Cyprus

[Paul Narramore]

My family and I have just come back from a seven day stay in Paphos, Cyprus - 28C out there and 11C here today - and I was amazed at some of the incredible roads out there. We hired a car and drove north passed Coral Bay, up over the mountains to Polis, then headed east. The coastal road to Kato Pyrgos was almost deserted and very twisty. Occassionally goats would cross the road. We went as far as the Green Line when the road simply stopped at a checkpoint manned by two utterly bored sentries. We then headed south to Stavros to see the rare mouflon (sheep) in a national park. The road then became a dirt track which progressively (and worryingly deteriorated). After an hour off road we finally got back on tarmac.

Cyprus has changed a loy since we last went eleven years ago. My first visit was with the UN a few weeks after the Turkish invasion in 1974.

I had thought about hiring a motorbike for a day - only £30 including insurance - but firstly I had no proper riding gear with me, also the standard of both riding and driving was appalling. Mitsubishi cars with high rear wings seem all the rage, and much of the driving is just too bloody dangerous. Lots of 'pocket rockets' with helmet-less riders, no numberplates and burn-outs along the seafront amongst the traffic. I was told the collision rate was getting higher.

Ah well, perhaps we'll return in another eleven years...

 

[Viking]

hi Paul

Cyprus.... fabulous place.

I was there last year, stayed in Polis. Got a brother who lives in a small vilage in the Akamas. I managed to hire a bike for a few days and went for some nice rides in the hills between Polis and Coral bay... really nice and deserted and a lovely area to explore on a bike.
Hope to be going again in the next month or two if I can arrange it, and will definately hire a traily again. great fun

 

[Kritou]

in the hills between Polis and Coral bay ..... thats my patch - pm before you next go and maybe we could ride some of my favourites - which village does your brother live in?

Kritou (of Terra)

 

[Viking]

Kritou

He's in Neo Chorio

Having a fantastic time

If I do get out, i'll make contact with you ....Enjoy your riding, must be nice at this time of year

Chris

 

[delpel]

Every days a Track Day

Hi chaps,

I am fortunate enough to live over here. Serving in the RAF and have 2 years left to go.

You are right, there are some fantastic roads here. I shall try and post one of my favourites.

I ride an R1100S Boxer Cup Replica. Just about to buy a written of R1150GS which had a front end tangle with a local pick-up truck.

If anybody wants some top tips if holidaying over here then feel free to drop me a line.

Regards and enjoy the weather were ever you are

Derek

 

[Paul Narramore]

Derek
Is that two years before they kick you out? My boy's at RAF Aldergrove in NI and the RAF have refused to allow anyone it seems to sign on for further extensions of their service. Edward went out to Akrotiri working with helicopetrs I think. I went out in 1976 weeks after the Turkish invasion to HQ UNFICYP at Nicosia, attached to the UN. However we were marooned up there and it wasn't until I returned years later that I could explore that superb island. Mind you it's a bit of a shock to see just how much building has taken place around Paphos. I think they are spoiling the place. There's even a raised highway in Limassol. Still the roads up in Troodos are stunning, eh?

 

[Guess Who]

How big is Cyprus?

 

[delpel]

Paul,

You are right on the extending of the contract. Mind you I will have done 22 years in Feb 08 and can't wait to get a worth while job. Heading back to the West Midlands and I am going to retrain as a Domestic Gas Engineer and House hold Electrician.

They are in the process of elevating the highway around Limassol which will be a good thing as it should stop all the bloody traffic jams on the Troodos roundabout.

The roads over here are fantastic

Everything you could wish for on a GS, from dirt tracks to smooth fast sweeping bends. The drivers stay in the towns so you see very little traffic on the open roads where all the fun is.

As my mate says "Every days a track day in Cyprus"

TTFN and enjoy the weather where ever you are

Derek

 

[RickX]

My family and I have just come back from a seven day stay in Paphos, Cyprus - 28C out there and 11C here today - and I was amazed at some of the incredible roads out there. We hired a car and drove north passed Coral Bay, up over the mountains to Polis, then headed east. The coastal road to Kato Pyrgos was almost deserted and very twisty. Occassionally goats would cross the road. We went as far as the Green Line when the road simply stopped at a checkpoint manned by two utterly bored sentries. We then headed south to Stavros to see the rare mouflon (sheep) in a national park. The road then became a dirt track which progressively (and worryingly deteriorated). After an hour off road we finally got back on tarmac.

Cyprus has changed a loy since we last went eleven years ago. My first visit was with the UN a few weeks after the Turkish invasion in 1974.

I had thought about hiring a motorbike for a day - only £30 including insurance - but firstly I had no proper riding gear with me, also the standard of both riding and driving was appalling. Mitsubishi cars with high rear wings seem all the rage, and much of the driving is just too bloody dangerous. Lots of 'pocket rockets' with helmet-less riders, no numberplates and burn-outs along the seafront amongst the traffic. I was told the collision rate was getting higher.

Ah well, perhaps we'll return in another eleven years...

Paul is right... there are some fantastic roads and rides in Cyprus. He's also right when he describes the standard of driving there. It is absolutely appalling. No discipline, 14 year olds cruising in their parents cars, the aforemetioned Mitsubishis and a police-force that doesn't care (I was ignored by a patrol car whilst accidentally driving my car the wrong way up a one-way street) although they're now starting to hand out speeding tickets. A career in the Cypriot police force is not something people aspire to.

I'm not saying that one shouldn't do it, I'm just saying don't go there thinking it's a bikers paradise. As a local you you wisen up to the dangers but if you're on a fortnight's holiday, you'll take certain things for granted. I say this having just come back from 6 months in Cyprus and having been knocked off a Harley by a driver waiting to turn across my path who "didn't see me".

All things said, if I hadn't found the local business ethics so distasteful, I would still be there and would have shipped or ridden my Adventure over there