Day 15: Avila to Madrid, Spain, by train; 394 miles total

After breakfast at our hotel, we rode and walked the bikes about a mile to the train station. The only hazard were the wet streets. Seems that regional cities schedule street cleaning daily, shortly before the early shops open. 

We targeted the 9:55 train; the 8:40 was about to leave as we arrived. We were advised that they only allowed 3 bikes per train, but no one bothered about bikes at all. Lesson: The ticket office people never know what the individual train conductor might do.

—Last Look at the Integrated Avila Cathedral Apse and Town Wall

—John Exiting Avila

—Stuart and Stephen Exit

Stuart reserved our Madrid hotel months ago. It was ideally located, about an 8 minute walk from the station. We stashed our gear and the others took the train to the airport to confirm bike shipping arrangements. I will not elaborate, but safe to say: Get a Bike Friday and avoid the hassle and airline $150-$200 fee each way. 

While they argued with airline agents, I explored our neighborhood and found lunch. Out of principle, I refuse to stop at McD's while in Madrid. We have an abundance of great looking tapas spots to peruse tonight.

While I had not planned on cycling in Madrid, they have an active loaner-bike program and many people are riding. Many streets seem to limit auto travel as well—pedestrian and bike only. Given Sunday am traffic should be light, I plan to explore Madrid by bike tomorrow morning. Much more efficient than by foot, and my Garmin and phone should get me back. The Prada opens at 10 am, so that will be the next scheduled item.

—Same the World Over

–Dog of the Day #1

Dog of the Day #2 was lounging in a shop window and earned several photos.

—Dog of the Day #2. Watching the World Go By

—Dog of the Day #2. Guess I'll get up.

—Dog of the Day #2. Getting ready for Pure Barre.

—Bustling Lunch Spot

— My Lunch. 

—Film Festival In Progress. Barrio de Las Tetras (No idea what it's about.

—Waiting for John to Show Up

So, to conclude our first day in Madrid, I caught up on my blog, showered, and we met in our room for the vino tinto that I procured on my earlier walk-about. Then off for tapas. The tendency with this group is to enter the first establishment encountered. Mine is to expend a bit more effort to identify more interesting establishments, often not the one with the most prominent street exposure or where patrons hope to be seen. The other aspect of may establishments is that to stand at the bar, order a drink, and select a few tapas is inexpensive; to insist on sitting can be costly, especially if you have a poor understanding of the language, menu, and customs. 

We sampled one tapas bar, then ate at an excellent but slow Asian place, and the other were eager to return to the hotel. I wandered about and found a small bar that served a Madrid-brewed craft IPA. The Spanish lagers are all quite drinkable, but this was the first beer to savor found in Spain.

—Excellent Madrid Made IPA. As Arnold said, I'll be back.