Complete Guide to The North Cycle Route

The story of the North Way by bike is that of a modern conquest, adapting one of the oldest and most demanding Jacobean routes to the language of mountain biking and adventure. If the footpath is an intimate dialogue with the Cantabrian coast, the bicycle version is a loud conversation against the wind, a challenge of endurance that covers over 800 kilometers of a beautiful but unforgiving geography. Its history does not lie in ancient texts, but rather in the development of mountain biking in the 20th century and the search for new challenges by two-wheeled pilgrims.

The original North Way, one of the first and safest medieval routes, was always known for its difficulty. Its profile, a constant up and down to save rivers and valleys that plummet into the sea, made it a formidable challenge for walkers. This same characteristic kept it out of the Jacobean cycling route, which preferred the plains of the French Way. However, with improvements in mountain bikes and "touring" bicycles, and with an increasing number of cyclists seeking more authentic and scenic routes, the North Way became a coveted goal.

The adaptation of the itinerary for biking has been an organic process. The pedestrian path original, often narrow, technical and muddy, is not always suitable for two wheels. Therefore, the route for "bicigrinos" has consolidated variants that take advantage of local roads with little traffic, such as the N-634 which follows in parallel to the coast, and rural paths wider. The history of this adaptation is finding the perfect balance between cycleability, safety, and faithfulness to the historical route and the sea views.

Riding the North Way by bike is an experience of extraordinary visual intensity. The speed of the bicycle allows the pilgrim to cover in a single day the transition of landscapes, from green hills and cliffs in the Basque Country to Cantabrian beaches, coastal towns in Asturias and the entry into Galicia through the Lucense coast. It also allows for the freedom to make small detours to gaze at a spectacular viewpoint, descend into a hidden cove or visit a fishing port, greatly enriching the journey.

However, it is an error to underestimate its difficulty. It is one of the most challenging bike routes in Spain. The cyclist faces a cumulative brutal slope, with sections especially in Asturias known for their short but explosive slopes that test anyone's endurance. Requires excellent physical fitness, a robust bicycle and good logistical planning, as the distance between services can be greater than on the French Way.

The history of the North Way by bike is ultimately a story of overcoming. It is a modern tribute to the resistance of medieval pilgrims, translating their slow walking into a long-distance cycling effort of great endurance. This route has been chosen by those who not only want to reach Santiago but also immerse themselves in the full force and beauty of Green Spain, with the Cantabrian coast as an inseparable companion through fatigue and joy.