Greece. Sun 24th Sept and Mon 25 Sept. Tinos Island.

Sunday 24 September

Today was an out and back ride to explore the mountain roads to the north of Tinos Town. Rain again came through conveniently overnight clearing by breakfast. The rest of the day was sunny and warm up to 24C.

We had a long winding climb from Tinos Town with the countryside getting more remote with terraced hillsides falling over a 1000ft to the great seascape below us dotted with Islands.

Our destination was the great rocky peak of Exobourgo topped with a Venetian Fortress. From the south side it looked unreachable with anything other than Crampons. We did a great circle round it with one steep climb reaching 23%. The last bit of road was up to a church from which it was a 10 minute walk to the top on a track.

The descent included great views across to Mykonos and Delos

20 miles for the day and 2227ft of climbing.

Monday 25 September Tinos to Paranormou.

Weather today was sunny with some cloud hanging over the mountains.

We moved on from Tinos Town to the far NW of the Island. We headed west along the coast to Kionia and then a long climb to a ridge and a break at a Church under the shadow of a wind turbine.

We continued on the road heading NW at about 900ft with great views down to the coast. After a few hairpins the high point of 1100ft was reached above Ysternia. Then downhill to the pretty village of Pyrgos where we stopped for lunch in a Taverna.

Then down to the bay of Panormos where we checked into Rooms for the night. Late afternoon was spent at the empty beach with a swim.

17.5 miles for the day and 1630ft of climbing .