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Doing the Camino de Santiago by bike is an alternative that has gained hundreds of followers over the years. It allows for a completely different experience than doing it on foot. However, it also requires a minimum of preparation and following some tips to make the adventure as enjoyable as possible.
Stay with us, and we’ll show you some tips for doing the Camino de Santiago on organized bike trips.
Traveling the Jacobean routes, regardless of the method, is a rewarding experience from any perspective. If you’re planning to do it by bike, it’s completely normal for many questions to arise, so here we will try to answer the most common ones.
Of course, the bicycle is the protagonist of this journey, so it must be suitable for the route you choose. You should know that no matter which one you choose, most of the Jacobean routes can be driven on asphalt. This means that a road bike can be completely suitable.
However, if you are planning to follow the original routes, the recommendation would be a mountain bike. It must have a good chainring and suspension system.
If you have experience in cycling, hybrid bikes will be perfect. These allow you to go without problem both on the road and in slightly more rugged terrain. No matter which one you choose, make sure it is light. Additionally, you must have the wheels in the best possible condition.
As you know, there are many routes that reach Santiago de Compostela. In Spain alone, there are six of the most popular routes, in addition to other lesser-known routes. Of course, you have to keep in mind that others leave from different parts of Europe, so the count extends.
However, the Camino Francés is the most popular and by bike this is no different. This route is quite friendly for cyclists, although you should know that it has several climbs, so you will have to prepare.
The French Way is the most traveled, both on foot and by bike. In addition, it is one of the best signposted and with a large number of services. Therefore, if it is your first time, it is a wonderful option.
If you have already done this route, the Camino del Norte can also be a good option. In addition to being friendly, you will find really beautiful landscapes. Of course, we warn you that it is a little harder since it includes several mountain sections
Although each of the routes is divided into different stages, they are designed for pilgrims on foot. This means that by bicycle it could be completed in less time. The average hourly travel of a bicigrino is 10 to 15 km per hour.
It all depends on the particular physical condition and the experiences you have regarding this route. To give you a reference, the French Way from Roncesvalles as a starting point can easily be completed in 10 stages. This at an average of 100 km per day.
Now, for other Jacobean routes, it will take a few more days. For example, the Camino del Norte would be about 20 stages, while the Camino Primitivo would be approximately one week.
Whether on a bicycle or on foot, the pilgrim’s luggage is one of the most frequent doubts, always. As a tip, especially if you do the Camino de Santiago by bike, you should only bring the essentials.
As a bike rider you must add some elements (helmet, cycling sports clothing, footwear, lights, saddlebags, wheel patches, cylinder head and a small tool kit that can save you from any trouble).
We must say, saddlebags are a better option to transport and secure everything to the bike when doing the Camino de Santiago. While bikepacking bags are also an ideal alternative, saddlebags are much more recommended.
Although some prefer to replace them with a cart, the simple structure will add an extra load. However, in any case everything will depend on your personal tastes.
Remember that if you hire our services as an organizing agency for the Camino De Santiago, we will take your luggage from accommodation to accommodation.
Being an increasingly popular option, the Pilgrim’s Office already has its own statistics on bicigrinos.
According to this, most choose to do the tour between the months of May to September. During these dates, the rains that are usually a constant during the rest of the year are avoided, especially in the sections that run through Galicia.
Of course, just as you avoid the rain, it is also important to stay a little away from the central summer months. Keep in mind that high temperatures can work against you, unless you start first thing in the morning as we recommend at Viajes Mundiplus.
Just as luggage is essential, planning accommodation is also a necessity before starting to pedal. If you do it on your own and sleep in hostels, it is important that you bring a lock for your bicycle, since most of them do not have space inside them. If, on the other hand, you sleep in our partner accommodations, the vast majority of them have rooms set up to store them, although to date there has never been any incident, we always recommend locking them.
You should know that the Camino de Santiago, regardless of the route, has proper signage and is mostly quite safe. You can do it by bicycle alone and this does not represent a major inconvenience.
Also, know that you will not always be alone. Like you, there are hundreds of bicigrinos who travel these routes and who will join together, until when you notice it, you have formed a good group.
Not only on the routes, but also in the hostels you will meet many of them. They could even give you some advice about the route and the challenges you face every day when pedaling.
Many doubts also arise about what to do with the bike when finishing the Camino and arriving at Santiago de Compostela. But this is not necessarily a problem.
Quite a few bicigrinos choose to return pedaling again. In addition, there is the option of returning it as an order. Even the Pilgrim’s Office and the Post Office of Santiago de Compostela offer this type of services with insurance included.
The most popular and busy route, among other reasons because of its low difficulty, is the Camino from Sarria to Santiago. If you are not very used to riding a bicycle, we would recommend doing the same stages as those done by pilgrims on foot, but on a bicycle. What it takes a pilgrim to travel a stage of 5 to 7 hours, you would do it in approximately half the time.
