How do you prepare for the Camino?
The first thing to say is that almost anyone can cycle the Camino. Provided.
By training smartly it is very possible to cycle all the way from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago.
What does that mean?
Couple of pointers.
Cycle off road whenever you get the chance.
An hour a day is plenty.
Practice on hills. Somewhere like Killeshin or the Nurney Plateau is perfect.
It’s not about speed. If you average 12kms an hour on the trail that’s great.
Fit your bike out with panniers and fill them with anything that will equate to the load you will bring with you.
The easy part is turning the pedals!
Don’t forget to exercise your upper body.
One of the hardest things is the constant seating position on the bike that leads to stiffness and cramp in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and back.
So pay attention to exercising the whole body – 10 15 minutes routine will work wonders.
To help avoid some of that soreness, add a set of bar ends to give you another position.
Take a break every hour on the trail.
Don’t worry too much about distance or speed; start early and you can go all day.
Be prepared for the weather and have some clothing such as a poncho to allow you cycle in the rain; work with others into the wind.
It’s all the simple practical things that will make it easy for you.
