Wednesday 4 October. Richard overtakes a Donkey on a steep climb to Ano Mera, Mykonos

Wednesday 4 October. Phil and Mary and Richard above Filias Beach, Mykonos

Tuesday 3 October. Andros Island to Mykonos Island

Today was mainly another Island hopping Ferry ride from Andros back to Mykonos Island

Weather was great with clear blue skies all day and temperatures up to 25C.

We had an early breakfast and then up a short hill from Batsi Harbour and a short ride to Gavion Town Port. We were there with an hour to spare so we stopped at a quayside Taverna for coffee.

The ferry ride was 2 hours 15 minutes with a stop en route at Tinos. We spent the time on the top deck looking at the routes we had cycled as the ship cruised south alongside Andros and Tinos Islands.

We arrived at Mykonos during the midday rush hour for ferries with 3 great ferries jostling for position.

After lunch at the town bay we went on to the Hotel and an afternoons sunbathing by the pool. Hard life!!

4.8 miles for the day and 250ft of climbing.

Edwin

Tuesday 3 October. On deck stopping at Tinos

Monday 2 October. Andros Town to Batsi.

Today was a moving on day taking us back to the Resort of Batsi on the West Coast. Ernie, Nicola and Peter took the easier route of up the valley to a 1000ft highpoint and then down to Batsi on the Coast Road. Phil, Mary, Richard and I took the hard route over the 3 ridges climbed a few days ago and then Inland to Batsi.

Weather was great with clear blue skies all day and temperatures up to 25C.

On the hard route we climbed up the first Ridge and then up to the head of the valley and the village of Apikia for a picnic elevenses in the square. We also filled our water bottles from the mineral water Spring. Then up to the end of the ridge and a long climb to the head of the next valley and a picnic lunch in the village of Vourkoti.

Then a short climb to the top of the 3rd ridge and onto untried roads. With clear skies we had great views across Mountains and coast as the road contoured along at 2300ft. Then a long fast and dramatic descent down the ridge before a series of twisty hairpins took us down into the remote green valley of Revmata. We had a short climb out of the valley before another descent to Katakilos and another short climb to a ridge and then a fast swooping descent to the scenic bay at Batsi.

Before checking into the Hotel we stopped for cooling smoothies at a Caf¿ on the front. We were soon joined by Ernie, Nicola and Peter who had arrived 30 minutes earlier.

21 miles for the day and 3067ft of climbing.

Edwin

Monday 2nd October. Phil and Mary descending to Revmata Valley .

Sunday 1 October. Ormos Bay Circuit.

Today was another rest day or non moving on day staying at Andros town. Ernie and Nicola had an easy day riding close to town. Peter rode with us to elevenses and then went back. Phil and Mary, Richard and I rode a very mountainous circuit via Ormos Bay on the east coast.

Weather was warm and sunny all day with temperatures up to 24C but with a gale force NE wind.

We rode west out of town up the valley to the west coast. When we stopped for a short break we met what I thought was a local at first but turned out to be a chap from Somerset who had moved here 10 years ago.

We continued to the junction 900ft above the west coast of the Island and took refuge from the wind in a slate built bus shelter for a picnic elevenses. Then onward and upward to a high point of 1250ft with the road following the mountainside with great views down to the coast.

The road then turned inland and twisted and turned among remote mountain villages for a 6 mile descent to Ormos Bay on the East Coast. We stopped for a picnic lunch, swim and sunbathe.

Then a great long climb to the north with gradients reaching 13%. As we climbed with multiple switchbacks Ormos Bay became smaller and smaller below us. The top was reached at 1536ft.

The climb was followed by a great 7 mile descent. We swooped down the ravine of the Vouni valley with every turn opening up more amazing views of mountains and seascapes and some great views of Andros Town.

32 miles for the day with 3340ft of climbing.

Edwin

Sunday 1 October. Phil and Mary and Richard riding high above the west coast

Sunday 1 October. View of Andros Town.

Saturday 30 Septembe. Ridge Riding

Today was a nominal rest day with no moving on but everyone went along with the idea of climbing over ridges to the north of Andros Town involving 3000ft of climbing.

Weather was warm and sunny on the coast up to 25C but with clouds hanging over the high ridges clearing by afternoon.

From town the first ridge at about 500ft was visible with the 2nd ridge at 1700ft towering above it. The 3rd ridge at 2300ft was hidden behind the second.

We climbed the first ridge with scenic views behind of the town and bay.Then on to the head of the valley and the town of Apikia with little descending before starting the climb of the second ridge. We stopped in Apikia for a picnic elevenses in the absence of a Taverna.

Then a steep climb to the top of the 2nd Ridge with dramatic views towards the coast and inland a strong wind was blowing low cloud over the ridge.

Then a long climb to the head of the valley and a picnic lunch beside a closed Taverna in the village of Vourkoti. Then a short half mile climb to the 2300ft summit of the 3rd ridge

The clouds were clearing as we started our fast descent back down made easier by the almost total absence of traffic.

We stopped in Apikia to fill our water bottles from a natural Spring. The water is bottled in the village and sold as Mountain Spring water.

On the way back Phil, Mary, Richard and I diverted to the beach and Cove at Stenies for a swim and some sunbathing.

20 miles for the day but very high quality miles with 3015ft of climbing (nearly as much as the 60 mile circuit of the Isle of Wight)

Edwin

Saturday 30 September. Richard descending the 2nd Ridge.

Friday 29 September. Batsi to Andros Town

Today we moved on south along the coast and then along a valley to Andros town on the East Coast where we stay 3 nights.

Weather was generally warm and sunny up to 25C with some clouds hanging around the mountains in the centre of the Island.

We climbed up from Batsi Bay with views of the indented coastline and a Greek warship moored in the middle of the bay. The views opened up across a blue sea to distant Islands as the road climbed to 700ft.

We stopped in the small village of Paleopoli for elevenses and then continued climbing to the high point of 920 feet. Then a long descent to Andros Town and our hotel on the beach.

16 miles for the day and 1141ft of climbing .

Edwin

Friday 29 September. Ernie and Nicola on the Andros Coast Road

Thursday 28 September. Tinos to Andros.

Today we were moving on from Tinos Island to Andros the next Island north. Weather started wet but soon cleared with temperatures up to 24C.

We caught the 10.15 ferry for a 90 minute crossing sailing north along Tinos Island with views of roads we had cycled a few days before. The ferry was luxurious by Greek standards with an escalator up to the Decks.

We sailed into Gavio Port towards the north of Andros Island. We stopped for lunch at the port and then a short ride south to the resort of Batsi.

In the evening we enjoyed a meal with a great view of the sunset across the harbour.

5.5 miles for the day and 300ft of climbing.

Edwin

Thursday 28 September. Ferry to Andros