Bicycle tours Camino de Santiago Europe and bicycling Portugal Spain

Bicycle tours Camino de Santiago Europe and bicycling Portugal Spain

bicycle tours Camino de Santiago europe

Bicycle tours Camino de Santiago

A bicycle tour has much in common with a pilgrimage, with the reward being more in the journey than in the arrival. Since the year 814, when a Spanish hermit supposedly discovered the body of the apostle St. James at Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims and adventurers from all over the world have been drawn to "The Road to Santiago." As we add our tire tracks to the footprints of the millions who have come this way, we'll experience for ourselves a tradition that had its beginning in the Middle Ages.

The Camino is a remarkable slice of life, its scallop shell signposts pointing the way through abandoned hamlets and great cities, past Celtic stone huts, graceful Romanesque monasteries, and soaring Gothic cathedrals. The landscape changes dramatically as we cross the plains of Castile, wheat fields of León, and emerald mountains of Galicia. Along the way, we'll hear of miracles and mysteries, hardships and triumphs, and legends attached to El Cid, Charlemagne, St. Francis of Assisi, and yet-to-be-named cyclists! We'll share the trail with other travelers from around the world, all wearing the cockle shell symbolic of St. James.

While villages and road surfaces have changed, the way of the Camino has remained the same for over eleven centuries. Our cycling route traces secondary roads, hardpack dirt lanes, mule cart paths, and famous medieval bridges to the great cities of Burgos, León, and finally, Santiago. A choice of ride options allows for van shuttles to avoid busier roads or opportunities to walk the most beautiful stretches of the original Camino.

Our historic accommodations include an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, luxurious paradors, and beautifully-appointed manor houses. We'll spend our final two nights at the five-star Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, which has housed pilgrims since it was built in 1501 by the order of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. "El Camino de Santiago" is offered as either a 9- or 12-day trip. Those choosing the shorter option will join the group on Day 4 in León. Please call our office for details.

Cycling Trip Routes

Our off-the-beaten-path routes will lead you along back roads and byways you might never have discovered on your own. Each road we pedal has been carefully chosen for its regional "flavor," scenic beauty, and low traffic. Cycling days average 35-40 miles, and most days offer a choice of longer options as well. With our detailed maps and written directions, cyclists are completely free to pedal at their own pace. Short riding days or layover days are planned for those destinations where you'll want extra time off your bicycle to explore.

Our Tour Groups

A friendly ambiance and lots of laughter are the status quo on our tours. We limit our groups to a friendly size of sixteen. Our trips attract young-at-heart cyclists of all ages, with a congenial mix of singles, couples, and occasionally families.

Tour Guides

We consider our international team of European, Canadian, and American tour guides to be Easy Rider Tours' biggest asset! Their expertise, enthusiasm, flexibility, and humor ensure that each tour moves smoothly, both on and off the road. On European tours, we team an American with an Irish, Portuguese, or Spanish guide, whose insight into local culture and customs adds an invaluable dimension to your vacation experience. Our guides are multilingual, trained in first aid for both people and bicycles, and average six years of experience as Easy Rider leaders.

Tour Support

A support van accompanies each of our bicycling vacations to carry luggage and offer mechanical assistance, water, and snacks. Van support means you're never pressured to ride or walk any more than you want-we're always available to give you a lift.

Terrain

Our bicycling vacations are designed for people who enjoy active vacations. We hesitate to assign ratings to our trips because we've watched "beginners" charge up hills, and triathletes enjoy slowing down to smell the roses! Our support van makes it possible for an energetic beginner to enjoy virtually any of our cycling or walking tours. As a very general guide, we've included a note about terrain at the beginning of each trip description. For more details about the terrain on any tour, please call us at (800) 488-8332.

Cuisine

Experienced travelers know that one of the most enjoyable ways to get to know a country is through its food! We celebrate each day's adventures with the very best of regional cuisine, from freshly-caught Irish salmon or Nova Scotian lobster to an Azorean cozido cooked in a volcanic steam vent. Our restaurant selection includes an eclectic mix of well-known establishments as well as a few of our own serendipitous discoveries. You'll also enjoy home-cooked feasts at several of our inns, gourmet picnic lunches, and substantial breakfasts each morning.

Tour Accommodations

Our inns are chosen not only for their number of stars or mentions in guidebooks, but also because they capture the authenticity, history, and character of the places we visit. Often we stay in one-of-a-kind manor houses, castles, and country inns that are just large enough to accommodate our group.

Whether you find yourself enjoying legendary Irish hospitality in a cozy B&B or surrounded by Spanish splendor at the magnificent Parador in Santiago, your day will always end with a gracious combination of Old World charm and modern comfort.

Easy Rider Tours P.O. Box 228, Newburyport, MA 01950
(800) 488-8332 (978) 463-6955
info@easyridertours.com