Pedal The Camino De Santiago

 

For centuries, pilgrims have been foot-slogging their way across Northern Spain to Santiago De Compostela, to pay homage to the remains of the Apostle James. Today, a new breed comes on wheels and 27 gears.

Distance: 783 km
Location: Northern Spain
Ideal Time Commitment: Two Weeks
Best Time of Year: May to June, September to October

• Setting your wheels down, ready to ride, on the French border at Puerto de lbaneta, the same Pyrenean pass Napolean used to launch his 1802 occupation of Spain.
• Drinking wine from a water fountain through La Rioja.
• Carrying a stone to place at Cruz de Ferro, the cross atop the Montes de Leon.
• Getting your Credencial del Peregrino stamped each day as you cycle west.
• Threading through weary walkers as you arrive in Praza do Obradoiro, beside Santiago's cathedral.

Beginning in the border town of Roncesvalles, the ride descends the Pyrenees into the city of Pamplona before crossing the wine region of La Riojam where fountains dispense wine for pilgrims. Crossing the high plateau between Burgos and Leon is the Camino's version of penance- a long, bland haul that has many walkers jumping on buses. Here, you'll be very glad you came by bike.
Across the epic O Cebreiro climb, the Camino finally enters Galicia, a world apart from the dry plateau. Rainswept and green, this region provokes a hilly final 150km into the mazelike old town of Santiago, where one final scallop shell- the symbol of St James- marks the pilgrimage's end outside the city's cathedral.