Tag: Cycle Touring (page 4 of 5)

So last night I purchased my ticket for Marseille. I didn’t realise that I had too change but when I looked at the ticket closely I realised that I did. The change point is Montpellier. So when I arrived at the station I had a 40 minute wait. Standing there a porter was walking up and down so I asked him if I was on the right platform. Yes he said but the but can not go on the train.. With a confused look on my face he told me that bikes are not allowed on the TGV. The long and short of it is that I should of been getting to Marseille at 2.33pm, now I have to go to Avignon and we will get there at 3.55pm and I still have to get to Marseille. Not a happy boy not to mention the cost because I bet the TGV cost a lot more than the local trains. When I get to Marseille I’ll be looking for so money back.

Yesterday I left Barcelona Spain and three hours later was in Cerbere France. Its a really a strange thing when you cross borders and the language changes, your brain is thinking in English but trying to speak a mix of Spanish and French all at the same time. 

Cerbere is a meca for backpackers, cyclist’s on tour and travellers in general and everyone was either getting on a connecting trains or booking their on would trip. After working out there was not an onward train for me that night and booked my on onward train to Marseille for the morning. 

Cerbere main centre has two hotels and it seemed that only one was open and it was full. Although the owner looked sad when he asked if I was a cyclist, I think he wished he could of helped. He pointed me to a b&b which was full as well. I carried on looking around and found a place that looked like a hotel. The strangest thing was there were a lot of people outside waiting for something. So I asked the best way I could. This was a hotel but it was full and the reason for all the people was that it doubles up as a cinema. Very strange but i did find out there that there was a camping site about 4 km away. When I arrived it was pitch black and setting up a tent in darkness is a skill I now process. At least it was free and had a washing area of sorts. I got up at 6am and started backing up my gear, there was no way I was staying there another night.

I got back in the main town at 7.30 am and looked for the bakers. Every town in France has a bakers and seeing people walking the street with French bread sticks confirmed it. It wasn’t hard to find the bakery and breakfast consisted of a mix of French pastry and a bottle of water.€5.50 if your wondering. My train didn’t leave until 9.39am, so I looked around the marina for a bit until a restaurant opened. A coffee please in English but with a French ascent i asked the waitress and I was a little surprised it worked and I got a coffee but it costs 2.50 euros. So after sitting there for a bit I made my way back to the station. I worked out that my train was on platform B. A little problem here. I had to go down a long flight of stairs and then up the other side of stairs with 50 kilo bike. In the end and taking breaks I managed.

Got into Barcelona late last night, about 11pm. As soon as I walked out of the station I went in search for a room. The first place I tried was a no go but the guy pointed me in the right direction and found what I call a bedsit. 45 Euros got me a room a hot shower and that was it. Had a shower and hit the streets to see what is what. The night life is alive and kicking and the bars were full. Lots of pretty people, couples of many kinds and tourists. After a little walk sleep was calling me to bed so I headed back for the night. After getting up later i searched for the main station for my exist plan.
After working out that my train was leaving at 5pm I made my way around the city. As always there is never enough time but I did manage to get a good look around.

Good bye Barcelona and good bye Spain

When I saw this part of Valencia I was a little frightened. These buildings are so imposing that I felt Aliens had landed and built their own city. The contrast of the beautiful classic architecture of Valencia with its pastel colours and impressive cathedral makes up gasp when you first see the Palau de las arts. In fact the Ciudad due las arts y las ciencuas takes a little adjustment as the bright sun reflects off of the white shiny buildings. Even the floor is white. I still could not get over the Palau de las arts. If I was a film director and wanted an alien city this would be it.

My early morning wake up call of fireworks on the beach had me up by 7.30am, so after a shower I packed my gear up. Before hitting the road a quick coffee was in order before hitting the road. The weather was a little overcast as I pedalled down this small country lane. Today I’m going to get to Valencia I said to myself. I knew it would be at least 70km but I had made my mind up as I was packing. First sign post said 69km, not a bad guess I said to myself. The ride was going well and about an hour into in noticed a railway track to my right.. Am mm. I wonder if that railway track goes to Valencia? I had past Gambia which Is a larger town and was coming into the next town, the name of we which I can not remember. Getting closer to the turn off for the town I could hear a station loud speaker saying something. As in looked back at the line a could see a train coming. It was to late but at least I knew where the station was. You have just missed the train the ticket officer said. I know I replied. When is the next train to Valencia? I asked hoping that there would be more. In 45 minutes he said. Great news. In found a coffee shop a stones throw away and parked my ass their. I asked for a coffee, some toast and a fried egg. Can you believe that it took the whole 45 minutes to get my coffee and egg with toast and I burned the roof of my mouth because I had to eat it so quick otherwise I would of missed the train.

About an hour later I got into Valencia. I’ve now learnt that you always find out if there is s train going your way and what times they leave. So before leaving the station to have as look round I asked if there was a train going to Barcelona. The next train going there was at 5pm. Wow major luck. I get to spend all of the day having a look at Valencia and get to be in Barcelona by 10pm tonight. Now I can here you say, i thought this was a riding adventure! Yes it is but I’ve seen a lot of Spain the past month and I feel its now time to move on. I think I’ve had my fill of Spain’s Coastline.

Sometimes the only thing to do Is do nothing. When i say nothing i mean no cycling. So I’ve spent the day catching up with family and friends but mostly sitting on the beach watch the world go past quietly reflecting and looking towards my next route and where that will lead.

So as I lay here on the Costa Blanca I thank you Sierras Nevada’s for your stunning beauty and challenging climbs and u look forward to my next challenge whatever that my be.