Please watch my Relive video here: https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqoPWJRRyv
Please watch the 2nd Rhodes Relive video here:https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vj9NGQwJq
We arrived on the island of Rhodes and cleared Customs later than expected but in time for a short ride before checking into our hotel. We will ride again tomorrow before we catch a flight to Athens and officially end Stage 1 of The Odyssey.
So today we rode 35mi (55km), 1,181 ft climbed
So after our last breakfast onboard, we said good-bye to our amazing crew, donned our bike gear and took a short ferry across to Rhodes.
With cycle kit on and bikes ready to go, we exited the ferry, dragged our bike bags and bikes through Greek Customs, unloaded the bike bags on a bus to take to the hotel, and then we started our ride from the dock.
We exited Rhodes quickly by skirting the old town along the picturesque route along the water.
This was a bit busy but very shortly we turned off onto lovely quiet country roads. Once on these, we saw literally see more tractors than cars through the ride! Again, the roads in Greece take one by surprise with such quality and smoothness – some roads look rather big, but in fact these are village roads just done well! Winding our way through tiny villages such as Maritsa and Eleousa, we climbed up into the hills for some gorgeous riding in shady forests with regular panoramic views over harsh farmland out to the Aegean.
This hilly area is interestingly known for its Italian influence during the world wars – still evident with a number of hotels and grand buildings, now mostly in disrepair if not abandoned.
Then making our way through Butterfly Valley and witness a lushness that is rarely seen on the Greek Islands, Rhodes is the only island in fact which has enough of its own fresh water – every other island has to ship it in!
After a steep climb, lunched today in classic Greek style with a wine tasting at Triantafilou Anastasia Winery. Again, a gorgeous family owned winery set in the hills we have just ridden through. Recently ravaged by bushfires which threatened the homestead within metres, it is a gorgeously tranquil spot to stop, take a sip or two, look out over the vines and reflect on a lovely day.
Anastasia and Papa still make the wine, but son Jason – although looks like he is about 12! – is in fact in his thirties and has taken over the running of this beautiful winery. A sommelier and wine maker, his love of wine and the region is evident and his calm manner ended this day’s challenging ride in a perfectly relaxed way! Recently ravaged by bushfires which threatened the homestead within metres, it was a gorgeously tranquil spot to stop, take a sip or two, look out over the vines and reflect on this lovely island.
We checked into the luxurious Rodos Park hotel situated close to the ancient town walls, had a swim, then took a stroll .
So here we are tomorrow, 7 of us got up for a 6 am ride. It was probably nicer than yesterday’s ride which was great! With the hotel still sleeping, we rode off…
Some good climbing to wake us up! When we got to the top we found a lot of peacocks, the males strutting their stuff and squawking!
Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is not an ordinary holiday resort but a cosmopolitan place with an international reputation: the charming medieval town, the sophisticated Lindos, the irresistible valley of the butterflies, the high-quality lifestyle and the long golden sand beaches make the days and nights in the island unforgettable.
Rhodes is a combination of medieval tradition and modern style which impresses and fascinates visitors of all kinds. At the homonym capital of Rhodes, the romantic medieval Old Town holds amazing historical buildings, and the modern New Town also has its archaeological findings. Millions of tourists walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town every year, to visit the museums, the churches and the fortress walls, just following the steps of the knights.
Together with an intensive nightlife in Faliraki, crystal water and warm locals, the island makes for a great choice in holiday!
Life is good on Rhodes…