this the case?
2. To camp or not to camp. So I have a light weight tent and gear which i quite like the idea of using however. Is it easy to find places to camp? Are there many nice space to freedom camp quickly for the night. Will i have to book Albergues in June time far ahead (i like the idea of being flexible)
3. Road vs Actual route. So i know on a road i can cover ~100km a day inc. a few hills on a loaded bike...no idea how this would translate to on the actual route? Am i gaining anything by sticking on the actual route vs roughly following it on the roads eg. easier navigation, social aspect as might see fewer people.
Thanks in advanced! Really want to do it but a bit daunted at bike touring by myself!
James