A couple of days ridng the backroads of Spain on a new Ducati 696 Monster? Who could say no? image: thanks, CE

(Our usual cast of talented writers were unavailable for a press intro in Spain this week so we enlisted veteran moto-writer Charlie Everitt who took time out of his busy schedule—rumor has it he has a book deal—to buzz around Espana on Ducati's new middle-weight Monster. Enjoy. --Editor)

Greetings to the Soup Army.

Well, I'm on the ground here in Barcelona. I come to you from the Ducati Monster 696 press intro in Spain. This intro is a pretty big, hairy deal. There were more civilians at the intro/briefing last night than I've ever seen before—including an ambassador; I believe it was the Italian ambassador to Spain. Ducati has spent big on this little soiree.

Anyway—we spent most of the day today doing photography. This Ducati 696 Monster—it's a splendid little scooter, with all the appropriate traits one would expect for a machine made for a new rider. It's wholly predictable and non-threatening, but it doesn't feel boring.

I'm also fiercely pressed for time, as I've got about an hour to get this to you, then shower up, and do the meet and greet in the "Ducati Lounge" here at the AC Miramar, where one can almost get lost in the bathroom. ...

So, after I get this stuff sent, it's back to the room, try to find my way around the bathroom—again—shower without drowning like a turkey, then go to the press briefing, held somewhere other than the hotel. Such things, as I've mentioned before, appear to be a required part of the great press intro format, rather than do such things where everyone already is located, which is At The Hotel.

Anyway. Then it's a Gala Dinner (honest), where in Soup tradition, I hope, I will eat and drink far, far above my station in life, yet with sufficient restraint to be of use and perky for the ride tomorrow. A full day of riding the backroads of Spain. I look forward to the day, the ride and another report, flaky Spanish Internet connection willing.