Routes on foot or by bike
ON FOOT
Pilgrimage on foot is within reach of anyone, even if you are not an athlete, as long as you learn to pace your effort according to your physical ability. You will need to train by taking increasingly longer walks and, if possible, with your backpack loaded with all the essential gear you plan to carry; this way you will understand that when the “essential” becomes heavy, it stops being essential.
What time of year will you do the Camino?
This is the first question you must answer, because depending on the season, you will need to bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Doing the Camino in summer is not the same as doing it in low temperatures or during rainy periods.
Preparing Your Gear
Backpack: it will be your companion for many hours, so it must be comfortable and light.
Choose an anatomical model with straps at the waist and chest, and with side and top pockets. Pack your belongings in an orderly fashion and inside plastic bags of different colors to make them easier to use and to prevent them from getting wet. Weight is a huge problem, which is avoided by leaving almost everything behind; if it weighs more than 10 kg, “you will feel it.” When loading it, place the heaviest items at the bottom and as close to your back as possible. It is never advisable to hang anything outside the backpack, as it can easily get wet or lost.
Sleeping bag: essential if you plan to stay in refuges or pilgrim hostels. In summer it does not need to be very thick and therefore not too heavy. If you are staying in a hotel, hostel or guesthouse, it will not be necessary. You will also need to carry a mat or foam pad.
Footwear: you should carry more than one pair and make sure your feet are already used to them. Ideally, choose lightweight boots (that do not cause excessive sweating), that protect your ankles from sprains and make it easier to walk through stones and mud. In summer, sports shoes can be used if boots are uncomfortable.
Clothing: take little, two sets of each garment, a sweater and a raincoat or poncho that can also cover your backpack in case of rain. A small detergent bag will make cleaning easier, so you can put on clean clothes at the end of the day, which is always pleasant for you and for the noses of others. Style and clothing should be carefully chosen so that we can be identified as pilgrims and not just athletes; for this, we will carry on the backpack the scallop shell and the pilgrim’s staff. A fabric or straw hat is advisable, especially in hot weather. It is always useful to have long trousers handy, which you can put on without removing your boots, and a jacket to avoid getting cold during breaks and to dress more appropriately when entering churches, shops, shelters, etc.
Food: you should always carry some food with you, especially nuts, fruit or chocolate, and a full canteen. But it is useless to carry food for more than a day; in the refuges they will tell you when in the next stage it may be difficult to buy food.
First aid kit: you can carry a small kit with iodine, cloth tape, sterile gauze, band-aids, a laxative and anti-diarrheal, an anti-inflammatory cream and sunscreen. Never forget your Social Security card.
Walking stick: it helps with walking even if it sometimes seems annoying. Flashlight: A plastic bag (with cords to hang around your neck) helps keep maps handy without tearing or getting wet. Besides a guide with maps you can bring a small book for reflection, but do not try to bring your whole library. A notebook for taking notes. It is not advisable to carry too much cash; better to use cards. It is useful for your family to have an idea of your route and the phone numbers of Information Offices to locate you in urgent situations.
BY BICYCLE
Total kilometers
Calculate the total kilometers from your starting point to Santiago.
Stages
The pilgrimage should be done calmly so you have time to visit the most interesting places on the Camino. However, as always, the best option is for the pilgrim to freely plan their stages and routes and rest whenever needed, not only because it was planned in advance. It is also an adventure of freedom.
Preparation
a) Physical.
If you are not a regular cyclist, facing many kilometers every day requires taking physical preparation seriously. The steps to follow would be:
-Visit a specialist doctor, who, aware of the prolonged effort you intend to make, will perform a check-up and give appropriate advice.
-Create a training plan that starts with few kilometers and increases progressively. You will see—if you are consistent—how you will be surprised by your own progress.
-Complete your physical preparation with daily stretching and exercises to give flexibility to the muscles
of your legs, back and neck.
b) Mechanical.
Have your bicycle inspected by a good mechanic and take his advice on how to improve your bike’s performance, such as ensuring the moving parts are high-quality and that you have a good combination of chainrings and cogs to have comfortable gear ratios suited to your strength.
c) Technical.
Train accompanied by experienced cyclists who can advise you on posture, shifting technique, cadence, etc.
LUGGAGE
a) One or two pilgrims. Use panniers that attach to the rear wheels and the handlebars, but don’t forget that for both the bike and for yourself, the less weight the better. Wear tight-fitting clothing that creates as little air resistance as possible and has no loose parts that could get caught in the moving components of the bike. Choose very bright-colored shirts so that you are easily seen by other vehicles. A toiletry bag, a sleeping bag and a tracksuit for visiting monuments or walking through the towns at your destination will complete your luggage.
b) A group of pilgrims. Risks, of course, multiply with the number of participants, so it is advisable to have a support vehicle. If you cannot find a volunteer or family member to accompany you, take turns driving one day each. In this case, the car will carry everyone’s luggage, route supplies and the first aid kit, as well as a tent in case it is difficult to find space in a hostel. Remember that pilgrims on foot always have priority.
DOCUMENTATION
a) Personal.
The National Identity Document and the Social Security Card
b) Pilgrim documentation.
Pilgrim Credential.
ADVICE FOR THE CAMINO
Strictly follow the Road Traffic Code.
Always fill your thermos with mineral water. Be cautious with any springs you find.
Carry some tools so you can solve minor breakdowns on the road. At the end of each stage you will find mechanics.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
In recent years mountain bikes have become popular and many pilgrims choose them to make their pilgrimage to Santiago. This type of bike offers easier pedaling thanks to the possibilities of its 18 or 21 speeds, allowing travel on all kinds of paths. However, they are heavier than touring bikes and on roads they are more uncomfortable because of the wider and more textured tires.
In theory it is possible to travel the Camino de Santiago using these bikes, but the steep slopes of dirt paths, their irregular surface and the weight of the luggage mean that, in practice, only pilgrims with great physical preparation can manage them, and most pilgrims end up riding on the road, where mountain bikes are slower. For most of the Camino there is a kind of hybrid bike, the ideal vehicle if you combine roads and well-maintained tracks. Let each person decide.
In general, with a mountain bike you can manage the paths of Castilla well despite the abundant stones and the demanding terrain.
On off-road journeys, despite what is often said, a backpack is the most suitable means of carrying luggage, as long as it is anatomical and has chest and waist adjustment straps. The reason is that this way you can handle the bike more easily than when carrying side bags, even with the drawback of carrying weight above your center of gravity. Glasses and protective helmets are recommended for their protective effect and they are easy to carry attached to the waist bag on easy terrain.
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