Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[meldoy]

Three of us will spend the month of May traveling the camino from St. Jean Pied du Port to Santiago. We would like to cover the middle part of the camino on bicycles. Is it possible to rent bikes in one town and return them in another? Is it better to ride on the camino or on nearby roads. Do bike rental companies also rent panniers? Any help will be appreciated!

[William Marques]

Three of us will spend the month of May traveling the camino from St. Jean Pied du Port to Santiago. We would like to cover the middle part of the camino on bicycles. Is it possible to rent bikes in one town and return them in another?

It is possible to rent bikes in one place and return them at another. It is not a cheap option however.

http://www.bikespain.info/en/d_rentBike_en.asp
BIKE SPAIN TOURS
New touring bikes ORBEA. We send the bikes to where you want to start the Camino.

http://www.bikeiberia.com/rentals_rates.html
Bike Iberia
This Lisbon-based company claims to deliver bikes all over Spain and Portugal.

http://www.mundicamino.com/
A green button (on the right on Spanish site and on the left on English site) leads to bikes for sale or rent.

http://www.tournride.com/portal/index.php
A Santiago based bike rental company who will ship to your starting point.

I have not had dealings with any of these companies so cannot recommend one over another.

Is it better to ride on the camino or on nearby roads.

If you are talking about the middle part being between Logrono or thereabouts and Astorga, although your camino may be unconventional you stand to gain the best of both worlds. Walking through the more picturesque hills and mountains and cycling across the plains. On the section you are considering I would certainly say keep on or near the path. It will depend on the weather and the bikes you are on but it is just about all cyclable there.
One thing to remember, and you will know this having walked the first part, is to give the walkers a reasonable warning of your approach (a bell or a "buen camino") and to slow up when passing them.

Do bike rental companies also rent panniers?

Yes, though if your pack is very light you can cycle with it. I have done this on a number of occasions and find it fine on a bike without drop handlebars. You could also strap your small pack with bungy cords to the rear rack, again I have done this without problems.

Buen Camino
William