Touzia Beach to Serres (Mon 25th May, 65.8km @ 18.2kph)
We left our "camping area" early and the boarded up office was still closed so we pedalled off, gratis, to have breakfast at the local bakery. We then left the seaside and heaaded for the hills. This was riding on ancient land with archeological sites intermingled with crops and orchards. Legs felt heavy and it wasn't until we had a couple of really long downhills, one over 3km, that we realized we'd spent the first 40km gently climbing. As we entered the Macedonian town of Serres we immedeately hit on a bike shop. As Sigrid's cleat had lost a screw we went in and soon were best friends with Kosta, the owner who sold everything from plastic dinkies for toddlers to roadbikes . He lamented that Greeks weren't into bike riding and therefore his stock wasn't as good as it should be. Anyhow, cleats were sorted and we got a few other bits and pieces. He rang his mate who had a hotel and booked us in at a discount . As we just arrived at the hotel he turned up on his bike , just to check we got there ok. We had a great room with a big balcony where we could store the bikes. So the bikes got a bit of a clean and we enjoyed the showers and all the other trimmings which go with a hotel room.Serres has 80 000 inhabitants with a 11 000 student population. The town had a real positive vibe to it. Greek men eyeing off the ladies and ladies with a real wiggle to their hips. Good fun people watching. Probably the best town we'd been to so far . People at cafes, taverns and outdoor bars everywhere. We ended up doing what the locals do and had a late dinner.
Serres to Melnik -Bulgaria (Tues 26th May, 72km @ 17.5kph)
We left Serres on a lovely highway towards the Bulgarian border, 48km away to the north. However, the condition of the road soon deteriorated as we entered Bulgaria .(as did the signage on the roads) Our destination for today's ride was Melnik, a touristy village supposedly 15km from the border. Not having the best maps at our disposal, we took the first turn for Melnik and ended up on a very hilly and seldom used backroad.(in fact was one of the worst roads Don said he'd ever ridden a bike on) We asked a farmer who assured us, with a gleeful smile, we were stll heading towards Melnik. The terrain was becoming increasingly hilly and the vista to our right was one of snow covered peaks.
Luckily, this goat track eventually joined the road most tourists use to arrive at this scenic village. We'd taken the longer, hillier and bumpier route. On arrival we quickly consumed a couple of beers and found a local hotel for two nights. The next day was to be a rest day.
On first impressions, Bulgaria seemed to still have many hangovers from their communist days but it is inexpensive. ($1.50 for 1/2 litre of beer)
Melnik: Rest day (Wed 27th May)
Melnik is a small village famous for its whitewashed buildings, sand pyramids, Bulgaria's best wine and a picturesque walk to the 13th century Rozhen Monastery. At the time of doing this blog, we have just completed the 6km return walk to the monastery through the eroded sand pramids. It was a bit of a hike but a very beautiful walk.(see pictures) The hilltop monastery, built in 1217 with woodcarvings and a mural filled church was very peaceful and atmospheric. The grapevine covering the old wooden rafters was planted 300 years ago. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the manastery. This evening we will check out the local wines.
We left our "camping area" early and the boarded up office was still closed so we pedalled off, gratis, to have breakfast at the local bakery. We then left the seaside and heaaded for the hills. This was riding on ancient land with archeological sites intermingled with crops and orchards. Legs felt heavy and it wasn't until we had a couple of really long downhills, one over 3km, that we realized we'd spent the first 40km gently climbing. As we entered the Macedonian town of Serres we immedeately hit on a bike shop. As Sigrid's cleat had lost a screw we went in and soon were best friends with Kosta, the owner who sold everything from plastic dinkies for toddlers to roadbikes . He lamented that Greeks weren't into bike riding and therefore his stock wasn't as good as it should be. Anyhow, cleats were sorted and we got a few other bits and pieces. He rang his mate who had a hotel and booked us in at a discount . As we just arrived at the hotel he turned up on his bike , just to check we got there ok. We had a great room with a big balcony where we could store the bikes. So the bikes got a bit of a clean and we enjoyed the showers and all the other trimmings which go with a hotel room.Serres has 80 000 inhabitants with a 11 000 student population. The town had a real positive vibe to it. Greek men eyeing off the ladies and ladies with a real wiggle to their hips. Good fun people watching. Probably the best town we'd been to so far . People at cafes, taverns and outdoor bars everywhere. We ended up doing what the locals do and had a late dinner.
Serres to Melnik -Bulgaria (Tues 26th May, 72km @ 17.5kph)
We left Serres on a lovely highway towards the Bulgarian border, 48km away to the north. However, the condition of the road soon deteriorated as we entered Bulgaria .(as did the signage on the roads) Our destination for today's ride was Melnik, a touristy village supposedly 15km from the border. Not having the best maps at our disposal, we took the first turn for Melnik and ended up on a very hilly and seldom used backroad.(in fact was one of the worst roads Don said he'd ever ridden a bike on) We asked a farmer who assured us, with a gleeful smile, we were stll heading towards Melnik. The terrain was becoming increasingly hilly and the vista to our right was one of snow covered peaks.
Luckily, this goat track eventually joined the road most tourists use to arrive at this scenic village. We'd taken the longer, hillier and bumpier route. On arrival we quickly consumed a couple of beers and found a local hotel for two nights. The next day was to be a rest day.
On first impressions, Bulgaria seemed to still have many hangovers from their communist days but it is inexpensive. ($1.50 for 1/2 litre of beer)
Melnik: Rest day (Wed 27th May)
Melnik is a small village famous for its whitewashed buildings, sand pyramids, Bulgaria's best wine and a picturesque walk to the 13th century Rozhen Monastery. At the time of doing this blog, we have just completed the 6km return walk to the monastery through the eroded sand pramids. It was a bit of a hike but a very beautiful walk.(see pictures) The hilltop monastery, built in 1217 with woodcarvings and a mural filled church was very peaceful and atmospheric. The grapevine covering the old wooden rafters was planted 300 years ago. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the manastery. This evening we will check out the local wines.
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