The cycle continues! I’m off to Istanbul (hopefully). I woke at 8:30 today as Nik had suggested, in time to have a send off breakfast and make it the 136km I planned to cycle today. Nik and Andrew didn’t get up until 10! Ah well…
I packed, and when they were up we drove into town. We couldn’t find parking near the café (Rubiks) so had to park by the sea and walk 10 mins. It was a kind of superfood place – very Nik’s vibe. I got salmon avocado toast (as did Andrew) and a cold chocolate. Nik got some overpriced (imo) granola.
My breakfast was good though, and Andrew gave me one of his pieces of toast, which made it worth the price. We drove back to Nik’s place and listened to “Picasso” on the radio for potentially the last time. When back I filled up my water and loaded my bike. I said goodbye to Nik and Andrew, and cycled off once more into solitude.
It felt odd to cycle again. The back wheel feels very different – perhaps because it’s working properly? I got some cash out and bought some snacks in a supermarket then cycled to the bridge. Once again I couldn’t get on and I missed the first ferry. I had to wait 15 mins for the next one to leave. By the time I was cycling out of Antirio it was past 2. My hotel in Delphi had a 9pm check in, and my beeline predicted I’d be there at 1am. I asked if they could delay it until 11 and they did, however…
The beeline refused to take me on any main, tarmacked roads. Instead it took me up rocky, dirt paths, some of which were so steep and fine particled that my bike couldn’t get purchase and I had to walk up into endless mountains. I struggled on for a while, but at 5ish realised I definitely wasn’t going to make it to Delphi at this rate. After many steep hills and angry curses (I’d forgotten this part of cycling!) I stopped, cancelled my hotel (luckily, this was free!) and ignored the Beeline. I went back down the hill despite its furious beeping, and rejoined the main road.
Another issue today had been that the water in my CamelBak tasted slightly bleachy, and even the water in my bottle tasted sweet. Purchased supermarket water helped this for a while but soon the problem re-emerged. I decided to continue on the main road, ignore the beeline’s batshit mountain routes, and book a hotel in Galaxidi instead, which was nearer. The views were nice anyway.
I was by the sea. The sun set at 8. I turned on my lights and arrived at the hotel at 8:30. The owner and his friend were very friendly. The friend was amazed and impressed by my cycle. I like it when that happens!
I showered and tried calling a friend, though bad wifi and her dinner got in the way. Instead I wondered into town and got some seafood spaghetti and a beer. They also gave me a free watermelon for dessert. Fruit is good. A nice change.
I walked the town for a bit, saw a few cats and a cool church, then returned to my hotel and wrote this. Delphi tomorrow, then on North. I’m in no rush. I plan to sleep soon, though I don’t feel very tired…
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