Crete Scenes - North Coast

Photos from the North Coast of Crete
April 1997

On the docks in Piraeus - Athens Port. My ride to Crete, the Anek Lines ship Lissos.

cretemap

The sum total of my riding on Crete. I only went to Crete on a whim - waiting for the temperatutre in southern Italy to recover from an exceptionally cold and wet spring. What I saw of Crete convinced me that this would be an ideal destination for a multi-week bicycle tour.

Day 1 - I arrived in the port of Souda at daybreak after an overnight voyage and cycled west to the peninsula of Rodopos - doubling back and spending the night in a small room in Platanias.
Day 2 - I rode into Chania (Khania) for breakfast, then past Souda, along the coast and into very steep hills - descending into the pleasant resort village of Georgioupolis.
Day 3 - I rode to Rhythemno. This part of the north coast is far too crowded and touristy for an extended stay (unless you like that sort of thing).
Day 4 - I found the Old Road to Heraklion (Iraklio or Hercules) and got to see what a real tour off the beaten path would be like on Crete. This day was pure joy.
Day 5 - I stayed in Iraklio - cycled out to Knossos to see the ruins of King Minos's palace, spent a couple of hours at the museum in Iraklio (where all the real treasures are kept) and then boarded a ship for Santorini.

My first day on Crete - climbing hills on the northwest coast near Rodopos.

Rodopos-South-to-Hania-PS-800
I got goat shyte on my tires and some good views. Fires seemed to be common on Crete.

Crete-Souda
On my second day I rode from Platanias to Georgioupolis, passing by Souda - the port bay near Chania ...

Crete-Amazing-Grace-at-Drapanos-PS-800
... up and over huge hills, past small villages (this is Drapanos) on my way to Georgioupolis.

Camp-Elizabeth-PS-800
After a room in Georgiouplois, my third night was at Camping Elizabeth in Rhythemno - near the beach.

Old-Road-to-Iraklio-PS-800
On my fourth day, I chose The Old Road to Iraklio.

Perama-PS-800
There was a lot of climbing midst all the small villages and towns. This is not the main road (it was paved).

Crete-Charcoal-PS-800
Making charcoal.

Crete-Old-Road-Tooth-PS-800
A toothy looking rock along the road.

Old-Road-Up-and-Shrine-PS-800
Still climbing. Shrines like the one behind my bike are common.

Old-Road-Orchards-Descent-PS-800
Descent to Iraklio - vineyards and olive groves.

Crete-Iraklio-PS-800
Iraklio in the distance.

Crete-Iraklio-El-Greco-PS-800
My "ride" off the island to Santorini - after spending a day visiting Knossos.

Minoan-PS-800
I could live on these comfortable Greek ships

Photos from the North Coast of Crete April 1997

Photos from the North Coast of Crete
April 1997