Reports by Tim Devereux

In the first week of June 2002, I cycled with my brother on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. He started from Le Puy, France, and after he'd been on the road for 750 miles, and two weeks, I met him at Sahagun, near Leon, Spain, to cycle the remaining 250 miles to Santiago. This is an account of my journey, and the preparations for it. I have gone into detail about some aspects, which may help anyone else travelling the route.

The journey was to be a pilgrimage, so as well as preparing the bike, and getting myself physically fit, I felt I needed some spiritual preparation. My parish, St Joseph's, Pudsey, was running an Open Retreat in Lent, where instead of going away for a retreat for a day or a weekend, you go for a couple of hours, once a week, for six weeks. I found this period of prayer and reflection very helpful; over the weeks, the support of other members of group was most welcome.