Bryce and Bill Biking Barcelona

Over the last few days, it became apparent that Bryce needed some real exercise.  The streets and metro became an urban parcour for him, yet there were too many people for him to really move his body without bumping into a passerby or a family member. Plus, since we've been together as a family 24/7 for most of the last seven weeks, a little separation isn't a bad thing.  And Bryce has been bugging to ride bikes. So Friday's plan was for me to rent bikes, and take Bryce on a journey through town.

Barcelona has a bike rental service similar to Sevilla, but since this was going to be just for a day, we went to a local Dutch-style bike rental place and got two cruisers, perfectly sized, with locks.  We started from the shop off of Las Ramblas - the busy pedestrian walkway in the center of town - and from there cruised for 2 1/2 hours.  We visited all the city beaches, then went up into town, down to Parque de Cuitadella, then back along the waterfront.  We stopped along the way at various playgrounds and other scenic spots too.

 

Bryce testing out a revolving dish at one of the playgrounds

At the fountain in Parque de Cuitadella

Cruising on the Diagonal

Biking is a great way to really see the town.  The highlight for Bryce was discovering some cool buildings, including two from an architectural design book he bought in Madrid.  Barcelona seems to be one city that truly celebrates its architects, and as such the city planners are willing to approve projects that would be deemed too risque in other parts of the world.  Hopefully being here will inspire Bryce to continue pursuing his passion in design.