4/29/19 Training

Crete is hilly! We've done a couple day rides now to build up those hill-climbing muscles without fully loaded bikes. Today was a round trip to Arkadi Monastery. First up a nice, quiet secondary road--until at about 8 miles it got so steep I was mostly walking. Back down a few miles to the Old National Road, which was in fact a designated biking route. That went better!

30.7 miles, 3133 feet of climb.

Quotes from people we met today:

"How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Lucky you!"

Lunch halfway up the Old National Road route.

Arkadi Monastery.

Back home in Rethymno: our apartment behind a pottery shop, at the base of the old fortress walls. Dinner at the neighborhood family taverna down the block.

4/27/19-4/28/19 Departure

"Departure is simple: you step out the door, onto your bike, into the wind of your life."

Kate Harris, Lands of Lost Borders

27 April 2019. Biking Day 1. Over the mountain...

...and down to the beach. 45 miles from Chania to Rethymno, 2,840 feet of climbing.

Easter Eve ceremonies in Rethymno.

Sunday, 28 April 2019. Ride up to Myli village and gorge, and back to Rethymno. 11.3 miles, 1045 feet of climb.

Finish with a ride along the beach in Rethymno, cups of iced capaccino, hike around the fort and town, and roasted lamb dinner.

4/26/19 Reassembled

The bikes--and riders!--arrived in Chania, Crete, in good shape. Reassembly takes place in the little courtyard outside our apartment.

We are all reassembled and ready to go. We even found a recycling bin for the bike shipping materials. Next task: Get new SIM cards for the phones...and more coffee and cheese pastries...

Old port in Chania.

Yes, that is snow on the mountains. No, we are not planning to bike into the snow--but we do plan to hike near there next week!

4/17/19 Dress Rehearsal

17 April 2019

Six days and counting....Bags are mostly packed and everything worked on our trial run. We think this trip is really going to happen!