Which route to cycle??

[delatierra]

Hi,

I am boggled with all the information about the Pilgrimage to Santiago. What i would love is a good bike ride through Spain, not too busy but scenic. I have a Specialised Hybrid bike with large tyres and 2 panniers. Going to be camping for some of the route.

suggestions most gratefully received

thanks

Andrea

[robin]

Although I'm starting at Vezelay next year I can't help thinking that,given an even choice,le Puy might be more interesting.I'm considering coming back that way.
Robin
You may be able to get a copy of Rob Neillands excellent book "The Road to Compostella",he started from Le Puy,
Or bettina Selbys "Pilgrims Road",she started at Vezelay.
Both of these are traditional starting points,the Spanish border is'nt.
Robin

[Leslie]

From what you are talking about it might be worthwhile to do some digging around the Via de la Plata or Sliver Route as it is also know. This is quite a distance but much quieter than the Camino Frances with more chance of using your tent - which is unlikely on the Camino Frances.

[robin]

Are you saying that campsites are not available on the normal route?
The various books I have here seem to think there are more than a few.
I don't wish to argue with refugio proprietors just because I'm on a bicycle.
I'll be going through in 2011,in early june,by the way.
Robin

[Covey]

There are lots of campsites along the Camino Frances, but actually wanting to stay in them is a different ball game. Most are on the edge of town, which means they are away from the albergues and bars. This means that you have to leave your kit at the site and walk in to the centre of town. The albergues always have someone on the door, whereas most of the campsites I have seen look virtually deserted, so security of your bike and belongings is an issue.

I cannot remember having seen an albergue where you could pitch a tent in the garden, and of course, many albergues have no garden anyway.

The cyclists seem to have little problems using the albergues, but a lot of the "official" albergues will not let cyclists check in until the walkers are mostly in. The cyclists cover much greater distances in a day than the walkers, and on average seem to cycle the same distance in a day as takes us three days to walk.