Hi again Friedel!
I got off the ferry in Igoumenitsa and cycled all the way over to Alexandroupoli, then went north (in Greece) and crossed the border into Turkey right at the top.
Igoumenitsa to Ioannina is a tough first stage, if you do it in one - lots of ups and downs (I think I hit 1000m from sea level at least twice) but beautiful and a reasonable amount of cafes and stops on the way. Probably not so bad when it's not 40 degrees!
The Katara pass is ok, most of the work is done on the way to Metsovo, which I'd recommend stopping at - a really nice little mountain town, women still in traditional dress (although how much that's for 'the tourists' I don't know). Good cheap accommodation can be found right in the town centre, if you want it. There are a few 'wild' dogs who make a bit of a fuss when you pass them, but I think they're mostly just 'warning you off' their land. I was never actually chased by them, despite them not being chained up. They are quite scary, but then I don't really like dogs in general, espacially after being chased by them in Portugal!
You have a choice then which way to go - North or South route. I went 'south' and through Meteora - monastries on rocks. Beautiful place but very touristified.
Everone told me I would be fine on the 'motorways' and working my way to Thessaloniki I was, really. They're pretty good with cyclists, the drivers. Don't always trust the service roads though, if you do take them. I had a couple run out on me. Thess is ok for a few days - bit of life, nice restaurants. From then on East it gets pretty quiet, flat riding. Xanthi is quite a nice town, as is Kavala. Not a lot goes on there really, though. That's probably why Turkey was such a shock!
Anything more or specific just give me a shout.
Percy
p.s. If you do stop in Ioannina and happen to go to the 'Jazz Bar', tell Kostas I said hi!! I chatted to him when I was there, then, a week later in Thessaloniki, about 1am in a busy bar a guy comes up to me and says 'What's your name? Are you on a bike?' - it was him! I just sent him a postcard from Bulgaria.