Saturday August 30, 2014

It rained in the night, but by the time we got up and had breakfast the tent was dry and everything was packed away dry.  We had about 2 kms of downhill through Mutriku, then it was uphill all the way for the first 38 kilometres. Ralf stopped on an uphill to take this picture of the side of this old building.

Our highest elevation was at 425 metres.  We actually climbed less than yesterday but we had one hill that was 2 kilometres long with a 10% grade.  I didn’t get off until the last 50 metres when it kicked up to a 14% grade. I felt very proud of myself.

Elevation from Garmin.

It was a lovely ride, even though it was very hilly, the last 30 kilometres along the N634 were relatively flat.

We arrived in Bilbao at 1:30 pm, we had arranged to meet our warmshowers host at 3:30. We came in along the N634 and followed the signs to the Guugenheim Museum.  Very easy to find and this was our first view of it.

This gave us lots of time to eat something and explore the area around the Guggenheim Museum.

Awesome architecture, the building changes colour depending on the light it was very interesting. Our host Jagoba met us bang on time at the flower dog. I was expecting a small flower display not this massive dog that was at huge.

Area around the Guggenheim used to be the old port, the Guggenheim revitalized Bilbao.

Jagoba asked if we would like a tour of the City but then said you look tired, I will take you home, it is up a hill!!

Why are our warm showers host houses up hills?  We cycled through the outskirts of the old city and up a smallish hill to Jagoba’s apartment.  We had our showers, and put a load of washing in.  Ralf went shopping with Jagoba who then left us in his apartment. Jagoba stays at his Mom’s house since his father died recently.  We have the apartment to ourselves and he has generously said we can stay as long as we want.  Which is really nice as we do want to explore Bilbao tomorrow.  Jagoba suggested we give him a call in the morning and he will show us the City.  I think we will have a lie-in and a nice breakfast, then give him a call.