16th May
The rainy weather had't materialised overnight so the opportunity to ride around the Pelion Peninsula with clear skies was the plan for the day. The roads and riding of the Pelion Peninsula had been recommended and based on the maps and Google Earth things were looking good.
After breakfast I removed the panniers and camping bag to lighten the bike for cleaner fun on the twisty roads. I geared up and attached the GoPro and set it to take a photo every minute of the ride. I headed off on the gentler bends along the western coast of the peninsula.
GoPro started and adjusted.
Small coastal town along the way (perhaps Milina).
Beautiful bays and water.
Some good bends - I might be on the wrong side of the road….
The full 122 shot sequence from the GoPro is here.
I had chosen Trikeri as my destination south before turning around to then take on the eastern coastline. Trikeri is pretty much the end of the road on the Pelion Peninsula and the small township is perched on the hill overlooking the narrow gaps from the Euboic Sea and the Pagasetic Gulf.
Across Pagasetic Gulf
Trikeri
After a quick turn-around in Trikeri I headed back for the turn to the eastern coast. The western coast of the Pelion Peninsula is much gentler and open than the east coast.
The road winds along the west coast close to the water's edge.
The west coast has quite and shallow bays.
The east coast quickly presents its differences. The forests become dense and lush and the coastline is steeper with a rocky edge and fewer bays. The small villages are attached to the steeply sloping hillsides either towards the ridge line or down by the coastline.
The east coast is much steeper.
The road is often cut into the rocky mountain.
The views from the small villages out through the forests and over the water are great.
I stopped in a small village high on the hill for a bite to eat. It was only a quit pit stop to get some food in my stomach before continuing on.
So far most of my east coast riding had been high up on the side of the mountain so I headed downhill after lunch. Many of the lower villages are interconnected by roads midway up the hillside and also have a way in and out for each side of the village. I headed down the rather steep and winding road through scattered houses and found a carpark still a good few metres from the water. Since there was only a restaurant and not much else I decided I would continue on and try another seaside town further along.
Beautiful water and small beach - too far down for me.
A passer by shot me in the carpark.
The lovely forest on the way back up the hill.
Further along the signs directed me to Agios Ioannis which is a much more sizeable and popular destination. It looked to be quite a relaxed and attractive village with an easily accessible beach, several restaurants and cafes and accommodation options. The wind was a little to strong and discouraged me from swimming.
Agios Ioannis
I had an ice cream and moved on.
I passed through as few more villages and started to head back inland towards the west coast and Agria.
The last of the villages on the east coast.
After heading inland the road gently climbs higher through beautiful forests on mostly wonderful sweeping bends, that without many cars were great fun.
Beautiful forest.
Beautiful seat to experience it.
Beautiful road ahead.
The road passes close to the ski resort(s) of Pelion and the temperature was noticeable cooler. So far the ride had been wonderful and soon I would be heading back downhill towards the western coast and Agria.
The view down to Volos.
I must have been getting a little too confident on the bike without the panniers and extra weight since there were two corners where I took my inside foot off the foot peg to 'stabilise' myself. Earlier in the day on an uphill LH bend the rear end seemed to get a bit loose so out went my left leg. Everything OK. Late in the day on one fairly steep downhill RH corner the front felt like it momentarily slid and I instinctively put my right foot out and scraped it briefly on the road. Everything OK.
These two incidents are the first times ever on the road where I have felt the need to put my foot out and it was a bit scary. I am not sure if it is a combination of me pushing a bit hard while having a lot of fun, perhaps being a little tired, not setting myself for the corners correctly or the combination of new rear and old front tyres. I have been keeping the occasions in mind since.
It was a great day of riding - over 5 hours. I did 222.3km just for fun and saw some wonderful parts of Greece.
I was exhausted so after a simple dinner and couple of drinks it was bed time.
The view from my balcony.
17 and 18th May
The weather had come in and made the decision to stay indoors, and stay another day, and work on this website easy.
All I did for most of the two rainy days was make use of Hotel Ballas' WiFi to upload updates, I went out for lunch and a little look around, and made my way out for dinner.
Scorpios - Rabbit was very good.
Weather kept coming.
Agria's historic railway tracks.
In a way it was good to slow down and work on this website while the weather sorted itself out. I am not sure if the extra day here and there will catch up with me over time though….