Cycling the VDLP

[olemeg]

Hello All!

I am in the planning phase for cycling the VDLP this April. I’ve read many of the posts on here (thanks for all the helpful advice!), and I’m hoping I can find out a bit more.

I’ve already switched gears on the route - my friend and I were planning to do the Camino Frances but change our minds after reading some of the posts. The RDLP sounds a bit more bike friendly.

I’ve read some horror stories about bike rental companies. Any companies in particular to avoid? Not sure if you can name names but it would be helpful
I’m looking at Cycling Rentals and Bike Iberia.

I’m also considering buying a cheaper bike and leaving it there, but then I’d have to also buy a rack, beefier tires etc.

Ideally I’d like to do it on a gravel bike and stick to the trails. Anyone else out there recommend for/against that? We’d have bike bags/panniers and plan to stay in albergues or other budget lodgings.

Do most folks usually travel with only a sleep sack? I worry about being cold at night with only that.

Can you recommend which map to buy?

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Reinoud]

Hello All!

I am in the planning phase for cycling the VDLP this April. I’ve read many of the posts on here (thanks for all the helpful advice!), and I’m hoping I can find out a bit more.

I’ve already switched gears on the route - my friend and I were planning to do the Camino Frances but change our minds after reading some of the posts. The RDLP sounds a bit more bike friendly.

I’ve read some horror stories about bike rental companies. Any companies in particular to avoid? Not sure if you can name names but it would be helpful
I’m looking at Cycling Rentals and Bike Iberia.

I’m also considering buying a cheaper bike and leaving it there, but then I’d have to also buy a rack, beefier tires etc.

Ideally I’d like to do it on a gravel bike and stick to the trails. Anyone else out there recommend for/against that? We’d have bike bags/panniers and plan to stay in albergues or other budget lodgings.

Do most folks usually travel with only a sleep sack? I worry about being cold at night with only that.

Can you recommend which map to buy?

Thanks in advance for the input!

You can download the buen camino or wise pilgrim app both of which have all the information you need insofar as maps, daily routes and accommodation is concerned.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I’ve been happy with Triana Backpackers for rental, although that was some yearns ago. I think that if you are not intending to use the road you need a mountain bike - or certainly 2 inch tyres.

 

[ScouseKeith]

Hello All!

I am in the planning phase for cycling the VDLP this April. I’ve read many of the posts on here (thanks for all the helpful advice!), and I’m hoping I can find out a bit more.

I’ve already switched gears on the route - my friend and I were planning to do the Camino Frances but change our minds after reading some of the posts. The RDLP sounds a bit more bike friendly.

I’ve read some horror stories about bike rental companies. Any companies in particular to avoid? Not sure if you can name names but it would be helpful
I’m looking at Cycling Rentals and Bike Iberia.

I’m also considering buying a cheaper bike and leaving it there, but then I’d have to also buy a rack, beefier tires etc.

Ideally I’d like to do it on a gravel bike and stick to the trails. Anyone else out there recommend for/against that? We’d have bike bags/panniers and plan to stay in albergues or other budget lodgings.

Do most folks usually travel with only a sleep sack? I worry about being cold at night with only that.

Can you recommend which map to buy?

Thanks in advance for the input!

I used bike Iberia to cycle the Camino Francés. I ordered an off road bike 24speed, it was a Giant excellent condition, lightweight with a frame for my panniers and a small tool box. You’ve made the right choice I never cycle the CF again and if I’d known what it was going to be like I wouldn’t have cycled it. I’m walking the VFLP next June. There is quite a bit of off road cycling on the route and I mean like sheep trails so be careful but you are correct there is far more suitable cycle routes.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

VFLP?

 

[Tandem Graham]

Seville has many bike shops and several which specialize in used bikes (Google 'buying a secondhand bicycle in Seville'). This would give you a better choice than the take-it-or-leave-it of buying privately. You could take your own pannier bags and just purchase the rack there, if the bike doesn't already have one. The overall cost may be significantly less than a two week one-way hire, especially if you can sell the bike when you have completed your journey.

We have cycle-toured on a tandem extensively in Spain and France including, a few years ago, to Santiago from home in the UK, via parts of the Camino Frances. I agree with @ScouseKeith and your assessment, that Camino Frances isn't ideal for cycling especially during peak pilgrim months. We frequently ended up on parallel roads.

I haven't cycled the VDLP, but have walked from Seville to Santiago, taking the Sanabres route after Granja.

It is possible to cycle large parts of the signposted pilgrim route, but there are places which would necessitate lifting the laden bike over gates and others where you'd need to dismount and push because of the surface or the terrain; a heavier MTB would reduce the occasions where pushing was necessary but make lifting the bike more strenuous. In my experience, because of the bike geometry, MTBs are less fun than road-tourers when you are in the saddle for multiple hours and days.

You also would encounter the usual barrier to getting to know other pilgrims in that you would travel two or three times their daily distances.

There is a well established cyclists' version of the VDLP, which follows a mix of paved roads and some gravel paths, often intersecting the walkers path at villages and towns. Cicerone publish a guide to it in English.

Ruta Via de la Plata cycling guidebook

Guide to cycling the Ruta Via de la Plata (N-630) through Spain. Includes road and off-road route options, detailed information on pilgrim lodging,…

www.cicerone.co.uk

Following this route would allow you to choose a more comfortable touring bike and perhaps more frequently meet fellow cyclists for that sense of community, while still visiting many of the interesting sites on the route.

Whatever you decide, Buen Viaje!

 

[olemeg]

Thanks so much everyone! This is all very helpful.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

if you can sell the bike when you have completed your journey.

Just FYI, I tried to sell a bike in Santiago a couple years ago and was told there was a surplus of used bikes, because lots of people leave them or try to sell them. Apparently mostly they end up giving them away, which is what happened to me.

I think Santiago is quite a good place to buy a used bike, if you want to do a reverse VDLP, or train it to Sevilla!

 

[eeddowes]

Hello All!

I am in the planning phase for cycling the VDLP this April. I’ve read many of the posts on here (thanks for all the helpful advice!), and I’m hoping I can find out a bit more.

I’ve already switched gears on the route - my friend and I were planning to do the Camino Frances but change our minds after reading some of the posts. The RDLP sounds a bit more bike friendly.

I’ve read some horror stories about bike rental companies. Any companies in particular to avoid? Not sure if you can name names but it would be helpful
I’m looking at Cycling Rentals and Bike Iberia.

I’m also considering buying a cheaper bike and leaving it there, but then I’d have to also buy a rack, beefier tires etc.

Ideally I’d like to do it on a gravel bike and stick to the trails. Anyone else out there recommend for/against that? We’d have bike bags/panniers and plan to stay in albergues or other budget lodgings.

Do most folks usually travel with only a sleep sack? I worry about being cold at night with only that.

Can you recommend which map to buy?

Thanks in advance for the input!

I suggest this with all sincerity : Please make sure whatever bike you choose that it has a bell. I took a bad fall when bikers passed me on a rutted road on VDLP. Ring well in advance because we walkers just don't hear you coming otherwise.
Best wishes for your trip!

 

[Jean Ti]

I Olemeg, I have noticed that you are from Canada. When I travel I bring my bycicle with me. It is well adapted to me and in good condition also. Travelling from Canada to Europe for a bicycle cost 50 CDN.

If you do not want to bring your bicycle you could probably adapt and old bike for few $$ usit for your trip and leave it there at the end of the trip.

At least you would travel with something of your size and that is in good working conditions.

 

[olemeg]

@Jean Ti - I have definitely considered bringing my bike, but I am doing some climbing in France after the ride and am daunted by that much travel with a bike. While not the most comfortable or ideal, I think rental will be the easiest option.

A few other questions:
1) Is there a luggage shuttle from Sevilla to Santiago as there is on the Camino Frances?

2) Have any of you biked the Camino Sanabres? It seems like that may be a more pleasant route to take vs taking the Camino Frances. From my limited research it looks like that wouldn't be doable on a gravel bike, however.

Thanks!

 

[Corned Beef]

@Jean Ti - I have definitely considered bringing my bike, but I am doing some climbing in France after the ride and am daunted by that much travel with a bike. While not the most comfortable or ideal, I think rental will be the easiest option.

A few other questions:
1) Is there a luggage shuttle from Sevilla to Santiago as there is on the Camino Frances?

2) Have any of you biked the Camino Sanabres? It seems like that may be a more pleasant route to take vs taking the Camino Frances. From my limited research it looks like that wouldn't be doable on a gravel bike, however.

Thanks!

There is no luggage shuttle until Orense. Local taxis are about €1.5/€2.0 per km if you need to use them for transport. Had to at one point due to a tear in the rear tyre. Held together with a zip tie until I could get to the bike shop in the next town.

As regards the Sanabres, stick to the roads if you can as you'll make faster progress and not need to visit the bike shop in the next town.

 

[Skinnybiker]

If you just want to send baggage / climbing gear (?) from Sevilla to Santiago use Correos (post office).

The Sanabres may still be wet & muddy in April, ride the roads as suggested above.

However I did the ride the Sanabres, or maybe it was the Invierno, from Santiago to Verín in September, great scenery but hilly.