Week One Question: Cheating

Last year, when I walked from the starting point in France, the first week’s conversations were often around blister management and the definition of being a “real pilgrim” and just what that means.  Must you carry your own pack?  Should you stay in the albergue and endure the snoring?  Can real pilgrims ride a bike and not walk?  What about a bus or taxi?  Deep questions that really don’t matter.  Everyone walks their own Camino in the end.

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, this time I hope to learn more on my second Camino.  I’ve been curious about the bicycle Camino experience, so I rented a bike yesterday and rode it to my next stop today.  (Yes, I know that, for some, this is considered cheating.)

 

It was good to try the bike method, but I must say it also didn’t feel right for me.  Yes, zipping down the mountain was fun, but I missed walking and talking with other pilgrims.  I also found that it was super difficult to peddle a small bicycle with my big pack on my back.  So, I ended up hiking up the hills pushing the bike.  So now I know, I am a walking pilgrim and I won’t ponder the bike option any longer.  (I do still think a motorcycle sounds like a good alternative.)

 

Oddly, the bike also moved me into another tribe.  Although I didn’t ride on the walking trail, I still felt removed from the walking tribe at rest stops as now I was a bike rider.  It is interesting how we separate ourselves into groups.  Another key learning - be more kind to the bikers!

 

14.10 total miles

  2.92 miles, walking my bike

4,046 steps, pushing the bike

 

Location:  Triacastela @ 42.756122, -7.235685