History of Santiago de Compostela
An opportunity to ride anything from 5
days, departing/arriving anywhere along the route between
the Pyrenees (NE Spain) and Galicia (NW Spain), travelling
along North Spain through Roncesvalles and Sompot, and the
autonomous communities of Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja,
Castilla, León and Galicia.
The
history of the Route to Santiago dates back to the beginning
of the 9th century, when the sepulchre of Santiago el Mayor
(James the Great), evangelist in Spain, was discovered.
The facts concerning this find have been embellished by
people´s imagination, without distorting reality,
so that they become more poetic.
The Way to Santiago has indissolubly connected
the culture, the knowledge and the information. Everything
that was said, preached, told, sung, sculpted or painting
along the Route was known to more people and places. On
account of its influence on literature and art, Compostela,
similar to Rome and Jerusalem, became an important hub for
Christian society.
As most travelers who keep souvenirs from
all their journeys over the world, the pilgrims of the Route
of Santiago treasure "la Compostela", an official
certification given in Santiago de Compostela. It is granted
by the Archbishop or by Santiago's Chapter to those who
make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons.
Through it, the Church recognizes the pilgrims´ devoutness.
In order to get this certification, you
should make part of Santiago's Route on bicycle (200 km)
and be able to prove it. In order to prove it, you can use
the Pilgrim's Credentials, a document where should be the
stamps and signatures from the parish churches, hospices,
refuges or representatives of the villages along the Pilgrimage.
If you do not have this document, you
can keep a route diary, with the stamps and signatures from
each stage of the Route.
Bicycling the Route
Recommended
starting points
Among the different itineraries that can be taken along
the Route to Santiago, the French Route is the most traveled
by and the best known. It leaves from Roncesvalles
(Navarra). In order to arrive at this mythical town, travelers
should go to Pamplona, where they can take a bus to Roncesvalles.
Navarra in general has good communications. Its capital,
Pamplona, is accessible by rail, bus and air. To ride from
Roncesvalles to Santiago will take around 2 to 4 weeks depending
how fast you want/can travel.
One of the most important towns in Medieval
Spain is León. Here there are many sights
to see in this royal town. Pilgrims can ride from here to
Santiago de Compostela often less than 1 week, and then
take the time visit this town, which retains its Medieval
atmosphere.
Pilgrims can fly out of Santiago to Madrid,
and also take a train or bus into Madrid or to anywhere
in Iberian Peninsula.
Riding Options
Road Option - You can take mostly quiet secondary
roads connecting the villages and towns all the way to Santiago;
Off-Road Option - You have the option of riding off-road
because most of the route's 800 Km run through pathways,
usually with cobblestones. Approximately half the route
runs through uneven surfaces, with continuous inclines up
and down and some important stops.
Either way you plan on biking, you can
plan the route at your own discretion, taking into account
how physically demanding you want the ride and how much
time you have. Remember the route to Santiago is traditionally
a slow pilgrimage. To get the most out of your experience,
be sure to plan enough time in your journey so you're not
racing to Santiago.
Bike Rentals
If you're interested in biking the route
to Santiago, Bike Iberia can simplify your journey by supplying
you with a rental bike delivered to your starting location
and route instructions. See details below.
Bike Rental Package (prices
in Euros)
| |
 |
7 Days
|
14 Days
|
21 Days
|
Hybrid Touring
Bike
(w/ BOB trailer and handlebar bag) |
|
445
|
645
|
795
|
Hybrid
Touring Bike
(w/ rear paniers and handlebar bag) |
|
420
|
595
|
745
|
| Mountain
Bike (w/ rear paniers) |
|
395
|
545
|
645
|
