Quinlan, Kate, John, Mel, Felix, Becca, and Eli at the start of the week's hardest ride.
Photo by Steven Frost/Greek Cycling Holidays

A Cycling Vacation on Evia Island, Greece

Embarking on a cycling vacation in Greece is a dream come true for any cycling enthusiast. Recently, our group of Colorado friends—Becca, Eli, John, Kate, Mel, Quinlan, and myself—embarked on an unforgettable journey organized by Steven of Greek Cycling Holidays. This blog post recounts our thrilling experiences, picturesque landscapes, and memorable moments as we explored the charming island of Evia and mainland Greece.

Arrival and Accommodation

Steven, our knowledgeable guide and professional chef who was from England but lived in Greece for the last 20 years, made sure our journey began on a high note. Providing transportation, rental bikes, and a villa, he did his best to ensure our comfort and enjoyment throughout our stay. We were treated to delectable Greek salads, mouthwatering entrees, and delightful desserts, expertly crafted by Steven.

Saturday: Exploratory Ride in Eretria

Our adventure kicked off with an exploratory ride in the heart of Eretrea, Evia Island. As we pedaled through the scenic routes, we stumbled upon an abandoned hotel covered in graffiti art, an unexpected testament to the island’s vibrant culture and history.

Strava

Sunday: Chalkida-Mouriki-Chalkida Ride

On the mainland, we embarked on the Chalkida-Mouriki-Chalkida ride. Steven dropped us off in Chalkida, but due to a running race in Eretria, it took us a while to reach the starting point. Despite the delay, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch by the water, relishing in a refreshing swim and ordering drinks.

Strava

Monday: An Epic Ride

Monday marked the day for our most challenging ride of the week. Becca, Kate, and I, fueled by determination, took on a grueling 120-kilometer route with almost 10,000 feet of climbing. 

I learned firsthand the difficulty of keeping up with the pace of Becca, who is a near-elite triathlete who aims to get her Pro card this year. While I struggled, I also marveled at the incredible fitness level of my friend (and Becca’s mom) Kate, who is 60 years old.  

On the first big climb, I tried to keep up with Becca, which was a mistake. Two-thirds of the way up on Climb #1, Kate dropped me and my legs blew up soon after. They never recovered and both Kate and Becca would have to wait for me at the top of the remaining climbs of the day.

Climb #2 had some of the steepest pitches. My legs were done but at least we were able to stop in a town of Stropones that was having a festival. We found a quiet café-bar where we could imbibe a Coke and indulge in an ice cream.

On Climb #3, I went extremely slow. At least I felt better than Climb #2

We all expected the fourth and final to be not nearly as steep. Therefore, I started a bit fast and tried to keep up with Becca and Kate. Of course, legs blew up again.

All in all, this shorter-than-a-century ride turned out to be one of the hardest things I have done in the last six years. “I think that might have been harder than running four marathons in six days,” I remarked, although that thought might have been influenced by recency bias. My main consolation was that I didn’t have to stop or walk on the climbs.

Strava

Below is a compilation of point-of-view video clips from this epic ride.

YouTube

Tuesday: Rest and Athens Exploration

Tuesday offered us a well-deserved rest day, which we utilized to visit the historic city of Athens, immersing ourselves in its rich culture and ancient wonders.

Wednesday: Monastery, Winery, and Relaxation

We embarked on an uphill ride to a picturesque monastery, where we reunited with Eli and Quinlan. Descending to Avantis Estate winery, we rendezvoused with John and Mel. Upon returning to the villa, I treated myself to a rejuvenating hour in the jacuzzi and indulged in a blissful deep-tissue massage by a local we hired.

Strava

Thursday: Mini-Epic Ride and Scenic Coastline

Thursday brought a mini-epic ride with an 800-meter climb followed by a 300-meter ascent. With improved pacing, I successfully kept up with Becca and Kate, relishing in the breathtaking views amidst the cloud-covered climbs. 

The day ended with a joyful meet-up with Eli and Quinlan at a coffee shop and a pacelined ride back to Eritrea along the picturesque coastline.

Strava

Below is a compilation of point-of-view video clips from this mini-epic.

YouTube

Friday: Exploring Makrykappa and Unexpected Challenges

On Friday, we decided to opt for a shorter ride with the rest of the group instead of tackling another ride with long climbs alongside Becca and Kate. The day brought sweltering heat, but we were still in for some significant climbs of medium length. During our journey, we made a refreshing stop in Makrykappa to regroup and have some drinks. 

Unfortunately, as luck would have it, I experienced a flat front tire. The struggle to remount the Cheng Shin 700x28c tire onto the Chris Boardman tubeless-ready wheels proved challenging, and I ended up pinching both of the spare tubes. I also broke a tire lever. 

Thankfully, Steve ultimately came to my rescue. He explained that those Boardman wheels must be slightly oversized because he has had trouble mounting any brand of tire onto it. In any case, my ride was done for the day.

Strava

Afterward, I ran a mile along the stunning Eubean Gulf in Eretria with Kate and Mel, followed by a refreshing 300-meter swim in the sea. To cap off the day’s adventures, we relaxed by the shore, sipping on drinks and reminiscing about our incredible cycling journey.

Saturday: Uphill Strava Segment Run

I concluded the week on Evia Island with a Saturday morning run, including a challenging uphill 750-meter Strava segment. I ran past Mel–who was out going for a walk–while huffing and puffing up the final steep section.

Strava

Becca would later post on Facebook,

We had the best vacation (or training camp?😝) in Greece! Most of our time was spent on Evia Island, cycling around the island with Greek Cycle Holidays, enjoying some epic climbs, scenic routes, and amazing food. Over the week, Kate Pribor Schulte and I biked 250+ miles and 27,000+ ft of elevation! Then we enjoyed a couple days of relaxation on Hydra Island!

Thanks mom and dad for the best graduation present (a year late)!

It was indeed both a good vacation and training camp. I certainly felt in better cycling shape by the end of it!

Notes and Tips

This was my first semi-organized multi-day cycling tour. I’ve mainly only done self-supported rides in the past.

I’d recommend such a cycling vacation with the following caveats:

  • Bring bug repellent. The room I stayed in at the villa lacked window screens, and the air conditioner wasn’t working. Therefore, the room got very hot, and we had to have the windows open and were swarmed by mosquitoes. By the end of the week I resorted to sleeping in a light jacket and jeans, but still got bit on my face and hands.
  • Be careful on the descents. During the last two months, two cyclists crashed due to riding down them too quickly. One was still in the hospital while we were there. We had no close calls, but we were super cautious descending.

If you are interested in doing a similar cycling vacation, contact Steven at Greek Cycle Holidays.

John, Eli, Quinlan, Becca, Kate, Mel, and Steven on the ferry from Athens to Eretria on Evia Island, Greece.
John, Eli, Quinlan, Becca, Kate, Mel, and Steven on the ferry from Athens to Eretria on Evia Island, Greece.
Steven's Volkswagen Transporter van was our shuttle vehicle.
Steven's Volkswagen Transporter van was our shuttle vehicle.
Mel by the harbor in Eretria.
Mel by the harbor in Eretria.
Becca and Mel checking out an abandoned hotel that ceased operations around 2009.
Becca and Mel checking out an abandoned hotel that ceased operations around 2009.
Eli, Quinlan, Kate, Becca, and John enjoying one of the many outstanding dinners prepared by Steven.
Eli, Quinlan, Kate, Becca, and John enjoying one of the many outstanding dinners prepared by Steven.
Regrouping before some of us went up the hill at the left.
Regrouping before some of us went up the hill at the left.
Becca and Kate with the Maliokos Gulf near Loukisia, Greece in the background.
Becca and Kate with the Maliokos Gulf near Loukisia, Greece in the background.
A cat posing in a flower planter in Mourikion, Greece.
A cat posing in a flower planter in Mourikion, Greece.
Becca gesturing towards one of the many roadside shrines, called eikonostasia, honoring people who have died in roadside accidents.
Becca gesturing towards one of the many roadside shrines, called eikonostasia, honoring people who have died in roadside accidents.
After our bike ride on Sunday, we had a table so close to the water that we were able to take a swim before drinks.
After our bike ride on Sunday, we had a table so close to the water that we were able to take a swim before drinks.
Quinlan, Kate, John, Mel, Felix, Becca, and Eli at the start of the week's hardest ride.
Photo by Steven Frost/Greek Cycling Holidays
Quinlan, Kate, John, Mel, Felix, Becca, and Eli at the start of the week's hardest ride.
There was a festival in the town of Stropones when we stopped there for an ice cream and Coke break.
There was a festival in the town of Stropones when we stopped there for an ice cream and Coke break.
Felix at the top of one of the many long climbs on our longest cycling day.
Photo by Becca
Felix at the top of one of the many long climbs on our longest cycling day.
Mel and I started running early enough to see sun rising over the water in Eretria.
Mel and I started running early enough to see sun rising over the water in Eretria.
Felix running in the morning. The Greek Cycling Holidays villa was in the neighborhood ahead.
Photo by Mel
Felix running in the morning. The Greek Cycling Holidays villa was in the neighborhood ahead.
Kate and Mel at the villa wearing matching FCRC running jerseys.
Kate and Mel at the villa wearing matching FCRC running jerseys.
This white cat hung out with us at breakfast a lot.
This white cat hung out with us at breakfast a lot.
Kate and Becca at a monastery at the top of a climb in Lilantia.
Kate and Becca at a monastery at the top of a climb in Lilantia.
Mel, Quinlan, Eli, Becca, Kate, and John at the Avantis Estate winery.
Mel, Quinlan, Eli, Becca, Kate, and John at the Avantis Estate winery.
Felix hiking up the hill to the "mini Acropolis" that was only a couple of kilometers away from the Greek Cycling Holidays villa.
Photo by Mel
Felix hiking up the hill to the "mini Acropolis" that was only a couple of kilometers away from the Greek Cycling Holidays villa.
Mel peering north from the top of the "mini Acropolis."
Mel peering north from the top of the "mini Acropolis."
I spent an hour in the jacuzzi a couple of days at the villa.
I spent an hour in the jacuzzi a couple of days at the villa.
John, Becca, Kate, Quinlan, Eli, and Mel at dinner at the Primavera restaurant in central Eretria.
John, Becca, Kate, Quinlan, Eli, and Mel at dinner at the Primavera restaurant in central Eretria.
Peppers and tomatoes stuffed with rice.
Peppers and tomatoes stuffed with rice.
Naomi was a rescue dog that lived at the villa.
Naomi was a rescue dog that lived at the villa.
Running a mile with Kate and Mel by the harbor in Eretrea. We also swam in the ocean before relaxing and having drinks on lounge chairs by the water.
Running a mile with Kate and Mel by the harbor in Eretrea. We also swam in the ocean before relaxing and having drinks on lounge chairs by the water.