Cycling Camino:Northern Way - Difficulty Level

finnhuck

Hi folks,

Last minute holiday planning here, thinking of doing part of the Northern Route of Camino de Santiago. Trying to decide between walking it or cycling it.

I've been looking at a 10 day cycling trip with a crowd called Caminoways in Dublin - I can't post the full URL as I'm a user, but it's at caminoways.com/ways/northern-way-camino-del-norte/northern-way-cycling

I'm trying to decide if I'd be able for the route shown. I've never done any real cycling like this before. I enjoy cycling to work (6-7km a few days a week) and have a decent overall level of fitness (gym a few times a week, wouldn't consider myself particularly unfit).The distances vary between 30-50km per day, with some hills (it's detailed under the 'Itinerary' tab on that page). The gradients vary a bit - the steepest is on the last day, and goes from sea-level to 380m.

It's difficult to gauge how tough it'd be, and I thought I'd ask some proper cyclists for their opinion: challenging but doable? Or walk it!

Seaswimmer

finnhuck wrote: »

Hi folks,

Last minute holiday planning here, thinking of doing part of the Northern Route of Camino de Santiago. Trying to decide between walking it or cycling it.

I've been looking at a 10 day cycling trip with a crowd called Caminoways in Dublin - I can't post the full URL as I'm a user, but it's at caminoways.com/ways/northern-way-camino-del-norte/northern-way-cycling

I'm trying to decide if I'd be able for the route shown. I've never done any real cycling like this before. I enjoy cycling to work (6-7km a few days a week) and have a decent overall level of fitness (gym a few times a week, wouldn't consider myself particularly unfit).The distances vary between 30-50km per day, with some hills (it's detailed under the 'Itinerary' tab on that page). The gradients vary a bit - the steepest is on the last day, and goes from sea-level to 380m.

It's difficult to gauge how tough it'd be, and I thought I'd ask some proper cyclists for their opinion: challenging but doable? Or walk it!

I have never done the Northern Way but have done the Camino Francais from Jean Pied a Port to Santiago.

I had a look at the website and I don't think you would have any problems as the distances are very short and you have plenty of time to cover the daily mileage.
However although your heart and lungs will be fine as you are fit you need to get accustomed to sitting in the saddle for a couple of hours otherwise you will have sore shoulders, neck, wrists ect.

So my advice would be to do a few 20 to 30km trips here and then see how you feel. Buy good cycling shorts and make sure you have comfortable footwear.

ford2600

I did the Northern Way in reverse on a road bike last year, it's pretty tough; 14000m climbing in 800km or so according to ridewithgps but probably closer to 12000m I would think.

I met a lot of guys on mainly hardtail mtb's and the odd fat bike; they were sticking to the trail and only passed me where trail is actually on road- fine if your on a bike but pretty horrible walking at times.

50km a day, will be an honest few hours but not anything brutal, you have all day to do it.

You could just do your own trip if you wanted, the route is easy you just need a bike with panniers. Accomodation and food is really cheap and you'll have plenty company.

I'm not remotely religious but I was struck by the atmosphere in Santiago; kinda of a feel good factor around the place. I haven't observed people of all ages getting so it their religion since statues were doing dances here in the 1980's.

I wouldn't walk it though, if you want a long distance walk tackle one oft he GR across Pyreenes or Alps.

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Spain-Trails/10-Reasons-Why-El-Camino-Santiago-Sucks

If your remotely social and do it solo on a bike, hard to see you not having a ball though. The hostels etc are pretty friendly with lots of people enjoying themselves.

benf2

Hi Im doing the full Camino way in september from St Jean de la port and looking for advice on accommodation along the way. How expensive is it to stay in hotels.4

Thanks

Seaswimmer

benf2 wrote: »

Hi Im doing the full Camino way in september from St Jean de la port and looking for advice on accommodation along the way. How expensive is it to stay in hotels.4

Thanks

It depends on a few things.

Some of the towns are more popular than others, the towns nearest to Santiago will be busier and therefore more expensive. a lot of people only go to Sarria and walk the last 120kms so places from Sarria on can be more expensive
By hotels I assume you mean 1 and 2 star hostals. These are usually fairly basic but clean and usually have a bar/restaurant.
Accomodation can be scarce across the Meseta so you need to be careful to plan your stop off points between Pamplona and Leon. similiarly across the Montes de Leon you would be advised to plan ahead.
You can use booking.com to get a flavour of accomodation availability in advance but i wouldnt bother pre booking as I have never failed to get acomodation.

Expect to pay between 13 to 30 euro per night per person sharing.

do you intend going on the trail or sticking to the road