Getting On My Bike To Santiago

[Leslie]

So, I get to go off on the Camino again, I got permission from the other half, (really prefer she comes with me when I am away for a few weeks, but she can't next year).

But, anyway between work, the other and other holidays planned for next year I can take up to 3 weeks in April. I have decided to cycle the Camino Frances, it will be interesting to see how different it is from walking it.

I have also decided to be one of those annoying cyclist and cycle the walking route - how dull would it be cycling on the road for 3 weeks, I will though get myself a bell.

However I have not cycled for more than 30 minutes at a time since I was a teenager - that was a while ago. And I have no real idea about bikes - my dread is getting a burst tyre, if that happens just now I go the the bike shop and they fix, not likely on the Camino.

I have no idea if certain muscles give problems when cycling for this amount of time.

I would love any advice, from what type of bike, I think of one with big tyres - bags that go on them - yes I am sure there is likely a proper name for them, but I have to start somewhere. How do people travel with bikes on planes, then pump up the tyres - those little pumps are fairly useless.

Anyway would love any advice or pointers to other sites that could help.
Thanks

[Covey]

Can I start a fund to buy you a bell for the bike to warn us poor baggage mules that you are approaching!!!

The only cyclist I have had any conversation with that lasted more than "Buen Camino" said that the "thin tyre racing bike folk" tended to do the road route because the tyre rims were not strong enough to cope with being ridden on rough tracks. Virtually all the bikes I have seen in the past couple of years have been of the mountain bike variety, with suspension and wide rims and chunky tyres. Disk brakes are apparently now essential, as are 19+ gears, panniers front and back and a saddle that looks as though it will put an end to pleasures of the flesh!

Oh, and don't forget the Lycra suit!!! Electric blue looks good with all sorts of badges and adverts!! And a good suntan. All the electric blue buggers are Italian and good looking (or so Da Ladies say!!) so a pale Englishman has a lot to live up to!!

[Leslie]

After having lived in Vienna for a couple of years I know all about having a bell... The Austrians like their rules, nothing odds for them but coming from the UK it felt strange to be breaking the law if I did not have a bell.

I doubt I will be one of the Lycra wearing speedy cyclists. Lycra is fine if you are young and fit, unfortunately I have not been in that category for quite some time.

I am going to get myself a mountain bike, but there are so many I really have no idea where to start. Price will be one of the deciding factors of course. But it does have to last the 780km with out falling apart. I have started looking around bike forums, so hopefully I will get some answers there.

I am really looking forward to it, it has been 5 yrs since i have been there, and cycling will be a bit different.

[Covey]

My younger son decided to do a charity bike ride at work last year and they went "up north" to cycle the Coast to Coast route, for which I and many others divvied up the sponsorship. I was very impressed with the bike he bought which had 21 gears, disc brakes and all the Big Boys Toys. I was less impressed to hear that the bike, helmet etc cost some £900, especially as he had not ridden a bike in 15 years and was unlikely to ride one after the charity ride. Needless to say, the bike remains unridden some 12 months after the charity ride.

Logically, it would have been cheaper just to have donated £100 to the charity, but then, what do us recycled teenagers know about life!!!

There is probably a good business in buying about 8 mountain bikes and a van and running gentle tours down the Camino Frances for those of us who might appreciate a gentle cycle down the Way. Mind you, there are lots of hills in Ireland which will be good training for you.

[HuskyNerd]

Congrats on getting on onto the Camino again, Leslie. I'm sure you'll have a super time.

I've done some mountain biking here in the US and also investigated how to get a bike to the Camino via air. You probably know all this, but in case you don't . . . . Airlines charge various rates, with only a few allowing bikes to ride for free. People turn the handlebars sideways then box their bike and check it with baggage. They throw away the box when the arrive at their destination. Shipping boxes are available in Santiago for the trip home.

A bike does not have to be expensive to work. A person just wants to make certain it has front and rear shocks and adequate gearing, which most nowadays do. Most people replace stock inner tubes with thorn proof tubes and/or put tire liners inside to protect from flats. You want to make certain you have a male biker seat to protect your privates. These seats have a gap in the middle so that you don't lose circulation in your crotch. Bike shorts have gel packets to keep you feeling comfy. You'll want a great helmet and super front and rear lamps. Check also that your panniers are clear of your heels when you pedal -- very important. Also, the bike clip shoes are much easier than baskets or bare pedals. You want to practice so you can quickly remove your foot from the pedal, though, in those cases when you'll need one foot to catch yourself.

Guess that's enough random advice for now. I'm delighted you're going and will look forward to hearing from you about your experience. You're going to have a blast.

[Goosey]

Leslie - get yourself a mountain bike and a half-decent one at that. Don't buy a cheap steel framed one, get at least an aluminium framed with front suspension. You won't need disc brakes, but that seems 'de-rigeur' these days and will probably be compulsory soon! You don't need big fat tyres, but try to get one that will allow you to fit a proper rear frame for carrying stuff. I had a pligrim come through last year (I have a cycle shop on the camino at Navarrenx) who's seat post fixed carrier was woefully inadequate at carrying all his stuff (over 20 kilos of it) and it gave up the ghost. We made a make-shift way for him to fix on a real carrying frame and off he went. Really, if you want any advice on what bike to get, just email me.

info@pret-a-rouler.eu

Maybe I'll see you next year?!

David