Barcelona, anyone?

[redrhodie]

Barcelona was wonderful! I didn't want to leave, and I'd go back today if I could afford to. I loved everything about it!

In the taxi on the way into the city from the airport, I got very excited when there was a guy on a Pinarello road bike, literally riding on the highway. If anyone has been on the FDR in NYC at rush hour, imagine a bike riding between the cars, between the lanes, zigzagging ahead of slower moving vehicles (like my cab), and you got the picture. He was too fast for me to get an actual picture.

Once I got into the city, everyone rode the "bicing" bikes in the pic, which can be picked up at one location, and dropped at another. They also mostly rode folders, mtbs, fixies, and vintage bikes. Bikes were everywhere. Seeing how much cycling was part of everyday life made me feel like a novice. Biking is integral to life there, and is done skillfully in car, scooter and pedestrian traffic. Sidewalk riding is acceptable, and any outfit is appropriate, except maybe padded shorts and helmets. I saw a woman riding no hands on the sidewalk, while talking on her cell, wearing dress sandals, looking comfortable yet chic.

There were not many road bikes in the city, but I did see a few on top of Montjuic, the high park area where the '92 Olympics were held. I took a tram up there, and there are escalators going back down, to give you an idea of the terrain. It's not flat.

I did not ride. I did go to the bike show, though! I got some Barcelona made bibs (the company is "Inverse") which I'm very hopeful for comfort-wise. I saw some really gorgeous bikes there, my favorite of which was "Focus". They're German made, and the team bikes for Milram. Very drool worthy.

The apartment was awesome. Thanks again, Triskeliongirl, for the recommendation.

AR, I went to Girona! It was worth the trip, even though I didn't find George. I did see someone who looked a lot like Jan Ullrich, though, walking down the street with a cycling cap on. He was a little heavier than I'd ever seen him, so I'm not sure it was him.