When we last left our intrepid duathletes (run-bike) in Tucson, we had one victorious athlete and one on the waiting list for the September International competition in Spain. Well, Mr. Agony of Defeat has been plucked from the jaws of oblivion and has joined Team USA. Within days of receiving the fortuitous email invitation, Gary bought a new bike, updated his passport and checked out "Learning Spanish in 4 months" from the library.
Yippee! we now have a logistical nightmare of transporting not one, but two bikes. Shipping was not recommended by the association, but we may have to overrule them on that. Otherwise, it will just be the 5 of us traveling:
Eric, Gary, me, and 2 bike boxes. Here's how big and unwieldy the bike box is (but note the handy wheels)
I can't wait to be pulling our bike boxes and carry-on luggage through the train station in Madrid.
Of course, the American in Gary wants to rent a car and do it yourself. Could be a possibility- I can already say: "Buenos Dias. Tengo un coche reservado para seis dias." Can you picture us strapping 2 bike boxes on the top of this?
The Team USA organization has an optional bus ride, including bike transport, but, hey, wouldn't that make it all too easy for us?
Our destination, Gijon (pronounce both the "g" and "j" as an "h"---hi-HON), is on the Northern Coast of Spain in the Asturias province--a six hour ride. (So, it's like flying into New York and driving to Northern Maine for a race.) Someone asked what big city Gijon was near and the answer is: none! It's all mountains, sea, beaches and boats (and some fish processing plants)
Bilbao, (Bill-bow, which Gary calls bill-bo-a) is the 10th largest city in Spain and lies 3 hours east of Gijon in the heart of Basque country. You may know it as the home of the modern Guggenheim museum:
The planning has just begun, but I'd like to take a poll. How would you get to Gijon?:
a. train
b. Team USA private bus
c. drive
d. write in:______________
Gracias.
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