log in
register

Cycling In Crete – What Bike to Take?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • February 5, 2024 at 8:10 am #32788
    Richard_pics

    Hello, we have a holiday booked in Crete in October, which i cannot wait for. Been given the go ahead to take my bike. Which therein lies the problem. (first world problem eh!)

    Do i take the road bike, or the gravel bike?

    What are the roads like?

    We are staying near Heraklion.

    Are they rough, so taking a road bike would not be as good as my gravel bike? Or would i be missing out on lots of smooth tarmac roads, if i took the gravel bike?

    Ive only ever riden abroad in Jersey, so i am super keen to make sure i get the best out of my holiday.

    Any tips, or particular information about riding Crete would be appreciated too. Thank you! 

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • February 6, 2025 at 12:35 pm #1150851
    0
    MR P H SMITH

    @mtbtomo We’re stoppping at

    @mtbtomo We’re stoppping at Fodele Beach this Summer! I trust it was a good hotel? Moreover, I’ve booked my bike and would love to know if you have any routes you could share with me? I have a Canyon Ultimate but I reckon I could slap on a pair of gravel tyres if that’s what you would recommend?

    February 6, 2024 at 12:15 pm #1020299
    0
    mtbtomo

    We went to Crete last May,
    We went to Crete last May, staying just west of Heraklion on the coast at Fodele. I was told that bikes weren’t allowed on the main east to west road along the coast. From our resort to get to decent tarmac’d country roads further south inland, where a decent loop was possible, I had about 20mins of gravel track. I took my gravel bike with semi slick tyres – smooth centre and knobbly edges and that was probably ideal. Good enough on the tarmac and just about good enough off road to ride the interconnecting bits. Just be aware of roads/tracks on the map or on Google that no longer exist or a farmer has fenced off.

    Oh and be aware of spooking goats which have a habit of charging down the hillside and across the road in front of you. And also random big dogs chained up that get a bit rowdy as you go through villages or on farm tracks on the outskirts of civilisation.

    February 5, 2024 at 11:31 pm #1020297
    0
    shufflingb

    Crete and Greece aren’t as

    Crete and Greece aren’t as bad as they once were but it is still easy to end up on a cart track away from main arterial routes if you want to explore. Chuck in the hefty climbs and it’d be the gravel bike for me.

    February 5, 2024 at 12:52 pm #1020295
    0
    andyp

    Roads are, on the whole, not

    Roads are, on the whole, not great once you’re out of either Heraklion or Chania city centres. And there’s plenty of opportunity to get on a bit of a track. I’d 100% take the gravel.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.