tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post7345110586370858080..comments2024-03-18T02:36:04.673+00:00Comments on John Hayes Walks: The Ruta Vía de la Plata - off road 2018John Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-84473021273434794802023-02-28T17:35:21.605+00:002023-02-28T17:35:21.605+00:00Not sure to be honest - I've got out the habit...Not sure to be honest - I've got out the habit and it's a challenge to find the time when you're with other peopleJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-48155110688892987712023-02-27T12:00:35.850+00:002023-02-27T12:00:35.850+00:00Should be fun & interesting and doable in 90 d...Should be fun & interesting and doable in 90 days, reckon the Portuguese is one of the better Caminos for riding; especially enjoyed the section from Santiago to Pontevedra. Will you be writing a journal on this Blog site?Richard Palmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212507969477326356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-86128101437300759272023-02-24T16:48:48.640+00:002023-02-24T16:48:48.640+00:00Less of the sniggers Richard some of us have to li...Less of the sniggers Richard some of us have to live with this post Brexit shit-show. I'm going to do the Camino Portuguese, writing another guide - Lisbon to Santiago on the central and then back along the coast. Can't take too long or I'll get deported.John Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-12440608214780898032023-02-24T08:33:21.268+00:002023-02-24T08:33:21.268+00:00Have always used cardboard bike boxes, never had a...Have always used cardboard bike boxes, never had any problems - also Correos provide a good "Paq Bici" service within Spain & Europe, unfortunately UK is no longer within Europe - snigger.<br /><br />So where are you off to now John, another Camino? I'm planning to ride El Madrid to Oviedo then maybe El Primitivo to Santiago this spring. <br /><br />RichardRichard Palmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212507969477326356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-36310924614805501332023-02-23T09:21:23.038+00:002023-02-23T09:21:23.038+00:00Hi Martin - thanks for buying the guide and so ple...Hi Martin - thanks for buying the guide and so pleased that you have found it helpful. On most of the trips I've done I've used the CTC bag but it's not without problems. I've never failed to get my bike to the destination but a damage free trip is not guaranteed and depending on the airport, you get varying degrees of hassle. I had a really tough experience coming back through Astorias where they made me pack it in security wrap (very robust solution but miles of plastic). When I use the CTC bag I take the front wheel of and use it, with my disc brakes facing inwards, to protect the rear derailleur.<br /><br />Funnily enough I'm just about to go out and pick up a cardboard bike box from my local bike shop. I used a cardboard bike box for the first time last year and although it involves a little bit more dismantling it's a more robust solution than a CTC bag and shouldn't involve hassle at the airport. One thing to avoid, I'm afraid, is bike courier companies. Because of Brexit there is no guarantee that your bike will get though customs in a timely manner - mine got totally stuck last year and I ended up having to hire bikes anyway. Based on my experience the lesson is to always take your bike with you on the plane. When you get to your destination at the end of your trip (Santiago or Gijon) you should be able to find a bike shop who will either give you another box or even back it for you.<br /><br />If you decide to hire a bike than I would recommend BikeIberia, lovely people, and they will deliver a bike to you in Seville and pick it up where-ever you finish. If you use them please mention me. <br /><br />Let me know how you get on.<br /><br /><br />John Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-23354225961220265752023-02-22T21:51:04.065+00:002023-02-22T21:51:04.065+00:00Hi John. I recently bought your book and I am deli...Hi John. I recently bought your book and I am delighted with it. However, I am torn between taking my beloved 1980s Raleigh Royal touring bike or renting one at the start in Seville when I do the Via in May this year. What is your preferred method for packing your bike? In the book you show it with the wheels off.I assume from that you didn't use a CTC bag (not that they seem to be available anymore)? Or did you put it in a cardboard box? Thanks in advance, Martin Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-4112603437383496552021-12-19T09:07:04.747+00:002021-12-19T09:07:04.747+00:00Hi Richard
Most of the route is feasible with a h...Hi Richard<br /><br />Most of the route is feasible with a hybrid bike with panniers but the definition of feasible will vary from cyclist to cyclist. The guide goes into a lot of detail about this and describes each section in terms of how difficult it is (generally not very) and how attractive it is. If you can't wait for the guide, my advice would be make sure you have the route on a GPS and make your choice on the basis of a good examination of the digital maps. The good news is that you are hardly ever that far from the N630 so you can get back it without too much trouble. Depending on what sort of winter they have in Spain the route could be a little wet in one or two places.<br /><br />Expect to have a great time, it's a wonderful routeJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-39556421106893774062021-12-13T16:25:30.680+00:002021-12-13T16:25:30.680+00:00Hi John
Hoping to ride North to South late March ...Hi John<br /><br />Hoping to ride North to South late March 2022. I am taking a hybrid bike with panniers. It would be great to do part mountain bike route and part road, as I think too much of the N630 maybe a bit overwhelming and maybe needs breaking up a little!<br /><br />The problem is which parts of the off road tracks are feasible for my set up and which will turn into a walking holiday. Just wondered if you had any thoughts on any stretches to avoid? I can always use google street view to see the start and end of the track but it can be a disaster in between.<br /><br />No doubt your book would solve these problems. I did get in touch with Cicerone who said it would be published mid/ late March which would be a bit late for me. DO you have any updates at all?<br /><br />Many thanks RichardRichard Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13542906797312062250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-20688659176775038862021-10-07T19:29:13.753+01:002021-10-07T19:29:13.753+01:00Hi Jason
Thanks for the interest, yes the book co...Hi Jason<br /><br />Thanks for the interest, yes the book comes with all the necessary GPX files<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br />JohnJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-27601605893622665452021-10-04T17:55:41.421+01:002021-10-04T17:55:41.421+01:00Hi John, I’ll be pre-ordering your book after read...Hi John, I’ll be pre-ordering your book after reading your blog.<br />Just wondering if the book will come with gpx files to download of the sections?<br />Thanks<br />JasonGwladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263439656641541806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-90752977437675389542021-08-15T21:50:42.177+01:002021-08-15T21:50:42.177+01:00I've done Gijon back to the UK twice with bike...<br />I've done Gijon back to the UK twice with bikes. <br /><br />The first time we got a coach to Santander and caught the ferry back to Portsmouth. Spanish coach companies allow bikes in the hold underneath but Alsa, the biggest provider expect the bike to be wrapped in bag. You can buy the bag at the coach station.<br /><br />The second time I got the plane back from Asturias airport. We wrap our bikes up in the big cycle UK plastic bags (available at Wiggle). Getting these bags on the plane is a bit stressful and sometimes a hassle but I've done it many times now and it somehow works. I posted the return bag to the hotel I was staying at in Gijon. At Asturias they insisted I wrap it again using one of those wrapping machines which actually worked really well.<br /><br />There are specialist bike transport companies and they will do a door to door service. Essentially it involves sending you the box and you packing it. They will pick up at a destination in Gijon.<br /><br />If all this is too much you can hire a bike and the company will deliver to you start hotel and pick it up at your destination hotel. Seem to remember it's about 300 euros per trip but haven't checked recently. I have details of a company if you're interested.<br /><br />My guide book comes out next March by the way if you can wait.John Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-6225493791476200422021-08-15T09:45:34.123+01:002021-08-15T09:45:34.123+01:00Morning John
Really enjoyed your description of c...Morning John<br /><br />Really enjoyed your description of cycling the VDLP. I feel inspired to give it a try. I have a question on travel logistics.<br /><br />Assuming you took your own bikes from UK and flew to Seville, how did you return with them on reaching Gijon?<br /><br />Many thanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08642525109537565059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-12535922359207740242021-06-23T23:02:12.736+01:002021-06-23T23:02:12.736+01:00I’ll check it outI’ll check it outterri.liebowtizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15003286796931177405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-28523207986031302892021-06-23T18:42:10.361+01:002021-06-23T18:42:10.361+01:00Hi Terri
I use an app called ViewRanger (has all ...Hi Terri<br /><br />I use an app called ViewRanger (has all the Spanish maps) which I run on Android on a phone firmly attached to my bike with a quadlock. <br /><br />John<br />John Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-51113484852907730242021-06-22T23:16:09.771+01:002021-06-22T23:16:09.771+01:00John and Richard, thank you both! John, I’m curi...John and Richard, thank you both! John, I’m curious what you use for a GPS? Some Garmin model? I have yet to by one but want to before this trip.terri.liebowtizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15003286796931177405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-52596793851755235492021-06-19T14:54:40.612+01:002021-06-19T14:54:40.612+01:00Hi Terri / John, my brother & I did this ride ...Hi Terri / John, my brother & I did this ride in October 2019 (journal link below) and the weather was great, probably the optimum time of year for this ride N to S. The weather in the south will be warm throughout October, November and in to December. However, as you will know, the weather at the moment does not always follow normal patterns (it's the middle of June and Andalusia is very cool at the moment) so plan for some extremes. As for other routes in Spain, well there are hundreds, all those Caminos de Santiago, Via Verdes, Vias Naturales, the Parques Nacionales but in Sept / Oct start in the north and work your way south. I'm hoping to do something similar this fall so stay in touch.<br /><br />BR Richard Palmer<br /><br />http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Altravespana2019<br /><br />PS I live in Cadiz, AndalusiaRichard Palmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212507969477326356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-90658195570679815672021-06-19T13:08:08.185+01:002021-06-19T13:08:08.185+01:00Hi Terri, weather should good until at least the e...Hi Terri, weather should good until at least the end of October. Will be a bit wetter on the maritime side of the mountains but hot and dry for the rest of the route. Have a good trip, it's a great rideJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-83633942241139943852021-06-18T23:46:30.248+01:002021-06-18T23:46:30.248+01:00Hi John, I’m thinking about cycling La Ruta de la ...Hi John, I’m thinking about cycling La Ruta de la Plata from north to south this fall, starting in Sept or Oct. How do you think the weather would be along the route at that time of year? Alternatively, I’m not wedded to the route but would like to do a self supported bike tour in Spain this fall so if you have ideas about interesting routes better suited to fall travel, I’m interested in your thoughts. Thanks for the great trip reports, Territerri.liebowtizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15003286796931177405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-10407804418669499982020-12-21T19:19:27.115+00:002020-12-21T19:19:27.115+00:00Hi Richard
It's a partial casualty, publicati...Hi Richard<br /><br />It's a partial casualty, publication has been delayed with planned date now put off until Sept 2021. Very frustrating as it's all done from my end.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JohnJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-50647840853147340032020-12-20T18:32:40.521+00:002020-12-20T18:32:40.521+00:00Hi John, has your book been published or is it ano...Hi John, has your book been published or is it another casualty of 2020? Likewise we had to postpone a Camino ride until next year; hoping to ride the Camino del Norte and maybe cut across to El Primitivo. For internal flights Vueling seem to have a pretty good network between Sevilla & the north coast. BR RichardRichard Palmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212507969477326356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-77804083920128476682020-12-20T14:04:23.028+00:002020-12-20T14:04:23.028+00:00Hi Katy
Nice to hear from you. If you're inte...Hi Katy<br /><br />Nice to hear from you. If you're interested in another trip on the RVP than drop me an email and I'll keep you in the loop on discussions<br /><br />JohnJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-89550387152106765862020-12-18T11:10:37.080+00:002020-12-18T11:10:37.080+00:00Very wise! I got an update about this because I co...Very wise! I got an update about this because I commented a couple of years back - and I did indeed end up riding the VdlP, in 2018. I absolutely loved it - blogged if you're interested in my take on it... https://katycamino.wordpress.com/2019/06/page/2/ I would do it again in a heartbeat.Katy Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15138242402805328573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-5242596234809567662020-12-18T10:24:22.568+00:002020-12-18T10:24:22.568+00:00Hi there
Nice to hear from you
As you'll see...Hi there<br /><br />Nice to hear from you<br /><br />As you'll see from my update to the blog I am deferring a decision on whether to do a May departure until February by which time we might know a bit more about feasibility in light of the pandemic.<br /><br />Mixing road and off-road is the best way to see the route and its perfect for a gravel bike.<br /><br />I've got to Seville in different ways but on my last trip I flew with the bike in the hold. On our first trip I came home via Santander and on my last trip via Asturias airport.<br /><br />Send me an email and I'll add you to the group.<br /><br />Best wishes John John Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-33270223184766458552020-12-13T23:29:31.919+00:002020-12-13T23:29:31.919+00:00Hi John, I was planning to do this ride in Autumn ...Hi John, I was planning to do this ride in Autumn but hey ........ I am hoping for May 2021 but I will stay flexible. I have it in mid as a coast to coast and get a ferry home to Portsmouth - how did you arrive and leave spain. I have already done 2 versions of the Camino de Santiago so this is the natural next step - hit me up if you have any interest in cycling in Colombia which is my usual winter retreat but also Peru and Chile, good wishes, Alan malarkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03161927888534038588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7841399249557747138.post-90045990543723890842019-08-23T16:24:10.796+01:002019-08-23T16:24:10.796+01:00Hi Richard
I'm just putting together the phot...Hi Richard<br /><br />I'm just putting together the photographs for my guide - if your taking a camera I can always do with some more.<br /><br />JohnJohn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351092993224063387noreply@blogger.com