Ride of Paradise

Appalonia -> Nea Perames (almost Kavala)

Distance: 99.99 km
Time elapsed: 5:53:00
Max speed: 51.5 km/hr
Temp: 32C
Weather: Nice and cool (we rode only morning until mid afternoon and evening-night)

Today all things came up Team Jassler.

Such a spectacular day- I mean one of the top 5 best biking experiences of my life!

First, Chris and I woke early with the sun rising over the valley. After tea and packing camp, we set off for a cool morning through the last edge of valley, into the mountains (which strongly resemble Bainbridge Island, all luscious and green), and then smack dab along the coast. The road was perfectly fit with a shoulder, very little traffic, and slightly elevated hills so that we didn't have to climb too hard but got to coast down a bit.


Early morning camp


We're ready to ride!

The coastline is natural (ie not award winning but not destroyed) and almost deserted, save for the few random people every so often coming out of their summer homes set back up in the hills. Only once did we pass through one of those ugly developed tourist towns covered in cement and sea-to-cafe umbrella chairs. (we biked quickly)

Then, oh it gets better, the road curved inland a bit and suddenly we were facing an enormous lion statue: the Lion of Amfipolis. One of Alexander's comrades who built a city... The remains were found by soldiers during the Balkan War. Ok cool, so ancient lion, Macedonian tombs, Byzantine tower. Pretty good roadside attractions.


Lion of Amfipolis, city guard

But then! We were looping back to the coast and Chris notices endless fields of almond trees to the right! They are ripe, so we stop and fill some bags. Success! Best biking food ever!

And then, not 10 minutes later we come across a peach tree sticking out, actually tipping over because it's so heavy with fruit. Too bad we only had one bag left.



Peaches of gold

By now it's getting hot; we pull over on an empty stretch of sand, pop the tent for shade and snooze ahwile. We'd gone 60 km so far but didn't feel exhausted, just hot. Later we cracked the almonds and threw the shells around like we were rolling in money. Diamonds I tell you.


Chris is so happy he's doing flips!

When the heat subsides, we started round two. The road continues right up along the sand, cove after cove, and eventually the sun sets behind us. The moon came up and we're game for a little night riding. Chris put on his reflective vest and lights and we cruised for another few hours, then when we finally tuckered out we flipped the bikes over and rolled out our sleeping bag right on the beach.

Seriously the coolest day ever.