1:10pm 8 October 2023
Andros Άνδρος to
Rafina Ραφήνα by
Ferry
3:15pm 8 October 2023
Rafina Ραφήνα to
Athens Αθήνα by
Bus
5:30pm 12 October 2023
Athens Αθήνα to
Rome Roma by
Plane
Met Tom in Llandudno Junction after a short panic when he didn't pick up the phone.
MoreSent by one who bears the globe Two will carry a minimal load Offering tribute on mountainous pyre Until inland sea inundates fire
MoreNearly done. The Asia leg is complete: Kunming to Singapore. Now I just have to hop the aluminium bird back to Heathrow, clatter about in London a few days and then ride a couple more days across the UK's south east.
MoreAfter an overcast start, it is a clear and bright day, which is appropriate for Qingming festival.
MorePalm oil plantations, lots of them. Consequently it's a bit of a tedious day.
MoreToday was pretty much as expected for a short day after a long day: difficult but over quickly.
MoreSomething feels wrong with the day from the get go. My breakfast plans come unstuck, I can't find what I need in the shop, etc. Just got that feeling.
MoreYesterday's short day seems to have led to good recovery. At no point was today's ride challenging, even when it looked like the wheels were going to come off.
MoreA short outing today, but still with bumps.
MoreI'm expecting a flat easy day today, with a few bumps and maybe with a nice tailwind. No can do.
MoreFor a day with such a hefty descent, today's a lot of work.
MoreTanah Rata is the administrative centre of the Cameron Highlands. There's a clue in the name that hints at what today's ride was like.
MoreMy tyres are getting worn. Back in Ao Nang, I swapped front and rear, due to the rear wearing faster. It's no big surprise when I pull a chunk of metal out of the rubber.
MoreWoke up sore from yesterday's exertions. Nothing to be done. Breakfast, pack, bike.
MoreI've several cuts and scratches on my hands, patches of moist forest matter stuck to my ankles, a red patch on my left sock where I've bled into it, a rather muddy rear, and I ache all over.
MoreThe ferry to Penang leaves at 2:30pm, so it's hardly a hurried start to the day.
MoreUp early, not much cycling planned, as it's a ferry day, so a quick 7-11 breakfast will do.
MoreThe plan today is similar to yesterday's: get going early to beat the rain. The hotel café opens at 8am however, and breakfast is too important to skip.
MoreThe rain's been a reliably recurring feature of the last few days, generally making an appearance around mid afternoon. With this in mind, I set out early to try to get the ride done before it dumps.
MoreSince Jiangcheng, I've not used motorised transport as a means of biting off a large chunk of distance. Today, however, is a ferry day.
More