Europe 🚴🚴‍♀️ 2024

Our journey from Vic to San Pol de Mar began in the cool, crisp air of late September. The morning light gently illuminated the historical center of Vic, casting long shadows across its narrow, cobblestone streets. We took our time, wandering through the charming alleys, admiring the beautifully preserved architecture. The Roman Temple stood as a reminder of the town's deep history, and we enjoyed our morning stroll trying to take it all in. A quick stop for coffee and croissants at a small café gave us a chance to savor the morning. On our way back to Dani’s, we couldn’t resist buying two special pastries to share – a sweet treat before we headed out on the bicycles again.

We didn’t rush. In fact, it was the latest departure of our trip so far, setting out for San Pol de Mar at 11:30 AM. The weather was absolutely stunning. The clear blue skies gave us an uninterrupted view of the mountains surrounding Vic. The warm sunshine led me to even starting the day without legwarmers on, the first time in over three weeks. Every time the peaks came into view, I’d point to the tallest one and joke with Lisa, “We’re going over that mountain!” She’d laugh and respond with some enthusiastic remark, a playful exchange that kept our spirits high.

Our first challenge was the Collformic Pass, a steady 9.5-mile climb with a 4.4% gradient. The road was quiet, with few cars, and the beautiful scenery helped the time pass quickly. The autumn colors were just starting to touch the trees, and the air had that refreshing crispness that comes with the changing season. We couldn't have asked for better weather, the clearest skies we’d seen in weeks, and oh that sunshine warming our skin!

After the Collformic, we faced the Collsacreau, a shorter climb at 3.3 miles, with a gentle gradient of 3.5%. The excitement of being closer to the Mediterranean Sea kept us energized, and before long, we caught our first glimpses of the shimmering blue waters.

As we descended into San Pol de Mar, we began to recognize familiar sights from when we had passed through nearly six weeks earlier. The town had quieted down considerably, signaling the end of the busy summer season. We took our bikes down to the beach, where the waves gently lapped at the shore. It was peaceful, almost surreal after our long ride, now over 2000 miles. We snapped a few celebratory photos, the sea behind us, marking another milestone in our adventure.

With time to spare before meeting our Warmshowers hosts, Asia and Jordi, at 7:15 PM, we basked in the serenity of the beach for a while. The soft sounds of the waves and the golden light of the late afternoon made it the perfect end to a beautiful day of cycling.

At 7:30 after a beer with Asia at a local bar, we headed up the canyon towards Can Golinons. Can Golinons is a serene and picturesque rural farm located just north of San Pol de Mar. Nestled in the rolling hills, it offers a peaceful escape from the bustling coastal town. Surrounded by lush greenery, olive groves, and Mediterranean pine trees, the area exudes a rustic charm. The property is tucked into a quiet canyon, providing beautiful views of the mountains and sea in the distance. With its traditional Catalan architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Can Golinons is a perfect spot for nature lovers looking to explore the scenic landscapes just inland from the coast. The area itself is breathtaking—peaceful, surrounded by nature, and with views that instantly made Lisa and I dream of staying longer. It’s the kind of place that feels like home, and both of us agreed we could easily see ourselves living here.

The dirt/sand road with its steep pitch offered a fun challenge to reach Asia and Jordi’s haven. We’ve said this so many times throughout our journey, but once again, our Warmshowers hosts were truly amazing. Asia and Jordi welcomed us with open arms to their beautiful historic home. The area and home were developed many years early by Asia, grandfather who immigrated from Poland. His presence is still felt with his unique collection of drinking vessels in the dining room.
That evening, we gathered around their dinner table for a meal that perfectly captured the essence of Catalan hospitality. Asia prepared a Catalan-style tortilla with eggs, potato, and cheese, along with a flavorful paella, and a crisp green salad topped with fish and other fresh vegetables. We shared both red and white wine, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. It felt like we were reconnecting with old friends, laughing and sharing stories late into the night. Before we knew it, the clock had passed midnight—only the second time on our trip we’d stayed up so late.
As we lay in bed later that night, Lisa and I couldn’t stop reminiscing about the evening. We reflected upon how we had known Asia And Jordi for almost 2 years. We had planned to stay with them back in 2022 on our trip that was canceled because of Lisa’s unfortunate fractured Pelvis. Because we had anticipated meeting them for so long, there was a deep connection, and we felt right at home with them. Their warmth, the beautiful surroundings, and the meaningful conversations left a lasting impression.
Our time in Can Golinons was far too short, and we both agreed that we’d love to return. There’s definitely something special about the place and the people, and we hope to visit them again in the future for a much longer stay.Lue lisää