June 3, 2025
Final prep - not in the plan
Jacinto stayed awake all day, not closing his eyes until 11 PM. I think he was snoring within 30 seconds! It was astounding, how quickly he fell asleep. I had that nap earlier, and stayed awake until 1 AM. I slept until 5 AM, then was awake another hour before falling back to sleep. We woke up after 10 AM. We were supposed to have the bike boxes to the shop at 10 for assembly. Who would think we'd need an alarm for a 10 AM appointment? Welcome to jet lag, folks.
We moved quickly, and carried the boxes over to Espaibici next door. We spoke with Xavier. He said they were closed. between 2-4 PM for lunch, but to come back about 7 for the bikes. Before we left, I emailed him several photos of my odd recumbent bike, so they would know the chainline, seat brace placement, and other recumbent specific details. Then we headed to breakfast.
That's such an innocent statement, an everyday occurrence. Until it wasn't. As we were crossing the street, Jacinto told me to hurry up, cars were coming. I took a giant step forward, perhaps hyperextending my knee? I think I heard a popping noise, but I'm not sure. Suddenly I couldn't walk at all. I had to lean on Jacinto's shoulder the rest of the way to the restaurant. Damn, damn. Double damn. It seems right before tour we always do something. Sitting still, my knee didn't hurt, and it wasn't swelling.
I don't think either of us enjoyed breakfast as much as we expected. Plus, there was a noisy group of 6-8 woman at the neighboring table. They finally got up to leave, ran into someone else they knew, and then stood directly behind my chair, talking! Which meant Jacinto and I couldn't hear each other well enough to hold a conversation. We were almost finished with our breakfast when they finally departed. I kept thinking about how the taxi driver told us cars aren't allowed to honk, they would get a fine. I suppose it's the same theory, when someone is standing directly behind me, talking loudly. I did consider accidentally elbowing her in the butt. Perhaps that would get her to move away! Back to the taxi driver - as he dropped us off yesterday, we followed a fair distance behind a woman walking right down the center of the roadway. I do admit, some of the walkways and roadways are hard to tell apart, once you get in the neighborhood. It appears politeness is required, at least in the city of Barcelona. Later I asked Javier if bicycles were allowed to use their bells, or if the laws are similar to cars not honking. Yes. But bicycles and pedestrians have the right of way no matter where they are - even in the center of the street.
Our plan had been to eat breakfast and then walk the six blocks over to see the Basilica de la Sangrada Familia. Instead, I limped slowly back to the hotel. We stopped at the pharmacy, buying Volteran, and an ice pack for my knee. We asked if movement or rest was better. Definitely rest, and ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. I did that all afternoon. We discussed what the game plan would be if I couldn't ride. Bending my knee was perhaps not painful, but not normal. Neither of us took a nap, which I found surprising. We walked over to the bike shop at 6 PM, and were instructed to come back at 7. When I got a chance for a test ride, it seemed as if I could put reasonable force on the pedals, and my knee would go round.
We spent quite a bit of time fiddling with mirrors, computer mounts, etc. The shop had replaced a couple of cables and housing, which I might have thought was a money making move, other than the charge was minimal. Both bikes got a set of brake pads each. All told, it was 213E, which I thought was reasonable for what they did. Xavier also gave me a new Mueller mirror mount, as mine had stripped out and wouldn't stay tight. We both took test rides around the corner and back. Xavier warned us not to leave the bikes alone for a second in Barcelona, the country would probably be okay. He also warned about cycling after 11-11:30 AM, because of the heat. Xavier said early evening was his favorite time to ride. Ah, yes, that will bring an entire discussion with Jacinto. Depart time is always a negotiation.
We walked the bikes over to the hotel. The friendly male desk clerk was just locking the big front door. Jacinto had already asked about where to store our bikes, pointing out that mine was very long. Yes indeed, here it is, in the flesh. Jacinto was wondering how my injured self could help get the bike up the staircase with three turns. Perfect timing for us, as the clerk helped him get the bike up. I didn't think it was any work at all! In the end, we have the bikes in the room, as we've ben organizing all evening.
We walked two blocks over, to a Peruvian Wok restaurant. It was quite busy. I ordered by looking at the photo, a sweet and sour chicken dish. What I received did not look at all like the photo, although it was sweet and sour. Jacinto got a dish called Aeropuerto, which seemed to me to be a fried rice dish that had rice and noodles combined. I thought it was fine, but not outstanding. I was able to walk reasonably well all the way there and back. When we got to the hotel, here was a food delivery person clumsily wheeling his bicycling out of the locked entry. His actions underlined not leaving your bike alone, even for a minute.
Now it is 11:30 PM - I'm icing my knee one last time before bed. I'm very hopeful about tomorrow. We have two short. and flat riding days before we turn inland and start climbing. If I have significant trouble after the two easy days, then we will have a hard discussion.
As far as routing exiting Barcelona, it sounds quite simple from here. We have two miles to Eurovelo 8 along the ocean. Those two miles are on roads with bike lines. I'm sure there will be plenty of stop and go, which won't be knee friendly, but I'm hopeful we will have a reasonable exit from the city.
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