The Camino de Santiago by bike, did you think about it?

El Camino de Santiago en bicicleta, ¿te lo habías planteado?

Have you considered doing the Camino de Santiago by bicycle?

Pedaling to the Plaza del Obradoiro after completing all the stages on two wheels is something more and more frequent among the pilgrims. But beware, this does not mean that you have to do physical preparation in the same way as to do the Camino on foot. Doing it by bicycle means not only preparing physically but also choosing the right velocipede to fit our physical shape and needs. What will be decided by one or another "fellow traveler" will be the number of stages, the type of luggage that we will want to carry in the saddlebags or carriers and the type of suspension of the bicycle in question.

A few years ago it was necessary to invest much more time in information, compare and try bicycles, but nowadays there are cycle touring portals that allow you to save time when advising and opting for one model or another. In websites like Bikester, the pilgrim will be able to inform himself in a very well structured way to refine the results of his search before undertaking the Camino de Santiago.

The type of bicycle

The most important decision will be this, without underestimating the physical preparation and the other details that must be closed before beginning the first stage. Bicycles are front suspension is the most common use for its complete and versatile character. In addition, they are the ones that, having more variety, adapt to more types of saddlebags and carriers.

The mountain bikes of double suspension have the advantage that they are more comfortable, especially when the stages are longer. The disadvantage is that this type of velocipede is much more expensive and that it is more complicated to find saddlebags that fit perfectly to these more delicate and more sensitive to weight models

As for road bicycles or bicycle touring are the best choice if we are going to go with many packages, since it supports load both in the front and the back.

The so-called mountain fat bicycles are not so common but those who use them are very satisfied with them. By having the wheels so thick that they hardly notice the irregularities in the terrain. Of course, you need to have greater physical resistance to pedal this type of transport comfortably.

And for the most innovative are the recumbent bicycles, whose use is more widespread in Nordic countries, Germany or Switzerland. They allow to support the whole back and are comfortable, but they are much more complicated to handle, they do not allow to get up, they are much more voluminous and they are, undoubtedly, the most expensive model.

The saddlebags or carriers

As for luggage, there are saddlebags and carriers of all kinds of materials and with different shapes. It is advisable, of course, to choose the bike first and then the type of saddlebags or carriers. You have to look at factors such as impermeability, placement system, capacity and adaptability. Many models are adapted to all types of panniers, but there are others that are very limited in terms of options for loading of packages, so you have to take it into account from the beginning so as not to invest unnecessarily in it or in the wrong way.

El Camino de Santiago en bicicleta, ¿te lo habías planteado?

The physical preparation

The body must be in tune with the feat that it is going to face when making the Camino de Santiago by bicycle. The Way, although it is not exactly the same as the one done on foot, has both easy and complicated stretches.

There are times when you have to go by road, others by stone paths and others even in complicated mountain sections, so you have to prepare for all types of surfaces and, like the conventional pilgrim, be equipped for inclement weather weather that may occur.
To be in shape before starting the Camino de Santiago you have to walk a lot by bicycle but also make tests taking into account the weight of the luggage. Do a daily stage of between 60k and 100 kilometers is recommended. If you cope without problems after several days, you could say that the preparation is appropriate.

You have to look at it on the bright side. Along the route you will see landscapes or you will find situations that you would not have been able to appreciate on foot. For example, pedal along with a flock of sheep or another group of animals or travel through the landscapes you will enjoy the solitude of the Camino while the wind hits your face reminding you how free you are and the special part that each stage has. To point out something with negative connotations is the fact that in the shelters have preference the pilgrims who arrive on foot since they are supposed to be more tired than those who do it by bicycle although the latter have pedaled twice as many kilometers. Keep that in mind!

Now, we just need to start the first stage of this new adventure in which, how could it be otherwise, you will go on wheels.