Changed my mind. In fact, there were three things conspiring against yersterday's intended target:
a) Changing to summer time (putting forward a full hour) That was an hour less of sleep.
b) Not having slept the previous night (I was on duty). And didn't feel like giving away a full sleeping hour
c) The recent overhaul prudently asked for a shorter ride. (A loose bottom bracket is a hard thing to fix on the road).
As usual, I made up for it with the hilliest course I was able to find around town: Sta Creu d'Olorda, Tibidabo and Portell de Valldaura. The pedalier worked fine and though I still noticed a squeak when hitting hard on the pedals I'd dare to say I can deal with it by just oiling the stem/front tube interface

Countdown

With only a week to go, tomorrow I'll definitely test myself (and the just overhauled bike): Coll d'Estenalles. (what else?)

Yesterday, after work, I comitted myself to the daunting enterprise of overhauling the transmission. To be sincere, the bottom bracket was calling for a new axle (with an insistent noisy squeak that disturbed my peace of mind every time the grade increased beyond a certain point) and with Brevets looming I prudently opted to keep ma petite reine in full working order. My concern now was my hability to replace the sealed cartridge since I had failed in my previous attempt. I'll stick up for myself: the frame was new and the threading needed to be rethreaded so I had no option but to swallow my (mechanical) pride and take the half-assembled bike to a mechanic. I would like to write that this time things ran smoothly but it would not be even close to reality. To make it short, at the end, and much to my surprise, I got through quite satisfactorily (stubborness, you know...). Of course, there's no need to mention here that it took me more than two hours and a couple of visits to the nearby bike shop (badly needed a huge wrench)

Today: Horta. I wanted to have a look at the new pedestrian bridge laid over the Portell de Valldaura (that's the summit). I must confess that I retracted from yesterday's statement and reattached the toeclips (a larger ones though) and, well, it seems it works (on the other hand I just couldn't stand that cheap- supermarket-bike look). Today's was not a fast climb but made up for it with a fast descent to Horta's viewpoint and the subsequent climb back. Lots of wind on both sides.

Tibidabo. This time by the classic route. Felt uncomfortable in the new shoes as though I was not able to push my feet forward enough. So... I stopped and removed the toe clips and, oh boy, it was a revelation! Now I could place my feet freely on the pedal and liked it a lot. It was liberating!I climbed quite comfortably and the descent was uneventful turning my concerns of high cadence pedal slipping unfounded. On the other hand, now the bike looks, well, how could I put it? The bike now doesn't look like the other bikes...

I'm back

Yesterday night came back from a family skiing weekend. This morning I cleaned up my bike and made some front wheel removal practice (the front mudguard stay fixing bolts make it a bit tricky and I can imagine myself in a wet inky night somewhere far from civilization...) Not a bad timing though.

Wednesday, 19th

Climbed Horta keeping a fast cadence. I'm still breaking in my new cycling shoes (well, they're a pair of thick soled running shoes) but I somehow managed to make quite of a time.

Tibidabo again (and again)

Have I mentioned stubborness as a randonneur's virtue? Oh well...
This morning I revisited Tibidabo purposely chosing the hilliest route and started to feel slightly optimistic. By the way, after Sunday's character forming experience I was really , really glad to sit again on my Brooks.

Montsoriu Castle

Another gruelling climb on poor pavement (yes, those small grey patches among potholes and loose gravel). This time I was riding an old Rieju I bought cheap two years ago. This bike has undergone only a partial makeover that excluded the traditional saddle swap. When will I ever learn...?
Oh , one more thing: I'd better replace the original brakes for anything with some kind of stopping power. I'm sure it'll be a dramatic upgrade when rolling downhill.

Segur-Sant Jaume dels Domenys- La Múnia

Got out for a relaxed ride in farmland. Quite a few hills but not enough to claim altitude awards. Nice country roads between endleds vineyards spotted here and there with old farm houses and cellar buildings ( no pics this time; forgot my camera). The tarmac was fine and motorised traffic conveniently scarce. Kept successfully on the big ring for long bits. Good feelings but I'm fully aware that it was just a four hour outing.

Wednesday, 12th

Tibidabo again by the hard way. Not that bad for a convalescent guy. This time rode home partially trough dirt lanes (scanning ahead for unfriendly dogs).
Got quite a fright when the front brake lever suddenly failed (someone , all right, me, forgot to tighten the cable nut properly). Fortunately I was on a flat bit; that will teach me to routinely check brakes before mounting.

Feeling better but not enough to ride. Let's take it as a new beginning. From now on every day matters.

Got a bad cold and been unable to train for a week. Feeling horrible right now. Am I supposed to make an outing this Sunday? No way, lad.

See the almonds trees in full white bloom? Tad early this year, isn't it?

Wednesday, 27th

Climbed to Tibidabo but purposely chose the hard way; that is from St Bartomeu following the itinerary of the Transcollserola. I felt good on the bike. Arrived home feeling quite optimistic.
Note: I'd better polish the front rim.