Next weekend from 6th to 7th of February at Mainz we are having a Biketour preparation winter meeting.
Laura, Moritz, Yolanda, Sapi, Milan… and I don’t how much people will gather there to start the preparation of this year Biketour 2010.
But more important is that those who will not be able to come give their ideas as the input for the brainstorming about many issues which are essential for the preparation of Biketour 2010. (more…)
reveil avec vue sur les bunkers a moitie immerges, petit dejeuner de spaghettis de la veille et depart tout en douceur, entre sable et Air (fond sonore grace a Nils) sur la `plage generale` menant a Durres suivi d un rapide virage vers la route principale… les carioles et le sable ne font pas bon menage,,,, mais les camions la poussiere et les travaux ne nous rejouissent pas plus….nous revoila jettes dans l enfer urbain et je regrette le calme du bord de mer… l entree a Durres n est pas non plus relaxante… nous slalomons entre les 4×4 et les taxis pendant des kilometres dans la banlieue balneaire de la ville, jusqu qu a ce que nous voyons les premiers panneaux indicateurs des principaux sites historiques … l’amphitheatre romain, le musee archeologique, les murailles… (more…)
Thursday 16th of July: crossing the border, Albania here we come!
We left Ohrid to meet up at Radožda – which according to the map would be on our road but was 2 km out of it, so that some were there, and all others arrived at the border crossing for a long lunch. When we got all together we passed the border and enjoyed a long, long downhill with a stop in Përrenjas – where Daniel made the local kids very happy with some acrobatics. After we continued a bit more, following the main way and the -still very clean and hard flowing- Shkumbin river. A bit after Volchan we made a camp off the road, where we had a very enjoyable swim and cloth washing session at the river. We didn’t feel so comfortable that night – still unknown with Albanian mentality, poverty (risks) and language, so we kept silent. (more…)
After Emil saw us off in Veles, we cycled a quiet road to Teovo, enjoying a dip in a beautiful and cool B… river on the way and again on reaching the village. In Teovo we slept in the charming village school (picture) which, unfortunately, isn’t being used as there are not enough children in the village. We cooked lunch in church kitchen where we had the luxury of eating out of plates and in the evening we were invited for rakija and meze (a range of cold snacks served with rakija) at a local’s house. Our hearts opened by rakija, we ended up singing songs from all over, with our hosts, a very musical family, taking the lead, singing beautiful Macedonian songs. (more…)
First, Biketour participants gathered at Belgrade from 5th to 6th of July. At Knez Mihalova in pedestrian zone together with Green Youth, Young Researchers of Serbia and Yugo Cycling Campaign we organized a street promotion of “walkmobile – sustainable pedestrian vehicle” for the public. We distributed numerous leaflets with info about advantages of alternative modes of transport compared to personal care use. After the action Biketour get on the night train towards Skopje.
Bikes can be brought by bus and train. (Inter)national busses will charge 1 or 2 euro for it, just as with other luggage items. Drivers/conductors might have trouble with the bike (which takes too much space, is in the way while it’s high season, etc.) It might be worth your while to go to the bus station some days in advance (if possible) to make sure the bus driver whos will drive the route, is prepaired to take your bike.
On Serbian railway ticket for bike costs €10 euro, but over the border Macedonian conductors tend to make trouble about it. Perhaps you can make them happier by wrapping your bike up in some cloth or take out the wheels to make it more of a ‘clean package’. In all cases, just insist. Say you are already far on your way and just have to bring your bike, show your ticket, be friendly, insist and it will work out.
If you are looking for some advice how to get to us affordably, check out some resources at: the EYFA wiki. A participant made a group for the biketour on the Hospitality club, maybe it can be an aid during traveling.
