Spain next week

Hello to all,

SWMBO and I are off to Barcelona and north through the Pyrenees next week with a group of folks from here in the Northeast US.
We will be there from 9 - 20 Sept.
Renting an R1200RT BMW and just following a loose concept day to day.
We plan to end up in San Sebastian toward the end of our time there.
The Guggenheim in Bilboa is on my bucket list since going to The Art of the MC in NYC many moons ago.
Anything else or anyone I should see, particularly motorcycle or WWII history related while there?

Thanks for any input,

Jeff
European Virgin

Not motorcycle related but while in Barcelona If you can fit in lunch at Aqua in Barceloneta you wont regret it.

Many thanks for the input.
Spanish and a complet lack of it is my only concern.
I am a likable guy when I'm not at work so I hope that helps.

Don't worry about the language!! Most "mainland" Europeans speak enough English to get you out of (or into!!) trouble. The main thing is to ENJOY, you lucky duck. Beautiful roads, terrific people, fantastic food, fantastic coffee the beers pretty good too.
I second the mountain passes, they are out of this world.
On my only trip to Barcelona for the 24 Hours in 1973, I had my first ride on a 750 Ducati (works test rider arrived at Montjuich Park at the same time as me, and we got chatting), my first ride on a 750 Laverda SF2 (we were camped alongside the semi works team and I had a ride on their spare race bike, after the race), and drank vodka at less than $1 per litre
Fantastic
cheers
wakeup

Very good point, Ludwig. The accent of either Spanish or Catalonian speakers when they speak English are similar bur the Catalan language is completely different. Their attitudes are similar to those of the Welsh when someone says they're English!

Well I blew it.
I crossed the center lane in a mild, low speed corner only two hours into our ten day vacation on a downhill going toward Tossa De Mar. I sideswiped an RV in the opposite lane and my beloved was ejected from the RT1200 we had rented only 3 hours earlier. I have no idea of how it happened or why. In 30 years of riding I have never had an accident and consider myself a defensive rider. I simply do not know what happened and that is the hardest part of this vacation turned nightmare for me to deal with.
The bike is totaled, the RV is heavily damaged, I have rib issues and will need shoulder surgery but most importantly , the love of my life will be ok. Very badly bruised and very shaken but she lies beside me resting and I have never been so thankful.
After a stay in the hospital in Blanes we stayed a few nights in Lloret De Mar at a lovely hotel named the Rigat Hotel Spa and Park until we were strong enough to return by hired car to Barcelona to await our flight home.
We arrived home last night after a very uncomfortable day of travel with assistance from US Airways in the form of expedited check-ins and customs screening and wheelchairs. Kudos to them.
I'm pretty mad at myself and will bear the weight of a mistake I have no idea how or why I made.
I have come away only with a newfound appreciation for everyday and every moment she lay resting next to me.

Accidents will happen and wounds will heal. Glad you are both alive, thats the main thing.

I'm back, was Spain next week

Hello again to all,

It's been nine months since the accident.
I had total old school big scar reconstructive surgery on my shoulder and six months of PT. My shoulder is 95% back to normal.
SWMBO continues to battle her way back from a really bad contusion on her hip and bum. We are every day aware of how lucky we are to be alive.
I continue to regret my mistake but she does not hold it against me and I am continuously amazed by her understanding.
I am a lucky man.
We have not yet decided whether we will ride again and will focus this summer on our boat instead.

So I am back in the shop where my cafe project has been collecting dust.
I am looking for recommendations on the best vendors to deal with preferably with online capabilities due to my schedule.
Current pressing need is an ignition system.
It's been a while but I'm going to try to get back on the build in an effort to find my love of motorcycles again.

Wish me luck,

Jeff

Welcome back, Jeff. Glad to hear things have been improving.