X-TRIAL BARCELONA!

Hello everyone! Apologies for being so inactive- I've just been really busy.

Last weekend I went to Barcelona for the Indoor X-Trial and had a really good weekend, despite the awful weather we encountered!

(Apologies for the terrible photo quality, I didn't want to risk taking my camera so these are all phone shots)

We flew out on Friday afternoon from Newcastle and dropped off our bags at the hotel before heading out to find a small restaurant along the street.
On Saturday we walked to the Sagrada Familia which was designed by Antono Gaudi in 1882. The cathedral is still currently under construction (hence the cranes) and is estimated to be completed in 2026 (the centenary of Gaudi's death).

 Then we continued walking towards La Rambla. We passed the Arc de Triomf, which was built in 1888 by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas.

 I was designated map reader and despite taking several wrong turns, we eventually arrived on the iconic street of La Rambla. It stretches for 1.2km and was originally a sewage filled stream-bed. In 1377, construction started on an extension of the city walls and in 1440, the stream was diverted to run outside the new walls and La Rambla gradually started turning into a street. In 1703, the first of the trees lining La Rambla were planted. There were 280 birch trees which were later replaced by elm trees. In 1832 some acacias were planted and the currently standing plane trees started to be the common tree from 1859.

We found the Indoor Market which sold everything from fresh juices to nuts and chocolates to sheep heads (1 euro 75 cents each!) We had a look around and then went back onto the main street and found a classic bar called Los Caracoles (translation = snails). More photos of the indoor market are on my Facebook.

Indoor Market

Los Caracoles

After a few drinks at Los Caracoles, we walked along Port Vell and saw the Dilbar super yacht (launched in November 2015). It is the fourth longest yacht and is considered to be the largest yacht in the world by volume. The length of the yacht is 156m (512ft) and the beam is 24m (79ft). The draught is 6.1m (20ft). The yacht is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov and is estimated to be worth 600 million dollars.

We ate along the harbour at a nice restaurant. Unfortunately I was unable to sample the local paella dishes as I am allergic to shellfish.

On Sunday, we headed up to the Palau Sant Jordi indoor arena to watch the X-Trial. We had golden tickets and received a souvenir t-shirt before heading backstage to the paddock area to meet the riders and watch them prepare for the event. There were nine riders: Toni Bou (Montesa), Adam Raga (TRS), Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa), Miquel Gelabert (Sherco), Jeroni Fajardo (GasGas), Jaime Busto (GasGas), Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa), Arnau Farre (Vertigo) and James Dabill (Beta).

 I didn't take many photos in the paddock but took quite a few videos so if you'd like to watch them head over to my Instagram (@charlottebrown23) or Facebook (Charlotte Emily Brown).

Then we were shown to our seats and the main event started. It was split into three rounds and between the first two rounds, we headed to the golden pass area where we received complimentary drinks and snacks.

Miquel Gelabert

Benoit Bincaz

Toni Bou

 On Sunday and Monday, the weather was horrible. It rained all day and on Monday morning there was thunder and lightning and hail. We flew back on Monday evening.

I had a lovely weekend sightseeing and watching the event and I'd like to thank my dad for taking me and Mia and Lee for coming with us and making the weekend even better.

Well done to all the riders and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Arnau Farre after his crash!
Hopefully I'll be back next year for another fantastic weekend!

Charlotte x


X-TRIAL BARCELONA 2018 RESULTS:

1- TONI BOU
2- ADAM RAGA
3- JERONI FAJARDO
4- BENOIT BINCAZ
5- JAIME BUSTO
6- TAKAHISA FUJINAMI
7- MIQUEL GELABERT
8- JAMES DABILL
9- ARNAU FARRE