THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

This trip will change your life.

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Why the Camino?

A journey by bicycle that is like no other. Everything about this trip is extraordinary. The riding, the food, the culture, the people, the scenery, the pilgrimage. More than any other trip, this one has the ability to change your life. It changed mine….

ITINERARY

Day 1

Meet in the bar of Hotel Tres Reyes at 6:30pm for a trip overview. Bring your clearly labeled pedals and saddle. After the overview, we will go for a pintxo tasting at Baserriberii.

Day 2

Let’s ride! We will go for a scenic out-and-back in the foothills of the Pyrenees to Alto de Erro. Get your first “sello” in your pilgrims passport at the top of the climb. On our way back we stop for a light lunch in Zubiri and get photos on the medieval bridge.

Day 3

Today we begin the nomadic life of the Peregrino. Leaving Pamplona we go over Alto de Perdon and drop into Puente la Reina for a coffee and snack stop before we cross the Roman era bridge that the town is named after rolling to the quaint town of Estella.

Day 4

The route takes out of the Basque Country and into Rioja. We begin with a super fun section of trail that opens up to more rolling hills on dirt roads to Los Arcos for our morning stop. After Los Arcos it’s a great ride into the culinary capital of Logroño. Tonight we enjoy the lively pintoxs and the legendary Calle Laurel.

Day 5

Our first day over 40 miles is very diverse. The beginning is through the familiar rolling farmland. After 20ish miles we transition into a completely different eco system. More mountainous and forested than we’ve seen up to this point. A nice river trail takes us into Burgos and drops us right in front of the intricate and imposing gothic cathedral. The tour of the cathedral is a must this afternoon.

Day 6

Leaving Burgos we begin our trek across the Meseta. Spain’s big sky country. Maybe we get lucky and see a herd of deer bounding across the fields. After the photo op at Convent San Anton we stop in Castrojerez to grab a bit of fuel to get us to Fromista. Home of delicious chocolate cake. Then it’s a flat 20 km (with one rise at the end) to our gracious hosts in Carrion de los Condes for a home-cooked feast.

Day 7

Today is our longest ride of the journey. 58 miles to Leon. Good news, we get 2 food stops today! The ride is a chill day of watching the hawks hunt, and surprising the sun-bathing lizards along the roadside. The view of Leon as we come over the hill into town reminds us that the next day is a layover day. We stay in the heart of the ancient section of the city near Plaza San Martin.

Day 8

No bike today, just rest and recovery. Maybe get a massage after getting your laundry done? A tour of the cathedral, with its massive collection of stained glass, is also recommended. The rest of the day is yours to relax, walk around the city, have a beverage on a rooftop bar, or whatever your heart desires.

Day 9

We’re back on the bike and the pilgrimage is reignited. As we leave Leon we can see the mountains on the horizon that we will spend the next few days in. It’s getting exciting now, only 4 days to go after today. Our lodging tonight is in my favorite town of the trip. Rabanal del Camino is a tiny village made of hand stacked stone. You can walk every street in about 30 minutes, and I suggest you do! It’s a magical place.

Day 10

Here we go! The day begins with a very scenic climb up to the Cruz de Ferro. We follow tradition and drop a stone that represents all of our worldly burdens. Now we fly free because we’re so light after leaving our stones, and maybe a few tears, at the foot of the cross. An exhilarating 15 km downhill takes us to our coffee stop in Molinaseca. The afternoon takes us to Villafranca del Bierzo where we have dinner in a great local eatery that has an unforgettable ambiance.

Day 11

The most amazing ride of our journey awaits us as we exit Villafranca. We start in a river valley and work our way up the very rewarding climb to O’ Cebriero. If it’s chilly in the mountains we get a hot bowl of the local staple, Caldo Gallega. The views stay incredible and the cowbells keep ringing while we traverse the ridge on our way to another great downhill into Triacastela. Over the peaceful hills to San Zil and onto our final downhill to Sarria. What a day!

Day 12

After eating way too much breakfast served by our gracious host Marcella. We waddle out of Sarria and cruise through the patchwork forest and farmland of Galicia. Our first whiffs of Eucalyptus greet us (and the many other pilgrims) as we share a winding country road with the walkers. It’s great to share “Buen Caminos” and meet folks from around the world who are on the same route that we are. Truly inspirational! Before going to our hotel in Melide, we stop at the world famous Pulperia a Garnacha for a sample of the regions most famous dish.

Day 13

Our final ride! Santiago de Compostela awaits! Let’s go! It’s an easy spin into the city for us. Though there are a number of hills between us and our Compostelas, we take it easy and savor the day. Once we get to the airport, just outside of town, we rejoin the walkers for our final push to Plaza Obradoiro and the finish line. It’s a joyous occasion for all and the air crackles with the energy of anticipation as we approach our goal. What an accomplishment! Congratulations!

“I thought I had been to Europe, but I had never seen it like this. Kempton knows Spain.”

— Dylan Neuwirth