Greece - the final frontier !!

[catcitrus]

well done in finally getting on track and getting that tyre fixed--and who put that tyre on in the first place!--remind us NOT to use them!--Riding in that heat is not funny--you have to keep the visor down to stop the hot blast!--a true test of man and machine!---and its still 40C plus in that area!!

I'll have to get out there again soon.

[nethen1]

We were approx 20 kilometers from the border

It was 1.70 Euro toll at the border for bikes.
Typically Scott has no euros. So managed to get the guy in.the car behind to give him the cash as I'd already gone through....
Thessolaniki probably not how u spell it
Big city. Big tarmac Rutts !!! Lol dealing with ruts in a city. WTF.

IMAG0107.jpg (105.55 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

Found the seaside , parked and proceeded to find a room. Few phone calls and we made it to Hotel Pella.
Nice clean and 38 euros for two with a ,3 Euro breakfast.
Great city, Hot hot hot. Even fans in the street to keep u cool.

IMAG0111.jpg (91.97 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

Lovely narrow streets filled with bars and alfresco dining, I have never been to a city that is sooo full of beautiful people. it must have been 4 to 1 female to male ratio. Spot the minger.. there wasnt any !

Had a gorgeous meal, fully local then a few pints. Some street kids playing guitar and bongos came over, they played, Scott paid but as he went to hand the money over the largest kid tried to snatch it... as he pulled away his full pint of lager went all over me crotch. i looked to all of greece like id pee'd myself.

We stayed out, drank more, had the craig....
It was a late one. I showered fully clothed when we returned to the hotel at silly o clock to get the sticky beer out me one and only kecks.


its soo hot over night they were completely dry in the morning. After a 3 euro breakfast.. " very good".. it wasnt we went Off to explore the old town today.
Then see where the bikes take us. METEORA - the ( technically) start of our adventure. This is where we had a rough very old copy of the TET trail and some other routes given to us from various forums...

IMAG0118.jpg (131.35 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

[nethen1]

IMAG0119.jpg (111.12 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

IMG-20170722-WA0013.jpg (97.52 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

IMG-20170721-WA0016.jpg (42.35 KiB) Viewed 1763 times

[Mosel Bikes]

I have just one question ....... why can't all ride reports be like this?

[nethen1]

Day 3. Set out from thessolaniki... late after a hard night on the tiles Went into the old town... not much we could see from the bikes and i think we'd both sooner ride than walk around history.. quick frappe then onto a braaap.

IMG-20170722-WA0025.jpeg (91.59 KiB) Viewed 1762 times

. Lazy ride down the mway for about 3 hours to make up time after my puncture n navigator errors. Past the only adventure riders all holiday, a group of dutch. not the most friendly of folk. they all seemd a litle weary... i twas hot !! 47c on the temp in the queue for the toll

Sorted my Garmin. Had a strong word and a delve into the settings.
Finally pulled off the m way onto a bloody gorgeous twisty road for about 30+kilometers.

To meteora. Well worth it... my word what a place. Nature at its finest.
Managed a coupe of little trails... we saw 8 wild tortoises within half hour. If in doubt... come here.



The trails start tomorrow.. hopefully not at 44 degrees Celsius.. it was that hot queuing for the toll both.. cost approx 5 Euro in tolls to get here. Motorways are clear and good surfaces. Unlike city's that have tarmac rutts !. Wish us luck tomorrow.

IMG-20170722-WA0041.jpg (104.31 KiB) Viewed 1762 times

IMG-20170722-WA0017.jpeg (125.11 KiB) Viewed 1762 times

[nethen1]

IMG-20170722-WA0022.jpg (66.07 KiB) Viewed 1761 times

IMG-20170722-WA0037.jpg (127.81 KiB) Viewed 1761 times

IMG-20170722-WA0038.jpg (66.91 KiB) Viewed 1761 times

[catcitrus]

Brings back memories--it was hot enough when I went back this way in May--and camped near the beach and Mount Olympus--remember the "dog in the night" incident!

I rode through Thessaloniki looking for a campsite--and agree with you --just lots of bars and people chilling out--in the middle of the afternoon--it was packed !--I was tired and wanted to get a place to stay so didn't really stop--I reckon half the population of Greece live there! Meteora is certainly worth a visit--but again very touristy. Scott sounds prepared--why am I not surprised--god bless!

[minkyhead]

looks crap ..had a lucky escape by the looks of it ..... keep it coming so i can be sure its was as crap as it looks ....

grrrrrrrr

wait and see the new improved ritired minky dave ....well get some in then buddy

[Brenhden]

Awesome report so far. Looking forward to the rest

[SteveW]

Great Report Dave.
I'm heading from Bulgaria to Macedonia in 4 weeks, what were the issues regarding transit between Bulgaria and Macedonia all about?
Do we need a visa or something?