Two Wheels and a Walking Stick

Hot in Bilbao:

I'm torn between updating my blog and taking a siesta, after yesterday the latter is a higher priority but I'll do an update first, conscientious soul that I am!

I've realised already that to keep a detailed blog every step of the way will be too time consuming and this trip isn't about spending time on a computer so I'll post random snippets as and when I get the time and the opportunity.

I won't elaborate too much on yesterdays ride from Laredo to Bilbao, I think I need to 'man-up' and get on with it, suffice to say that it was very hot, hilly and I got lost twice.

The previous day riding from Somo to Laredo was less hot, less hilly and shorter and I managed to stay on track. Tomorrow I head into the hills proper and considering the way I struggled on the lesser coastal hills I'm a little concerned to say the least.

Today, in Bilbao it's been very hot, 35deg C right now. It will be cooler tomorrow thankfully. I had the choice of taking a train into the city today or cycling. The 50 metre hobble to find some breakfast this morning (the hovel has nothing more than a vending machine by way of sustenance) was enough to make the decision for me, walking at all wasn't an option so with some trepidation about cycling in the city I took that option.

After a short but fruitless foray I discovered a largely traffic free road/track which ran the 3 or 4 km to the Guggenheim which was really the only thing I was determined to see, the building that is, I'd given up on the option of walking around the museum which I didn't mind too much, I'll survive without seeing the David Hockney exhibition.

The building is stunning, certainly the most interesting modern building I've seen. It's titanium and limestone construction catch the light and the scale is impressive.

I rode further into the city enjoying the warmth (no hills to climb) and ventured into the old town where as is obligatory for me, I got hopelesly lost. I'd have been dissappointd if I hadn't.

The city and it's inhabitants seemed very relaxed, I cycled through crowded pedestrianised streets and nobody seemed to mind. One thing I don't understand is that I have hardly heard anyone in Bilbao speaking anything other than Castillian, where are all the Basque speakers? Lots of loyal Athletic Bilbao supporters were wearing their 'Red and White' shirts despite the 0: 3: defeat last night.