PINDOS CROSS COUNTRY
17-24 JUNE 2018 629,34 km 18.670 m elevation gain
8 days of action
in mountain range of Pindos START: SMIXI (GREVENA) FINISH: NAFPAKTOS (ETOLOAKARNANIA)
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PINDOS CROSS COUNTRY
Official Finisher
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EDITORIAL
Bike Odyssey 2017: An experience that you have to live!
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Pindos, the biggest mountain range of Greece, will host for the third time one of the toughest races in the world: Bike Odyssey 2017. Eight days-eight stages, 629.34 km, 18.670 m altitude gain differences in an intense experience of mountain biking. From village of Smixi in Grevena to the beautiful town of Nafpaktos, this race is indeed a bike odyssey. The route will contain trails and roads in wooded areas but also small section of flat road and will be a real adventure for the lovers of mountain bike. Bike Odyssey is certainly a magical journey as it crosses 57 mountain villages of extreme beauty and historical importance.
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SCHEDULE The race schedule will be as follows:
SATURDAY 17/6 6.00 a.m.
Departure from Athens to Smixi
5.00-7.00 p.m. Get numbers (Bib) and information from the secretariat of the race 7.30 p.m.
Teams Presentation
8.30 p.m. Briefing
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SUNDAY 18/6 – MONDAY 19/6 – TUESDAY 20/6 – WEDNESDAY 21/6 – THURSDAY 22/6 – FRIDAY 23/6 – SATURDAY 24/6 7.30-8.00 a.m. Luggage disposal*
* Apart from stage 1 that start will take place at
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8.30 - 9.00 a.m.
9.00 a.m. Stage start* *Apart from stage 1 and 5 that start will take place at 10.30 a.m. 3.30-7.00 p.m. Pasta Party 5.00-7.00 p.m. Service
7.30 p.m. Awards* *Apart from Tuesday 20/6, when award ceremony will take place at 5.00 p.m. Technical briefing
8.30 p.m.
Stage Highlights projection (photos and videos)
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8.00 p.m.
SUNDAY 25/6
8.30-9.00 a.m. Luggage disposal 10.30 a.m.
Stage start
2.00 p.m. Awards 5.00 p.m.
Departure from Nafpaktos to Athens
USEFUL INFORMATION Pasta Party At the end of every stage a pasta party will take place. In the pasta party every athlete will be served with a dish of pasta.
Bike wash
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In every finish station there will be specific areas with the appropriate equipment so the participants will be able to wash and take care of their bike. The bike wash service is provided free.
Camping
Every day the participants can spent the night in well prepared areas, where shower and wc are available.
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Food supplies - Pit stops
The main food and water supplies in every stage will be available in three points along the way. The distance between those three pit stops is going to be almost equal. (for example in a stage of 100 km, there is going to be a pit stop at 25 km, the second at 50 km and the third one at 75 km). At the same time there are going to be five points where water is going to be offered. At the start of every stage, along the way and at the finish.
Rescue Team The voluntary rescue team will support the race. A team of 15 people will be present at the start, at the pit stops and at the finish of every stage, ready to provide health services if it is needed.
Luggage transfer
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The participants have to declare the number and the type of the luggage that they will have. Every participant has the right to have one backpack with the absolutely necessary that is going to be given in the organization team every morning from 7.30 to 8.00 am. At the end of every stage athletes can claim their luggage. Every luggage will have a number that all the athletes will be given from the race office.
Participant’s card
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Every participant will be given a name tag that will operate as an access card to the services of organization. Also at the back of the card there will be a list of the useful phone numbers that every athlete might need. The card must be carried from the athletes during the race from the start to the finish.
Participant’s number
Every participant will be given a number that will be placed at the front of its bike. The number must be visible. The number is unique and every athlete must keep it until the end of the race. Cards that will curry the same numbers will be placed in the luggage also so it can be recognized witch luggage belongs to who.
ROUTE MARKING
2) Red marks
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1) Red arrows pointing to the direction marked with “B.O.”
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The route includes two-way roads that are free for other vehicles to cross! The route marking includes:
3) “Bike Odyssey” signs on trees or piles
4) R ibbons (white-red)
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5) With the red «STOP» indicator before a cross with other main road arteries.
6) W ith exclamations that will warn you that speed has to be reduced.
7) W ith red wavy lines when it comes to entering sections that have a cliff to the left or right of the road.
INSTRUCTIONS
Race Electronic Timekeeping - Chips
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1. You will place your chip right behind your Bib Number and use the tire-up (through the same holes) to attach them both to your bar.
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2. Chip should not be in touch with other metallic elements of your bicycle.
3. After you cross the finish line you should not pass through it again because the antennas will spot you for a second time.
4. You should return the chip to the staff after you finish.
STAGES OF THE RACE Stage 1: SMIXI - METSOVO (Sunday 18/06/2017)
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Total distance: 78,5 km Elevation Gain (+): 2.265 m Pre-race warm-up of 6 km on asphalt road. The first 3km are downhill and the last 3km go uphill. Then the race starts! Starting from Smixi village the athletes will pass through Straggopetra village (1537 m.) and head towards Avdella where the path leads us through the village. Then we get the direction to Stani Tiza and we continue to E6, we pass by “Salatoura Stavrou�, we cross through the core of Valia Calda and head towards the neck of Milia. Leave the E6 and cross the provincial road Metsovo - Milia with course for the provincial Ioannina - Trikala. We end up at Metsovo. 1st pit stop: 16km Avdella 2nd pit stop: 33,5km Tiza 3rd pit stop: 60km Provincial Road Metsovo-Milia
VILLAGES SMIXI
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Smixi is a mountainous village in the prefecture of Grevena, derived from the union (smixi means union in greek) of Pinakades village and Biga village, whose inhabitants wanted to escape from malaria. It is built at an altitude of 1,220 meters on the hillside of Smolikas Mountain and is one of the most mountainous villages of Greece. Ιts population is 750 residents. Due to its proximity to the ski resort of Vasilitsa it has become an important winter resort in the region. It located 38 km from Grevena.
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Stage 2: METSOVO - PYLI (Monday 19/06/2017)
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Total distance: 120 km Altitude Gain (+): 3.410 m Prestart with 2km downhill warm up. We start ascending, we pass through Anilio village until we reach the point of Anilio Ski Resort at the mountain of Dokimi where we cross it and through the forest of Morava we end up to an asphalt road (Kastanias- Tripotamou). We continue uphill with direction to mountain Triggia and towards the shelter at the spot of Mpampa. Then we go downhill with direction to Palaiochori, we pass through the village and we end up to an asphalt road with direction to Aidona. Next we traverse the mountain of Neraida towards Pertouli Ski Resort. At the neck of Tzatza we turn right towards Vlacha and we traverse the mountain top Mavropouli (1.721 m.) and we head to village Petrochori. We continue to the asphalt road heading to Ropoto and then to the village Pyli along with the river Portaikos where we cross the arched bridge and head to the finish line! 1st pit stop: 38km Amarantos 2nd pit stop: 58km Palaiochori 3rd pit stop: 78,5 km Pertouli Ski Resort
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METSOVO
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Metsovo is a mountain town in the prefecture of Ioannina at an altitude of 1.150m. Traditional settlement that is located at the eastern end of the county, close to the borders with the prefecture of Trikala, at the northern slopes, between the mountains of the largest mountain range in Greece, Pindos. Its inhabitants (Population: 3,195 inhabitants), are mainly Vlachs, dealing less with agriculture and more with farming. In Metsovo, are declared as monuments the Monastery of the Virgin Mary near Metsovitikos River, the Monastery of St. Nicolas southern of the town and the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in place Kiatra Rossia (meaning in Vlach Red Rock / stone). In the town operates also a remarkable Folk Museum and in winter an organized ski center, which in combination with the picturesque landscape is attracts many visitors. Since 1988, the Gallery E. Averof exhibiting around 250 paintings of notable painters of the 19th and 20th century. According to one version, the word Metsovo derived from the Slavic word «metska» (bear) and «ovo» (village). Metsovo is still known for the production of two local cheeses, called metsovone (Product Designation of Origin (PDO)) and metsovela. A significant portion of the population is employed in small wood and milk industries and also in barrels crafts, beehives and folk art (weaving, silverware, wood carvings etc.). Also famous for its wine production with the best known producer the vineyards of the Averof family.
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Stage 3: PYLI - NEOCHORI (Tuesday 20/06/2017)
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Total distance: 67,5km Altitude Gain (+): 2.625 m Prestart with 5,3km warm up. The route starts from Pyli village and continues to the asphalt road to Ropoto. At the crosseroad we turn left to Batsounia. We follow the dirt road, we pass over a tiny narrow bridge and we pass by the Keramario guest house at Drakotrypa. We continue for the next 10km approximately uphill towards the spot Tympano (antennas). We traverse right the mountain Karabas 2.184 m. with direction to Agios Nikolaos. We go uphill from Agios Nikolas to Agrafa and we pass between the tops “Kazarma” (1.977 m. ) and “Voutsikaki” (2.152m.) and we head to the vilagges Fylakti- Pezoula- Neraida with final destination Neochori village (finish). 1st pit stop: 22km Platania 2nd pit stop: 37km Agios Nikolaos 3rd pit stop: 57 km Pezoula
PYLI
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Pyli is one of the most picturesque villages of Prefecture of Trikala. It has a population about 1.850 inhabitants, in an altitude of 230 meters and it is 18 km away from Trikala. There resides and the homonymous Municipality of Pyli. Previously, the settlement was called Porta (it means gate), because of the location where it is built, at the entrance of the canyon that leads to the mountain villages of Pindos. Through the village flows the river Portaikos, which then poured into the Peneus river.
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Stage 4: NEOCHORI - KRIKELLO (Wednesday 21/06/2017)
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Total distance: 114,5 km Altitude Gain (+): 3.306 m Prestart with 6,4 km warm up on asphalt road. We continue for a while on the asphalt road and then we follow the dirt road along with lake Plastira until we reach the dam. At the dam we direct south heading towards the villages Anthiro, Karoplesi. We cross Tavropos river and continue uphill to Neraida village. We continue uphill the asphalt road of the mountain top “Martsa” (1.687 m.) that lead to “Spiti tou Diavati” and then we go downhill towards Kleitso and Mesochori villages. We follow the new asphalt road that starts from Vracha (800 m.) and we climb to 1.437 m. Then we continue downhill the asphalt road crossing the mountain slope “Raches Tymfristou” heading to Krikello. 1st pit stop: 27 km Karoplesi 2nd pit stop: 40 km Neraida 3rd pit stop: 60 km Vracha 4rth pit stop: 92,5 km Provincial Road Tymfristos-Domnista
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NEOCHORI
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Neochori is a village that is spread on the slope with many «mahalades» (neighborhoods) and a spectacular view of the lake Plastira. Its distance from Karditsa is 37 km and it belongs to the Municipal Section of Nevropolis of Agrafa. It is also located at an altitude of 900-1050 m. The name “Neochori” (it means new village) and the existence of the place’s names «Paliochori» (it means old village) and «Ktiria» (it means buildings) conclude to the hypothesis that there was an elder village which for a reason was dissolved and in its place was established the New Village (Neochori). The population of the village is 300 residents during the winter and 1000 residents at the summer period. Τhe Center of Environmental Education, Research and Information is housed in the old school of Neochori and aims at the authoritative environmental information, at the management of natural resources and the protection of ecosystems in the region. The Botanical Garden of Neochori is open daily to visitors and includes heathlands, ecosystems of the region, nurseries with lindens and firs, wetlands, herbs and ornamentals plants. At Neochori there is an undiscovered cave that is called «Drakotrypa» (it means dragon’s hole).
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Stage 5: KRIKELLO (Thursday 22/06/2017)
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Total distance: 31,82 km Altitude Gain (+): 797 m Prestart with 2,8 km warm up. We start from village Krikello and we cross Krikellopotamos river. We bike along with the river (the riverside is at our left). When we reach the 19th km we cross the riverside and we continue at the opposite direction (we bike along the river with the river bank at our left side). We end up at the village (where we started) having passed through the cobbled paths of the village. Pit stop: 18 km
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KRIKELLO
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Krikello located in Southeast Evritania. It is built at an altitude of 1,120 meters on the eastern side of Mount Kaliakouda near the sources of Krikellopotamos river (or Krikellioti), and is one of the most mountainous villages in Greece. Once you enter the village we see seven water sources that run from the stone mugs. The cathedral church, Agios Nikolaos is the newest monument located in the central square of the village among dense trees.
Stage 6: KRIKELLO - ATHANASIOS DIAKOS (Friday 23/06/2017)
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Total distance: 90,05 km Altitude Gain: 2.835 m Prestart with 6 km. We start from village Krikello heading towards Ai-Giannis where we go downhill and we cross Krikelopotamos river bridge. We end up at an asphalt road that we follow heading to Stavloi village. We continue ascending the mountain Oksia directing to Sarantainas’ maountain top, 1.923 m. where we descend and meet the wide gravel road Gardiki- Grammeni Oxia. We turn right towards Grammeni Oxia and pass through the village. We take the asphalt and we descend the bridge of Evinos, ascent to Artotina and move alongside Karyotis stream to reach the Mousinikiotika Livadia at Mount Vardousia. Leave at our right hand the mountain shelters and descend to Ath. Diakos. 1st pit stop: 23,5 km Sarantena 2nd pit stop: 44,5 km Grammeni Oxia 3rd pit stop: 56,5 km Artotina.
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ATHANASIOS DIAKOS
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Athanasios Diakos (Upper Mousounitsa), is a village with many visitors throughout the year. The village is located on the north side of Vardousia at an altittude of 1100m. in an amazing landscape surrounded by a dense forest of firs, cedars, oaks, chestnuts, wild flowers, wild forest animals, wild ravines and springs, a landscape of rare beauty. Worth visiting: the archaeological sites, artificial limni Mornou-Lidorikiou, green plateaus on the tops of Vardousia Iti.
Stage 7: ATHANASIOS DIAKOS - ANO CHORA (Saturday 24/06/2017)
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Total distance: 84,42 km Altitude Gain (+): 2.119 m Prestart 5km in asphalt road. Then is given freeride in Kato Mousounitsa and enter the dirt road, we find the village Koniakos at 13th km, descend to the asphalt and go alongside the lake of Mornos. Pass Kallio at 25th km and abandon the asphalt ascending the dirt road to the village Pentagioi. At 47th km enter asphalt and then at the 55th km take the forest road Elatou - Ai-Lias and in the end we enter in a 4.5km technical path to finish in the village of Ano Chora. 1st pit stop: 25km Kallio 2nd pit stop: 50km Pentagioi 3rd pit stop: 62km Forest road Elatou - Ai-Lias
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CLIENTE: BARILLA PROGETTO: BLUE BOX NEW DESIGN - LOGO BARILLA OUTLINE NEW DATA: 24/04/2015 N° COLORI A DISPOSIZIONE PER LA STAMPA:
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ANO CHORA
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Ano Chora is a mountainous village of prefecture of Aitoloakarnania at the area of Mountainous Nafpaktia. It is built at an altitude of 1,060 meters on the western edges of Vardousia on the slopes of the hill called Kerasovouni, and is one of the most mountainous villages of Aitoloakarnania. It is approximately 52 km from Nafpaktos, which is the nearest big city. Located in the middle of an amazing forest of fir and chestnut trees that penetrate to the village. It is an area very special and unique in Greece and has fairly characterized as the “Alps” of Greece.
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Stage 8: ANO CHORA - NAFPAKTOS (Sunday 25/06/2017)
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Total distance: 56,5 km Altitude Gain (+): 1.091 m Prestart 1.5km in asphalt road and then enter the dirt road and come across the first path that is uphill at first and then technical downhill for 1km. We ascend to the 8th km to find the second path with length of about 2.5 km and then descend to Kentriki from forest road and then on asphalt turn right on the gravel road to ascend to Makrynoros (1.380m) at the 23rd km where descent, we pass Agia Kyriaki and head to Chrysanthopoulos Inn we continue to the dirt road, we arrive to Koutsogianneika village and then we enter the asphalt road until we reach to Anthofyto village. We end up at a small forest area that will lead us to Anthofyto village. Then we descent until we meet Mornos River and we bike in parallel with it until we get almost to its embouchure. There turning right we enter the city of Nafpaktos which is the final finish. 1st pit stop: 18km Kentriki 2nd pit stop: 37km Anthofyto
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NAFPAKTOS
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Nafpaktos is a seaside town of prefecture of Aitoloakarnania at the Corinthian Gulf, the capital of the former province of Nafpaktia. It is built between Antirrio and at the mouth of the River Mornos and is one of the oldest Greek cities enjoyed great prosperity periods and was linked to important historical events. This is confirmed by the excellent fortification, which begins from the port, continues with three successive walls and leads to the castle. It has been characterized as a traditional settlement and its population is 19.768 residents.
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Penalties and other sanctions It would not be impossible to list all the possible violations of the rules of the race. Therefore, only some of them listed below. However, the director of the race in conjunction with the organizers may impose sanctions for acts and offenses not listed in the list below. The penalty will always be a time penalty in the first instance, unless the seriousness of the offense is such that - in the second case - disqualification of the participant.
False information in race registration
PENALTY FOR PENALTY FOR PENALTY FOR 1st INFRINGEMENT 2nd INFRINGEMENT 3rd INFRINGEMENT
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OFFENCE
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Warning
30 minutes
Disqualification
20 minutes
40 minutes
2 hours
Warning
30 minutes
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Warning
30 minutes
Disqualification
50 minutes / checkpoint
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Starting from a privileged position when there is no right
Warning
20 minutes
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Altering, removing, obscuring a rider’s indentification number
Warning
30 minutes
Disqualification
10 minutes
20 minutes
Disqualification
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Non officially approved helmet, not worn/not closed properly
Disqualification
Help from outside
Not respecting the environment and the infrastructures
Anti-sportive behavior / unfair play
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Skipping or missing a time checkpoint and shortcuts
Athlete that do not carry with him/her the card with the emergency phones of the organization in all stages
Leader’s jersey not worn properly Violating Organizing Team’s indications Positive at doping check Throwing or leaving waste/ food/drink/bottles along the route Team separation more than 2 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
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2 hours
Disqualification
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Disqualification
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Warning
30 minutes
Disqualification
20 minutes
40 minutes
Disqualification
60 minutes
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Disqualification
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Transfer athlete from the organization in order to provide first aid / repair bike
PENALTY FOR PENALTY FOR PENALTY FOR 1st INFRINGEMENT 2nd INFRINGEMENT 3rd INFRINGEMENT
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OFFENCE
Intentional dangerous maneuvers that endanger other athletes
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Abandon a stage Last finisher’s time Last finisher’s time +2 hours +2 hours with ability without ability to join to join the next stage the next stage Not starting a stage Last finisher’s time +2 hours without - ability to join the next stage Use other means of transport (except Disqualification - of the organization’s) except bicycle
NOTIFICATION: The organizers of the race, if it is necessary due to hazardous weather conditions, can stop a stage or define new finish point.
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