So what would possess anyone to cycle 750km in 40 degree heat, a day after finishing the youth pilgrimage to Lourdes with 500 young people? This short account may help to answer some of those questions. In 2009 Fr Stephen, Pete Jones and Martin Atherton left Lourdes to travel to Pamplona to begin a week of cycling. In the same year over 100,000 pilgrims would make the journey walking, cycling or on horse back.

Santiago has been a pilgrimage site for over 800 years. The trio followed the Camino Frances which divided itself into three main sections: the rolling hills of the Basque country, the hot, flat, empty central section of the "meseta", and the green hills of Galicia. The route includes the major cities of Pamplona, Burgos and León, the large towns of Logroño in the Rioja, Astorga, and Ponferrada, and hosts of interesting smaller places along the way

The popular etymology of the name “Compostela” holds that it comes from Latin campus stellae, i.e. “field of the star”, making Santiago de Compostela “St. James in the Field of the Star”. This name would come from the belief that the bones of St. James were taken from the Middle East, to Spain. These bones were then buried where a shepherd had spotted a star and a church was eventually built over the bones and later replaced with the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela.
The “cycle ride” as it was often called, like the trio were going around the block was in fact a pilgrimage with time each day for prayer and visit to pilgrimage sites as well as an opportunity to raise over £3100 for Animate Youth Ministries.

Day 1 Pamplona-Viana
A quick croissant and a coffee and then off to visit the cathedral and to find the place we could get our credencial del pelegrino (pilgrimage passport) which we would get stamped in villages and hostels on the way. This proved to be auspicious start to the journey because we could find neither. We only managed to find the street where the annual Bull Run takes place. Eventually we knocked on a big heavy door to the Bishop’s palace and got our first stamp and made our way to the Cathedral for a short time of prayer before setting off for Viana 80 km away.

Day 2 Viana-Burgos
On the way to Burgos we discovered St James cakes in the picturesque town of St Domingo. They were in shape of a shell, the pilgrimage symbol and were filled with gorgeous apple. Much needed calories for the journey. Burgos has a beautiful cathedral but if you don’t get let into the Albergue-pilgrim hostel it is not easy to get accommodation, be warned if you ever go there!

Day 3 Burgos-Carrion de la Condes
A fantastic ride from Burgos, with a few climbs and then on to the “meseta”, with clear views, long flat roads and very high up. Fr Stephen could indulge himself in his passion for windmills. On the way there was time for a bit of posing with St James.

Day 4 Carrion de la Condes – Virgen de la Camino
From the medieval town with great food and good wine there was more of the long straight roads in soaring temperatures over 40 degrees. A quick visit to Leon on the way to pray in the Cathedral and get the credencial stamped.

Day 5 Virgen de la Camino-Villafranca
First stop was in Astorga a small city with the bishop’s house designed by Gaudi. Now out of the “meseta” and into seriously steep hills. The road climbs to the Cruz de Ferro 1504m above sea level. Around a huge cross is erected a huge pile of stones left by pilgrims to signify unloading of their burdens of sin.
In Molinessca time for a very quick dip and on to Villafranca.

Day 6 Villafranca-Portomarin
Day six and climbs continue. The weather now starts closing in and we can only see ten metres in front of us. The temperature drops as we get higher and higher and the wind increases. A steep climb to O Cebreiro and the Bronze Age village with thatched round houses. In the ancient church there was a real sense of prayer and contentment as people lit candles and sat quietly reflecting on the pilgrimage so far.

Day 7Portomarin-Santiago de Compestela
In Portomarin we discovered special food that absolved sin. Now that is something to think about eat and get absolved.
The last day was by no means the easiest day. More climbs up and down, up and down in a never-ending series of rolling hills that went on for 60 km. After travelling for over 700 km it was the first day that we had get off the bikes and walk. Suddenly, just outside Santiago the camino came to and end and there was a few hundreds yards that were not meant for cyclists. So we had to get off the bikes negotiate a track, cycle round the airport and finally go through that last few villages.
The feeling getting into Santiago was immense. We were elated and relieved. We were all safe, not one puncture between us. There were difficult times on route, challenging moments but fantastic scenery good friendship and unique experiences.

Finally, after reaching the city and queuing for two hours for our Compsetelas, official certificates we had done it.
Next day we joined the other pilgrims who had travelled the same way for mass in the Cathedral, to pray at the shrine of St James and to see the amazing Botafumeiro, the huge swinging incense burner. In the city itself we found that St James has ever more cake named after him. Then it was the long journey back home. What next? Well watch this space!

Thank you to everyone who have sponsored the three of us. Apologise if you have not been thanked individually.
The money raised will make a huge difference to hundreds of young people.