Day 53 10/9/16
Alcala to Madrid
Five days since I decided I wanted to get to see Real Madrid play Osasuna at the Bernebau stadium
The day started well with coffee at the hostel and brekkie of fruit and bread and jam.
Hit the road and did OK getting out of the city. Then onto the motorway A2 for the first time and I wasn’t sure if I was allowed until I saw a group of ten club riders going the other way, which put my mind at rest, apart from the juggernauts roaring past, but there wasn’t much wind so it was ok.
A2 motorway into Madrid
Hard shoulder all the way but satnav kept sending me the wrong way and at 20 mph with traffic all around it became a bit hairy! Wheel was ok after a few rotations but it made a few strange noises while it settled in. I made it to Madrid where there are even more beautiful people, then found the campsite eventually at 1.45 in the north east of the city – €15 a night and a bar, free wifi and hopefully fairly secure as I left my bike there. Set up quickly, had a shower and locked everything up. Then off to the metro and on to the Bernebau for Real Madrid v Osasuna.
Bernebau stadium – ticket queue
The queue for tickets was long and I missed first 14 minutes and Ronaldo’s goal. A tout offered me €60 ticket for €80 but I held out and paid €40 at the ticket office. My seat was high up behind the goal, it was a great view, and you soon learn who’s who just by watching the way they run and carry themselves. A real galácticos treat as they thrashed Osasuna 5-2 and saved a penalty.
Bernebau stadium – view from my seat
Bernebau stadium – just to prove I’m here
Bernebau stadium – on pitch action
Met a few guys from Dublin sat in front of me and that inspired me to go on to St Patrick’s bar for a drink and tapas after the game.
Beer and Tapas in St Patrick’s bar
Stayed for first half of Barcelona game on tv then went on the metro in the wrong direction as I followed a pair of legs up the escalator. Spent a fair bit of time going around in circles on the train.(Ermintrude ; serves you right!) Finally navigated my way through the Madrid metro system and found a bar next to my campsite that was heaving. A great band with their lead singer celebrating his 40th
40 years of Rock’n’roll and still not deaf!
So had a couple of beers and tapped my feet.
Beer and foot tapping music