Shifting Gears

Season 5. Episode 16. End of Adventure Reflections. Since wrapping up our riding, we enjoyed some relaxing time in Porto and some days at home to consider this trip. The most common question people have asked us is: how does this trip compare to the others? The reply is much like that of a parent – we love all our children equally. Each of these adventures is great in its own right. Here’s a quantitative snapshot to consider: 1,737 miles biked.  By this measure, this trip was the easiest of our 5 self-supported bike expeditions as it was the shortest distance. But that’s too simplistic. 68,690’ accumulated elevation gain (2,290’/day) 58 miles average per riding day, (past averages were 53, 63, 65, & 72) 40 feet of elevation to climb per mile. This slope of 40’ of elevation per mile was the 2nd hardest of our 5 trips. (past averages: 28 Northern Tier, 51 Pacific Coast, 27 East Coast, 29 Southern Tier). 30 days of riding and 4 days of rest – makes me all the more stunned that...

Season 5. Episode 15. Brotherly Love.  September 13, 2025. Santiago de Compostela to Redondella. 53 miles. 3,439’ climbing.  The Portuguese Way is the pilgrimage route starting in Portugal that starts more commonly in Porto or for some further south in Lisbon. It’s 163 miles from Porto or 381 miles from Lisbon. We were cycling the Portuguese Camino in reverse.  After several days of riding in the same direction as walkers, and passing them, it was odd traveling against their flow. I even had a few people tell me I’m going the wrong way. (I’m not sure if they were joking.) But figuratively I was confident we are on the right path. In fact, for some reason over the course of my life, I’ve had a pattern of going against the grain, of zigging when others zag. It hasn’t worked out too poorly.  In our first few miles leaving the city, there was a series of musicians entertaining and busking for those finishing their walks. It was a festive, celebratory atmosphere. We wishe...

Season 5. Episode 14. Just put it in a box for 3 months. September 10, 2025. Villafranco Del Bierzo to Sarria. 48 miles. 5,400’ climbing.  We started out for what we knew would be one of our hardest days of elevation gain. It was gloomy weather and staring to rain.  But before the rain could dampen our spirits, we met our youngest walker.  Four years old, from Belgium walking for 26 days from Leon to Santiago de Compostela, which is 200 miles and then doing the “bonus” miles to Finisterra which is another 56 miles to the Atlantic. The Camino Finisterre is the only Camino starting in Santiago de Compostela and goes to what once was thought to be the “Edge of the World” where the sun went to die. Most walkers terminate in Santiago de Compostela. Rain it is. Visibility was zero in O Cebreiro. We couldn’t see the views but we could see the important things in life oh so clearly. The extra weight from our waterlogged leggings, socks, soaking jacket and water in our shoes just ...