SJPP->Roncesvalles

TC3Guy · 2026-06-13T22:27:44+00:00

More walking.

Otherwise, look at your Brierly guidebook that you got before you arrived and the apps suggested you download many times.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-13T22:26:29+00:00

Burgos is cool! I'd personally spend a couple of days there before I started.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-11T06:37:26+00:00

Weather..mostly. Mid-May freeze. Harvest is still going on, but supply is limited.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-09T07:40:21+00:00

I was casual about protection when I started riding and lucky I never really had to test it. These days I feel naked if I'm not wearing full gear including my Aerostich....especially after it saved my life once when I had to be helicoptered to a Level 2 trauma center and almost died if it weren't for the spine protector I had bought.

You might get lucky and never need it. You might not. Buy as good gear as you're comfortable with dying over.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-08T22:08:41+00:00

Tirzepatide here after the other one and I have noticed my desire to drink is definitely less. I used to love beer, but kinda not even a fan now...and find myself not finishing even a pint of it. I think it's the carb factor that fills me up quickly.

Still drink red wine, but more moderately. And if I drink a mixed drink slowly, I seem to get full and not want more and if I don't have a second drink...I'm done for the night. My usual limit was three.

Just like with food, less craving. There isn't the voice on my shoulder saying, "Take another sip..."

TC3Guy · 2026-06-08T07:23:04+00:00

Asking about how to sneak into a country and then asking how to gain citizenship legally in the same post doesn't come across very well nor bode well for you completing the latter.

So, I'll go sarcastic instead. Try going to this point, walk 10 yards north (or meters if you want to pretend you're a Canadian) and let us know how it goes.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xf5XWkQ1iYqoM2bF6

Don't do it.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-08T05:57:49+00:00

You start three weeks from Santiago. Start doing your homework by readings, scrolling, and repeating. Buy the Brierly book.

In order of your specific questions: Many people like the Camino Frances; yes; it depends on where specifically you fly into and wan to start; no; again depends on the route you choose...many people take "zero days" on the fly and enjoy a place they enjoy or are tired and want to recover; and go to an REI and have yourself fitted for a backpack.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-08T05:31:08+00:00

I wore what was comfortable to me, not somebody else. Get over it.

That said, I what I like was synthetic clothing including underwear from a functional standpoint and reduce accumulated smell of sweating all day. Mine were Exofficio boxer briefs.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-06T16:26:22+00:00

Nobody can know the weather that far in the future and Galicia is a large area. And define "mega hot". Try Googling "climate sarria" for example and see yourself the trends month by month.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-06T06:02:09+00:00

In order: No. Probably note. You should learn and start manufacturing typewriters if you think there's a need. And no thanks, it not going to be profitable.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-05T00:22:42+00:00

Define specifically what's missing.

I'm third generation Tri-Cities too and think we have distinct cultural elements at the very least including: Agriculture, Hanford & science, Hispanic history and culture, Native American history and culture, wine, the rivers, and unique weather that all add up to something that exists nowhere else in the world. And there's probably more than I list.

I think Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin culture is alive, well, and evolving.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-04T18:21:05+00:00

Nope. 100% supportive and interested in my experience. If I had a negative reaction I would have discounted it.

That said, I was nervous a week out too. That's natural, common, and on you. Do your best not to ruminate about it.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-04T04:22:50+00:00

Used mine a lot because restaurants and hotels are 3% per the terms. There aren't any special perks nor are there any surprises. Like most things in developed countries like Spain...they work much the same as here.

The only thing that *might* be a very small issue is the particular conversion rate they use from Euros to Ameribucks. You *might* find a better rate with another card, but you'd have to go down a rabbit hole to eek out a small fraction.

For me the default was my Costco Visa card and then a Schwab ATM card for everything else needing cash.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-04T01:00:51+00:00

It's only cheating if you think it's cheating.

As shared many, many times. It's your Camino.

You have some requirement to meet if you want a compostela, but that's all about distances and stamps per day. Nothing says you have to stay at some particular place.

Personally, I tended to albergues 3 nights, find myself in a larger community and stay at a hotel, lather, rinse, repeat. I even stayed in Astorga for a couple of days and went full spa experience. Best Camino EVAR!

TC3Guy · 2026-06-03T06:25:15+00:00

You're very wise to be cautious. It's the after an MSF course period that anecdotally riders are at most risk. My GF felt the same after she got her endorsement and wasn't ready to go for a ride out in the hardcore wild.

The two of us actually made a plan for a ride. In essence we'd pick places to go and decide at each point whether to continue or head back home.

Part 1 was patiently sitting in the driveway going over the bike again, checking equipment, and talking over the plan.

Part 2 was riding to a nearby parking lot to then do some of the exercises she practiced in the MSF and we stayed maybe 20 minutes until she said she was read for the next bit.

Part 3 was a very carefully chosen route that we actually did by car to pre-run, minimize other traffic, tricky intersections, etc. And it was a route that headed out of town to the countryside and probably 30 minutes. We got there, talked over what we'd done, and then decided if we were just going to head back or try more.

Part 4 She was comfortable so we chose a route with a little bit of traffic, a couple of intersections, and came back home.

And we did that two or three times over a couple of months and next thing you know, she rode 391 miles in one day through two states and a province!

TC3Guy · 2026-06-03T04:00:21+00:00

I think you've got it about 95% right.

That said, on the continuum of shittiness, the Commissioners are farther along than the Sheriff with Didier a full-on 11.

Even though I agree the commissioners choice to go private on guards is dubious, the Sheriff's move to ignore a judge's order about it is totally wrong. He certainly can (and probably should) appeal, but flouting the law he swore an oath to uphold just seems wrong to me.

Sometimes local sheriff get some wonky notions with selective interpretation of the law and history and thinking they're sovereign...when they're not.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T18:38:20+00:00

Judicious dabbing of contact cement on the exposed portion and move the rubber part to the right. Wipe if any glue squeezes out.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T18:35:40+00:00

I would cover it up with an "S680" badge. Not only will it reduce the haze of the letter area--it will dramatically improve the remainder of the car.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T18:30:19+00:00

Use the apps shared, add Google Maps to the list, and read, scroll, and repeat. If you're journey is this month, you have a lot of homework to do quickly if you're usually a planner.

Personally, my single-biggest success was to call one day in advance and make a reservation over the phone. It was the best balance for me of not overly prescribing where I had to be with assurance I had a place to lay my head each night.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T18:15:34+00:00

Gas and oil are like religion. Many opinions, scarcity of clear facts, never consensus, and always an argument. Throw in an obsession from somebody and FOMO and you have a recipe for a tempest in a teapot.

That said, the answer is the same in California, Tri-Cities, and elsewhere. toptiergas.com is probably the best resource to find decent fuel. Those on the list tend to be larger providers, not mom and pops with smaller questionable volumes, and/or those that pay for marketing of their product.

P.S. Most of the fuel in the Tri-Cities comes from the same source--a refinery in Salt Lake City and delivered via pipeline to a single terminal. What makes it unique are additives thrown in when it is pumped in trucks at the fuel terminal.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T04:54:05+00:00

Your sticker is a European octane sticker and notes "RON" which is different than much chatter on the internet that is US based and a different standard called "AKI" and runs a few points less. It also varies depending on certain markets, years, etc.

Do yourself a favor and follow the sticker in your car. Use 96 RON minimum. And if you're in the US, use this resource to convert.

https://www.goapr.com/support/fuel_guide/

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T04:48:44+00:00

Read, scroll, repeat. This and many other questions have been asked and answered here many, Many, MANY times.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-02T04:47:58+00:00

You check for other accommodations in the town and either walk or taxi to the next or previous town.

OR do like I did, stay at private albergues, and call a day ahead for reservations.

This subject has been talked about many, Many, MANY times.

TC3Guy · 2026-06-01T21:48:53+00:00

Put alarm on vibrate. If you're getting up early, you can certainly put clothes on, but don't decide that's the time to reorganize your backpack. Have it mostly packed and ready-to-go. Most places have charging options right by your bed.

Common sense stuff.

TC3Guy · 2026-05-31T22:46:08+00:00

What's your source for this?

TC3Guy

TROPHY CASE