This summer, guest blogger and cycling travel expert Rik de Voogd travelling around Europe. To us, it looked like he was on a cycling holiday for months. 'Rik op Reis' made its final stop in Greece, where he and the men from Pedal Greece started exploring the region. We were already excited after seeing the photos, below is the report of stage 1 and stage 2. Enjoy! If you want to know more about Rik's adventures this summer, check out his other blogs, for example on Bayern or about Tuscany.
Text: Rik de Voogd - Photos: Maarten Zuur/Acidfilms
Stage 1: Nafplio - Leonidio
The first bike ride in Greece is already something special. The ride from Nafplio to Leonidio covers a total of 83 kilometres and 900 altitude metres. From Athens, we drive by car to the starting point. From there, I continue by bike with Agi. Friend of the show and travelling companion Maarten drives on by car, while occasionally getting out to take (stunning) photos. The cycling routes in Greece are challenging, but of high quality, as you will read later.
It was overcast, but temperatures were still consistently high. 25 degrees was perfect to acclimatise a bit. Following the coastline, we drove south. A relatively easy route to get a good impression of this region, called the Peloponnese. This peninsula forms the southern tip of Greece.
I really have no idea what to expect from cycling in Greece. After all, it is not the most well-known destination for a cycling holiday. The first impression is really bizarrely good. The stretch along the coast is stunning and offers incredible views. It is also made easy for us to enjoy as there is almost no traffic. If there is a car nearby at all, it drives around you in a wide arc and people are very patient. Very nice! In addition, the road is of very high quality. The road surface seems almost as if it has just been laid. So super conditions for a nice bike ride. I did not expect this at all. I have been to quite a few places, but I have simply never seen this before. As a first day and as an introduction to the region, it could hardly have been better
Overnight stays in Leonidio
We spend the night in a fancy boutique hotel in the centre of Leonidio. This small town along just a few kilometres from the coast but at the mouth of a river is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The landscape also offers stunning views of the town. After a night's sleep, we are extremely spoilt with a (sumptuous) traditional Greek breakfast. The experience gets a little extra as we sit on the rooftop terrace. We take in the scenery, the sun and the blue sky. We are ready for day 2.
Stage 2: on to Sparta
Today we have 85 kilometres ahead of us. Combined with 1500 vertical metres, this is no mean feat. But I am looking forward to it. The day is already starting and ending well. I can't help but say that this trip exceeds every expectation. From the hotel, we head straight into the mountains. Leonidio is at sea level and we climb straight to 1,200 metres altitude. On top of the mountain, we drive into the traditional mountain village of Kosmas. There we stop for an espresso and enjoy all kinds of variations of the traditional, but milky-sweet snack Greek Baklava. For those who don't know it: it's fantastic. Delicious traditional bites with layers of filo dough and dipped in honey.
Be local, buy local
Both Maarten and I immediately stocked up on some local honey. We were keen to take that home with us. We put everything in the bag and then rolled down towards Sparta, where we again checked into a gorgeous hotel. This time we stay for two nights.
It is another gorgeous day. Winding roads that don't seem to stop. Fantastic hairpin climbs, stunning views and pure solitude in the good sense of the word. I have also never seen so little traffic. Nowhere in Europe does it seem so quiet as here. Add the clear blue sky, an overdose of Vitamin D and 30 degrees outside temperature. The rest of the world is gearing up for autumn in September, but in this region it's still plenty of summer. What a treat!
ROUTES GREECE - RIK THE GUARDIAN
Below you will find all adventure routes in Greece. All cycling routes from start to finish. Do you have any tips and tricks of your own about this region? Let us know in the comments. Via our Komoot page you can find even more great cycling routes in Greece, Europe and the rest of the world.
