Trixie Traveler in Catalonia: Day 9 - Cycle from Olot to Sant De Vilatorta (near Vic)

We start the day with the Pyrenees looming in front of us. We have wide expansive views as we cycle along with the mountains always in front of us. We have more major climbing today though the climb is gradual. It just goes on for a long time. We head down the Val d'en Bas before climbing up and over towards the headwaters of the River Ter, one of the larger rivers in Catalonia. We ride 66 km today with the climb in the middle which I like. The temperature is perfect for cycling and the roads are smooth.

We stop for lunch at a lovely new restaurant Philipp has noticed when he was marking this morning. They seem glad to have our business. It is lovely sitting outside. The menu is all in Catalan and the proprietress translates the whole thing. Several of us get the strawberry salad which has goat cheese and blackberries, too. We get a delicious dessert as part of the fixed price menu. This has been one of our most pleasant lunches in my opinion.

We are not staying in Vic tonight as the itinerary calls for because there is a jazz festival there and everything was booked. We stay outside of Vic in a town called Sant De Vilatoria. The last 6 km of riding to this hotel has several short steep uphills which are not appreciated at the end of this day where we have already done a lot of climbing.

Out leader Alex does a half hour stretching session on the law of the hotel. He has a degree inPhysical Education and hopes to find a job teaching PE in the government system. Competition is fierce though and though he has done well on the exam, there were ndly 40 or 50 openings so,he doesn't feel his chances are very good.

At 7:00 we have a sing-a-long with Jim who plays the ukelele. He has an extensive website with music and lessons on playing the ukelele. Doctorukee.com

We enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.