08/17/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 9 : Food Found!

It was windy but we slept through it.. and my busted leg didn’t hurt much. Today’s ride was again gorgeous… but missing an early morning town (meaning no coffee)! ☕️

We went straight to some single track which was quite fun and (mostly) rideable…

… until we got to the no bikes section. We met hikers here and all of them asked if it was possible to ride a bike here. I explained that it wasn’t possible for us, but maybe a better downhiller. plus this short section had a “no bikes” sign at the top, which technically leaves you stranded or forced to turn around a long way. One cyclist we met explained that it was ok if you walk your bike - as long as you don’t ride it. “No problem doing that,” I said! 👍

We rode over a big pass. I scurried over because there was a possibility of buying food over the hill. The problem is that stores close much of the mid day. The store I was targeting closed at 1pm, and didn’t open again until 5pm. This makes food buying very difficult. I zipped over the hill but took the time to snap this photo. If we weren’t able to buy food, I would have had to go a day living on: one can of sardines, and 3 small cups of yogurt. Not enough to fuel this amount of climbing! 🥛

After I got groceries, it was time to find some shade - which I did by a small building. Unfortunately, it was trash collection time. Look how they use a crane to get the trash out! It was scary to be here with the metal bin swinging over my head. I texted Janet a new route that woud’ld save 300’ of climbing - welcome words to her at this point! 🗑️

Hooray for eBikes. I noticed that the sign said free charging if you lock your bike here. This could save us $100 on a hotel because the only reason we got a hotel the other day was because we needed some power. Also, our tent is way more comfortable than a hot hotel that can’t be cooled. It’s so much nicer to sleep high and avoid being trapped inside a building if possible. 🪫

These towns are all beautiful, however Bagergue claims to be the most beautiful in Spain. Perhaps it is true? 🌸

I’m really happy to be in Spain. Since we just got back from New Zealand not long ago, it’s easy to juxtapose the two places from a cycling perspective. People - especially drivers - have all been so courteous… waiting and giving us space. Also, if I’m stopped on the side of the road, people ask if I’m OK. These two things really stand out vs NZ. We do miss NZ’s ubiquitous bathrooms, however! People in both places were nice to us. It’s pretty touristy in the little villages here, so they are crowded, and I think the locals must be fed up with foreigners… but 95% of people have been kind, patient, and helpful. We are having a great time. 👯‍♂️

This is our refugio for tonight. It is clean inside with a table and bunk beds. At 6,000’, temperatures are perfect and we get to listen to cowbells, rustling wind, crickets, and water flow. Heavenly. 💧

I miss those high mountain cowbells. I wonder why they aren't used in the US.

DogMeat Q.