Perked up

After being home sick for almost two weeks it felt like a big excursion heading in to the city today. My goal was to buy waterproof gloves and maps. Since I hadn’t been in the area before I had prepared with a map but never the less I headed of in the wrong direction. I have to admit that I am quite hopeless with maps, even though I practised hard last summer riding across Europe.

In the end I  found the stores, just got myself a bit of a walk, my dad calls that bonus exercise. I felt very lucky, already in the second store I found perfect waterproof semi thick racing gloves, and with a 50% off offer. I guess they don’t expect rain during summer in Madrid. I’m also happy to make a mental note off all the other gear at hand in the stores. It seems to be a much bigger range her compared to Sweden.

The new glowes, please note that colour mathes my leather
The new glowes, please note that colour mathes my leather

Next objective, maps. That was rather easily accomplished. I got what I wanted even though I’m disappointed that there wasn’t a slightly more detailed scale to get. Remembering last year getting lost in the French alps on roads not existing on my map I had aimed for something more detailed. But, I guess I be fine, I’m not going to the alps this time anyway 🙂

 

My maps, and above the reservations and tickets in waterproof pockets, all ready to go!
My maps, and above the reservations and tickets in waterproof pockets, all ready to go!

Those weeks I been ill has severely damaged my lust for travelling and I was feeling rather down. But then I got contacted by my Estonian friend Anneli and we spend a couple of evenings on the chat plotting and planing, setting our route and making reservations. It was great to share the planing with someone and that perked me up and woke the travelling bug. So now my entire route is just about ready.

A good thing that came out of my illness is indeed that I got myself an travel insurance. And today I  managed to clean the rims. It’s awful how dirty the bike have got from just being parked on the street, even with the cover. There is sand everywhere. No point in going to the wash station today though. Saturday seems to be the day all Spanish men cleans their cars. And since I plan to do unpermitted actions e.g. proper sponge and soap wash, not just hard pressure water wash, I better go when it’s more likely to be empty.

Clean rim on a dirty bike
Clean rim on a dirty bike

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Åsa

I'm a passionate biker from Sweden. I love to travel, preferably on my motorcycle. Please let me know what you think of my blog! Post a comment or send an e-mail: asa@forza.greynorth.net

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