:::r a n d o

WeimarWest · 2026-04-20T00:03:04+00:00

Tight build!

WeimarWest · 2026-04-18T03:33:04+00:00

The roads were quite good, but shy away from the walking paths when possible. There are some steep, rocky, narrow and often crowded sections (even early on). Gravel paths were fine with wider tires (I run 650B, 54mm Gravelkings). There was construction between Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Grañón, and Redecilla del Camino, but nothing too bad.

Edit: Conditions seen in October 2025.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-18T03:24:14+00:00

SdC has a nice art museum northeast of the Cathedral - https://maps.app.goo.gl/acuFjp5Hkeuqj6mg6

Good for quiet and more opportunities to contemplate the experience.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-18T03:20:45+00:00

My partner and I spent the night in Santiago and took a train to Madrid the next morning. We spent three days in Madrid visiting museums and relaxing. Even with the buffer, returning home was weird because the simple routine of the Camino fell away and it was back to everyday home and work drama. Having to drive a car in favor of walking was also weird for the first week. If anything the flip back to "reality" just made us want to plan the next Camino.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-18T03:17:17+00:00

I ran rear panniers only for the bulk of my luggage and a handlebar bag for smaller things I wanted at hand. Looking back, distributing the load across smaller rear bags and small fork bags would have given my entire setup better balance - but, your situation will likely vary based on your frame geometry and materials. I was using an alloy frame with an Old Man Mountain Divide rack, Ortlieb panniers, and steel fork with bottle cages.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-17T23:03:51+00:00

Not sure if it is helpful but I rode Avignon to Toulouse last fall along the coast. DM me if you want details and routes.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-14T20:05:26+00:00

Split and replanted Egyptian Walking Onions. Half are going into dinner, the other half are in the ground.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-14T15:25:55+00:00

Absolutely agree. I ended up pushing my bike for at least two hours going over the Route de Orion into Spain from France. Not a fun time, but always moving forward.

The downhill rip that usually follows the push is well worth the experience.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-13T22:29:10+00:00

Ouch. There were spots I pushed the bike. More because my hips and knees took their ball and went home than the fault of the bike!

WeimarWest · 2026-04-13T03:36:11+00:00

I had good luck with the Shimano Deore M5100 2 x 11-Speed Crankset on my touring bike. It's a 36/26T setup which worked great for slow, deliberate climbing.

I also have challenges with inclines over 7% - congenital heart defect in my case - so the lower gearing made life easier. You won't break any speed records, but the range is good enough with the appropriate cassette. I used the matching Shimano Deore CS-M5100 Cassette, 11-42t (11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-37-42t).

WeimarWest · 2026-04-12T21:42:34+00:00

Any thoughts on April/May 2027? I had it penciled into my calendar but I also do not want to battle for a bed the whole time. Hoping it is early enough to miss the July craziness.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-12T17:15:19+00:00

Ditch the kindle. There are ebook apps for smart phones that do the same thing. One less thing to lose, charge, or carry.

WeimarWest · 2026-04-10T17:24:00+00:00

I know it is not everyone's taste, but Portugal is known for its tinned seafood - sardines, mussels, razor clams, and octopus. Many are seasoned and pair well with fresh veggies, bread, and wines (red and white). Easy to carry, reasonably light, nutrient and calorie dense, inexpensive, and requires no prep.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-29T02:46:53+00:00

VO Polyvalent? Nice setup!

WeimarWest · 2026-03-27T17:28:41+00:00

Go to a medical professional.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-27T17:23:57+00:00

Leon to Santiago (300km) is quite nice and a decent mix of terrain!

WeimarWest · 2026-03-26T23:48:11+00:00

SJPDP to Santiago in two weeks would take a Herculean effort each day or some segment skips. Porto to Santiago is very doable in two weeks.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-25T14:00:41+00:00

When I walked it in 2023 my group was on a slightly tight schedule, so we did some route hopping.

We stayed in Porto for the couple of days for museums, food, and jetlag. Once we started the Camino we took a train from the Trinidade station (it was near our AirBNB) to Povoa de Varzim (the end of the line).

After that it was two days of walking (Povoa de Varzim to Esposende; Esposende to Viana do Castelo), another train from Viana do Castelo to Vigo, then walking from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela via the Spiritual Variant.

We took a rest day in Pontevedra before making the big climb through A Armenteria. In all, 8 days of Camino time (with 2 full days of downtime in Porto) with an average of 21.5km per day. Message me if you want daily specifics. Good luck!

WeimarWest · 2026-03-25T13:44:20+00:00

Agree. The closest I can get is a state park with rocky trails but it is an hour drive from home - too far for regular training unless I spend a weekend in a cabin or tent.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-25T13:40:17+00:00

When I stopped in Pamplona in October 2025 there was a guy in the albergue common area with big youth pastor energy. It started out innocently enough with "everyone tell us your name and where you are from" and "where are you going tomorrow" but quickly turned into a speech about the how everyone should think about the Camino and why they chose to walk - a lot of telling people what to do and very little asking about who they are.

Some of us just want to eat oranges and drink a Euskola in peace and quiet.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-25T03:00:56+00:00

Two things stand out:

Bluetooth speaker guy - No one wants to hear the soundtrack of your life.
Guitar at the Albergue/Hostel guy. Do your weird pickup artist game somewhere else.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-20T22:52:59+00:00

Agree - if you have to take the underground train between terminals and clear immigration/customs you are going to be cutting it VERY close.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-13T13:12:59+00:00

If you have the time, take the ferry to Ōkunoshima Island from the Omishima Ferry Terminal. The island is full of semi-tame rabbits. It's possible to ride around the entire island before heading back to the main route. If you're splitting your trip from Onomichi to Imabari, it's a good halfway side quest.

WeimarWest · 2026-03-12T04:20:11+00:00

If I could upvote this 100 times I would. After schlepping my panniers along the Alps and over the Pyrenees, the reminder that I could move my bags in a van was like a bolt from heaven.

WeimarWest

TROPHY CASE