Bike Day

Gym worked.

Slept to a reasonable time. Porridge for breakfast.

Satan’s for a Cortado. Watching the clock waiting for the bikes.

I was awake last night thinking about the logistics of the trip. Water. How much will I need? Will we be able to refill on the way? And so on.

Walk to Castro bikes. Meeting point with Roberto in the city for the bikes.

The bikes are exceptional. Six months to make. Custom titanium frames. Pinion gearboxes. Four-piston Shimano disc brakes. Custom bars. Custom pannier racks. Ortlieb panniers.

Roberto and his team at Nua are engineers and craftsmen. The attention to detail is exceptional. Incredible bikes.

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” - Arthur Conan Doyle

The ride home fun. Barcelona bike-friendly. A little confused at times about which side of the road. Only made one error. Car driver patient with my blunder. Didn't die. Didn't notice until Shell told me what happened.

Now I have the bike, there is an urgency to get on the road. I was content here in Barcelona. There were times I wanted the bikes to be delayed. One more tapas bar. Now I can’t wait.

I will wait.

We leave Monday. With how much water is yet to be determined.

Tapas at Tantarantana for dinner.

Anchovies. Padrón peppers. Jamón. Mussels. Delicious.

The wines-

2016 Viña Salceda Crianza Rioja

2017 Protos Roble Ribera del Duero