Andre does Spain
I have always been a big fan of bike travel and will jump at any chance for
a foreign adventure. My eldest daugther, Myka proposed that we get together for
a "Salvatore Dali Bicycle Tour" in the famous Girona region of Spain. We were
joined by my niece who, along with Myka, had never been on a multi day bicycle
tour.
Our trip began in the miedeval city of Girona, famous for it's ancient
churches, castles and flower festival. It's also favoured my more than 20 North
American professional cyclists who make it their home during the racing season.
It became quickly obvious why this area is such a cycling Meca; it's simply a
cyclist's paradise.
For the occasion, I purchased a Surley Traveller's Cheque which is Surley's
version of a cyclo-cross bike with the addition of S&S couplings. The bike
can be broken down to fit in a regulation size suitcase to avoid extra airline
charges. It's also one of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden in a long
time, perfect for long tours.
The girls did not want the hassle of bringing bikes so we arranged of
rental bikes for the one week journey. The challenge for the girls was packing
as I strongly advised them that, when on a bike tour, "less is more". I showed
them my very small bag consisting of a toothbrush, razor, two pairs of
underwear, one pair of cycling shorts, 2 cycling jerseys and the clothes on my
back. I had a multi-tool, a spare tube and a mini pump to round up my load for
the week. I'm not sure why but they told me that girls need more things than
guys. I still ended up carrying most of the luggage to even the odds.
Riding out of Girona on bicycle paths we entered the "steep" country side
up the mountains which surround Girona. I immediately knew why the pros like it
here; the weather is perfect, the secondary roads are in great condition mostly
free of traffic winding their way through mountains, forests, fields and ancient
villages. Even though the ride started with a 15 km 900 m climb, we took our
time, stopped frequently and enjoyed the beautiful vistas. Of course what goes
up, must come down and I was not one to hold back whipping down the other side
like a formula one racer. I did manage to keep the rubber side down and, for the
most part, stay on the inside of the yellow line. The girls took it a little
easier on the way down which gave me a chance to stretch my old muscles.
The objective of the tour was to visit the famous home and museum of
surrealist painter Salvator Dali. From Girona, we rode to Figueres, about 50 km
on our first day to break in our legs and derrieres. More theirs than mine as I
usually keep mine well seasoned and calloused for such events.
I had to give the girls a lesson on the wash and wear method of laundry
which consists of going into the shower with your riding clothes on, soaping up,
scrubbing, removing the clothes for a foot stomping cycle while the body is
getting the second soaping cycle, followed by the first rinse and squeeze cycle.
Drying cycle consists of hanging clothers on the patio chairs for about 1 beer
which is then followed by the towel roll cycle to remove most of the moisture
than then hang for the night. Voila, next morning, nice clean riding clothes.
Our second day consited of the required visit to the famous Salvatore Dali
museum which leaves you totally sensory over stimulated. I had to read up on
Dali to see if his drug of choise was LSD. His response to the question on which
drug he was one was: " I don't take drugs, I am the drug." I'll vouch for that.
We then cycled through fertile wine valleys. up and over more mountains,
then down to the coast where we stayed in a small fishing village, home of
Dali's house. From the 6 foot eggs on the roof, the cricket cages in the house,
the echo room and the very wild water room, it was another experience in sensory
stimulation.
We made our way back to Girona over the next few days pedalling along the
Meditenarian Coast, stopping for the odd beer (it was kinda hot). We finished
the tour feeling fit with great memories. The owner of the bike shop, knowing we
were Canadians, asked if I wanted to meet one of our compatriots who just
happened to be hanging out at the shop. None other than Dominique Rollin, one of
Canada's best pro cyclist racing for Francaise des Jeux. He was nursing a broken
clavicle from a crash the previous week so we had a nice chat about what it's
like to be a pro cyclist. The girls were quite impressed and I could not help
myself to ask if this good looking, very nice chap was married. "No time for
girls when you race pro". It took the girls a few hours to settle down after
that encouter wondering what it would take to set up a date. I did not want to
get involved in that.
All in all we had a great time. Spain is probably one of the best coutry I
have ever cycled in and having the chance to experience a themed bike tour with
my niece and daughter was icing of the cake.
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