After brunch at the hotel, we went back to the bike shop to retrieve a day back pack that I had left in the front rack pack. Nacho (nick name or Ignacio) kissed me on both checks. When I commented that store personnel in the US don’t have this custom, he replied “Its the latin way. Once kiss on each check.” I retorted, “I can get use to this,” which made him laugh. My bike, a Specialized Tricross, has arrived from the other store and has the front pannier mounted. They still need to add the fenders, back rack, panniers, and seat. Dennis’ bike will arrive Monday morning and should be ready by 6 P.M.
If all goes to plan, on Tuesday we will bike to Montserrat, a hill-top monastery about 35 miles from Barcelona. I am a little nervous about driving a fully loaded and new bike through the city streets where drivers madly weave in traffic and tourist cross streets with little regards to vehicles, including bikes. Even though Barcelona has many bike lanes, walkers do not cede to the bikes and a rider needs to be constantly vigilant.
On the way back to the hotel, we saw a dog carrying his leash in his mouth. At the intersection, the owner held out her hand and the dog stopped. No verbal commands–just the hand signal. There are many well-behaved dogs in Barcelona, and no dog poop; every dog owner carries and uses a poop bag.
Since Dennis is not yet feeling well, we returned to the hotel. When the maid came to clean the room, we went in search of a pay-as-you-go phone for use in Europe. I think we will have to get a phone for Spain, and then a SIM card for each country. Nothing is easy, even in the EU.
For supper we went to NAMASTE a Hindu restaurant. We order a chicken soup for Dennis, a lentil soup for me and a vegetable sampler. I had a small bottle of vino de Rioja, while Dennis ordered coke. After the soup and drink, Dennis started to feel better. Hope is continues. He has been suffering from nonstop hiccups. Once this stops and he can rest, I hope he will be fully recovered.
Tomorrow, if he is better, we will tour sites in Barcelona that we had not seen in 2011. I love this city and could easily live here.
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Sorry Dennis has been ill; I hope he’ll be feeling fine soon.
Love the new ride. I would love to do a bike adventure but not until I can afford a 3 wheel recumbent. I want to see how you do with soreness on that bike. I ride for 2 hours and I feel like a horse kicked me… I have tried several seats to no avail.
Hope the hubby feels better soon.
I am in countdown mode… 1 month from today, 30-29-28… And so it goes. (Wish my hubby was able to travel with me, but he is working to pay for my playtime.)
Sue
Sue,
Hubby is doing better. I imagine that I will get sore at first and hope to build up to it. I bought a saddle from Terry and it helped before I left. I was surprised that a firmer seat would feel better than a cushiony one.
That and getting the bike fitted to me should make it easier on my butt. I will let you know once I ride for a while.
Have you gone to a bike shop to get fitted?
Good luck on your hiking. I don’t think we will be in England before end of June or beginning in July. If our luck changes, we may be there sooner than that.
Sue,
Hubby is doing better. I imagine th
You sound HAPPY – a great sign!!!