Road Cycling in Crete
Discussion
I'm taking my bike to Crete next month to do a bit of road cycling. I'll be heading out early in the morning to avoid the high temperatures, but has anyone cycled there and have any top tips ? There doesn't seem to be a lot of cycle shops around ( other than a few MB hire places ) so I guess I'll need to take some tools. Any good routes in the East ?
I can’t respond specifically with regards to Crete, but had the same idea when I visited Corfu.
After some to-img and fro-ing, I decided not to and when I got there I was happy with my decision.
The traffic was horrendous, the roads awful (in terms of surfacing, potholes etc) and the driving standards worse than the UK.
Factor in the excessive temps, even going out earlier meant I didn’t regret the decision.
After some to-img and fro-ing, I decided not to and when I got there I was happy with my decision.
The traffic was horrendous, the roads awful (in terms of surfacing, potholes etc) and the driving standards worse than the UK.
Factor in the excessive temps, even going out earlier meant I didn’t regret the decision.
Also not Crete, but I cycled in Rhodes last August and it was brilliant !
Quiet roads, and challenging hills. Stay away from resorts and no one else out there. I saw maybe 2 other people on road bikes while riding.
Like you say - you will need to get up for first light to be out and back before gets too hot - was hitting early 30's by 11am so best riding 6am-10am if possible, means setting alarm and getting kit ready night before.
You need to take own tools to sort emergencies (ie CO2 canisters, multi tool, chain tool etc) plus you need least 2 water bottles with hydration tabs, and carry enough food with you.
In Rhodes there were very few shops in the mountain villages - none were open at 9am ! - maybe Crete has more resorts with shops selling cold drinks etc.
Definately worth giving it a go if not too much hassle taking own bike.
I used strava segment explore/ heat map functionality to see other routes cyclists had used, and did some research on possible routes beforehand.
https://www.strava.com/location/crete/type/cycling...
Quiet roads, and challenging hills. Stay away from resorts and no one else out there. I saw maybe 2 other people on road bikes while riding.
Like you say - you will need to get up for first light to be out and back before gets too hot - was hitting early 30's by 11am so best riding 6am-10am if possible, means setting alarm and getting kit ready night before.
You need to take own tools to sort emergencies (ie CO2 canisters, multi tool, chain tool etc) plus you need least 2 water bottles with hydration tabs, and carry enough food with you.
In Rhodes there were very few shops in the mountain villages - none were open at 9am ! - maybe Crete has more resorts with shops selling cold drinks etc.
Definately worth giving it a go if not too much hassle taking own bike.
I used strava segment explore/ heat map functionality to see other routes cyclists had used, and did some research on possible routes beforehand.
https://www.strava.com/location/crete/type/cycling...
Edited by mie1972 on Monday 19th July 19:58
Not cycled on Crete, but been driven about enough there to make me slightly nervous about the idea - a lot of the time, vehicles drive right over to the edge of the road to allow an unofficial overtaking lane up the middle. Although I don't feel the speeds are particularly high, or the standards particularly low. However, if I was cycling, I'd want to be lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree, especially from the rear, and generally be very high-vis.
Snorkelling around there is bloomin' brilliant, mind
Also where I learnt to windsurf
Snorkelling around there is bloomin' brilliant, mind
Also where I learnt to windsurf
We holidayed in Plaka and the thing I remember most about that holiday was the strength of the wind. On the day we arrived we walked past a guy complaining about how strong the wind was and we thought he was being dramatic… He wasn’t, it was f
king immense and absolutely relentless. I’m not sure I’d want to cycle around that part of Crete for that reason alone.
king immense and absolutely relentless. I’m not sure I’d want to cycle around that part of Crete for that reason alone.I honeymooned in Agios Nikolas several years ago and on one of the days hired a mountain bike to ride, by tarmac road, up into the mountains, see here: https://meandthemountain.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/...
From memory the roads were unpleasantly busy near the town/coast road but quickly became very quiet. To the extent that I remember worrying a bit that if I had an off up in the hills I might be lying there a long time before anyone found me! The heat was punishing too. Amazing riding though, even on a crappy car-hire mtb, although there were plenty of sections of road which were very badly surfaced.
From memory the roads were unpleasantly busy near the town/coast road but quickly became very quiet. To the extent that I remember worrying a bit that if I had an off up in the hills I might be lying there a long time before anyone found me! The heat was punishing too. Amazing riding though, even on a crappy car-hire mtb, although there were plenty of sections of road which were very badly surfaced.
We went on honeymoon to SW Crete, Paleochora if you've got a map, and rented a couple of bikes. Nearly came home divorced - hot and hilly, with a 'breeze' that comes straight off the Sahara! The roads were also quite narrow and twisty - not sure it would be too much fun to go for distance in the summer. I reckon spring could be good though.
Lovely spot, regardless.
Lovely spot, regardless.
Yeah, the temperature is my biggest worry. We’re near Sitia in the hills which is not a touristy area and the traffic is generally quiet so I’m not too concerned about that. Road surfaces could be dodgy but I have 28s on so can handle a bit of dirt.
It’s costing £60 to take the bike so it’s going anyway. I’ll report back then you can tell me you told me so
It’s costing £60 to take the bike so it’s going anyway. I’ll report back then you can tell me you told me so
Looking at the strava global heatmap
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
And filtering for cycling always gives a good idea of how much people run/ride/swim etc in any place and where they do it.
I use it loads for planning runs if I’m in a new place.
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
And filtering for cycling always gives a good idea of how much people run/ride/swim etc in any place and where they do it.
I use it loads for planning runs if I’m in a new place.
I was in Crete a few years ago, and there are some interesting sites and quiet roads inland. There is an abandoned ski resort (yes, really) built with EU money on the Nida Plateau with an access road crumbling down the loose mud and rock hills.
Nida Plateau
The coastal roads, as others have said, are very busy, and dangerous by British standards. Whilst we were there, a petrol tanker ran into the back of a bus which had stopped, illegally, on a dual carriageway to let off some passengers. Several were killed in the ensuing fireball.
Beware of the roadside family restaurants too. They are very welcoming, great food and great value when we were there. They also ply you with their own home made 'rocket fuel' spirits before you depart.
I'm convinced they all have a sweepstake going on which corner the 'lubricated' tourists will crash, as they drive off!
Nida Plateau
The coastal roads, as others have said, are very busy, and dangerous by British standards. Whilst we were there, a petrol tanker ran into the back of a bus which had stopped, illegally, on a dual carriageway to let off some passengers. Several were killed in the ensuing fireball.
Beware of the roadside family restaurants too. They are very welcoming, great food and great value when we were there. They also ply you with their own home made 'rocket fuel' spirits before you depart.
I'm convinced they all have a sweepstake going on which corner the 'lubricated' tourists will crash, as they drive off!
Strava shows a fair amount of activity all over the island on the global heatmap, I'm sure it will be fine.
I've cycled all over europe in some lesser trodden places places (Montenegro, Cyprus, Sardinia,), and it has always been fine, despite the scare stories you hear.
The roads will be a little hit and miss, but generally in such places I've never found them to be that bad really. It is vital to try and get a read on whether roads are paved using satellite. Using strava is good, find some segments in the area you're staying then look at the rides the people in the leaderboard did, I have got many routes this way, even asked people if it's all paved etc - I've been asked too in the same way about Montenegro - the driving is also hit and miss, you have to understand that in many of these countries they are not that used to seeing bikes on the road, but they aren't going to hit you. They do drive quickly though, and take corners at speed... Going early in a remote area should mitigate.
It will be very hot. There is not much shade in such countries as there's not enough rain for anything to sodding well grow, so bear it in mind, easy to get caught out water wise, especially if you're not near shops etc.
I've cycled all over europe in some lesser trodden places places (Montenegro, Cyprus, Sardinia,), and it has always been fine, despite the scare stories you hear.
The roads will be a little hit and miss, but generally in such places I've never found them to be that bad really. It is vital to try and get a read on whether roads are paved using satellite. Using strava is good, find some segments in the area you're staying then look at the rides the people in the leaderboard did, I have got many routes this way, even asked people if it's all paved etc - I've been asked too in the same way about Montenegro - the driving is also hit and miss, you have to understand that in many of these countries they are not that used to seeing bikes on the road, but they aren't going to hit you. They do drive quickly though, and take corners at speed... Going early in a remote area should mitigate.
It will be very hot. There is not much shade in such countries as there's not enough rain for anything to sodding well grow, so bear it in mind, easy to get caught out water wise, especially if you're not near shops etc.
okgo said:
Strava shows a fair amount of activity all over the island on the global heatmap, I'm sure it will be fine.
I've cycled all over europe in some lesser trodden places places (Montenegro, Cyprus, Sardinia,), and it has always been fine, despite the scare stories you hear.
The roads will be a little hit and miss, but generally in such places I've never found them to be that bad really. It is vital to try and get a read on whether roads are paved using satellite. Using strava is good, find some segments in the area you're staying then look at the rides the people in the leaderboard did, I have got many routes this way, even asked people if it's all paved etc - I've been asked too in the same way about Montenegro - the driving is also hit and miss, you have to understand that in many of these countries they are not that used to seeing bikes on the road, but they aren't going to hit you. They do drive quickly though, and take corners at speed... Going early in a remote area should mitigate.
It will be very hot. There is not much shade in such countries as there's not enough rain for anything to sodding well grow, so bear it in mind, easy to get caught out water wise, especially if you're not near shops etc.
Thanks. I had a good look at Strava heatmap last night and the area seems to be pretty well cycled. I also discovered Strava 'Routes' has a facility which defines the surface although there were many parts which were 'undefined'. What I found surprising was that much of the area is also covered by google streetmap so I can survey a lot of the routes before I go. In general it looks like this :I've cycled all over europe in some lesser trodden places places (Montenegro, Cyprus, Sardinia,), and it has always been fine, despite the scare stories you hear.
The roads will be a little hit and miss, but generally in such places I've never found them to be that bad really. It is vital to try and get a read on whether roads are paved using satellite. Using strava is good, find some segments in the area you're staying then look at the rides the people in the leaderboard did, I have got many routes this way, even asked people if it's all paved etc - I've been asked too in the same way about Montenegro - the driving is also hit and miss, you have to understand that in many of these countries they are not that used to seeing bikes on the road, but they aren't going to hit you. They do drive quickly though, and take corners at speed... Going early in a remote area should mitigate.
It will be very hot. There is not much shade in such countries as there's not enough rain for anything to sodding well grow, so bear it in mind, easy to get caught out water wise, especially if you're not near shops etc.
Good surfaces but as you say, very little shade around. I've just ordered a few 750ml bottles !
Yeh, and there you have it, that looks better than most roads I've seen in the UK that would be nice to cycle. I'm sure there is the odd hole, or bit they haven't been arsed to fix, but generally I've found the roads in hot countries to be better than the UK because the weather isn't so grim and they don't get as much traffic.
Streetmap is a good one, but yeh, I'd really just try and survey the whole route because I got caught out in Sardinia, up in the mountains and obviously they got bored and stopped tarmacking and it just turned to dust track, bit boring having to turn on your heel in such an instance. But as you say, google have done a good job!
Where are you staying?
Go to segment explorer and do as I suggested, you'll be able to get a load of routes straight away, if you seek out some segments of near where your base is you may find that other people have started/finished there too which is useful!
Streetmap is a good one, but yeh, I'd really just try and survey the whole route because I got caught out in Sardinia, up in the mountains and obviously they got bored and stopped tarmacking and it just turned to dust track, bit boring having to turn on your heel in such an instance. But as you say, google have done a good job!
Where are you staying?
Go to segment explorer and do as I suggested, you'll be able to get a load of routes straight away, if you seek out some segments of near where your base is you may find that other people have started/finished there too which is useful!
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