Cycling in Spain

Welcome to the Bike Bulletin. It’s your personal invitation to join the ride.

The sections are going to look a little different for the next 6 weeks while I’m touring in Europe. I’m currently typing away on an iPad in a hotel room. There is less time to sit down and do research.

I’ll add more info to the ride report about the current trip, and a little less info in the research-heavy sections.

Let me know what you enjoy! Feedback is super helpful shaping this newsletter.

—Sam Westby @samcwestby

Here’s what we have today.

• 🌍 RIDE REPORT: Our first 4 days in Europe

• 💡 TIP: Getting Rained On

• 🎥 WATCH: Courtney’s 2024 Tour Divide

• 📰 NEWS: NYC criminal summons, a new MTB trail system, and more

RIDE REPORT

Our First Days in Europe

May 12th-May 15th

Here are some stats:

• It’s a 7.5 hour flight from Boston to Barcelona

• It’s a 13.5 mile (22 kilometer) bike from the BCN airport to the Gothic Quarter. Most off-street bike paths and safe, but there were some goofy sections.

• The Sagrada Familía has 4.5 million visitors annually

Things are going great! This was my dad’s first international flight and his first time in Europe. It’s entertaining seeing him trying to approach the language barrier. He’s doing a great job.

There have been points where I could hold a basic conversation in Spanish. I had a Colombian friend in college and we would talk half in Spanish then half in English. That was a while ago, so now I’m mostly comfortable enough to order food.

After Spain, we’ll cut through Andorra and France up to Brussels where my dad will fly home from. That will be a while in France and I don’t speak a lick of French. It’ll probably be a good idea to brush up on the basic vocabulary. It’s terrifying for me when someone asks a question and I have zero idea what they said.

A Canadian couple at the Barcelona airport raved about French camping and bike touring. I asked about this on my instagram story last week, and you guys said the same things as the Canadian couple. Small campsites in every town. €5-€20. But stealth camping is generally accepted if you’re in late and out early.

BIKE TRIP TIP

Getting Rained On

We got rained on today (only for 10 minutes), which can be a stressful experience on a bike trip. Here’s how we managed it.

• Buy waterproof bags. Or line your bags with plastic to keep your stuff dry. This gives me peace on mind.

• Have your rain gear easily accessible. If it starts pouring out of nowhere, you want to be able to toss on your jacket quickly.

• If it’s warm, it should take 30ish minutes of riding to dry off.

• If it’s cold, I recommend rain pants, plastic bags in your shoes, and waterproof gloves.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

The Bolt Between Borders

Courtney Eve White recounts her 2024 Tour Divide race as one of only 20 women to compete. 2600 miles (4150 kilometers) from Canada to Mexico cross-crossing the continental divide. She has a fun and lively editing style in the 15-minute film.

Watch on YouTube 

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Ride a Bicycle and Keep Well

• 4000%. The increase in NYC criminal summons for bicycle riders in the last two weeks. This is due to a change in how bicycle traffic laws are prosecuted. (Streetsblog)

• Missing bikepacker. A CA bikepacking was missing for two weeks after a blizzard hit. She was found this week, seeking refuge in a cabin. (Bike mag)

• Loowit Tier. A new 197 mile (315 km) mountain bike trail system in Washington’s southern Cascades. (Spokesman)

• 1600. The number of new bikes being added to Montreal’s bikeshare system. That’s nearly a 10% increase.

A Note From Sam

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