I stopped for coffee at the bar I had food at yesterday and then I was riding to the bike shop in Carmona. It was overcast and drizzly once but no need for a jacket.
My freehub was getting worse and I could not coast at all. If I pedaled and it stayed engaged I could ride without issue. Slowing down I had to keep pedaling all the way to a stop or the chain jumped violently. As I got closer to Carmona sometimes it would not engage and my pedals would spin for a few revolutions. It was particularly bad coming into town going over the freeway. There was a steep narrow overpass with a freeway entrance to cross and the freehub was not engaging. I walked up rather than risk falling over in front of a high speed car or truck.
The ride to Carmona was pleasant enough. On the last 10km I opted for the direct busy road rather than the longer way I had mapped out. My navigation beeped at me disapprovingly all the way into town. It was rolling farmland of unknown type - note: I can only identify olive trees and vineyards so most farmland is of unknown type to me.
I got to the store just after noon and the guy I had spoken with yesterday greeted me. His cousin was the mechanic and was coming in to have a quick look but would not be able to work on it until 5pm (after lunch). I went up the street and had coffee and a little sandwich to regroup. I was going through different scenerios. I figured if I could ride in the morning I would continue to Lisbon and arrive a day late. If the bike could not be ready to ride I was going to rent a car and drive back. By bus it was and hour and a half to the Seville airport where I could pick up a car. I booked a hotel in town.
After coffee I returned and the cousing was looking at the bike. He had a used wheel that matched mine that he could pull parts from. He wasn't sure they would fit and he could not work on it until 5. I said I would come back at 6pm.
I walked to the hotel - very old school - took a shower and changed. I went in search of food and beer. The beer was easy to find but the food less so. I was a little late for lunch. The bar I went to said it was too late but the guy had nothing else going on and made me some meat. I was his biggest customer for the entire time I was there. When I said yes, all I knew was it would be carne. It was a good pork stewed in sauce with bread. Perfect.
I went to the bike shop at 6 and got good news. The part from other wheel fit and I would be ready to roll. I asked for a clean and tune and said I would be back when they opened at 10 tomorrow.
I planned my next few days and I would have some hard riding. Tomorrow will be about 120km with a lot of climbing. Easily doable normally but I am in need of a day off.
I then went in search of dinner and found a place after wandering for a while. I sat at my table for one and ordered. Soon there were a few other tables and most were non-Spanish ... it was only 8:45. I realized I could understand the couple beside me.
We started chatting. Martijn and Marie are a Dutch/Swiss couple living in Germany. They are also cycling. The started in Malaga and we bonded over riding in the freezing cold and wet. They said they rode with plastice bags on their feet. I wish I had done that.
Carmona is a nice little town. If you are in Seville and want something a little less touristy, this is very close.
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