Biking Pilgrims in Body and Soul

COVERING THE JACOBEAN ROUTE ON BICYCLE IS NO DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FOR THE PILGRIMS

There has always been a considerable number of adventurers who every year make a journey that has become a challenge full of illusion. For those -regardless of their religious beliefs who seek to discover the fullness of life through nature and culture, completing one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago, is a unique, comforting and unforgettable experience.

The thousand-year-old tradition of reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela transcends the Christian faith and emerges as a magnificent opportunity to grow in body and soul. And although it is most common to find

pilgrims walking the entire route, today one out of ten travelers covers the Jacobean route by bicycle.

There are many reasons for this, but above all, it is an interesting alternative for those who wish to cover a greater number of kilometers each day, without giving up the discovery of the customs of yesteryear, the chance to meet locals in each town who are always ready to offer their best hospitality, or the opportunity to enjoy memorable landscapes throughout the journey.

To get by bicycle to where the remains of the Apostle Santiago el Mayor are supposed to

have been discovered circa 813 A.D., you can choose from several of the established routes, such as the Vía de la Plata, the Primitive Way or the Northern Way. However, one of the most popular is the so-called French Way due to its easy access and the enormous cultural richness and extraordinary beauty of the surroundings along over 750 km of this route.

Whichever one is chosen, it will first of all require the cyclists to have adequate physical preparation and the ability to adapt to the conditions of the route. In addition, those who decide to take part in this kind of adventure should also make a day-by-day plan, have a bike suitable for riding on rugged surfaces with many ups and downs, and have the minimum supplies for the possible needs they will come across along the way.

Like over 90% of the pilgrims, those who take to the paths on the “saddles” of their bikes usually choose the months between May and September to make their dream come true, since there are better weather conditions on those days, especially in the region of Galicia. By doing this, they are not only assured a less complicated route, but also the possibility of making out breathtaking landscapes, feasting eyes on virtually hidden villages, meeting exceptional people, plus an endless number of elements and cultures that can unleash a new perception of Spain in each and every biking pilgrim.

The visual spectrum throughout the route seems never-ending and ranges from wheat fields to abundant meadows where the green tones make the distinction of the Galician and Asturian landscapes. Right next to the silhouette of the Pyrenees, as well as the banks of the Ebro, many of the region's natural treasures pop up, such as the Valle de San Emiliano Natural Park, located to the north of León, or the Fuentes Carrionas or Fuente de Cobre Natural Reserve, on the border with Cantabria.

The Ojo Guareña Natural Monument, nestled in Burgos, or the Sierra de Cebolleras Natural Park -also known as La Rioja- to the south of Logroño, are other points on the possible routes that will not leave enthusiastic cyclists indifferent because they belong to an ecosystem of extraordinary value.

Among them is Las Médulas, near the French Route, penciled in by experts as the most valuable all across Spain from a historical and archaeological standpoint.

So, make no mistakes about it. These are sufficient reasons to decide to live out the pleasure of being part of this exciting story along roads that have been considered a World Heritage Site since 1993. And for this, all you need is to have the will power, a good bike, the right preparation... and a large dosage of enthusiasm. ●

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For those who seek to discover the fullness of life through nature and culture, completing one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago, is a unique, comforting and unforgettable experience

To the north of León, many of the natural treasures of the region pop up.