Cycling UK Forum

My son is planning to cycle the pilgrims route from Aachen to Santiago de Compostella. His research has turned up

Euro Velo 3 https://www.bikemap.net/en/o/299546/#/z ... 51/terrain

however this appears to have some relatively major gaps.

From the Start in Aachen the route to Orleans is relatively straightforward, but after that it begins to get a bit messy, especially since he fancies visiting Clermont Ferrand.

In Orleans, turn onto the “La Loire à Vélo” route in a south-easterly direction towards Nevers.

https://www.francevelotourisme.com/cart ... ire-a-velo

When this route ends in Nevers, he cannot tell how easy it is to get from there to Clermont Ferrand.

Then subsequently, what would be the best way to get from Clermont Ferrand back onto the Pilgrim route. (Euro Velo 3)

Once back on Euro Velo 3, there is a significant gap between Mont de Marsan and Bidache.

Between Saint Etienne de Baigongy and Roncesvalles, he is looking at using the Ruta Transpirenaica - is that suitable for bikes without suspension?.

I was wondering whether anyone might have any recommendations for these gaps. I asked the CTC staff but it appears that the archive of cycling routes is being replaced by the forums. The route planner on the Website can join the points, but it is not clear whether these are really the most cycle friendly options, and there are one or two hints on the old site.

In particular does anyone have any information on the Ruta Transpirenaica in the western Pyrenees



Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Well, start here https://www.biroto.eu/en/find-cycle-routes-and-tours-on-map These are great routes.
Pretty much all the bikeways in Europe are here https://www.opencyclemap.org/
Print maps or make a GPS track..... A GPS makes it so easy (especially when crossing Cities).

Taking detours? Absolutely no problem in France. For many years I followed the white/yellow roads on the French Michelin maps. It's easy and safe. Or just use the Osmand App (or something equivalent) and make it up as you go. It's a great journey.

For "official" routes there are three books from a Dutch author. https://webshop.fietsvakantiewinkel.nl/ ... eel-2.html

As pointed out above there are various sources for GPS routes. Easy enough to download and edit to personal preferences.

I did the Camino from my front door (in NL) and back a few years ago, but after Paris, I headed to the coast and followed the Velodyssey down the west coast because a) i love the sea and b) I was camping and there was no issue with finding accommodation. I wasn't the only pilgrim travelling that route.

A couple of observations.....
Why isn't your son on here asking the questions?

From St. Jean/Roncevalles, the path is far busier with walking pilgrims and any considerate cyclist should be prepared to travel slowly if wanting to follow the same path as the walkers. Road routes are available for those that want to travel faster.
I followed the walker's route as far as possible and found that it was better to let the walkers off in the morning and wait for the traffic to break up. Stops were frequent until the afternoon when most pilgrims were off the path. After Sarria the congestion on the paths increased significantly and was not pleasant. There I found a nice place to relax for the morning & afternoon and cycled late in the afternoon & evening. Far more pleasant.

I came back along the Northern Coast and found the cycling, the views and the whole experience fantastic.

Have a look at CrazyGuyOnABike for others who have done these routes.

Buen Camino!

The is excellent at creating cycling routes between two points, intermediate points can be moved to tailor your journey. It also allows printed maps and turn by turn instructions as well as GPX files to be produced.

https://cycle.travel/map

Thanks for the tips. In answer to HobbesOnTour's pertinent question, my son isn't a cycling UK member (not yet anyway), which is why I posted on his behalf. He has done all the research up to this point, which I put in the first post, and he will be following up all your handy hints!

I second https://cycle.travel/

I have used it to link sections of various Eurovelo routes in Europe. As a matter of fact the suggested routes are often better than the original Eurovelo routes .

I would never rigidly stick to any of the "official routes" - just use them as a guide. They can often take you on sizeable detours that aren't needed.

Additionally when planning take a look on streetview for areas you may be concerned about. It will give a flavour of the road in question.

I work out my routes using cycletravel, download them to my Garmin and simply follow the line on the sreen - within reason. Some of the Eurovelo routes can be soul destroyingly boring ie following miles of converted railway lines.

davidfutter wrote:Thanks for the tips. In answer to HobbesOnTour's pertinent question, my son isn't a cycling UK member (not yet anyway), which is why I posted on his behalf. He has done all the research up to this point, which I put in the first post, and he will be following up all your handy hints!

The forum is open to anyone, you don't have to be a Cycling UK member to join, indeed many forum members aren't members.