Knees vs Bike

You want us to do what?  What’s involved? Where does this start? How long is it? And how do we do it? On Bikes??? 510 miles, maybe more with our side trips! Why??? And why is this route through Spain called a pilgrimage? 

Well legend tells that St James, one of the apostles of Jesus, was martyred in Jerusalem and his remains made their way to Spain and rest in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago for St. James and Compostela meaning “field of the star.”

Here’s a short version of the legend of the star tied to the name Compostela:

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🌟 The Legend of the Field of the Star

In the early 9th century, a hermit named Pelayo was living in the hills of Galicia, in northwest Spain. One night, he saw a brilliant star (or a shower of stars) shining over a remote, wooded area. He saw it again on the following nights and took it as a divine sign.

He reported it to the local bishop, Theodemir of Iria Flavia, who led a group to investigate. They began to dig at the spot where the light had appeared—and discovered a stone tomb containing human remains, believed to be those of Saint James the Apostle (Santiago in Spanish), who had brought Christianity to Spain and was later martyred in Jerusalem.

In honor of the discovery, a shrine was built there, and the site became known as:

Campus Stellae — “Field of the Star”

→ Eventually shortened and transformed into Compostela

Thus began the Camino de Santiago, as pilgrims began traveling across Europe to venerate the apostle’s tomb—guided, in legend and spirit, by a star

           (Thank you Chat GPT)

I read that some pilgrims actually did their Camino on their knees.

I think I will be ok with a bike.