Greek islands and an old XT600

[Northern jock]

Good stuff Alistair! So it is possible to survive without spending your time poring over a garmin and studying hotel websites! I bet you haven’t even got any butter in the fridge

It certainly is and random and flexible are the way. I rode into a small village an hour ago and now have a room with breakfast for €40 and refreshments on the beach. The destination was planned about two hours ago as a maybe then I arrived and liked it

 

[The Other PaulG]

Thoroughly enjoying this. I am surprised at how green Greece is in some pics, I guess that's the way it looks before the summer kicks in with a vengeance.

Very pretty, though, and having it all to yourself is a real treat.

 

[brut33]

As Paul says, it seems you are there at a good time of the year. Not only is it still green but the temperature isn't horrendously hot, as it can reach 40* during the hieght of summer. Also you're the only tourist in the village, before people flood there on package holidays to lie on sunbeds all day and get pissed on ouzo and lemonade.
It looks like you've well timed your trip well Alistair, in a beautiful place. Perfection.

 

[Northern jock]

As Paul says, it seems you are there at a good time of the year. Not only is it still green but the temperature isn't horrendously hot, as it can reach 40* during the hieght of summer. Also you're the only tourist in the village, before people flood there on package holidays to lie on sunbeds all day and get pissed on ouzo and lemonade.
It looks like you've well timed your trip well Alistair, in a beautiful place. Perfection.

It is the best time of year I think, average is low 20’s which is perfect on the bike and very pleasant in the evening having a beer. I’d struggle with 30’s and more.
And as you say, hardly anyone around, that means less things open but there’s plenty.
I nearly forgot, I was a tourist earlier today, fought though the crowds and got a photo. It is actually quite a sight.

 

[Blackblade-rry]

Snap !

17 years ago nearly, and there's still the same post leaning at a jaunty angle.

 

[Northern jock]

I woke this month at about 4 to the sound of heavy rain. Staying in a hill town has pluses and minuses.
Dinner last night was a large lump of fresh, local pork and it was excellent, as was the wine.
A very good breakfast, eaten slowly as I waited for the rain to stop. It did, so I went off, the vague idea being to keep heading north but the heavy black clouds that had just moved on were to the north.
So I went west, over the bridge to the mainland then west and to Corinth then down the coast to Nea Epidavros. It looked nice and small on the map.
It turned out to be a nice wee place and I got a room in the Hotel Avra for €40, very nice folk and I even got some of the lady’s birthday cake.
Nice beach to wander along, a few tavernas open selling beer and all very peaceful.
Nice dinner of squid and Greek salad and wine, food of champions.

 

[Northern jock]

An hours walk along the shore, nice way to start the day. Then I think I’ll go around the peninsula I’m on, see how it looks
There are a few grand design projects in the village that appear to have run out of money a few years ago, shame, waste of all that effort and cost just sitting there. And a few built in precarious positions.
And what looks a nice wee beach house to me.

 

[Northern jock]

I remember Doc saying how much he loved going around old castles and ruins and the like, so, here’s a Greek ruin to make his day

 

[Doc]

I remember Doc saying how much he loved going around old castles and ruins and the like, so, here’s a Greek ruin to make his day
View attachment 409922

Sod off.

 

[Northern jock]

I headed down the east coast of the peninsula west of Corinth some more, a great road with miles of twisty, fast corners then when the main road went inland I decided to follow it and see the west side.
The road straightened out though and the west was much busier and built up so I too a right turn onto a small road heading back east. It wound its way through olive groves then climbed a dramatic hill and down the other side. There was a town on the map where I thought I might find a coffee.

 

[Northern jock]

The town looked pretty dead but there was a run down looking taverna that looked open so, brain clearly not engaged, I walked in.
There were 4 guys sitting there enjoying their morning beer, all clearly a few olives short of a bottle of oil. They went silent as I walked in and all sat and stared at me, the place in silence apart from a distant sound of banjos. There was a whole sheep hanging on a hook behind the counter.
So, seeing as how my brain wasn’t involved, I decided to stay and asked for a Greek coffee, hoping one of them was the owner.
They all chatted then one of them stood up and said he’d make it.
I did think of asking for a skinny latte with coloured sprinkles and what the vegan special of the day was but fortunately for once my gob rejected the words.
I went outside and a coffee duly appeared and it was fine. I drank it, paid one euro and the guy kindly allowed his dogs to have a go at me as I rode off. I was just happy to be leaving rather than staying a while making pig squeal noises.
15 miles later of twisting goat track sized roads I arrived in a nice town with a friendly shop and an old boy who came to speak to me.
I took a photo of the bike in the small square and of the front of the cafe but not the inside. I wasn’t sure how it would be received if I asked for a selfie with the gents. Probably not well as they all looked as if they’d recently escaped from a secure unit. We didn’t swap numbers.

 

[Northern jock]

Then I rode the twisty coast road north, for once they’d done away with double bend signs every 100m and put a man sized sign up. Much better.
And back to the hotel where the Overlanders was sitting, Derek the driver arrived a wee while later so I handed over my bike, keys and bag of riding gear and walked off.
Now sitting having a beer after a brilliant two weeks, flying home tomorrow. I achieved my long held dream of the bike on Iraklia, that was the main aim. Everything else was definite turned out to be excellent.
I’ll summarise some information for anyone who might be thinking of an island trip and post it next week.
I’m already planning to come back next year.
Thanks for reading.

 

[Hairnet600]

It is the best time of year I think, average is low 20’s which is perfect on the bike and very pleasant in the evening having a beer. I’d struggle with 30’s and more.
And as you say, hardly anyone around, that means less things open but there’s plenty.
I nearly forgot, I was a tourist earlier today, fought though the crowds and got a photo. It is actually quite a sight.
View attachment 409766

masssively jealous

wanted to be stood there but also be on a boat thru it for years

wonder if the espresso egitto is still running (theres another whole can of worms )

fanks maaaaan

 

[Robbi]

Wonderful write up of your dream, many thanks for sharing it with us, we could almost be there

Safe home Sir

 

[Deise]

Thanks for sharing

Photos so nice you should be on a retainer from Greek Tourism

 

[brut33]

Thanks for sharing

Photos so nice you should be on a retainer from Greek Tourism

He should have his username changed to Northern Stavros.

 

[Northern jock]

Thanks for sharing

Photos so nice you should be on a retainer from Greek Tourism

If they keep me in Fix beer, Greek salad, goat and calamari I’m in

 

[Posh Pete]

He should have his username changed to Northern Stavros.

"Allo peeps!" Get it in yer profile Alistair!

Cracking write up. Portsoy and Strontian will never have quite the same appeal again!

 

[Aidan1150]

Those two weeks seemed to go in very quick Alastair. Even more so for you I'd say. Thanks for the report.

 

[mspenz]

I went right and, not surprisingly on an island, got to the coast so I followed it for a bit. The towns on Evia feel utilitarian, not touristy, and are busy with the associated businesses, buildings materials, hardware stores, hairdressers, even furniture shops.
Along the coast I got to the port town Kymi then up a wonderful 5km to the hill town of the same name. I stopped and bought snacks for lunch and decided to head along the twisty looking road that would eventually head west.
From the start it was a magnificent road, the scenery was amazing, the road twisted and climbed over ridges, dived down into valleys and did it all over again and again. Mile upon mile of brilliant riding. Well done Evia and all on a random choice of direction. Come to Evia and ride this road.
I got to a town called Steni and decided I’d rather stay here than down on the busier looking coast so here I am, the very smart looking Hotel Steni gave me a room with breakfast for €60 so happy with that.
Now see what I can find for grub.
View attachment 409521
View attachment 409522View attachment 409524View attachment 409525View attachment 409526View attachment 409527

That really is an amazing ride with stunning views, somewhere so close to Athens but with few tourists ! If you travelled round the coast from Kymi you will also have ridden around a mountain that has the longest continuous slope from summit to sea in Europe ( Mt.Dirfi )..on a small Greek island close to Athens !
We stayed at a small guesthouse called ' Platania ' for a couple of nights before riding over to Steni, and spent a lovely day enjoying the sights at the unofficial nudist beach of Paralia Chiliadou .
Evia is a hidden gem, Thasos is another