Road Bike Cycling in Northern Cyprus : Ride seven (paralimni, Larnaca, limassol)

At 5.30 phone alarm welcomed me to Friday. At 6am I dragged myself out of bed and packed my rucksack and, after checking the flat was safe and locked set off on the ride to Limassol. I didn't really know what to expect so decided it was best to get there with time to spare. This is something.I learned on my previous cycle tours, ride early, arrive early, explore, eat rest early. Reason? Things go wrong and they are less stressful if you arn't racing the clock. Once again the wind was a feature of the ride. Mostly from the south east and strong. It drained my energy and reminded me of the cold winds I had experienced on the lejog ride last year. It was cold and I rode with a base layer and arm warmers until I reached Larnaca. The road to Larnaca is not picturesque and I found myself hoping for better views.

Proof that the law of attraction works came on the arrival of better views. Only these views took the form of stunningly beautiful girls selling soft drinks at kiosks along the route. All dolled up in heels and mini skirts, I guess to keep the truckers there as long as possible. Either that or selling drinks wasn't their main source of income.

In Larnaca I was just thinking how well the bike was doing when bang! I broke a front spoke. 'Jolly wonderful' I muttered. Then I simply told myself something good would now happen, and asked the lady in the petrol station if there wad a bike shop in town. To my amazement between her and the six workmen not working on the road outside they decided there was one. Directions were given in Greek and English and I set off to find it. I couldn't. So I flagged down a local cyclist out shopping and he gave me completly different directions and rolled his eyes at the workmens directions. Outside McDonalds I found the bike club. Inside was a grumpy old bloke without a goat.
"Workshop closed go away". I knew right then I would get my.spoke fixed no problem. He asked where I had ridden from, I mentioned famagusta and he went off on a rant about how I wad supporting turkey.in the war.

He asked if I had a house there. I said I hadn't (quick thinking) but had staid in paralimni on the Greek side. He smiled, put down the bike he was working on and fixed my spoke.
Clearly my prayers to the Greek god of cycling, Cyclops, were working.
Pressing on from Larnaca the wind strengthened and it got to be a bit of a battle. By Garmin worked a treat and navigation.was easy. The scenery continued to uninspire, except each time I stopped for a coke at the numerous roadside kiosks.

The foothills of the mountains were coming into view and sure enough the route became a real battle against hills, headwinds, and poor surfaces in places. Generally roads in the TRNC are far superior quality than these.
Mile by mile limassol got closer. Riding into town along the coast the sea looked inviting, but the main drag is just another abomination of billboards, dodgy hotels, shops and live poledancing clubs that have clearly been shut down.

I followed my Garmin right to Cleopatra street where I had booked a room with a guy called Paris on the air bnb website. The deaf and dumb builder next door waved at me and grabbed his mate to help me as all the doors look the same. He knew Paris and banged on a door with both fists. Paris arrived and welcomed me in. So here I am in limassol in a lovely courtyard with flowers and a clean lovely room just next to the old harbour for just 25€.

There is a nice lady from Warsaw here and myself and Paris. Paris builds musical instruments and the polish lady is a singer and runs a fashion business in Warsaw. Both believe I am insane to try to ride up 'that' mountain in the morning.

The ride stats for those that care about such things are:
72.4 miles
32.2 mph max speed

Tonight is being spent talking with two new friends here at Paris' house. I've had a pic nic on the rocks at the waters edge, checked out the old town here and I like it here. Paris makes instruments from old chairs, cigar boxes, fishing line, and passion, how cool is that. This kind of experience is why I enjoy cycle touring.
Tomorrow C'est le climb large.