AFTER A FULL DAY UPHILL, WELL WHAT EVER GOES UP MUST COME DOWN, AND DOWN WE GO
THEY DAY STARTS WITH SOME AWESOME VIEWS AND STILL NO CARS IN SIGHT!
I’m not sure why but the church has mini “satellite” church’s. Their visited frequently, lighting candles, I’ve seen people kissing the image of Jesus.
THEY MAKE FOR A GREAT LUNCH SPOT FOR CYCLIST TOO!
MORE PHOTOS TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLAN A BIKE VACATION (your welcome).
I love the stone work and churches here.
THIS STRUCTURE IS BOTH, STONE WORK AND A CHURCH, SCORE!
We stop on top of a bridge and both agree, “were camping along this river tonight”. We take a dirt road (of course) around the river bend so we can’t be seen from the road. While were figuring out exactly where were setting up,
I look up from the river and see Vincent talking to this guy with a horse.
THIS GREEK COWBOY IS ACTUALLY FROM ALBANIA.
I turn away for a minute and yep
VINCENT HAS TRADED HIS BIKE FOR A HORSE.
The Cowboy heads down river and we set up our camp. All the grass land is well trimmed by the many many herds of sheep, goats and cows.
THIS INCLUDES OUR CAMPGROUND.
Vincent and I are very compatible touring buddies (except for his French thing of smoking). We get packed up and yes it’s straight up from the river valley. The fall valley views are amazingly colorful.
THERES MORE OF THESE PHOTOS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY
There’s maybe 2 more cars here than in Albania, I think partially due to the real economic crisis their experiencing here.
WHEN THE OCCASIONAL CAR DID PASS THEY “ALWAYS” WENT WAY AROUND US, I FEEL VERY SAFE BIKING HERE.
Vincent and I get split up as we roll in ELASSONA. I’m on the hotel hunt, he goes to buy a wrench (they gave it to him), he leaves with the name of a local bike guy that host cyclist. We meet up and head to Yannis’s house.
THE SHIRT SAYS IT ALL “WERE AMONGST FRIENDS”
After unpacking and some small chat, it’s time to eat. One of the good things about hanging with a local is they know the best places to eat authentic “local” food.
APPETIZERS, SALAD, BBQ LAMB, IT’S SO MUCH FOOD I HAD TO STOP EATING. I’ve nicknamed Vincent “Jaws” once he starts eating, he doesn’t stop. Well Jaws was in heaven.
EVEN THE LOCAL BAKERY WAS GETTING INTO THE BICYCLE IMAGES
Yannis restores old bikes, basically turns rust into riding jems. We bring the bikes down from his attic workshop.
THIS PHOTO IS FROM OUR CAMPING SPOT, SEE ALL THE GOATS ON THE VERTICAL ROCK LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO EAT.
Vincent is heading to Larrisa and I’m going to stay holed up in my hotel room
VINCENT ACTUALLY BOUGHT THESE FOR YANNIS’S MOM, TO THANK HER FOR HOSTING US.
There is so much going on here with bikes and Yannis I’ve got to make this a 2 part story (sorry)
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to ride your bike, the planet will love you.
Jeff
YANNIS THE BIKE GURU CAN BE REACHED AT WWW.RESTOREBICYCLES.COM HE’S WORKING ON AN ENGLISH VERSION OF HIS WEBSITE, HE SPEAKS GREAT ENGLISH CALL HIM AT 00306973981979
SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE
NEXT? YANNIS RESCUES ME FROM THE HOTEL.
47 degrees and pouring rain outside. The mountain is getting snow but not enough to open Meadows yet – not that I’ll be going anyway. Finished eating the last of my apples from my trees. I announced my retirement last week and am enjoying the last couple of months with my job and coworkers before ending it all January 2. Your trip is delightful seeing it from this end but you can see that the tourist season is way over. We were in Greece in October one year and it was getting cold and very windy then. Grapes that weren’t used for wine were laid out in the fields to turn into some awesome raisins. You look well and happy.