I have travelled on several long trips without a single flat tire, but on this trip I am honing my skills at puncture repair. Perhaps this route is called the Via de la Plata, not for the silver mined or the relatively flat terrain, but the flat tires created by the pesky little thorns along the way.
So far I have had four flat tires and they came in pairs. The tires and tubes on my bike are old and have done at least three or four major trips. The tires and tubes on my trailer are ancient. They are the more problematic ones. Thin enough to let the spines in.
After my first day of flats I chanced upon a wonderful bike store in Monesterio. It was like Christmas! They had everything I needed including tires and tubes for my small trailer. I bought one trailer tire and two tubes, but now I will seek out another tire when I get a chance. I was just carrying the new one as a spare until yesterday when I had another flat in the same tire.
Hervé, who likes to be called Enrique on the Camino, helped me install it at a warm, sunny cafe. Moments after leaving the town I had another flat, this time in my front tire. Sheesh (not the word I used on that occasion.)
This time I managed to put in a new tube, check the tire, and within minutes I was rolling again.
It was a sensational day, our wind and rain has been replaced with sunshine and double digit temperatures in the afternoon. I rolled into our hostal only shortly before Gord completed his 34 km walk.
Enrique confessed to me today that he had a terrible time finding his hotel in Merida. It turns out that through Booking he reserved a very affordable one in the Mexican city with the same name. He only realized his mistake when he found that the street names in Merida didn’t match his Booking map.
What a challenge with the tires and thorns. At least you got that all sorted out nicely and there has been great improvement in the weather. Love your photos! 🥰 Buen Camino! All is good.
Thank you for the reports from the road!
Thinking of doing this route next year either cycling or walking. Have done both and some routes seem to lend themselves to cycling vs walking.
Wondering how you are finding this as a bike tour vs walking? Does it compare well with other longer bike tours you have done (all things being equal).
Cheers!
Randy
Hi Randy, it’s completely different than a bike tour because I am moving with the walkers each day. I walk and ride. It could be done as a longer cycle tour on road too. The Eurovelo 1 follows the N630. I would say if you can walk it walk it, I can’t. Then you are part of the pilgrim community. I see many cyclist each day but their speeds and distances are always out of sync with the travelling tribe. If the people and pilgrimage interest you less it would be a wonderful bike tour.
There is almost no traffic on the 630. Big shoulders too.
34km?!?! Hopefully you will be out of the thorn zone soon. I am enjoying your little watercolours.
love the pictures Ruth and your paintings. And I love following along on your adventures.
hugs
I love following along on your adventures.
hugs
Thanks Marion. Hugs back.