The end of this first block was to ride to the top of Mt Ochi, its about 1100m there is a Dragon house there, the best preserved of the 25.
Out the hotel at 7 straight to a cafe. Only truck drivers there at that time of day.
My Komoot router loves to take me up the steepest climbs, today these were either gravel or concrete many of which I had to walk. So already tired when I reached the climb proper. It’s straight up from now on. Mainly off road. It’s steep and rough. The route became vague and I walked 100m and talked to some guys who directed me back. Eventually after wandering a bit and pushing my bike up some ridiculous slopes I dumped the bike and started to walk, serious uphill. Spotting some cairns I decided that my direction was correct. Up and up, by this time the sun was a furnace of heat beating down and I was struggling to move forward. Blisters on my heels wasn’t helping. Then I sat on a rock I knew I had 1 to 1.5 kms to go but the will had left me. I did contemplate for 30mins or so but when I stood up I walk down deep disappointment in myself.
The path down on the bike was violent and the worst of things happened, I lost my back light. Absolutely gutted. Back on the road a couple of up hills and straight in Mamari to catch the boat to Rafina. I immediately fell to sleep my head on the table. Still 0nly 3.30 in Rafina I searched out the closest campsite Camping Nea Makri and booked in for 2 nights.
There are fires raging around Greece and I need to just check on them.
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 