Green fields

Κανοντας σήμερα ποδηλατο απο την Λειψια μέχρι το Bad Frankenhausen είχα την ευκαιρια να διαπιστωσω διαφορα πράγματα...

Μια και το θεμα των ημερών είναι ο καιρός, αρχίζω απο αυτο. Λαμπρή λιακάδα και ιδανικες θερμοκρασιες! Η χαρα του ποδηλάτη! Είχε λιγο παραπάνω αεράκι, αλλα μην τα θέλουμε κι ολα δικα μας! Βγήκαν το κοντομανικα!

Βλέποντας την απέραντη πράσινη έκταση, τα λιβάδια με τις καλλιέργειες και τα χαμηλά λοφακια της περιοχής, για κάποιο παράξενο λογο πήγε το μυαλο μου στο Μεσαιωνα και στις ορδές των διαφορων στρατώνα που κατέβαιναν απο τα βόρεια. Με τέτοια επίπεδη διαμόρφωση εδάφους ηταν εύκολο να μετακινούνται κατα χιλιάδες! Και προφανώς λόγω της ίδιας διαμόρφωσης εδάφους ήξεραν να δίνουν μάχες μονο παρατεταγμενοι σε φαλαγγες προσωπο με προσωπο! Θυμηθείτε το Braveheart κι άλλες παρόμοιες ταινίες και θα καταλάβετε τι εννοώ. Τέτοια απεραντοσυνη πρασίνου λειβαδιου δεν εχω ξαναδεί! Ευτυχώς δεν ηταν μονότονη η διαδρομη. Είχε και βουνά και πολλα γραφικά χωριά.

Οπως και η χθεσινή, είχε πολλα διαδοχικά λοφακια (αναβασεις του 10λεπτου) που διατηρούσαν τον αναβατη σε φορμα! Ο,τι έπρεπε για διαλλειματικη προπόνηση!




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When the rain begins to fall...

3rd day and the rain that came in the day before, stayed for good! It kept raining in Dresden all night long and continued the next day! We started from Dresden with lots of rain and really cold weather. Wednesday's weather (for which we were complaining a bit) was paradise compared to Thursday's! We cycled for several hours under the same lousy conditions. After 14:00 rain stopped and we even got some sunshine at the end (outside Leipzig).

We had one member of the team (Nikos) who decided (correctly) to take the day off. And give a rest to his knee. We had a second team member who decided it wasn't fun to keep getting soaked and called it a day after 80 km. We all came in safely and enjoyed the pasta dinner offered by Cisco. Although tired, some of us took the opportunity to do a small tour in Leipzig. The hotel was in the center of the town and so it was easy to see the old town. We were really impressed by Leipzig! Beautiful city!

The route from Dresden to Leipzig was phantastic and this was no surprise! Big green fields, nice forests, beautiful villages. All nicely organised, clean and tidy. The rain prohibited us from enjoying the scenery but we should it give it some credit because the route is really good, even better than last year's.

On a more personal level, I rode with a small international group (Italians, Dutch, Germans, Greeks). Good team, supporting each other through the difficult conditions. My experience with brevets proved useful (clothing, endurance, having ridden in the past under similar conditions). Got through fairly easily.

Weather will be great the next days so we are getting ready to enjoy even more. Not many pictures available since the rain was an obstacle for that also.





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Τα παιρνω ολα πίσω....απλά ψάχνω μια λέξη που να ξεπερνα σε μέγεθος και ένταση το χθεσινό μου σχόλιο περί βροχης. Αν χθες πνιγηκαμε στην βροχή σημερα απλα για πανω απο 4 ώρες και 100 χλμ αφησαμε την ποδηλασία και το ριξαμε σε θαλάσσια σπορ. Ασταματιτη βροχή με θερμοκρασίες μεχρι 11 βαθμούς. Μια χαρά με άλλα λογια. Η ψυχολογία κατω απο το πατομα μιας και έβρεχε απο το πρωι. Ευτυχώς ο ηλιος έκανε το θαυμα του και εμφανίστηκε καμια ώρα πριν φτάσουμε στην πανέμορφη Ληψια. Ηταν αρκετό για να στεγνωσουμε και ετσι ωδτε κάποιος να μην
πίστευε τι ειχαμε περασει ολη την ημερα. Για τα τοποια που περασαμε κανενα σχόλιο. Μακαρι να μπορουσα να σας μεταφερω έστω και κάποιες εικόνες απο αυτα που ειδα. Νιωθω πολυ τυχερός που ζω αυτα που ζω και κανω αυτο που κανω. Σας το συνιστώ ανεπιφύλακτα. Ξεκινηστε να κανετε ποδηλατο τωρα!!!!!
Παμε για άλλα αυριο, ελπίζοντας σε κατι πιο στεγνο και ζεστό!!!

Διονύσης

Day III - Leipzig

Tough day...
We started with heavy rain from Dresden at 9.15 in the morning and for approximately 40Km we were cycling with all of our outfit and underwear totally wet!!!

Hopefully in the middle of our cycling adventure - journey the weather become better and we had the chance to enjoy the beautiful ride into the amazing landscapes.

Team 20 was in Leipzig..17.50 hrs ..with lot of water in the skirts but still with more energy to give the remaining days...

Δεύτερη μέρα-Δρέσδη

Μέχρι να βγούμε απο την Τσεχία (ξεκινώντας απο το Litomerice) επαληθευσαμε ότι οι Τσέχοι οδηγοί είναι λίαν επικίνδυνοι! Μόλις περάσαμε τα σύνορα αισθανθήκαμε μια ανακούφιση. Κρίμα γιατί η διαδρομή ήταν υπέροχη.

Πρωινή αποχαιρετιστήρια τελετή και έξοδος απο την πόλη με συνοδεία αστυνομίας. Πάνω στη χαρά τους να μας δείξουν το ποδηλατικό μονοπάτι δίπλα στο ποτάμι, μας πέρασαν και δίπλα απο το εργοστάσιο επεξεργασίας λυμάτων! Κάπου 300 μέτρα ποδηλασίας χωρίς ανάσα (κυριολεκτικά!).

Τα χωριά μου φάνηκαν λιγότερο έρημα σήμερα. Είδα κατοίκους να κινούνται. Το πράσινο δεν έλειψε καθόλου. Αλλα αυτο που έγραψα σε προηγούμενο ποστ για το μπλε των ποταμών, πρέπει να το πάρω πίσω. Που το είδα; Μόνο καφέ είναι!

Το πέρασμα των συνόρων ήταν λιγότερο αντιληπτό και απο το αντίστοιχο περσινό (Ιταλίας - Ελβετιας). Εκεί υπήρχε κι ενας φυλακας που μας χαιρέτισε. Εδώ δεν υπήρχε ψυχή. Μόνο ενα τσιμεντενιο κατασκεύασμα.

Οι Γερμανοί οδηγοί (έστω και πρώην Ανατολικοί) είναι απόλυτα εξοικειωμένοι με τα ποδήλατα. Αισθάνεσαι ασφαλής ανά πάσα στιγμή. Καμιά φορά γκρινιάζουν αν δεν χρησιμοποιεις τον παρακείμενο ποδηλατοδρομο και είσαι στον κυρίως δρομο, αλλα μέχρι εκεί.

Η βροχή δεν σταμάτησε καθόλου. Και σε συνδυασμο με το κρυο και τον αερα, ηταν θεμα! Η αισθητή θερμοκρασία ηταν 5 βαθμοί. Με 30 χλμ/ωρα πανω στο ποδηλατο, δεν θέλω να σκεφτώ ποσο ακόμα έπεφτε αυτο το νούμερο!

Οι στάσεις ηταν μικρές για να μην παγωσουμε και κυρίως σε βενζινάδικα που είχαν και μινι μάρκετ (πλήρες με κρουασαν καφε ισοτονικα κλπ!). Ο ποταμός Ελβας μας έκανε καλη παρέα και μας έδειξε μερικά απο τα όμορφα τοπία του και τα γραφικά χωριά του. Σήμερα ήμουν για αρκετή ωρα σε διεθνές μικρο γκρουπ. Ιταλός, Γερμανος, Εγγλεζος, ο Νίκος κι εγω.

Συνολικά 115 χλμ. με 23 μωτ. Το βραδυ, η Vodafone D2 είχε φροντίσει για ενα πλουσιο Γερμανικό τσιμπουσι, σε ενα απο τα όμορφα σημεία της πόλης. Μιλάμε για πόλη με πολυ άπλα, παρκα, πράσινο κλπ. Μένουμε σε αξιοπρεπεστατο hostel. Στη φωτογραφια, γραφεια και εργοστασιο της VW μεσα στη Δρέσδη.

Φραγκίσκος

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Cross the border...

We went through the border today, passing from Czech to Germany. Before we did that, we managed to verify that the Czech drivers are among the most hostile and dangerous to cyclists!

We started off from Litomerice (beautiful and picturesque city in the Bohemia) after a small farewell party. The weather was already really cold (10 - 12 degrees) and the rain didn't take long to visit us. And once it came, it never went away! The ride was beautiful both in Czech as well as in Germany. Several kilometres by the Elbe river and the green of the surrounding trees was diminished by the fog (yes we had some fog also!). We had to take it slower for a few km to help Nikos.

Great party in Dresden given by Vodafone D2 to welcome us. Good food and a welcome from the Regional CTO! Thanks to everyone for their support. We are ready to continue tomorrow.

Posted by Fragkiskos

Dresden - Nikos' Knee 1-0

A big thanks to the European team that encourage me to finish that day. Tomorrow i will rest a day hopefully to continue the day after.

Posted by Nikos

The road to Dresde

Second day, heavy rain and wind but we made it after all...... The team kept a good pace and we arrived at Dresde around 17:00. Now time to relax and regroup for tomorrow.

Posted by Yanni
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Μερα δευτερη....

Λιωσαμε στην βροχη....τοσο απλα και ομορφα. Τελεια διαδρομη με αδιακοπη βροχη και πολυ δυνατο αερα. Ευτυχώς περάσαμε τα συνορα και είμαστε πλεον Γερμανια γιατι οι Τσεχοι οδηγοι απλα δεν το έχουν.
Διονυσηs

Η πρώτη μέρα της περιπέτειας...
Πολύ κρύο και συννεφιά η οποία ευτυχώς ΔΕΝ εξελίχθηκε σε βροχή. Στα πεδινα σημεια ο αερας ηταν δυνατος. Το γκρουπαρισμα βοηθησε πολυ.

Οι Τσέχοι οδηγοί είναι επικίνδυνοι, επιθετικοί και εχθρικοί προς τους ποδηλάτες. Θέλουν περισσότερη προσοχή και απο τους Ελληνες οδηγούς!

Κάναμε 90 χλμ. Σε 4 ωρες και 10 λεπτά. Ατέλειωτα λιβάδια και καλλιεργημένες εκτάσεις. Ποτάμια και γέφυρες παντού.
Κάτι εργάτες που είχαν κλείσει το δρομο για να κάνουν εργα και ήθελαν να μας στείλουν 2 χλμ πίσω για να περάσουμε απο άλλο δρόμο. Τους αγνοησαμε και συνεχισαμε (ποδηλατο περνούσε άνετα, αυτοκινητο οχι).

Χαλιά οδόστρωμα σε αρκετά σημεία. Τρύπες στην άσφαλτο που μπορούν να διαλύσουν τροχούς και λάστιχα. Σήμανση υπάρχει μονο για αυτοκίνητα (οχι για ποδήλατα ) και οι ποδηλατοδρομοι είναι λίγοι.

Το Litomerice είναι γραφικό αλλα ερημο! Εχει όμως πολυ καλο και φτηνό φαγητο! Α, κι ενα ποτάμι που το διασχίζει!

Αύριο 115 χλμ συνολικά και πέρασμα στην (πρώην) Ανατολική Γερμανία.


Φραγκίσκος
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Reached Prague

We are in Prague. The bikes have been delivered by the cargo company and we spent an hour assembling them and preparing them. They are ready now.

We met some of the friends we made last year and had a quick chat about this year's plans. More on this from tomorrow.

We are now in a nearby restaurant, building some energy reserves :-)

We are starting tomorrow at 7 am


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Everything is ready.....

Everything is ready even the gps files, route elevation profile and hotels contact info. I am a little bit worried about my bike, but everything will be ok at the end of the day :)

Last preparations

Bikes are already on their way to Prague with the cargo company. They will be waiting for us in Prague!
Charity money is still being raised and we are up to 8,500€ until now!
We are now setting (or trying to set!) our navigation systems (load Europe maps, load the tracks for each day, etc)!
We are also doing last minute buys of necessary things (like sunscreen or batteries!) and we are all in great anticipation of the event!

Team is packing

Bank holiday today in Greece (Holy Ghost Monday). An opportunity for some time away from the office and (possibly) on the bike. But also a "packing day" for most of us. Bikes are supposed to be delivered to the cargo company tomorrow and the day after, in order to allow plenty of time for delivery on the 31st at Prague!

So most of the team members were today dissassembling their bikes and carefully packing them in their special bike bags! Tomorrow and Wednesday we will be transporting them to the cargo area at the airport!

Training in the mountains

Weather forecast was far from ideal: Showers were forecasted and the forecast proved to be correct! But the three GBIers (Costis, Dimitris and Fragkiskos) had set up an early meeting for training in Parnitha and they did not intend to change their plans! After all, showers are much more likely in Czech Republic and in Germany next month!

So here they are, 9:00 in the morning of Saturday, starting for a 95 km circle from Tatoi. They went through Ano Liosia and Fili, and then started the first serious climb (Hasia). On the other side of the mountain, there are Skourta and Ag. Thomas. Then they went through Avlona and reached the mountain from another side (Malakasa) only to start the 2nd (and toughest) climb, Agios Merkourios. After that, Katsimidi and Varympopi were easy!

As said, a total of 95 km with more than 1550m of cumulative climbing! Much more hill climbing than expected on a normal GBI day! The rain was accompanying the three friends only for a little while, The mud was enough to cover the bikes and the clothing. But nothing would stop one of the best training sessions in one of the most beautiful areas of Attica!

Training - 100+ km & beautiful sunset

Wednesday's are training days. Members of the team do their best (witout always being successful) to leave the office on time (i.e. 17:30 - 18:00) in order to make it to the meeting point by 18:30. Provided they manage to put on their cycling apparel and join the rest of the team on time, they get the opportunity for a beautiful group ride, a good training session on their bikes and a magnificent view of the Saronic Gulf during sunset. Unforgetable and rewarding images!

Yesterday, Manos and Fragkiskos made it on time and although they didn't have the chance to coordinate, they both put on their new GBI 2010 jerseys!

The training session was great. A total of 105 km with an average speed of 28 km/h. They rode from Alimos to Katafygi (7 km after Anavyssos, towards Sounio Cape) and back. They both agreed that they are getting ready to cope with the 1,100+ km of the GBI 2010 adventure!

Charity raising

Starting from May 11th, the GBI 2010 participants from Greece will try to mobilise all Vodafone employees, in order to collect as much money as possible for the SOS Children Villages.

The start wil be with the Vodafone premises in Pallini. Two representatives of the team, Dimitris (Kitsanelis) and Dionysis (Alevizakis) will be in the buiding's entrance tomorrow morning, wearing our new jersey, giving out leaflets, available to explain all about GBI to their colleagues.

As said, everyone else who would like to make a donation, can do so by direct deposit to the Alpha Bank account 101-002002012356 (IBAN GR25 01401010101002002012356), with the indication GBI. 


On May 12th, Fragkiskos (Vellis) and Diana (Sioumi) will be in Lykovryssi premises, for the same reason, and the day after, Yiannis (Theanopoulos) and Dimitris (Kitsanelis) will be at Kifissos buiding. Next week, the team will mobilise the Headquarter's (Halandri). 


Updated (11/05): Dimitris ready to mobilise his colleagues entering Pallini premises!

Updated (12/05): Diana is doing her best to attract donations in Lykovryssi premises!

Updated (13/05): Six members of the team have been giving their best today in Halandri, K3 building. They attracted lots of attention, they raised awareness of the event and they manage to raise a significant amount of money for the SOS Children villages. And the effort goes on! 

The team's outfit

As already explained, all the money that the team manages to raise in this charity event, will go for the support of the SOS Children Villages of Vari. 


The team's expenses are covered by our sponsors. We have two Silver Sponsors (Ericsson and Tellabs) and two Bronze Sponsors (Vodafone Greece and Intracom Telecom). Needless to say that without our sponsors' support, we would probably not be able to pursuit our goal.


One of the many things that we do for our sponsors, is that we cycle though Europe wearing the team's outfit which hosts their logos, making them visible to all the areas that we through.


Today, we are happy to present the layout of this outfit. Starting next week, the cycling shorts and jerseys will be ready and we will start using them in training sessions and in charity raising events.

March 27th, 2010 – Brevet of Pyrgos

Three members of the GBI 2010 team (Fragkiskos Vellis, Manos Gkiokas, Costis Contopoulos) participated in the Brevet of Pyrgos, on March 27, 2010. Brevets are cycling events of non-competitive nature and long (200, 300, 400 or even more km) distances. The rules include time limits for completing the path and for reaching specific, intermediate control points. Furthermore, support cars and external help are prohibited.

The brevet of Pyrgos is a 200km event, covering in essence a tour of the Municipality of Ilia in Peloponnesus. The three friends moved (by car) on Friday afternoon from Athens to Pyrgos, stayed overnight in Pyrgos and started their adventure on Saturday morning. Along with many (around 80) other cyclists, many of them good friends with whom we train together during weekends in Athens, we covered the 200km. Riding through the beautiful mountains of the area, passing by the reservoir of the area with the magnificent scenery around it and through picturesque villages, the three friends enjoyed the route, while at the same time they tested their physical endurance and their mental strength, spending 8 ½ - 9 hours on their bikes (with just a few 10 minute stops).

Finishing back at Pyrgos town, on Saturday afternoon was followed by a celebration dinner of the team and their friends, a couple of drinks, some rest and the return to Athens on Sunday morning. The three members of the GBI 2010 team have now added on more important cycling experience on their record!

Manos' adventure at Kastellia Marathon

Many of the team members are active in participating in various amateur races. They do it for the fun of it! Below is Manos' (Gkiokas) recent "adventure" in a mountain bike race. 

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Kastellia Marathon  18/04/2010

On April 18^th I took part in the last open mountain biking race for the season 2009-2010.

60 km of mad, sweat and pain confirmed the host’s comments before the race:

“This year’s cup ends with the ‘Fox’s Death’, meaning the race most of you know as the "Kastellia Marathon". On April 18^th you will get the chance to cover 60 km in the mountains of Kastellia Fokidas, designed to challenge the fittest quadriceps muscles as well as your biking “attitude. This race really highlights “M” in the “MTB”!

So here I am. All set in the starting point along with 118 other brave men and 3 brave women. It’s time for self concentration with 120 heart beats in a state of physical tranquillity but emotional spin!!

The supervisor gives recommendations for a calm set off to avoid any accidents because of congestion and the final countdown has already begun. ..3, 2, 1 GO!

Quick cycling for an early boost and I’m already in the right pace almost touching the front cyclists’ wheels ..

Poorly maintained downhill ahead during the first 5 minutes with me speeding up when I realize that the street ahead is eaten away by rain in a 40m depth which unfortunately I cannot avoid..!!!!! So the first fall is an undisputed fact taking down the cyclist behind me in an even harsher fall as well !

Both of us are standing lying on the ground while the others are swerving in order to avoid us .. And this was just the beginning!!

Looking each other straight in the eyes, not feeling the slightest pain as a result of the adrenaline and the tension, we ride our bikes again .. starting the first  wild chase … risking everything..

Because of the mad the friction is poor and the driving really dangerous, which makes things even harder..

Endless uphill roads with narrow and steep paths full of vegetation, passing through streams and passages eaten away by rain in the forest.

Mud, mud, mud…my glasses are blurry because of the sweat and mud so I’m having difficulty seeing….I decide to take them off… risking once more…

The first pain in the quadriceps muscles doesn’t take long to appear..reminding me to drink more water.. Water? That moment I realize I have lost my bottle of water…

So what happens now?

Stay cool! I have to make it until the finishing line.. Patience..The canteen with water supplies can’t be too far.. I’m entering a street..

A police car has made all the necessary traffic regulations so I am riding frantically with high spirit, receiving the audience’s applause.., Approaching Pavliani, a picturesque village in Parnassos. The grade of the street; 20%

I can do it.. I can do it… A group of children living in the village were cheering running along with me for a few meters… in the uphill… Some meters further away people from the organization committee offered me water and isotonic beverages..

However, seconds after down hilling a steep while breathtaking path I felt the first cramp..I am lying on the ground feeling excruciating pain trying to stretch.. Five minutes break and I keep riding.. Just 10 km to go and the suffering will be over…

Hang in there!!

I keep riding on a steady pace and I manage to enter the village where the finishing line is..

People has started gathering, locals are cheering while offering us homemade food..a real festival.. I am feeling satisfied while sad at the same time.

Satisfaction because despite all the setbacks I finished the race with dignity and sadness as a sweet suffering, which offered me countless beautiful images and emotions, ended..