Doing my first tour. Advice please!

mcadge

Hi everyone,
I've decided to do a solo cycle tour across Spain (Barcelona to Santiago), and I am very much a beginner on this.
I have a friend who is helping me purchase a bike but I was wondering if anyone could be of any help regarding my ride. I basically need advice on what equipment to take (well I need to know all the stuff I should take), and what routes to take. Regarding the route, I have looked online at many websites, but what I am hoping to get is a route which has camp sites marked on it. I hope to plan my trip so I can go from camp site to camp site (and also to hostels every now and then). If anyone has done a similar trip across Spain that would be a great help.

If anyone could help me with any of this or knows anyone who could help that would be great. Or if there are any websites I should go to please tell me.

Thanks

Mike

fatdaz

Have a look at the blog referenced on this thread

viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=12968415

HebdenBiker

Never been to Spain but done plenty of tours in the UK. A few things (perhaps obvious - sorry!):

Don't overthink your kit. Get good racks and panniers (I use Tubus and Carradice) and avoid cheap. Similarly, tyres. (I use Schwalbe Marathons) Lightweight tent (I use a Wild Country thing), small, packable sleeping bag, sleeping mat, change of clothes, waterproof, tubes, lube, multitool, pump, toothbrush, torch, and you're good to go.

Take a bunch of zip ties and bungees. These were invaluable when a cheap rack broke on me in the middle of nowhere.

Use a bar bag for wallet/phone/camera/passport because it's easily detachable when you go into a cafe or whatever, and has map case on top.

As for bike, personally I use a converted MTB for comfort, robustness, and easy availability worldwide of 26in wheels and tyres. Also it means I can "go anywhere" and am not restricted to tarmac roads.

shaunclaridge

fatdaz wrote:

Have a look at the blog referenced on this thread

viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=12968415

Thus is my blog- I am in the process of writing a post on my lejog touring setup that would probably be useful to you- should have it posted over the weekend

rafletcher

mcadge wrote:

Hi everyone,
I've decided to do a solo cycle tour across Spain (Barcelona to Santiago), and I am very much a beginner on this.
I have a friend who is helping me purchase a bike but I was wondering if anyone could be of any help regarding my ride. I basically need advice on what equipment to take (well I need to know all the stuff I should take), and what routes to take. Regarding the route, I have looked online at many websites, but what I am hoping to get is a route which has camp sites marked on it. I hope to plan my trip so I can go from camp site to camp site (and also to hostels every now and then). If anyone has done a similar trip across Spain that would be a great help.

If anyone could help me with any of this or knows anyone who could help that would be great. Or if there are any websites I should go to please tell me.

Thanks

Mike

I suggest that you also register on Cyclechat and the CTC for a, as they may have more info of the type you require, and people who have done similar trips. From a quick google, I think you might find rural campsites a bit thin on the ground in some rural inland areas of Spain.

Here's something to help for the western part of the route...

http://www.bike99.com/camino.html

whoof

I've ridden along the North Coast, Picos de Europa and down the Med coast from the French border to Barcelona. Campsites are very rare away from the coast and are more expensive than France. There are a lot of cheapish hostel type places along the North coast for walkers doing the pilgrim trail to Santiago.
Look at the Tour and Expedition section on here and the CTC forum.