Category Archives: Romania

Greece Achieved!

Monday May 19, 2014, 95 miles (153 km) – Total so far: 2,940 miles (4,731 km)

May 17, 2014 53 miles The day was clear and bright which was very unusual for the week so we were able to ride without rain gear. We started early excited about entering Greece. On the way to the border the road was closed due to road construction so we made a detour through another valley thanks to the recommendation of a stranger who stopped when we were looking for directions. After several out of the way miles we were back on our original path, passed the border town of Kulata then entered our 13th country in 90 days of cycling. It was another banner moment as we have cycled almost 3,000 miles. We immediately noticed the difference in road quality, shoulders, and driver mentality.

As we continued riding to the coast we found a nice lunch spot in Sidorokastron then continued another two hours to the city of Serre where we got the last room in the old city hotel. Due to European elections and car racing the city was hopping and sold out. After cleaning up we visited a local sports pub and watched Barcelona vs. Madrid with many fanatic fans.

May 18, 2014 42 miles Greece…sun shining bright, flat farming road on a blissful Sunday morning, a nice lunch spot and a Skype session with my wife, climbing many hills to the coast, seeing the sun glisten off the Aegean Sea, rolling into a very quiet beach town, a room overlooking the sea, excellent spaghetti , salad, and cool dry white wine, sharing dinner with a fellow Dutch cyclist that rolled in after us, and a beautiful Grecian sunset…enough said except that this morning we decided to stay another day to swim and relax.

I would love to share this with my wife.

One of many military memorials in Bulgaria
One of many military memorials in Bulgaria
Finding our way to Greece.
Finding our way to Greece.
Greece achieved! 90 days, 13 countries, 3,000 miles.
Greece achieved! 90 days, 13 countries, 3,000 miles.
How Jocelyn takes our country pictures.
How Jocelyn takes our country pictures.
We immediately noticed the better roads and with shoulders!
We immediately noticed the better roads and with shoulders!
Our first lunch spot.
Our first lunch spot.
A fine Greek beer.
A fine Greek beer.
There are more flags flying in Greece than any of the other countries we have visited.
There are more flags flying in Greece than any of the other countries we have visited.

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We walked into a very crowded sports pub to watch Barcelona vs. Madrid and were warmly greeted. When the manager found out we were Americans he escorted us to one of the best seats in the house.
We walked into a very crowded sports pub to watch Barcelona vs. Madrid and were warmly greeted. When the manager found out we were Americans he escorted us to one of the best seats in the house.
A beautiful Sunday morning ride...
A beautiful Sunday morning ride…
and flat for the first 20 miles!
and flat for the first 20 miles!
Finding our way to the coast.
Finding our way to the coast.
A huge lion.
A huge lion.
Ofrinio Beach, Greece.
Ofrinio Beach, Greece.
Dutch cyclist, Hans. We are "the old guys".
Dutch cyclist, Hans. We are “the old guys”.
Fine fruit and wine.
Fine fruit and wine.
A beautiful Greek sunset.
A beautiful Greek sunset.

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Two days 95 miles.
Two days 95 miles.