Planning tours Choice of routes Great care was taken when selecting routes to ensure that the tours pass through as many varied regions of Halkidiki as possible, so as to offer cyclists the opportunity to admire different types of landscape and vegetation every time. Every route thus has its own individual character. Tours have been selected as achievable day trips for fit cyclists. Less experienced and fit riders will have to push part of the way over the more difficult sections - fun and enjoyment of nature should be the main priorities. TIP: Start slowly with shorter tours to allow yourself to get used to the unfamiliar climate and surroundings. Halkidiki is of course a wonderful place for more extreme bike tours. Those keen to go on them would do well to contact the local bike guides, since routes in the hinterland of the peninsulas go through very isolated areas where other people are very rarely encountered. Although the tours generally avoid busy main roads, care should still be taken, especially with regard to buses and heavy goods vehicles. As a rule, tracks and trails are used by the locals as the shortest routes between villages. Farm trucks and other vehicles may suddenly appear, even at totally unexpected points. Traffic is heavier in the following months: June / July (grape harvest); September (cotton harvest); October / November (olive harvest); October to March (hunting season). RULE NUMBER ONE: Even on tracks and trails, stay on the right and be especially careful when approaching bends. From late September onwards, bear in mind that night sets in early and rapidly.
Bicycle type Mountain bikes have the most to offer. These should have a triple crank with a minimum of 18 gears, and wide tyres with a rough tread. Apart from the coast roads there are few asphalt roads on the peninsulas, so the range of trekking bikes is severely limited.
Bring your own bike or hire one In principle, all airlines will carry your bike on payment of a surcharge. A hard top case for transportation has much to recommend it. Let your travel agent know you are bringing your bike with you, otherwise there may be problems having it transported from the airport to your accommodation. Hire bikes and guided tours are offered on location – names and telephone numbers are given in a separate appendix to this bike guide.
Clothing and equipment Every biker's basic equipment should consist of A HELMET, CYCLING GLASSES, 8