23rd March

Training isn't the right word, but I'm thinking that some preparation is needed so I'm trying to get some miles in, especially some climbing miles. I'm trying to get 100 miles a week in and I've not done bad this week. It's the climbing that's difficult. It's the Pyrenees we are going over - where can I get that kind of practice?

Well, I thought going over Ilkely Moor from Menston might be a start so I've done that today. According to bikehike I've climbed about 2400 feet over 36 miles today. My legs know that they've been climbing anyway.

That was all well and good until I started to do some mapping of our actual route to find that we climb 7000 feet over 50 miles, and that's as soon as we get off the bus! The first 30 miles is just about all uphill, and the next 40 miles isn't a lot different.

Luckily, bikehike, the mapping site I use appears to have broken so I can't do any more tonight.

7000 feet! Too late to back out now!!!

What is the Camino?

The Camino de Santiago de Compestella is known as The Way of St James and is a Pilgrim's Way. The full trail runs from Le Puy in France to Santiago de Compestalla in north west Spain, a distance of 1400 kilometres. We are joining the trail at Bayonne which means that we shall be cycling in the region of 800 kilometres. It's not just the distance however, there are plenty of mountains in the way as the Pyrenees have to be climbed.

We leave on 20th June, arriving in Bayonne on the 21st and we have about 10 to 12 days in the saddle to complete the distance. Once we arrive is Santiago de Compestella we have a two day rail journey back to catch the bike bus back home from Bayonne.

The age range of our group is from 62 to 75.

This will be some challenge!

Early Days

Only two weeks ago three chaps met up. Within a week transport was booked and the commitment was made!