Doing the Camino de Santiago by bike is becoming more and more common and it is not surprising considering that lovers of cycling in different modalities can find in the Camino a manna for the practice of this sport, whether we like mountain biking, road cycling or both, since we will always find mountain, road, rocks, ascents and descents.
Are you thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago by bicycle?
If it is the first time you make a bicycle trip, probably your best option is to start with the Camino Frances, although we do not recommend doing it completely, as this will be the hardest choice, given the distance we will have to cover, nothing more and nothing less than 900 km.
However, you can start wherever you want to make it lighter because the Camino de Santiago by bike is beautiful but also exhausting, especially if we are not initiated in this type of routes.
Stages of the Camino de Santiago by bike
If you have already made more trips by bike, you are in good shape and you are passionate about this way to do the Camino, choose the route that you like the most, either for its landscapes, affluence, passing areas, etc. We would personally recommend you the Northern Way, for its diversity of landscapes, all of them of incomparable beauty, or the Portuguese Way, which has a special energy and you know that we love it and we recommend it whenever we can.
Likewise, to choose the route you are going to follow, it is essential that you take into account the number of days you have available to do the Camino and how long it may take you to cover each stage.
Which bicycle to choose?
To know which bike to use, you should study the stages you are going to do and depending on where you choose to go, you will need one type of bike or another, that is, a road bike, a mountain bike or a hybrid. If you are not sure, we recommend, if you have the possibility, to opt for a hybrid bike in case you change your plans along the way, ensuring comfort in all cases. However, if you are sure that you will choose to do the Camino de Santiago by bike depending on the bike you have, you have it easier to choose the route you will finally do.
On the other hand, we believe that the physical preparation needed to do the Camino de Santiago by bike is superior to what we need to do it on foot, and therefore we recommend constant training a few months before starting your Camino, combining cycling, muscle building and attending some indoor pedaling classes (spinning or similar).
Finally, I would like to comment that to receive the Compostelana doing the Camino on foot we need to cover a minimum of 100 km, being twice as much, 200 km, what we will need to pedal to receive the Compostelana doing the Camino de Santiago by bike.
Sport and traveling are two of the things that make us happiest. In 2018, many pilgrims ventured on the Camino de Santiago by bike.
Riding a bike has many advantages. On the one hand, it can be enjoyed both individually and collectively, and it is not necessary to have a lot of money, it is enough with a minimum investment and a lot of desire.
If you are thinking of embarking on this adventure on two wheels
This post is for you!
Plan your route
Travel time and distances depend mainly on each pilgrim. There are no right times and right distances, it depends on how far each one can go each day.
We recommend that you calculate an average of 50 kilometers per day, and keep in mind that you must do at least 200 kilometers, the minimum distance to obtain the Compostela accreditation by bicycle.
Is it difficult to do the northern Camino de Santiago by bike?
The Camino de Santiago, as you know, has different routes. If it is the first time you are going to travel by bike, it is advisable to choose one that suits your needs, your physical condition, and the time you have available for the adventure. Being the northern route the hardest and most complicated, if you are not physically prepared we recommend you to leave this route aside and think about other easier options.
Probably, the best option to start is the Camino Frances, although we do not recommend doing it in its entirety, given the distance we will have to cover, approximately 900 kilometers!
An excellent alternative is the route from León to Santiago. It comprises 306 kilometers divided into 6 stages.
It offers spectacular scenery, starting from León and its magnificent cathedral, and passing through the Valley of Ponferrada and Cebreiro, which will welcome you to Galician lands to the impressive city of Santiago de Compostela.
However, keep in mind that all the routes of the Camino de Santiago have a special particularity that makes it magical, and you can start from wherever you want.
If you have already made more trips by bike, you are in good shape, and you are passionate about this means of doing the Camino, choose the route that you like the most and decide for the beautiful landscapes, the affluence, the passing zones, etc.
If you need recommendations, the Primitive Way has a special charm, as it was the first route used by pilgrims who wanted to go to Santiago de Compostela. It starts in Oviedo, and the main section that connects Asturias with Galicia is through the mountains.
Keep in mind that this route is not suitable for everyone, especially on a bicycle, so we recommend that only those with experience in mountain biking and a good background, take the plunge into this fantastic adventure, full of dreamlike landscapes.
Choose your bike
Choosing the right bike is very important. You can start by studying the stages you are going to do, that will give you an idea of the type of bike, whether it is a road bike, a mountain bike, or a hybrid.
If you don’t have a bike, time to choose it, or you are not sure which is the best option for you, we recommend our services, we usually work with BH OverX MTB models of 24v, 27v and 27v disc, fully adapted to the Camino de Santiago.
The Way by Bike with Santiago Ways
We offer you a complete service on route on the date of your choice. We will take care of organizing your itinerary, selecting the best accommodations and transporting your luggage between stages.
In addition, you will have telephone assistance en route, an assistance vehicle in case of emergency, and travel assistance insurance.
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will have the bikes packed and ready to start the next day’s ride. In addition to the bikes, we will provide you with helmets, saddlebags and a tool kit free of charge.
Prepare your body and mind
If you do the Camino de Santiago by bike, you will encounter mountains, forests, roads, rocks, ascents and descents. Your body must be ready for this adventure.
The physical preparation needed to do the Camino de Santiago by bike is superior to that needed to do it on foot, and therefore we recommend constant training a few months before starting your Camino, combining cycling, working muscles and attending some indoor pedaling classes (spinning or similar).
If you need extra help, or don’t have enough time to plan your trip, we can help you with the planning.
