- a greek adventure -
We had been waiting a long time for this week. After alteration, email conversations and detailed itineraries being produced, time had arrived. I was waiting for the Greek MTB Team to arrive at Terminal 2 of Munich airport. Seeing a group of gentlemen wearing matching bright yellow tour t-shirts come through arrivals, I knew I’d found my group. After hearty handshakes and the more than generous gifts of Ouzo and a dessert wine Saos vin Deux, the nine of us headed off in the minibus.
The week was going to be filled with three days mountain biking (6-8hrs, 1200-1600 vertical metres climbing), a days climbing the largest peak in the Wilder Kaiser, the Ellmauerhalt by via ferrata and a day white water rafting. A tough schedule by anyone’s standards. 
The schedule was only slightly altered. Firstly, the water level was quite low, therefore only half a day was spent white water rafting. In the afternoon our Greek guests enjoyed canyoning. A Mixture of rock traverses and leaps of faith, ten metres down into the icy cold water. Also, on one of the days we suggested using the lifts for the mountain biking which was eagerly accepted by the group.
I was wary when told that “there is the right way, the wrong way and the Greek way“. Smiles were abundant throughout the week and as some of the group had better fitness than others and some better technical skills. There was always something to laugh about.
Memorable moments included, ‘Siesta time’ at the mountain hut. Swimming for all in the mountain lake and the look on many of their faces when we showed them some of the steep descents we were going to tackle. Personally, I won’t forget the Greek snack bars, especially the pistachio bars.
With an enjoyable meal at the local Italian on the last night, we chatted about the mountain biking and the weeks adventures. Everyone in the group took away different highlights. Some enjoyed the fast sections, others the steep climbs and a couple were getting addicted to the technical sections which are hidden around every corner.
Drop off was to be in the centre of Munich. Thanks George for having a GPS that worked! Here our crazy Greek friends were to spend a couple of days, I’m guessing enjoying the multitude of breweries on offer. So, Chief, Loui, Gastone, Pro, Kamkots, D-Poulos, Ratman and James Bots, thanks for such an enjoyable week and long may you guys carry on doing things the ‘Greek way’!
We have a few more photos on our main guest gallery or their mtb holiday photos for you to look through…
