Bike Tour in the Camino de Santiago - Cycling the French Way from León
Several texts from the XI century speak of it and it is already described as a “mass phenomenon” in a text written by a monk in the 12th century, known today as the “Codex Calixtino” and considered the first tourist guide of history.
The French Way was the first to be properly signposted and this is thanks to a parish priest of O Cebreiro, the creator of the yellow arrow symbol. The priest, named Elías, decided to rehabilitate the hospital of pilgrims in his parish and, as the pilgrims told him that they were lost on the way from France, in 1984 he bought the surplus paint to mark the roads and with a carriage and two horses he went from Roncesvalles to Santiago. It marked with an arrow all the places susceptible to create confusion for the pilgrims. Since then, that symbol of signaling, along with the scallop, has been maintained.
Starting from León and cycling just over 300 km until the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, you'll ride across the iberian plateau through the trails, woods and ancient roads of the Way (or Camino, as said in Spanish). Witness the architectural and artistic religious heritage of towns and cities like León, Astorga, Ponferrada and Sarria, while savouring the rich Spanish gastronomy and wines. Stay in a variety of historical and charm rural hotels, or a SPA hotel set in the countryside.
Tour briefing and bike setup.
Hotel - Hospedaria Monastica Pax or Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro ("Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today you'll ride a mostly flat route, starting at your hotel and first heading to León's Cathedral. From there you'll exit the city through its residential and industrial areas and surrounding towns. After Virgen del Camino you may follow the secondary roads and dirt paths of the camino, until you get to the top of Toribio Cross with its panoramic view of Astorga, the old Asturica Augusta of romans. Ride down until your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.
Hotel – Hotel Spa Via de la Plata (upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today you'll start riding flat, followed by a gentle climb spread over 20 kms, to then reach 4 to 5,5% slopes in the last 8,56 km of the climb. You will now be at Cruz de Ferro, where traditions say we must leave underneath a stone that we have carried during our entire pilgrimage. Then follow the road in one of the most intense descents of the camino, with 5,5 to 13,3% incline, and around 17,5 Km until Molinaseca. From here it'll be mostly flat or gently down to your hotel.
Hotel – Hotel Temple Ponferrada or Finca Vivaldi Hotel Nature & Spa ("Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today's ride will be made of rolling hills on roads, mixed terrain and dirt paths shared with pilgrims on foot and a gentle but long climb from Villafranca del Bierzo until Las Herrerias.
Hotel - Paraiso del Bierzo (upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; Today you'll start immediately climbing to O Cebreiro, the hardest slope in the French camino from León. The total 8km of this climb are divided into 3 sections, with 3,5km and incline ranging from 7 to 25%! in some points, 11% in the following 2,5km and 15% for the last 2km.
You will then be at 1302 mts high, at O Cebreiro. From there and until Sarria is mostly down and rolling hills, dotted with a couple of occasional short climbs. Rest at your hotel and take your time to admire Sarria's artistic heritage.
Hotel - Hotel Alfonso IX (upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel;
While you immerse yourself into the rural, this stage has three very different parts. The section from Sarria to Portomarín (km 22) it runs along paths and dirt tracks. After crossing the Miño and entering Portomarín, the dynamic changes completely, since up to Palas de Rei (km 47) the camino goes always around the LU-633 or by a paved road that has practically no traffic. We can advance much faster and the distance between populations will be a little higher. From Palas to Melide (km 60) and then to Arzúa (km75) we alternate sections along the N-547 with others by forest and gravel trails, which will again complicate our path but give us a great view of the surroundings. Ask us if you wish to shorten this stage by 15km by staying in Melide.
Hotel - Pazo Santa Maria (upgrade to superior room in "Premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel; This stage begins by running along long stretches of forest tracks between trees, with stops in small villages. The N-547 will be always close, crossing occasionally, and more often from Salceda onwards. After passing O Amenal and Lavacolla, we take the last ramp of the French Way: the ascent to O Monte do Gozo, the first place from which we will see the towers of the cathedral. 3 more Km and you'll arrive to Santiago's Cathedral
Hotel - Virxe da Cerca or Parador Santiago ("Premium" option)
At the scheduled time, transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Santiago or Vigo airports.
/ Riding is a great part of my life, and I ride my bike regularly with my friends. I am comfortable with rides of 2 to 3 hours, or even more at a relatively strong pace. I like to be challenged and to surpass obstacles or just ride smoothly in a peloton.
You will get to feel different riding experiences, from tougher climbs to rolling along in great company. You’ll have time to enjoy the great landscapes, gain speed in the descents and also push yourself and climb those tough hills. You’ll enjoy the variety of terrain, riding in a peloton and pushing a little harder just before the stop at the café.
Our guides and support vans will provide you with nutrition and hydration along all our guided tours so that you can better enjoy your ride.
Ricardo "El capitán" Costa is the"roadie" in charge of designing this tour. Having ridden all over the world, from Malaysia to the USA, it is in Portugal that he found some of the best rides in the planet. Ricardo has picked some of the best roads in the region, that will introduce you to his favorite vineyards, coffee stops, viewpoints, hotels and other secret spots.
