el Prat de Llobregat

6:47 / 60 miles / 5,850 ft
Totals: 2,109 miles ( 3,394 km) / 29 vertical miles ( 46,671 meters)
A peaceful breakfast at Can Golinon with Asia was followed by another departing that seemed too quick. After 42 days of cycling Our final day would be from Can Golinon to Barcelona, since it was our last day we opted for the more mountainous route versus the coastal route we had taken earlier in the trip on day 1. We had the challenge of climbing to Castell de Burriac, an ancient castle perched above the Mediterranean near Mataró on the route for the day. The climb itself was brutal—sand, loose gravel, and steep gradients that had our back wheels trying to find traction, and at times slipping so much we would need to push our heavy bikes onward. But we made it, and standing atop the summit, looking out over the Mediterranean coastline, we knew the struggle was worth it. We spent nearly two hours soaking in the views, feeling a sense of accomplishment, but there was still much more climbing and difficult terrain to come. Video of climb: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAmIM4turSQ/?igs…

With plenty of climbing still ahead, we pressed on, knowing Barcelona was within reach. Our route took us on more tough gravel roads, and at one time on a single-track mountain bike trail through a tunnel of tropical shrubbery. About 11 miles from Abraham’s where he left the key to his flat with his neighbor and our final destination, I had mapped us to a cute snack shop along the sea. I like to find our last celebratory stop ahead of time to make it special. We stopped at the quaint little bar by the beach, where we treated ourselves to a celebratory beer and chips. It was the perfect moment of relaxation after the relentlessly tough day of climbs, tough roads, and a continuous headwind.

Little did we know, our final miles would have a surprise of their own. As we neared Barcelona, I had us routed by Gaudí's masterpiece the Basilica La Sagrada Famíla (still under construction since 1882), one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen, some other sites, and up Montjuïc though the nearby gardens. The sun had set and twilight was making the navigation more difficult. Also, I did not know Barcelona’s massive Olympic stadium was on the hill, and we found ourselves riding by the city’s massive (now) soccer stadium, and to our amazement, the streets were flooded with people. Thousands of fanatical fans were gathered to cheer on the teams, their chants from the stadium echoing through the streets. The excitement was electric—an explosion of a firework in the stadium as night began to fall, adding an unexpected intensity to our ride through the streets filled with hundreds of police and other security vehicles’ lights flashing.

Navigating through the crowds was chaotic. With the light fading and the streets packed, weaving through people felt like a different kind of challenge. But eventually, we found a quieter route near El Prat (a suburb of Barcelona, where the airport is located), away from the stadium frenzy. In the darkness, the city’s streetlights guided us, casting a soft glow over the quiet streets as we pedaled the final miles.

We arrived at Abraham’s house late in the evening, exhausted but happy, knowing we had completed our 42-day adventure.

We ended the day after getting settled in Abraham with a dinner of el plato del día, stir fried rice with chicken, and a side of patata bravas.

From the tough climbs to the unexpected detours, this final day was a perfect culmination to the cycling part of our journey.Read more