Cycling the Via de la Plata in September .....if possible .

[jony jony]

I have cycled the Via de la plata 4 times now and swore i would never do it again , and to this end , i dumped all my cycle gear , helmet, shorts , tops and gloves in a re cycle bin in Santiago last year .
For the life of me i dont know why, but i need to do another last pilgrimage . If most things are almost back to normal by September then i will drive ( still dont fancy the plane trip )from the U K (Suffolk) to Salamanca park the car , take the Alsa bus down to Seville and again hire a bike from Triana and cycle back to Salamanca to collect the car and drive home .
The reason for this post is to see if anyone is interested in sharing the costs ? Only really space for one person , maybe two at a pinch .

As i have stated , i have already ridden this camino so it could be a nice way for anyone a little bit unsure of cycling on their own to do part of this fabulous camino . Of course all this is dependant of any Covid 19 issues in September but i find planning is all part of the joy of any camino is it not ?

Any questions then please ask away .

 

[Hansel]

I have cycled the Via de la plata 4 times now and swore i would never do it again , and to this end , i dumped all my cycle gear , helmet, shorts , tops and gloves in a re cycle bin in Santiago last year .
For the life of me i dont know why, but i need to do another last pilgrimage . If most things are almost back to normal by September then i will drive ( still dont fancy the plane trip )from the U K (Suffolk) to Salamanca park the car , take the Alsa bus down to Seville and again hire a bike from Triana and cycle back to Salamanca to collect the car and drive home .
The reason for this post is to see if anyone is interested in sharing the costs ? Only really space for one person , maybe two at a pinch .

As i have stated , i have already ridden this camino so it could be a nice way for anyone a little bit unsure of cycling on their own to do part of this fabulous camino . Of course all this is dependant of any Covid 19 issues in September but i find planning is all part of the joy of any camino is it not ?

Any questions then please ask away .

Any news on the ferries opening?
I'm looking at cycling your route in reverse,cycling from Ayrshire in Scotland first,
I'm guessing it's a good route to cycle as you've done it once or twice!
Bill

 

[jony jony]

Hello Bill ,
I have looked at the ferries and it seems that they are accepting bookings as i tapped in certain dates and it came up with prices, ferry times etc . I have read on a cycling forum that the ferry companies are not yet allowing foot passengers to travel , which includes cyclists . Things are changing fast of course so what is true this week is perhaps not true next week .

As for the route , i think it is fabulous , quiet and not too much tarmac . I am now looking at taking my own bike instead of hiring from Triana . It costs about 300euros for bike hire and i can get a bike rack for less than £90 , so i will see .

Good luck with your planning .

Regards.....John

 

[malingerer]

Hello Bill ,
I have looked at the ferries and it seems that they are accepting bookings as i tapped in certain dates and it came up with prices, ferry times etc . I have read on a cycling forum that the ferry companies are not yet allowing foot passengers to travel , which includes cyclists . Things are changing fast of course so what is true this week is perhaps not true next week .

As for the route , i think it is fabulous , quiet and not too much tarmac . I am now looking at taking my own bike instead of hiring from Triana . It costs about 300euros for bike hire and i can get a bike rack for less than £90 , so i will see .

Good luck with your planning .

Regards.....John

I used to cycle but age and infirmity got the better of me! I have a severe balance problem left hand side which kinda negates cycling but have come up with a plethora of ways round it from fitting adult stabilisers to fitting a sort of side rack to going the whole hog and using a trike? I cant seem to find anyone who hires trikes and by trike I mean the real Mc COY as in adult road trike and not a shopping trolley! Any suggestions? I have cycle camped years ago and always thought it was a great way to see a country. I always use roads be they dual carriage way or farm track and will NOT use pilgrim trails as I think they are best left to the foot sloggers ! ( like me )

All the best to you at any rate.

The Malingerer.

 

[Hansel]

Hello Bill ,
I have looked at the ferries and it seems that they are accepting bookings as i tapped in certain dates and it came up with prices, ferry times etc . I have read on a cycling forum that the ferry companies are not yet allowing foot passengers to travel , which includes cyclists . Things are changing fast of course so what is true this week is perhaps not true next week .

As for the route , i think it is fabulous , quiet and not too much tarmac . I am now looking at taking my own bike instead of hiring from Triana . It costs about 300euros for bike hire and i can get a bike rack for less than £90 , so i will see .

Good luck with your planning .

Regards.....John

Thanks John,
I was looking at Hull to Zeebrugge last night for July sailings , and it seemed to be letting me go with my bicycle I was going to go back on today and check their policy re changing dates,
Would be looking at changing it by a day or two if I got to Hull too early!
Bill,

 

[Hansel]

Hello Bill ,
I have looked at the ferries and it seems that they are accepting bookings as i tapped in certain dates and it came up with prices, ferry times etc . I have read on a cycling forum that the ferry companies are not yet allowing foot passengers to travel , which includes cyclists . Things are changing fast of course so what is true this week is perhaps not true next week .

As for the route , i think it is fabulous , quiet and not too much tarmac . I am now looking at taking my own bike instead of hiring from Triana . It costs about 300euros for bike hire and i can get a bike rack for less than £90 , so i will see .

Good luck with your planning .

Regards.....John

Hi John,
Update I booked from Hull to Rotterdam, sailing on the 20th July, I noticed P&O weren't taking bookings on the Dover to Calais route, but my booking went through, start cycling on the 16th July,
Lots of loose ends to sort , then I'm off !
Bill

 

[jony jony]

Ohhh great news Bill . I am looking at the possibility of buying a cheap bike at Decathlon in either Cadiz or Seville as an alternative to taking my own .
My plans are quite fluid at the moment as to buying , renting or taking my own bike but i do have a couple of months to decide .
Good luck with your ride .

Regards.....John

 

[Hansel]

Ohhh great news Bill . I am looking at the possibility of buying a cheap bike at Decathlon in either Cadiz or Seville as an alternative to taking my own .
My plans are quite fluid at the moment as to buying , renting or taking my own bike but i do have a couple of months to decide .
Good luck with your ride .

Regards.....John

Decathlon have some pretty good bikes, that was an option of mine at one point, either buying a decathlon bike here, and cycling down happy in the knowledge that there would be plenty of decathlon shops to service or repair anything. Or buying one in Decathlon Lisbon, or Malaga, but I managed to get a good deal on a Dorset Whyte bike, which I really like, I had worn out the back tyre during lockdown! It's in for a service , so no cycling this weekend.
Practice packing going on now, I am now taking a tent, just to decide whether to take a stove or not.
Will try and post when I get going.
Hasta luego,
Bill

 

[jony jony]

Yes i normally take a small gas cartridge stove or last year a Dragon solid fuel cooker both of which i found quite useful even in the albergues with cooking facilities .

Regards....John

 

[Hansel]

Yes i normally take a small gas cartridge stove or last year a Dragon solid fuel cooker both of which i found quite useful even in the auberges without cooking facilities .

Regards....John

I'm usually happy with the meal of the day, though a stove does give more options.
Cheers Bill

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Yes i normally take a small gas cartridge stove or last year a Dragon solid fuel cooker both of which i found quite useful even in the auberges without cooking facilities .

From what I've seen on various association sites, guest kitchens and communal dining areas are closed in the albergues that have them, so the personal stove is probably more valuable than ever.

 

[Hansel]

From what I've seen on various association sites, guest kitchens and communal dining areas are closed in the albergues that have them, so the personal stove is probably more valuable than ever.

Ok thanks Raggy, looks like I'm going to have to rejig my panniers etc, though I'm not sure what I'd be cooking, cheese and ham baguette or bocadillo for lunch,
Any suggestions for easy to cook meals on a single stove, and pot.
Bill

 

[Mary Doll]

Hi John,
Update I booked from Hull to Rotterdam, sailing on the 20th July, I noticed P&O weren't taking bookings on the Dover to Calais route, but my booking went through, start cycling on the 16th July,
Lots of loose ends to sort , then I'm off !
Bill

Glad you managed to rearrange your trip. Enjoy!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Any suggestions for easy to cook meals on a single stove, and pot.

If I were going with one cooking pot, I'd go for something versatile that could serve both for boiling up pasta or a stew and for, say, frying eggs. With that and a few small containers of cooking oil, spice mix, salt, pepper, and powdered stock (or cubes), you can make a lot of simple meals with a whatever's fresh in the local grocery stores. Lots of videos of people's one pot cooking efforts on YouTube.

 

[Hansel]

Glad you managed to rearrange your trip. Enjoy!

Thanks,when are you flying out to Spain?

 

[Hansel]

If I were going with one cooking pot, I'd go for something versatile that could serve both for boiling up pasta or a stew and for, say, frying eggs. With that and a few small containers of cooking oil, spice mix, salt, pepper, and powdered stock (or cubes), you can make a lot of simple meals with a whatever's fresh in the local grocery stores. Lots of videos of people's one pot cooking efforts on YouTube.

Thanks, "food for thought" ,need some more little containers.

 

[jony jony]

I normally take a few " mug shot " packet pastas and mix in a small handful of pasta and a stock cube . I also hard boil a couple of eggs in the evening for the following days lunch . For a couple of weeks before i leave home i collect the small packets of salt/ pepper /,sugar from any cafes i go into and take a few oxo cubes for a nice warming drink .

I must say that i have never gone hungry with my little stove at hand and a packet of pasta and a stock cube .

 

[Mary Doll]

Thanks,when are you flying out to Spain?

Arriving in SJPDP on 29 August and start walking the following day. Trying not to get too excited in case I have to cancel again. If it hadn’t been for the virus I should have been entering Galicia around now.

 

[Hansel]

Arriving in SJPDP on 29 August and start walking the following day. Trying not to get too excited in case I have to cancel again. If it hadn’t been for the virus I should have been entering Galicia around now.

I know the feeling,good luck,and buen Camino.I'll keep my fingers crossed for you,
You going travelling after walking the Camino?

 

[Mary Doll]

I know the feeling,good luck,and buen Camino.I'll keep my fingers crossed for you,
You going travelling after walking the Camino?

Would still like to do a bit of travelling. At the moment I’m not really thinking much beyond getting on the Camino. I don’t have a return ticket and nothing to rush back for so kind of thinking 6 weeks walking from SJPDP to Finisterre and then maybe a couple of weeks touring after that and probably home end of October.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Thanks, "food for thought" ,need some more little containers.

This looks quite handy:
Coghlans Multi-Spice
Herb shaker with 6 different herbs
Very compact, ideal for travelling
With separate sprinkler for every herb to ensure the correct measure
Paprika powder, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper and salt

Robot Check

Cheaper generic version here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00K6G3WLC/?tag=casaivar-21

I'd throw out the turmeric and fill that section with something that offers more interesting flavor. A garam masala or ras el hanout, perhaps. Actually, thinking about it, I wish they'd just sell the container and leave you to fill it with your own choice of spices, which would allow you to ensure that everything is fresh.

 

[Hansel]

Would still like to do a bit of travelling. At the moment I’m not really thinking much beyond getting on the Camino. I don’t have a return ticket and nothing to rush back for so kind of thinking 6 weeks walking from SJPDP to Finisterre and then maybe a couple of weeks touring after that and probably home end of October.

Sounds like a plan,when I did the same Camino,I had six weeks between my flights,worked out quite well.
I had never heard of Muxia until half along,being told it was the furthest West.
Been twice,worth the walk.

 

[Hansel]

This looks quite handy:
Coghlans Multi-Spice
Herb shaker with 6 different herbs
Very compact, ideal for travelling
With separate sprinkler for every herb to ensure the correct measure
Paprika powder, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper and salt

Robot Check

Cheaper generic version here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00K6G3WLC/?tag=casaivar-21

I'd throw out the turmeric and fill that section with something that offers more interesting flavor. A garam masala or ras el hanout, perhaps. Actually, thinking about it, I wish they'd just sell the container and leave you to fill it with your own choice of spices, which would allow you to ensure that everything is fresh.

Looks like a good idea,will check if the supermarkets do a similar thing.

 

[justin credible]

Ohhh great news Bill . I am looking at the possibility of buying a cheap bike at Decathlon in either Cadiz or Seville as an alternative to taking my own .
My plans are quite fluid at the moment as to buying , renting or taking my own bike but i do have a couple of months to decide .
Good luck with your ride .

Regards.....John

I arrived in Seville last year to start my Camino and discovered that my rental bike never arrived, I went to Triana hostel but they had no bikes available. Anyway, I ended up going to Decathlon and buying a buy there, the staff there were great and very helpful. I bought a cheap bike thinking it might not get me to Santiago but it turned out to be a very useful bike and I had no problems with it. Buen Camino whatever you decide to do.

 

[Mary Doll]

Sounds like a plan,when I did the same Camino,I had six weeks between my flights,worked out quite well.
I had never heard of Muxia until half along,being told it was the furthest West.
Been twice,worth the walk.

Definitely going to the ocean. Did you do Finisterre and then Muxia or Muxia then Finisterre?

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Definitely going to the ocean. Did you do Finisterre and then Muxia or Muxia then Finisterre?

I think there are advocates for both routes. My suggestion would be to go to Finisterre first. The descent from Cee to Finisterre is probably the steepest hill that you’ll encounter, and that would be a climb if you visited Muxia before Finisterre. Also, some people prefer the end of the journey to be in the small fishing port of Muxia than the more touristy Finisterre. Personally, I like them both equally.

 

[Mary Doll]

I think there are advocates for both routes. My suggestion would be to go to Finisterre first. The descent from Cee to Finisterre is probably the steepest hill that you’ll encounter, and that would be a climb if you visited Muxia before Finisterre. Also, some people prefer the end of the journey to be in the small fishing port of Muxia than the more touristy Finisterre. Personally, I like them both equally.

Thanks Raggy. I’ll bear in mind your advice about the hill. I think finishing in Muxia might be nice. Definitely want to finish at the ocean.

 

[Hansel]

Definitely going to the ocean. Did you do Finisterre and then Muxia or Muxia then Finisterre?

Hi Marie,
I have now done it both ways, and both are great, first time I went to Finisterre first, and last May after walking the Primotivo I finished in Finisterre.
Like Raggy says that' a steep hill coming into Cee, but so good to finally see the sea at Cee !
Enjoy Bill.

 

[Vendee52]

Asking “those in the know”
Having walked the Frances 2019 = unforgettable…. A friend and I want to cycle Via de la Plata - probably next year - being 2 women over 60 we are very aware of having to plan and prepare well in advance ( doing Innsbruck - Florence this year) + also not being technically aware - i‘m reaching out for advice? we both have a copy of the Hayes book and are very determined

 

[Xali1970]

The VdlP is very cycle friendly, but you wouldn't catch me dead on it between Mid May and early October because of the intense heat. It can get quite cold December to February (I had freezing temperatures midday in December).

The stages being quite long it lends itself very well to cycling, and you can stay on the N6 which is (nearly) free of vehicular traffic.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Asking “those in the know”

I must chime in and disagree with @Xali. I have been on the VdlP three times, always in June. Yes, there will be hot days, but early morning starts and sensible distances can mean arriving in the early afternoon before the real heat kicks in. Of course as you make your way north it invariably cools down. I do agree with Xali that the VdlP is very cycle friendly.

 

[steve 217]

The VdlP is very cycle friendly, but you wouldn't catch me dead on it between Mid May and early October because of the intense heat. It can get quite cold December to February (I had freezing temperatures midday in December).

The stages being quite long it lends itself very well to cycling, and you can stay on the N6 which is (nearly) free of vehicular traffic.

Add March ,to that my brother and i started the Vdlp in March this year made it as far as Bretocino . I have never been so cold in my life 5c at night with a wicked easterly wind , it was a test of character.
hope to rejoin later this year , wish id known the weather patterns before.

 

[Xali1970]

Add March ,to that my brother and i started the Vdlp in March this year made it as far as Bretocino . I have never been so cold in my life 5c at night with a wicked easterly wind , it was a test of character.
hope to rejoin later this year , wish id known the weather patterns before.

5°C is downright balmy weather!!!
;-)

 

[Skinnybiker]

5°C is downright balmy weather!!!
;-)

Perhaps he meant -5° which is pretty cool. This winter in south Spain was a little contradictory this year, warm to start having us worried about an "ola de calor" this summer, March & April were pretty cool, a mini heat wave in May but since then the weather has been relatively cool here. During my camino ride in May I sent 2kg of warm clothes home then had to buy a jacket because the weather cooled down again

The point is not to rely too much on personal experience, look at monthly weather statistics and remain flexible. April & May are usually pretty good months in the south or consider riding north to south in September or October for the better weather option.

 

[Vendee52]

Reading this inspires me ....I'm hoping to do VdLP by bike with 2 other friends over 60 ... having done some more homework ... I'm wondering if anyone could advise re the idea of starting from Santiago mid September 2023 (since this year I'm doing Innsbruck to Florence) and going southwards to Seville ... buying a bike in Santiago and selling it in Seville ... normally I catch trains with bikes but Spain sounds like a no-go zone so this could be a possible alternative?
I've never flown with a bike since I'm technically challenged... so advice about bike support services welcome.
Can you still get a Compostella if you do the route in reverse?
The elevations don't seem any worse this way round (am I correct?) ..but how about prevailing winds?
Thank you so much in anticipation

 

[Hansel]

Perhaps he meant -5° which is pretty cool. This winter in south Spain was a little contradictory this year, warm to start having us worried about an "ola de calor" this summer, March & April were pretty cool, a mini heat wave in May but since then the weather has been relatively cool here. During my camino ride in May I sent 2kg of warm clothes home then had to buy a jacket because the weather cooled down again

The point is not to rely too much on personal experience, look at monthly weather statistics and remain flexible. April & May are usually pretty good months in the south or consider riding north to south in September or October for the better weather option.

Hi,
5'c is cold whether walking or cycling any Camino
I've had snow and hail,
Stopped for the day ,and night in October 2020,at Foncebadón .
I had only cycled from Rabanal del Camino.
However a white out while cycling is no fun!
Had planned to cycle to Ponferrada.
Buen Camino.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Add March ,to that my brother and i started the Vdlp in March this year made it as far as Bretocino . I have never been so cold in my life 5c at night with a wicked easterly wind , it was a test of character.
hope to rejoin later this year , wish id known the weather patterns before.

I have to agree. Anything below 10c on a downhill is not my idea of fun!
As I posted above, I don't find the hot weather (within reason) a particular problem. At least on a bike you make your own breeze.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Reading this inspires me ....I'm hoping to do VdLP by bike with 2 other friends over 60 ... having done some more homework ... I'm wondering if anyone could advise re the idea of starting from Santiago mid September 2023 (since this year I'm doing Innsbruck to Florence) and going southwards to Seville ... buying a bike in Santiago and selling it in Seville ... normally I catch trains with bikes but Spain sounds like a no-go zone so this could be a possible alternative?
I've never flown with a bike since I'm technically challenged... so advice about bike support services welcome.
Can you still get a Compostella if you do the route in reverse?
The elevations don't seem any worse this way round (am I correct?) ..but how about prevailing winds?
Thank you so much in anticipation

If you do this I would advise hiring a bike from Triana Backpackers in Seville. They will deliver the bike to a bike shop in Santiago. I have used them twice and have been very satisfied. It probably will be cheaper, and less hassle, than trying to sell in Seville.
The mountains are not formidable, though I've only tackled the one direction.
And no, you will not be able to qualify for a compostela, but I don't think you would have a problem staying in albergues if you have a credencial.
I can't comment on climate in September. My experiences in June have always been that wind is a non-issue at that time of year.
Age? I began my bike Caminos in 2012 at age 66. I'm still capable. Good luck. The VdlP is a wonderful ride.

 

[Vendee52]

After a lot of thought and planning we are hoping to start with our own bikes in Sevilla mid May - however I am looking for further advice. How to deal with fierce dogs whilst on a bike? Suggestions? What to do if a thunderstorm arrives whilst out in the middle of nowhere on a bike - stay on and keep going…? ( slight problem of friend having titanium hip…?) And advice on media distancia train ticket buying - are these trains generally fairly empty or busy ? Is it essential to buy tickets in advance? Does buying a ticket for the bike online give you precedence over anyone who might have bought theirs on arrival at the station?
Has anyone been watching Green Energy Gav on Utube walking VdeLP…I’ve really enjoyed watching plus it’s informative.

 

[Xali1970]

I didn't encounter any (fierce) dogs on 3 times I cycled the via de la Plata; I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you do and cannot outrun them, get off the bike, keep it between you and them. They'll tire eventually. As a last resort, a solid D-lock wielded as a club tends to end the argument pretty quickly.
Re thunderstorms, again, didn't see any, but consult the weather forecast the day before and before setting off. When I did heavy rainfall warnings I made a judgement call on how far I would get before being hit by it, or stay put until it passed the forecasts were pretty accurate. If you're caught in the open... find shelter somewhere if possible. Didn't know titanium hip implants were of concern in a thunderstorm... have one too
Re trains, it depends where you're at and what train company does the stretch. Once I could load the bike no questions asked, the other time I was told I needed to have it in a carrier bag. ALSA busses require the front wheel of and the handlebar parallels with the frame. It's supposed to be bagged as well, but there it depends on the mood of ghe driver

 

[Corned Beef]

And advice on media distancia train ticket buying

You might as well forget these on the VDLP as the routes tend to go eastwards to Madrid rather than north-south. Get the network map and check your exit/entry points to the VDLP.

If you need to go north-south check the Alsa buses as there is one from Vigo-Seville and the reverse but you might have to stay up to 2:00 am to get it.