COLERA is one of the last towns before France. I’ve ridden from Barcelona to here, Ive watched the beach towns disintegrate to this, saving the best for last. This town is the winner, hands down.You can see from the wikipedia page, they don’t say much about this town. Thats the charm, during the week it is so quiet.

EVERY TOWN HAD HOUSES UP THE HILLSIDES, HERE? NONE! THATS THE ART PARK ON THE UPPER RIGHT.

THIS IS THE TOWN SQUARE WITH FREE WIFI
There are NO cars here, downtown is beautifully quiet. I was here an hour and I decided to stay a week. I met this awesome artist, her stuff was so over the top creative. Im considering putting together a show back home or NYC! Im going to met with her soon and talk about it, she speaks NO english, in case you were wondering.
Did a little mountain biking, it was a step above what the Bike Friday could do, safely.

I rode my bike around town takes 5 to 10 minutes, but I road to ART PARC and saw a different view of Colera. The laid back lifestyle is so refreshing after the chaos of Barcelona. It would take you 2 weeks of hard work to see all of Barcelona, I was only there 4 days, I met several people who came to Barcelona and have stayed 10 years, so far. Its an amazing city, that I want to revisit sometime.

I MET THIS FRENCH/ITALIAN COUPLE DOWNTOWN
I take photos of other bike touring people. So we stood on the street and joked and laughed for 1/2 hour, then they wanted a photo, then we went for coffee and beer. They were riding to Cadaques, the home of DALI, the ARTIST.
I was told by several people, including Jesus, that I had to go to Cadaques. Im at the top of the hill and met this Austrian couple

THEY SAID I HAD TO VISIT TOO, ITS EASY BACK UP! 5KM STRAIGHT DOWN AND UP.
I should have just stayed and camped, instead I rode to Colera, good decision.
.

CADAQUES IS A CUTE LITTLE TOWN
So back to Colera and the French couple, we had our picture taken where this little boy metal statue is trying to give crab(s) to the other little boy.

THIS IS ANDREA AND ELISA THEY (WE) WERE SUPER FUNNY I WANTED THEM TO STAY HERE AND LAUGH SOME MORE, INSTEAD THEY RODE TO CADAQUES.
they said they were going to stop on the way back to see if I was still here,? YEP!
The camping is only $13 a night. Im eating out a lot more now, it was $40 in Barcelona for a hostel room, with 5 other people and no pool!.

THE RESTAURANT AT THE CAMPGROUND IS AWESOME, SALMON PIZZA WITH GOAT CHEESE. I couldn’t wait for the photo hence the bite.
The campground has a certified dive shop on site. Im going snorkeling tomorrow with wetsuit $35. I love these non touristic type towns, everything is a bargain.
People from Portland know Corey (solid gold) lives here in France. I wanted to visit him, but Im so far away Ill never get there before he heads to Portland, to visit you all. Im trying to get him to saddle up and join me for a couple days.

A LITTLE FRENCH SPEEDO ACTION

NUDIA THE ARTIST ANTS
IVE UPLOADED THE PHOTOS THAT ARE NOT POSTED ON THE BLOG
THEY CAN BE FOUND HERE
YOULL HAVE TO SCROLL DOWN IM WORKING ON A BETTER SYSTEM, SOON.
TILL NEXT TIME
JEFF
REMEMBER TO RIDE YOUR BIKE.

BREAKFAST THIS MORNING, MULTIGRAIN OATMEAL WITH NECTARINES/APRICOTS & YOGURT

I spent the day doing laundry, hanging out at the campground, writing post cards, tattooing and taking photos.

THIS FAMILY WAS HAVING LUNCH INTHE CAMPGROUND, BBQ SARDINES

THIS PICTURE NEEDS NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN RETIREMENT CAN BE GOOD

THIS WHERE EVERYONE DOES THERE DISHES AND I DID MY LAUNDRY

ELECTRIC BIKES ARE EVERYWHERE HERE

INTERNATIONAL CAMPING ROW
People come from all over Europe and Retirees they spend months here, it’s pretty awesome

INSIDE MY BEDROOM (TENT)

LUCAS FROM ETERITE TATOO AND PIERCING GETTING READY

MOON FROM MY SEAT IN THE CAMPGROUND

COFFEE IN TOWN

MY CAMPING SPOT IN ROSES SPAIN

MY FIRST TATTOO
Since my bike has no upper cross bar, I cant straddle the bike to keep it upright when I stop. So everyday when I stop, at least once everyday the chain leans on my leg and leaves this chain mark, I just decided to make it permanent.
Heading for France today, people who live here tell me the French coast is even nicer than the Spanish coast. Thats hard for me to believe, but Ill see soon enough.
Until next time
Jeff

DINNER COMING UP THE TENT

SUNDAY JUNE 21 10 AM

The mocking birds are squabbling in the trees above me as I start this posting. Leaving the Casa Llevado Campground was difficult. Every place I`ve stayed I wanted to stay longer, bar none. The gardener at the campground was telling me he was a biker, not only was it in Spainish, he was deaf & couldn`t speak very well. But I understood when he showed me his lower calf muscle, put mine to shame. They gave me a huge photo send off!

HE WANTED TO WEAR MY HELMET AND HAVE HIS PHOTO TAKEN ON MY BIKE
This trip is so full of awesome experiences, Im so lucky to be able to do this and share it with all of you.
Its 3km downhill to Tossa, I find the grocery store and stock up. Im the kind of person who keeps a supply of food at home and on the bike too. But there are so many stores and places to eat Im carrying more food than I need to, really. I cook most of my meals. What do I eat? Oatmeal with a small flavored yogurt for breakfast, mini sub sandwiches for lunch, pasta with a bag of frozen vegetables, tuna and different soups for a sauce. Im going out tonight, Ive already scoped out the place, it was recommended by a local, expensive but I need a pasta break.
So Im back on the highway, where are the cars? There are literally no cars on the road. I cant figure out why? So as Im riding Im thinking this is the most beautiful rides Ive ever done. I look on the map and most cars take the highway around this twisted and turning road. I was able to pedal the whole thing I never walked once.

THIS SIGN MAKES SENSE IF THERE WERE ANY CARS, BUT THERE WERE`NT ANY.

So I arrive at SANT FELIU de GUIXOLS I need a bathroom, theres one on the Esplanade. I ask this guy if he would watch my bike while I go, no problem. I order a coffee AMERICANO! for an AMERICANO, its been a good line I’ve used frequently. An Americano is their espresso with more water, for weak American coffee drinkers. I learn my new friends name is Jesus, he joked about it too, ~not that one. We have coffee together, he lives here. He had been kayaking in the bay I help load the kayak on to his car. As he is leaving he came over and gave me contact information and come back and stay with him. One life baby. I was telling him how great that part of the road was, well it turns out I was right about it. He tells me that NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC named TOSSA de MAR a top 6 must visit places in 2012, no doubt.

JESUS RECOMMENDS I TAKE THIS BIKE PATH TO THE NEXT TOWN, THANKS JESUS

I camped in L ESCALA, it was the first campground I wasn’t interested in staying longer at. I did meet a cyclist named Graham, from Vancouver BC, that has travelled by bike internationally more than me. He did Africa and some Middle East stuff, I was impressed. He was not cooking his food, he went out for every meal. He must have had an inheritance or something, he was only 43 years old. Its special when I go out once in awhile.
So Im in ROSES now, camping in town for about $22 a night. Im sending the rest of my Spanish post cards and finishing up this blog, its like a job this traveling. Im close to France maybe 40km, should be there in a couple of days. I already miss you Spain and Im still here. More on that after I leave Spain..
Till next time, send this blog link to your friends, I try to make it fun and informative.
Jeff

Riding from Barcelona was awesome at first, got lost a little saw more monuments and art. I cant download the pictures from my phone yet. While riding I wanted to find a bakery and get a chocolate croissant. Found a place and bought two chicken sandwiches with a multmulti- grain bread & covered with seeds. I’ve been dying for some good bread. The hostel gave just white bread, 4 breakfasts of that was too much. The croissant, over the top both ends of the croissant were heavily dipped in chocolate. I stood outside the bakery and ate it. It was so good I went in and told the baker how much I liked it. He gives me a bottle of water to go, this trip has been so awesome.
I rode the esplanades for probably 15km . I had a head wind all day of probably 35km. I was getting worked real hard. After the esplanades ended it was rough out there. Between the beach towns it was 2 lanes in one direction, no shoulder and a guardrail. I stopped and considered taking the commuter train that runs right next to the ocean. I would sometimes ride on the left side on the sidewalk, but that ended when the town ended.
I finally made it to the Barcelona Campground. Hot shower, swim and cooked some-dinner. I couldn’t get the tent stakes in, so I asked around and borrowed this really fun French couples hammer. We stayed up late talking, she spoke great english and he was good too. She did some translation it was a really fun night. Parking and driving is so difficult in Barcelona that the campground gives a free shuttle ride several times a day to Barcelona for people staying there. Camping cost nearly what it cost to park in Barcelona. The bus takes about 45 minutes. Everyone tries to avoid the toll so they take the coast road instead, so its packed. It should only take 30 minutes.
Something good about Morocco, Im still eating the dates I got in there.
I bought starbucks De-caf by accident so on the way out of the campground I stopped at the office and offered them to the clerk, she said she drinks De-caf. She was so happy, she goes, its Starbucks, it must be good. There were at least 10 starbucks in Barcelona.
So Im on the guardrail highway again, not fun. I see the train station and decide to try it. I put the bike and me on for $5. Maybe went 25-30km? Talked to this German guy who was living there, he inherited his fathers apartment and restaurant. Said the person renting the restaurant hasn’t paid rent in 8 months and was getting an attorney to evict. He told me he had biked where I was going. Said it was some of the most beautiful coast in Spain, so far hes right. Reminds me of Big Sur along Highway 1 in California, except theres less cars here.
I bike to Cala Llevado campground. The ocean is a little cliffish around here. So for 12 euro or $16 I get a nudist beach, regular beach, swimming pool overlooking the Mediterranean,super clean facilities. I feel like I’m living a dream. I went down to the ocean and body surfed (nude), had a hit, went up to the pool and swam some laps. Im cooking some dinner and I don’t know much after that.

qbn

I

I asked for a table and chair presto, were in.
Till next time
Jeff

SUNSET

JUNE 17 2013 5PM
Bike touring tends to jade you about doing the Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona tours and just visiting the smaller cities and national parks/. I only wanted to spend one or two days here, but Im on day four. Im really impressed with this city, Im slowly learning my way around BY BIKE! I haven’t ridden the bus or subway, yet.
I wasted my first day on a GAUDI walking tour, that never happened. The free tour is given by some transplants trying to eek out a living here. We meet and they vote to do the GOTHIC TOUR. I have a serious case of plantar fasciitis, walking is the last thing I want to do. Well they have 2 tours and the guide promised me the 4pm tour would be the Gaudi Tour. Its 1pm so I eat shop and walk, at 4pm they repeat the gothic tour. By this point my foot are over the top in pain, Ive taken my second percocet (pain killer)by this time.
Why Im telling this story, is to show the power of the bicycle.

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL

THIS IS A DAWING PICASSO USED TO PAY FOR DINNER ITS ON THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE BUILDING
So I decide to visit GAUDI SAGRADA FAMILIA on my own. What a religious monument, the story of the bible is everywhere. I took a few pictures.

HE USED NATURE AS HIS GUIDE FOR DESIGN AS YOU CAN SEE IN THESE SUPPORT PILLARS THAT LOOK LIKE TREES.
The museum cost $25 so I stayed a read everything I could read. They had a plaque that said GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD, in 50 languages. He also used the bees honeycomb for design concepts.

He died being hit by a tram, he had no ID on him, he was dressed like a homeless person, at first people didn’t know who he was.
Its time to bike around some, I kept riding by Gaudi buildings.

CASA MILA BARCELONA OR LA PEDRERA

CASA BATILLO
I saw/found these GAUDI BUILDINGS by just riding my bike around. So F the tour guide, get a bike and explore, you can always save yourself with google maps!
Then I saw this tram, so I road to the hilltop where it landed, but not before going through the international arboretum on the way up. At the very top was the nicest castle I’ve seen and Ive seen about 10. It was a great bike ride, the bike path had enough switchbacks you could pedal the whole thing.

THERE ARE 8 HUGE CRUISE SHIPS DOCKED, THE STREETS ARE PACKED.

AND SO ARE THE BEACHES

THIS IS TORRE AGBAR TOWER It uses LEDS to change colors Im going to dinner by there tonight,. cant wait.
So my wheel was a little out of true, I went to this bike shop and had it fixed. They had the Surly Long Haul Trucker, the bike I originally bought for this trip. The had panniers basically everything for touring, it was like home. They had an awesome t-shirt collection.

I bought this one, I HAD TO.

So on the streets are the purse sellers, who move around town. I sat and watched for awhile, they sell a lot, I thought.

THEY TIE ROPE TO ALL 4 CORNERS SO THEY CAN PULL UP SHOP IN A MOMENTS NOTICE.

THIS IS A PICTURE FROM THE ARBORETUM.
Ive been wanting a Barcelona football jersey, the NIKE one cost $100, the fan one $40.

for a little more $

YEP ITS OFFICAL NOW
TILL NEXT TIME
JEFF
6/18/2013
Several people said I had to visit Parc Güell so I got up early & biked UP here. Though I did find an escalator to help at the end.

It’s overcast today, heading back to the Hostal to pack up and start riding again!

JUNE 13 2013
I biked into GRANADA, I thought I was close to the Hostel. I look up this alley with lots of Moroccon shops, this guy is trying to sell me some pot I say noand ask him if the Granada OASIS HOSTEL is up this road, he shakes his head no. I continue on, hike up these step streets with steps, with the bike, YES. I finally get a couple of Moroccans to helpliftmy bike trailer up some step stairs and Im there.
Was sharing a room with 3 Australian women.
So I sign up for the LOS CAHORROS waterfall hike

WE CROSSED 3 SUSPENSION BRIDGES, ONLY 3 AT A TIME ON THE BRIDGE.
This was a really good hiking group,everyone got along and helped each other on the tough parts.

WE HAS TO SCOUCH ON OUR BUTTS ON CERTAIN PARTS

PATRICK THE ROCK CLIMBER FROM QUEBEC TRIED TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT LOOKING THAN IT WAS.

AFTER LUNCH THE GROUP SHOT MINUS THE PHOTOGRAPHER (me)
All & All a great hike and adventure, thanks to Matt our fearless leader.
Now its time for ALHAMBRA the reason for coming to Granada. They’re sold out nearly everyday, but sell a few tickets for cash at the door early. So I get up at 6 am, sunscreen, lunch already made pack is packed.

WORKING THE COUNTER AT THE HOSTAL IS FELIPE, WHO IS SOUND ASLEEP
A short bus ride and Im there, 2nd i line.

THE STONE PATH STONE WORK WAS BEAUTIFUL
The best piece of art was this chair. It was in a glass case and I asked if I could take a photo, NO. So at the shop I asked if they had the postcard,again no. So I hang around for awhile and I see them remove the cellophane from a new book. Soon she shows me a photo of the chair and I tell her yep, thats it. I ask if I can take a picture, Yes!, the law in spain is you can take 5 copies from a published book. so heres the photo.

THE CHAIR WAS FOUND FOR SALE AT A FLEA MARKET AND DONATED BACK TO THE MUSEUM. ITS ALL IVORY INLAY AND EXOTIC WOODS, ITS AWESOME.

I LOVE THAT INTERLOCKING ARAB INFLUENCED TILE DESIGN
HERES SOME IMAGES
I wanted to go to the GYPSY CAVES after Alhambra. I get back to the Hostal and there is a free tour run by Mike from Krakow,Poland. he was a VERY well informed guide. Het lived in one of the caves for 16 months.

THATS ALHAMBRA ACROSS THE CANYON.

THOSE WERE A SET OF STAIRS WE CLIMBED.

THIS IS A FAMOUS STREET ARTIST FROM GRANADA, EL NINO DE LAS PINURAS
HERES MORE OF HIS WORK
SO 2 DAYS IN GRANADA 2 HIKES AND A MAJOR MUSEUM, ALHAMBRA. I KILLED GRANADA AND IT KILLED ME, I NEED A VACATION!
MORE PHOTOS HERE
BIKE BASICS, I have been trying not to fold my bike and see if you can ride a regular touring bike. Ive put the bike on a 1 hour train ride without breaking it down, so far. Well thats about to change, I have to ride the midnight train and pay an extra $130 for the bike. Well, I want to take the day train so I can see the countryside from Granada to Barcelona, Thats $150 with bike concealed as a suitcase or I cant ride the day train, NO BIKES on the day train. Its a super fast train, why not the Bike? Good question that I also have.
Next Posting will be BARCELONE

Made it to Granada. Did a u shaped ride from Seville through Grazalema to the beach, Malaga & UP! To Granada, I’ve biked 1236 km & it’s rained for only 1 hour in nearly 2 months.
I didn’t leave the lake yesterday till 3:30. I passed several cycling tourist one older Swiss gentleman was touring on an electric bike.

He said he was going hotel to hotel so he could recharge his battery.
Leaving was hard yesterday, you could have stayed a week.

The views from the bike are awesome

Driving I wouldn’t have stopped so many times & taken pictures.
There’s potential to take people on tours around here, it’s that great.

This couple is from the UK
Going to take the train to Barcelona in a few days

June 11, 3013 10 am
So much to say and only so much time. Here goes. Malaga is home to Picasso, he was born here left at 9 returned at 19 and never came back again. I has an indifferent opinion about Spain, Now? Im with Pablo Picasso, he said The bad part of getting old and dying is I cant live in Spain anymore. This is an amazing country, scenery, food, people.

THIS IS MY CAMPSITE AT BERMEJALES
i rode around LAKE BERMEJALES I thought about the past weeks riding and what I would compare the scenery too, Yosemite Park in California, without the crowds.
BACK TO MALAGA
I stayed at the awesome FEEL HOSTEL, right at the center of all the action.

THIS ALL MARBLE PLAZA WAS GORGEOUS

BLOCKS AWAY WAS THIS ANCIENT THEATER
Theres lots to see in MALAGA.
Ive walked alot on this part of the BIKE trip, the mountains are for real. I rode down some 11 percent grades, thats straight down, trust me. Spain is growing some food, everywhere you look, food, food, food. Spain is the 3rd largest exporter of food around the world. Thats huge.

YOU CAN SEE THE AVOCADO TREES GROWING IN ALMOST PURE ROCK ON A VERY STEP HILLSIDE. THEY HAVE TRANSFORMED SOME MARGINAL LAND INTO FOOD PRODUCTION.
ZAFARRAYA was at the top of a huge walk. Then I entered an agricultural heaven in an extinct volcano.

ARTICHOKES
Spain may be having some economic problems one thing theyve got plenty of food security. The campground Im staying at rents trailer sites for $100. Cliff bought his little house for $25,000 & has dropped to $7000, ouch. Cliff has been a great camp host, dinner, laundry, stories from the dark side. He has this cat that follows him around EVERYWHERE, its super cute.

BBQ CHICKEN, CHILI SPICED CORN (HOT), POTATOES & AN AWESOME HEALTHY SALAD.
CLIFF IS A UK REFUGEE

I TOOK SECONDARY ROADS AT ANY CHANCE I COULD
It was a confidence builder when I was giving travel advice to fellow campers

THE LAKES HAVE RESTRICTIONS LIKE NO BOATS OR SWIMMING, LIKE THIS ONE
Ive got to go make some breakfast and pack up for my ride to Granada.
AGAIN THE LATEST PHOTOS ARE MIXED IN,AT THE END OF THE SPAIN FOLDER HERE
Its suppose to be 90 degrees today or Till next be sure to ride your bike, climate change is real do your part.