Santiago de Compostela by bike: From Rotterdam to Paris (630km)

An epic ride in the spring: from Rotterdam (NL) to Paris (F) by bike along the ultimate pilgrims route: Santiago de Compostela.

Since the Middle Ages, the route to Santiago de Compostela is an important pilgrimage route. Were it used to be a harsh journey, the modern pilgrim is looking for himself, and does so on foot or by bike. We follow quiet, non-touristy, well-paved roads past many historic places of pilgrimage. Additionally, you can enjoy the rich landscapes.

Video Impression

This video covers way more than what we will bike, but gives a nice overview of the adventure and struggle we will encounter along the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UthnX8k3GwE

Overview
Mode of transport: bike.
Budget range: ± €400 - €450 (see breakdown below)
Total distance: ± 630km
Total days: 11 (8 for cycling, a few days to explore Paris + buffer, however you can leave earlier if you want)

Distance per day: ~ 80km

Route
See the route on Google Maps (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KhrrOsn1qs2j0Rj6M7Q8MJp6_rU&usp=sharing)

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/4/5/4/600_458857972.jpeg

Distance break down per day

Day 1: 82km
Day 2: 74km
Day 3: 69km
Day 4: 75km
Day 5: 68km
Day 6: 84km
Day 7: 75km
Day 8: 84km

Average distance per day: 76km
Total distance (including to and from campings): 610km

Elevation chart

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/1/6/8/600_458861320.jpeg

Play with the elevation graph and route here (https://www.bikemap.net/en/route/3896819-santiago-de-compostela-by-bike-from-rotterdam-to-paris/)

Cost break down (only for cycling part, adapt to your own budget)

• 8 days of food x €15 food budget a day = €120

• 7 nights camping x approx. €8 a night = €56

• Train ticket to Rotterdam from your house = €15 (average)

• Train ticket from Paris to Amsterdam = €35-100 (depends how quick you book and your route)

• Nights in Paris around €33,50 per person per night

Pre-meeting

Because we will be stuck with each other for a lot of time, perhaps it is a good idea to meet beforehand and get to know each other. This way you can decide for yourself if you want to come along with all of us nut-cases and it shows commitment.

Santiago officially starts in Haarlem and we can use the stretch from Haarlem to Rotterdam as our pre-meeting. Please sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/NL-Adventurers/events/237256766/

Sleeping and eating on the way

We will be camping along the way and cook our meals on the campsite most of the time. So make sure you have a tent, sleeping bag, mat and some cooking gear by then that you can carry on your bike. If you are not a camping person you can find your own preferred accommodation nearby the campsites (they are included in the map) and join the next morning again.

Good to know

• Make sure you have a bike that can handle 600km.

• Make sure that you can handle the strain of 7 days cycling in a row. Train a little in your neighbourhood with trips of at least 60-70km a day. See how your arms, neck, butt, hands, feet hold up after sitting in the saddle so long. Change things on your bike if they annoy you.

• Make sure you have some tools and spare parts for your bike that break (spare tube, spokes, alan keys for readjustments, wheel lock keys, screwdrivers, tyre repair kit, ...)

• Don't worry about your legs; they can handle the ride. Worry about your butt: buy cycling pants and investigate the best saddle and biking position for you.

• Make sure you have maps of the route or a GPS device with the track on it in case you lose the group.

• Collect numbers of several people you're riding with (not just of the organizer(s)) so you can ring in if you have troubles / need to tell where you are.

Getting back home from Paris with your bike

Thalys allows bikes that can be partly dismantled and that are in a bag no bigger than 120x90cm. A cheap one costs €65 and can go up to €400 for the fancy ones. Consult your local bike shops. More info on SNCF website here (https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/train-tickets/travelling-with-your-bike).

If you can't / won't dismantle your bike down to that size, the following trip seems to be the best way with non-dismantled bike:

PARIS - LILLE with TGV
LILLE - ANTWERP with Intercity
ANTWERP - NL (AMSTERDAM / ROTTERDAM / ...) with IC
Total duration: about 6h

Costs: €81,70 (full discount on NL tracks), €99,10 (40% discount on NL tracks) and €109,10 (no discount on NL tracks) all-inclusive based on final destination Amsterdam.

Tickets can be bought worry-free through treinreiswinkel.nl (let me know if you want this, we can buy together).