LET THE GAMES BEGIN
June 11, 2025
Well the sun is out this morning but boy is it windy. The flat water from yesterday is gone and white caps and waves replaced it. To go south from here there is a toll bridge 2.5E for a motorcycle (13 for a car) or the 15 minute ferry ride for 1E. We had initially thought to take the ferry as apparently there is a nice view of the fancy bridge, but the sea is too rough for sightseeing. As you exit the toll booth there is a big flashing sign with a high wind warning. We have a short 128 km 2 hours 45 min ride today as we are going to the ancient city of Olympus. The route is essentially straight south and once we escaped the traffic of the urban zone after the bridge it was smooth sailing. Not a very scenic ride today, but the point is to get to see the museums and archaeological site when we get there.
Arriving to the town there was clearly a big induro event here. It looks like the Dakar paddock with all the bikes and support vehicles. This is a week long cross country motorcycle race that takes place with Olympia as the base.
We checked in very early and headed to the museum site. This is a huge display of artifacts found here and many date from up to the 7 century BCE!! Also included is admission to the history of the ancient Olympic Games, and the ruins site as well. The other thing that was impressive today was the 3 fighter jets circling overhead at very low altitude. It’s not uncommon to see fighter jets on training exercises here in Greece, but these guys were very close to the ground and so loud. 
WATCH VIDEO HERE
https://youtu.be/qvyjb3Iqhn8?si=PioEU63sUAAXAu0m
It’s a beautiful sunny day and we are headed up into the mountains again. The route today is 214 km and the ride time is 4 hour 15 min. It was nice at 16 degrees until we ascended the first mountain range. It got cloudy and despite the great roads and views it was a very chilly 6 degrees. We stopped to warm up in Kalavryta and the sun did come out to bring the temperature up to 10. We skipped the side trip to ride up to the ski resort since we were already too cold. We did take a side detour on the way south again as it had warmed up to 14. And we headed east for a loop around Doxa lake and a photo op at the tiny church of Agios Fanourios there. We had 2 fighter jets overhead today making passes, but at much higher altitudes. 
It’s incredible here you can be on a normal secondary road that comes to a village and the road is like a narrow alley and then it opens up to an amazing wide mountain road, which is followed by the next village track. The temperature finally hit 15 degrees in the sun. We looped back south and west to the small village of Vytina. We are staying in an old school guest house that despite its rough appearance was pretty comfortable. The rooms had new carpets, linens and towels and very hot water. It is going to 4 degrees tonight to so we are glad of the radiator in our room. The town must attract a lot of tourists in summer looking at all the shops selling local products. We found this very funky restaurant for dinner with the whackiest decor, but delicious food.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
https://youtu.be/1P2n81__3Xg?si=UTuPGwaUSPeimKpa
This morning the sun is shining and it was already 10 degrees when we set out just after 930. The route today is 206 km and the ride time just under 5 hours. We rode south west to the pretty town of Dimitsana which is perched on the hillside. It’s vibrant and full of tourists mostly here for the hiking. 
We then made a left to climb to the picturesque village of Stemnitsa. We stopped in here at a cafe that had a blazing fire in the wood stove so we could warm up and have a coffee. 
Just a few km back is the most incredible paved road that decends way way down in a ladder of switchbacks. Half way is a tiny Orthodox Church on the cliff edge. From here you have an amazing view left down the valley and also right up towards the cliff face where the Saint John The Baptist Stemnitsa Monastery clings onto the wall. The road continues to wind down to the valley floor and then we made a circuit by climbing up the other side. It’s now 17 degrees! We continued west until we hit the seaside at Kakovatos and it’s 23! for a nice seafood lunch.
We found a deal on a hotel with a view in Pylos and made the 75 km south to arrive there just after 430. The studio is great with a view of the harbour and an infinity pool. The only issue is the 60 ish stairs down or more up with all the luggage. We set out for the 2 km walk to the “new castle” which was built by the Ottaman Turks in 1572 and guards the south side of the Bay of Pylos. The north side is guarded by the old castle, which we will see tomorrow and it is from the 13 th century and was built by the Crusaders. We had quite a sunset from our deck. 
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE