Are you traveling to Barcelona, Spain?

There aren’t many things that can make me smile at 4:30 a.m., but when I saw that question as I checked in for my early morning flight – I couldn’t help but crack a grin while pressing “yes” on the touchscreen.

The reason for my Barcelona excursion is the international press launch of the all-new Triumph Thunderbird. The new Trumpet may carry the name of an older model, but this Thunderbird is a large-displacement Twin aimed directly at the American cruiser marketplace. It’s a big deal for the British marque and we can’t wait to get a test ride in days to come.

Until the bikes are ready to roll, it's time to navigate the historic streets of Barcelona to gawk at the town's famous modern architecture. But perhaps the most noticeable thing about Barcelona from an American's perspective is the amount of riders on the street. Ads for the Catalunya GP in June are plastered everywhere and the number of scooters and small-displacement motorcycles on the road prove the two-wheeled enthusiasm of the Spanish.

Stay tuned to Motorcycle USA for first the Triumph Thunderbird first ride report in the days to come.