[ST] Motorcycling through Greece

[lacpsyd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

Just thought I'd pass along a tantalizing tidbit.  Teri and I just got back
from a 2 week motorcycle trip of Greece!!!!  We found Michael and Deborah
Stagonakis who run and own Triumph Bike Tours in Athens through the
internet and also through the RAT publication.  A couple of upfront
notions: we received a 15% discount off the cost of the trip being RAT
members, and through a series of unforeseen events, ended up as the only
two on the trip.  So they dropped the price by another 30% because they did
not provide a leader bike or an escort van (to carry your luggage).  It
couldn't have been more fun---- Deb had everything organized, a detailed
map/route book with each hotel for each night set up along the way.   We
used a Triumph Tiger (older model --- a 96' because Michael--- very
proficient in bikes [he recently sold the Triumph dealership in Athens and
has 20!!!! of his own vintage bikes!!!!!] feels he can work on a
carburetted bike much better in the event of a break down rather than a
computerized fuel injected unit----makes perfect sense to me), with GIVI
hard side bags and a top bag.  6 days into the trip Deb met us and we
swapped out dirty laundry.  She provided us with a cell phone to contact
her at any time.    Not counting airfare (we had one free ticket through
frequent flyer mileage), the two weeks with all hotels, 3 dinners, all
breakfasts and the rental of the bike was $2,125!!!   I don't know about
you but I think that is a steal!!!!  It also included a fabulously detailed
walking tour of Athens when we got back at the end of the trip------
speaking of Athens ---- mass insanity without Prozac.  This is one of the
oldest cities in the world, so imagine trying to create a 20th/21st century
road/transportation structure for 5 million people based on a city plan
2,500-3000 years old.  What psychoses---and as a result more motorcycles
and scooters per square inch than anywhere I've ever been --- not to
mention driving at break neck speed through the streets, passing on the
right, the left and the middle---- you are fair game in any vehicle (2, 3
or 4 wheeled) in this city to be overtaken by anyone who thinks they can
get by.  The nice part, as with Europe is that the cars EXPECT YOU TO
PASS	anytime you're on the road.  Only in my wildest dreams can I ever
imagine the United States' mentality of road hogging boorishness to ever
change to such a motorcycle friendly attitude.

Anyway, once out of Athens there are few large cities/towns.  Because the
country is so rugged and mountainous, it is a motorcyclist's dream come
true.  Now that they are part of the EU, a lot of money has come into the
country.  Add to this the upcoming 2004 summer Olympics, and 85% of the
roads are in very good to pristine shape because of all of the recent work
on them.  Twisties, did I mention twisties?  The Dragon in North (?)
Carolina --- ha, just a mere straight away compared to the Greek roads. 
Highway 1 in California?  Ha, another boring stretch of straight terrain.  
O.k, o.k., perhaps this is a little bit of an exaggeration, but I'd never
thought I'd find myself wishing at the end of some of the days of riding
for a couple of sections of straight 'ol highway.  I've done two European
(Alps) trips, and believe Greece has them beat for the most twisties.   We
did this trip two up and it was fun.  One up, without the weight and
worries of my precious rear cargo, and I probably would have gotten into
some serious trouble strafing those roads.

Anyway, this is not a paid announcement, but if you've never given it a
thought, you should consider this trip.  Food in Greece is very cheap
compared to the rest of Europe.  The food can become a little repetitive
but Teri and I never spent more than $20 total on dinner each night!

Michael and Deb have just left for their first Southern Italy/Sicily trip
and will probably include this in the future with their other tours.  We
are strongly considering taking them up on their Italy tour in a couple of
years.

Triumph Bike Tours 
Deborah and Michael Stagonakis
Irinis 8, Nea Marki
GR19005,  Greece

Tel/Fax  (+3)0294 094905

email:  tritours@xxxxxxxxx    web: www.triumphbiketours.com





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