Crete - Anyone ridden there?

[DY9 Giant Defy]

Hi All

New to the site and took up cycling again last August, so in effect Ive jumped back on after a few mates decided to involve me in a few conversations over the Etape. Cycled when I was younger but football took over and women. Now 43 and boy do I love it..........last October I bought a Viking Milano to see if I enjoyed the climbs etc, just purchased a Giant Defy Composite 1....love this baby, especially after The Malvern Mad Hatter 75 mile Sportive

So I'm off to Crete Friday and wondered if anyone had ridden there, go a few routes mapped off the main roads I must add, the dual carriageways there are a bit too dangerous, I'm staying 5 miles East of Malia near Sisi, any tips? Che

 

[Dayvo]

I haven't ridden there, but I went to Crete in February and it looks like a great destination for a cycling holiday.

It is quite hilly, but the roads are good and not too much traffic away from the main roads.

My brother-in-law is there now (Matala - https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=...urce=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=6q1BUvGiJKKn4gSihICACQ) . It's right in the middle of Crete on the southern coast and may be a bit far, but it could be a good day's trip.

Welcome to CC, BTW! Enjoy yoye holiday.

 

[gavgav]

I would advise you to steer completely clear of the main dual carriageway there!! I haven't ridden on it, but have driven on a few times and you take your life in your hands on it in a car! Tour reps advise holidaymakers to driver on the hard shoulder to keep out of the way of the Greek lunatics and so goodness knows how you would cope on a bike on it!! I also saw the aftermath of the worst car crash I have ever seen on that road, where the remains of a Peugeot were barely recognisable. I dread to think what the driver's condition was.

However, get away from that road and the roads inland, up the mountains and on the Lasithi Plateau are simply breathtaking. Just watch out for the bits where the tarmac road becomes a gravel track with no warning . There must still be a dent in the roof of the hire car that @Rickshaw Phil was driving, the 1st time we went out there, when we were hurtling along a flat quiet road in the hills, only for it suddenly to drop about 2 foot into a gravel pit!! The dent in the roof was from where our heads bounced of it

 

[Doseone]

I have, but it was about twenty years ago. The roads seemed to vary between horrible dual carriageway and much nicer smaller roads. As you approach any of the big towns it gets very busy and we saw a dog get knocked down We were around Chania. There was some great riding but we had our mountain bikes so could venture off the beaten track. I wouldn't have wanted to ride a road bike on some of the tracks we were on.

Have fun.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I also saw the aftermath of the worst car crash I have ever seen on that road, where the remains of a Peugeot were barely recognisable. I dread to think what the driver's condition was.

Hmmm, that was a nasty one. I very much doubt anyone got out of it.

Just watch out for the bits where the tarmac road becomes a gravel track with no warning . There must still be a dent in the roof of the hire car that @Rickshaw Phil was driving, the 1st time we went out there, when we were hurtling along a flat quiet road in the hills, only for it suddenly to drop about 2 foot into a gravel pit!! The dent in the roof was from where our heads bounced of it

In my defence, it was my first time driving abroad and I didn't expect a wide, smooth, fast tarmac "A" road to suddenly turn into something akin to a forestry track with only a single traffic cone for a warning.

I reckon cycling would be okay on the minor roads but I probably wouldn't use a road bike as many of the back roads were still gravel when I last visited.

If hiring a bike there may not be a choice of course - I'd bet they'll only offer mountain bikes.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

I've flown there twice but never attempted to cycle there TBH.

on a non pee-take note, it was bad enough driving on the island, personally I doublt I'd try cycling as the locals are nutters.

 

[Glow worm]

I hired a hybrid last October for a few days around Elounda on the East side of the island. I had no problem at all with the drivers. Found some amazing off road tracks- so I would recommend cycling in Crete, though my experience is limited to a few pootles of 10-20 miles, rather than a full on tour. I would have found a road bike rather limited as there's a lot more to the place than just roads -as is the case everywhere of course