Riding westward across Catalonia into a westerly had me making some not very complex calculations: High levels of unfitness + insane headwinds + mostly uphill = LOTS OF PAIN. Multiply this with: Beautiful valley’s + medieval villages + time together as a family = worth it???
First day of serious riding with Montserrat in the background.
We are TRYING to take it easy. Ease our bodies into the trip. Obviously the headwinds have a different idea often forcing us to travel 10km/hr less than we would normally. This makes the short easy days we plan into WAY TOO LONG ones with the final 10km feeling like it might break our bodies. Adding to the issue is we are taking FOREVER to get going in the morning. Our systems need some time to be sorted out and refined. We are frustrated even though we know its a natural process that happens in a tour and soon we will be a well oiled machine, each item with its place, each team member with our own unspoken roles. Despite all of these issues we are certainly pedalling past some pretty cool places:
Cool street in Cervera.
Amaya checking out the arrow slits.
The amazing town of Cervera. It even has its own spooky witches alley!
Meanwhile, Amaya is being a little legend. While we are battling the wind, Amaya was being the best behaved little girl EVER. She loves it. She gets up, potters around the hotel room, eats breakfast, if she’s lucky a sneaky baby chino (yes – this is part of the reason we are late getting on the road!), gets spoiled and doted on by the proprietor, then into the magic buggy for some reading, snacks, and great views. A stop at a park for a play and lunch, then a nap while we do some good afternoon riding. Her life is a beach, two primary carers, predictable, and always with new and interesting experiences.
Amaya exploring during a break from riding.
Thanks to using google maps on walking mode we encountered a little more adventure than we had bargained for. It instructed us to cycle down a dirt road into the wilderness. Scenic yes, but it made me feel a little insecure trusting google to get me OUT of the middle of nowhere to where we were planning on staying the night. The promised bridge that would take us back to civilisation and into our first campground turned out to be a dam wall. We had a few mini freak outs carrying Amaya in the magic buggy up a narrow stair case next to the enormous precipice so we could cross over. The bridge was made out of metal grate, LOOK DOWN Mic said, its an AMAZING drop! WAAAAAAAaaaa!
Going into the wilderness
Having just made it up the precarious staircase we prepare to cross the dam(n) wall.
Goodbye Catalonia… Hello Aragon (Please don’t be so windy!)
Babyonabike 
Loving reading your blog! Wish I was Amaya being chauffered around!! N xo
Glad to hear! She does have it pretty good!!!
What an adventure for Amaya! – and all of you. Yes, you will become fitter and maybe more efficient in the mornings, but it sounds like you are doing a great job now… So hang in there and don’t be discouraged. Enjoy the journey, literally :0) Thank you for sharing.
Even since writing the last post we are so much fitter and more efficient! We have done over 350kms now and still feel like we are just beginning. Thanks for supporting us!
Wow! thanks for the updates! Stunning scenery has to make it worth it and those little extra adventures are all good for bonding….. Loves
No worries! Yeah the scenery is great! Absolutely no other tourists to share it with either which is even cooler.
What a nice way to raise money for a clinic dedicated to the needy and poor in the area of Boaco, as a Nicaraguan I like to congratulate you for choosing such a noble cause and I wish you success.
Hi Rafael! Thanks for your support! We hope to do the clinic justice and raise a significant about of much needed funds! Hope you continue to enjoy following our blog.
Regards
Michael
Thank you for supporting Clínica Verde. We appreciate what you are doing. May God bless and protect you always. You have a very pretty girl.
Thanks Alba! We are enjoying the trip – it is the least we can do!
So awesome and what a lucky kid.
Love your blog you two. Xx
Cool Julz – glad you are reading it – and I agree, she is pretty lucky!
Way to go !!
Discovered your blog today. As I see — despite the meteorological conditions — you enjoy yourself. If ever you come near Grenoble, France, and you need a rest in the Alps, we would be glad to welcome you at our place. Anyway, keep on going, and have loads of fun!
Sorry, just saw your route. Grenoble is on the other side of France. 😉 Safe travels anyway! Cheers; Pascal