09/02/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 25 : Shinin down like water

by Brian · Published September 2, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024

Photos:

As you might remember, we made a decision yesterday to stay on the mountain. It was so sunny and idyllic, we couldn't believe the forecast...

Worth watching this video to the end. I saw things changing quickly in the valley and did a Timelapse. This is 20 minutes of change (turn on audio if you like CCR)

I had estimated it would take us 2 hours to get down the hill (13 miles)...off by a bit on that calculation! We got to a confusing section of cow trails and got lost in the rain. --

Video of the non-stop Lightning and me talking to Janet. Camped in the refugio, but rain started leaking through the roof! Luckily, there was another part of the building that wasn't getting we so we took down the tent and moved there. It was pretty thrilling to be in the middle of this storm. Maybe a little scary too.

It's only a mile. It's only a mile. But at 1 mile per hour, it's.... only an hour. Doesn't sound as good. --

Even though it was tough on us and the bikes, there were some fun sections too! --

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. You may remember the problems I had with "One Up" pedals in New Zealand. New pedals went bad after two days. I wrote them and they said they fixed the issue and sent replacements to my house. Sounded cool, but after 3 weeks of riding the new pedals, the same problem happened- only much worse! The axle seized on my left pedal and I couldn't ride. Then, because it was so tight, the pedal unscrewed from the crank, stripping off the last threads on my XX1 carbon cranks. NOT HAPPY!!!!! That was yesterday. But the only way out of here is on a bike, so I tried dripping lube into the shaft last night (soaked pedal upside down). No improvement. Had to escape, so kept tightening the pedal - but not enough. It fell off twice more skinning my calf. You probably remember the injuries I've gotten from these pedals. I declare them worse than garbage! Now we need to figure out how to limp to a big city with a bike shop so I can get new pedals. --

By the side of the trail, someone chained a steel cup so you could drink from the stream. We were not very interested in water today, though.

At the end of the ride, we would get to a hotel where we arrived early. The woman running the place was fantastic. Instead of making us stand there all wet while she did an elaborate check-in procedure, she let us park our bikes in the lobby and looked at her computer. "If I don't have a room ready, I'll have to invite you to a coffee." In a minute, she was taking us straight to our room .... and we were an hour before regular checkin! "Get settled and we will do checkin later." When I came back down, she joked around with us and earned the 11/10 star review I'm going to give her. Love places like this! --

Video of a creek crossing and is taking shelter during a massive squall.

We did not bring a stove, but in a hotel room, we can use this boiler to make healthy food - today it is hard boiled eggs and broccoli. Getting healthy food in Spain is pretty easy; I love it!

Strava Comments:

Janet W.

I like how we are (usually) able to keep it fun when conditions are rough. Getting a lot more “toughen up” practice together on this trip!

Ann L.

Very cool watching that video and love the music you added to it. Good luck finding a place to fix you pedal issue.

Ann L.

Janet Wagner you take the term “suck it up buttercup” to a whole new level!

DogMeat Q.

Way to persevere!!!

Paula G.

Love CCR!! Neil Sedaka makes the rain seem nice instead of annoying. couldn't hear the thunder, but the video was super neat!

Sօʀƈɛʀɛʀ 🅅.

Blast from the past, 1974, with Neil Sedaka! Transportation to another era via this musical time capsule. Brian, I am surprised you chose to try try those pedals again. Yes I remember what happened to you in New Zealand. One Up's inside bearing design solution is unorthodox, and I really think they made for the downhill shuttle rider who wants a few millimeters less height to stand on for lower center of gravity and a small advantage in lean over, not hard core bike tourists! We talked about them. Maybe there is a market for a really good and safer bike packing platform pedal. You definitely make a good case for it! How about pedals which are designed to be easily serviced (I've never seen a pedal that is easy to overhaul) and have grease injection ports while we are at it, as well as some of the other patentable attributes we talked about. Well anyways, what another incredible process of traveling you are going through with the harsh weather, navigational challenges, and shelter etc! It looks difficult. Even so, I do hear some laughter in the rain. When that song came out on the AM radio in '74 it probably inspired many a great romance

László P.

Judy I.

I loved this post, from the title to the video special effects and the meteorological drama! When things aren’t so comfortable you can feel the edges better. That said, I’m so glad it only sprinkled on my little ride today!

Susanne H.

Exquisite pictures, love the time-lapse video!

Corrine L.

Wow! What a tough day. Way to persevere and mostly stay positive! Music took me back to my youth!!

Gordon L.

Beauty borne from hardship! Great videos and photos!

Donna K.

I’m speechless, you guys are amazing!

Mark G.

Super impressive videography - and "Blog" entry.