That was my tour of Greece

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JimP
Εικόνα JimP
Απών/απούσα

Hello guys,

I've just returned from my cycling tour in Greece, the one I asked help about here. I wanted you all to know that it went very, very well. I nearly didn't go, though, and in fact, I was a bit reckless by doing so. I had a few back problems a couple of months ago and my doctor advised me to change my tour to go somewhere flat. He wasn't concerned about cycling (he told me that cycling is good for my back) but the mountains. However, it turned out not to be possible to change my flight, and so I put some strong pain killers in my bags and headed off anxiously. In fact, I didn't have any back trouble at all while I was away, even in the mountains (although I did have to be careful about lifting things).
I stuck mostly to the plan I layed out - including the part between Katerini and Elassona. I'm pleased to report that I didn't have any trouble with Greek drivers, who were much more considerate and respectful to me than the southern Italians, for example. I really did love your country. The people were friendly and generous, and the scenery was truly amazing. My only complaint about Greece was that the infrastructure is on its knees, but we all know that the Government is pursuing a very dangerous policy on stopping all investment and improvements to this vital aspect to the economy. Some of the roads were in an appalling state, and I was amazed to learn that there were no trains to take me from Patra to Athens when it was time for me to leave. Fortunately, I had allowed for such an eventuality, and gave myself enough time to cycle all the way if I had to. In Kiato I managed to take a train to Athens airport, and I had enough time to explore Athens a bit.
I kept a blog of my experiences if you're interested. You'll find it here
I'd like to thank you all once again for your help. The assistance you gave me was invaluable.

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Alejandro
Εικόνα Alejandro
Απών/απούσα

JimP wrote:
Hello guys,
...

I kept a blog of my experiences if you're interested. You'll find it here
I'd like to thank you all once again for your help. The assistance you gave me was invaluable.

Amazing description James!! Well done and thanks for sharing your experience with us. It is very helpful and inspiring for the future plans!! Glad you are ok now.

DOOM_NX
Εικόνα DOOM_NX
Απών/απούσα

Well-done James! I'm so proud of you! Great job! Meeting you was one of my most memorable experiences ever! :)

JimP
Εικόνα JimP
Απών/απούσα

Thank you Doom. It was great meeting you too! It's one of the big reasons to go bike touring: you meet lots of people. Some of my best memories on my cycling tours are the people I meet.
Hope to see you in France in the future?

Eaglos
Εικόνα Eaglos
Απών/απούσα

From Delphi you should have steered towards
Mornos Lake and then descent towards Nafpaktos.

Much better trip, more cooler than the seaside
towns and great scenery.

JimP
Εικόνα JimP
Απών/απούσα

The trouble is that I had to get to Lefkada as fast as possible, and as that route looks very mountainous it'd probably have taken a long time. It sure looks better, though. I would have loved to see the scenery on that route - much better than that E65.

Eaglos
Εικόνα Eaglos
Απών/απούσα

The hard part is getting to Delphi when coming
from Athens. Once you get there it is way better
than what it looks. From Delphi you get a nice
descent until you reach Itea intersection.

After that you get the one and only climb of the
route which spreads for about 23 km and elevates
you about 820 meters. From there it is a 99% descent
to Nafpaktos.

You get very few cars, more oxygen, cooler air and
serene surroundings.

Here is the route (it drawn backwards but you will
figure it out).

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/657360

From Nafpaktos, I would have crossed Antirio-Rio
bridge and the cycle to Patra where I would have
taken the boat to Lefkada.

JimP
Εικόνα JimP
Απών/απούσα

Ah you tempt me back Eaglos! Sounds like a great route! However, I wouldn't have missed the coast road from Mesolongi to Lefkada for the world. It truly was beautiful.

lyhadj
Εικόνα lyhadj
Απών/απούσα

@ Eaglos
Εχουν φτιάξει τον χωματόδρομο απο το Σερνικάκι/ Αγ.Κωνσταντίνο στην Αγ. Ευθυμία;;

@James
Nice route and interesting blog! Hope to see you next time!

Eaglos
Εικόνα Eaglos
Απών/απούσα

Ο θρυλικός πλέον χωματόδρομος των ελαχίστων
χιλιομέτρων δεν υπάρχει πια. Αν δεν με απατά
η μνήμη μου το έργο ολοκληρώθηκε γύρω στις
Δημοτικές εκλογές του 2010.

Ένα τεράστιο έργο μεγέθους Ρίου Αντιρίου όπου
έχω χάσει το μέτρημα για τα πόσα χρόνια χρειά-
στηκαν για να τον φτιάξουν :P

Βέβαια με το αμάξι δεν πηγαίνω πλέον από εκεί
καθώς βγάζω σπυράκια με την αστερόσκονη της
Αράχωβας και των Δελφών :) Αντίθετα τραβάω
ευθεία την Εθνική και ανεβαίνω μετά τις
Θερμοπύλες προς Μπράλο και στη συνέχεια
προς Παύλιανη για να βγω Μόρνο.

Στην οποιά διαδρομή έχω πετύχει πολλούς κουρσάρους.

DOOM_NX
Εικόνα DOOM_NX
Απών/απούσα

JimP wrote:
Thank you Doom. It was great meeting you too! It's one of the big reasons to go bike touring: you meet lots of people. Some of my best memories on my cycling tours are the people I meet.
Hope to see you in France in the future?

Sure! Should my sponsor agree, France will be my first destination! :D

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