UsedToBeFaster

The Santiago de Compostela was made famous as a hiking route in the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen but I understand you can ride it as well. Anyone done this before? Suggestions on logistics much appreciated.

axolotl

There have been other threads about this, including one not too long ago. Try the Search function.

UsedToBeFaster

Should have been clearer, I'm touring *from* Santiago. The other threads ie.. https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...-santiago.html are doing the traditional route of going from France to Spain hence ending at Santiago.

Brian25

Check out the weather as to when you might want to go, as this is in northern Spain, and it tends to be cold. I am going over there at the end of March, but I decided on southern Spain because it's warmer.
Not sure on what sort of logistics you are looking for.

UsedToBeFaster

I'm going start of June.

For logistics: i) bike rental, ii) accomodation planning all the stuff we need to setup *before* we tour.

As I said above, I'm giong in the opposite direction, starting at the end of the pilgrimage.

indyfabz

Where exactly? In 2000 I spent 7 weeks touring Andalucia. Did a loop starting/ending in Sevilla. Headed NE to the Sierra Morena then went clockwise from there. Started mid-March. Be mindful of Easter week. A lot of travel. If you end up in a popular city like Granada without reservations you might get gouged or find yourself totally out of luck. The campground in Ronda was packed to the gills when I arrived on Holy Thursday. The owner told me not to go anywhere until Monday.

BTW...You might want to check to see if The Rough Guide series still publishes one for Andalucia, assuming that's where you are going. I found it invaluable when planning my trip. Lots of tell-it-like-it-is reviews of towns, restaurants and lodging.

dashely

Hello

A. I walked that route in 2010


I did walk a bit backward. It was hard, the yellow arrows are only pointing to Santiago. Also it was very hard to get beds in the Albergue, low cost dorms, due to them being full. Also the route is very busy for at least the first 100km out of Santiago on the French route some 100,000+ walked that 100km route last year. There are large groups of walkers that will block the trial for 5-10 minutes at a time, you will have to stop for these groups.


For a lot more information on this route I would go to www.caminodesantiago.me


Not trying to cause questions but why would you want ride this trail backwards, it is hard enough to ride with the follow of people, most of bikers are looking at riding some of the less popular routes to Santiago.

HobbesOnTour

There are often bikes "donated" at the end of the Camino. I'd imagine you could easily pick up your choice of bikes from people who are finished & don't want the hassle of bringing them home. Otherwise Google. There are many companies renting bikes all along the Camino routes.

As regards your other logistics, it depends on your route - you do realise there are many Camino routes all terminating in Santiago?

Whatever route you choose you should forget about using the Pilgrim hostels, unless they are the private ones. The religious & municipal hostels are there to provide a service to genuine pilgrims going to Santiago.

For anyone considering the Camino as a bike tour I would suggest a good think about what you want to get out of it.
Is it a religious/cultural pilgrimage or a cycle tour. In my experience they are two different things.

I cycled from my home in NL and cycled the Camino Frances, then wandered to the west coast, then north and back home to NL.
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The Camino experience was unique and quite different from the rest of the tour. From a cycling perspective the non-Camino sections were the most enjoyable.

Finally, setting off from Santiago in June and assuming you are following the main Camino Frances route will be hot!

imi

A ”normal” year, june is hot and lovely. July and August can get really hot, and many more tourists.
I’ll be down that way in september, usually a great month as well.