The Bikepacking Chapters

With four panniers, two bikes, and one Paddington bear, my partner and I are embarking on a culinary adventure across Spain and Portugal. Staying largely to the coast, we’ll be sharing stories with you of alburuge-ing pilgrims, tapas on sandy beaches and world-renowned wines. What I can’t guarantee in formatting quality (from our potentially not quite watertight tent!), will be made up for in stories rich both in olive oil and bike oil.

Each blog post that is a part of this journey will begin with a introduction. If you’ve any suggestions of people, places or produce we should be looking out for, please let us know!

It’s the beauty of bikepacking - freedom to eat, pedal and drink for as far as our legs will let us.

Our early morning arrival in Santander

We’ve started off by following the Camino del Norte. The Camino, meaning the way, is a series of pilgrimage routes all heading to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims from around the world join where they are able, largely hiking, they stay in hostels along the route.

The Camino del Norte is an interesting route. We chose it spontaneously (genuinely on the ferry over) to be as close to the sea as possible. It is also, however, a really challenge for a cyclist. So we’ve our work cut out for us!

The Camino del Norte route. We started in Santander.