We have explored many cities by bicycle, but it never occurred to me to explore Athens that way. The elevation changes are a deterrent, but even more, the narrow, crowded streets, the fact that I don't understand the driving patterns, and the business of the streets with pedestrians as well as cars and motorcycles. In the other times we've been here, there have been very few bicycles, though we noticed a couple of years ago a bike shop in Monastiraki, so they do exist.
But this year, they are everywhere! We frequently see bicyclists in our neighborhood, which surprises me because we are up the side of Hymettos. And even more surprising, a bike lane in Chalandri, the neighborhood nearest Aghia Paraskevi!
Then we visited Trikala, a town in Central Greece on our way back from Meteora. What a lovely pedestrianized city center. Much of the center is now off limits to cars, and maybe that is why they have actual bike lanes, and many bike racks, all filled with bikes!
Trikala did not feel like a town in Greece. In addition to the bike-friendly community, it also had a river (wet, not just a dry bed) running through it.
Terrific lunch stop!
But this year, they are everywhere! We frequently see bicyclists in our neighborhood, which surprises me because we are up the side of Hymettos. And even more surprising, a bike lane in Chalandri, the neighborhood nearest Aghia Paraskevi!
Then we visited Trikala, a town in Central Greece on our way back from Meteora. What a lovely pedestrianized city center. Much of the center is now off limits to cars, and maybe that is why they have actual bike lanes, and many bike racks, all filled with bikes!
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