The first 15 years close for MTB THASSOS CUP, with a new route, which is now renamed Agia Kiriaki's ascent, with a distance of about 55 kilometers of cycling pleasure and more or less the same positive altitude (1483m.).
This new route consists of a combination of the old with new pieces. The most characteristic is the double ascent to Agia Kiriaki. The first 10 km remain as they are, as well as the 10 km from Agia Kiriaki until the 50th km.
In more detail, at the 1st water supply station and 10th km., we ascend to the left on a difficult, stone uphill terrain (up to 22%) for about 2 km. The end of the ascent finds us at the 12th km, following a descent of about 6 km on a dirt road that is not in very good condition, which will lead us to "Papa to abeli", a flat point with the characteristic old half-broken fence, where the new route meets the old one and we have to go right as in previous years. The dirt road ends in the old church of Panagouda and then a short path takes us to the old path pera mahala, with the characteristic stone bridge. Passing it, we enter Theologos, crossing the settlement, we reach Ai Giannis, where now will be the 2nd water supply point at the 20th km of the route.
From here begins the first ascent to Agia Kiriaki, about 7 km uphill on a passable dirt road. It is emphasized that the route from "Papa to abeli", to the outskirts of Agia Kiriaki at the old water supply point for those who remember, is essentially the same as the old one with the only difference being the 2nd water supply point. Arriving now at the old corral (old 3rd water supply point) instead of going left down, go up right 50m. where the peak of Agia Kiriaki with the homonymous church. We are at the 27th km of the race, at the 3rd & 4th water supply point, here begins part of the new route with a unique view of the entire eastern side of the island, with the island of Kinira dominating the bay of the homonymous settlement.
The descent that follows, for the next 3 km, is the most difficult point of the race and needs special attention, because the abandoned dirt road has been turned into a hard stone terrain, it has a large slope at the beginning and requires technical skills and proper equipment. At the base of this slope and after we have passed a beautiful plateau with a demolished hut (the hut of Karakostena), is the dirt road, where after 7 km uphill it will take us back to Agia Kiriaki and the 4th water supply point.
The continuous ascent against the backdrop of the Sea on one side and the gray-black rock formations on the other, is expected to give you a unique cycling experience, as you cross one of the most inaccessible parts of the island with wild beauty. From Agia Kiriaki, we descend to the right to Theologos, we pass by the old corral that we had passed and the first time we went up to Agia Kiriakibut now we go straight for 500m. about and then to the left in the old carriage (also a new part of about 2 km), until we find ourselves on the big dirt road and enter the well-known old route. We cross the asphalt around the village entering the familiar paths up to the 50th km. where we no longer follow the left side of the stream as in the past, but the right. Until the signals lead us and we continue for the finish from the left as in the previous years.
OBSERVATIONS
- The tough character of the race remains, in no case is it for beginners, it needs experience and proper equipment.
- Although it is 3 km smaller than the old one, in fact the positive altitude remains almost the same, which means good physical condition.
- You are given the opportunity to get to know the eastern, inaccessible and "wild" side of the island, gaining a unique cycling experience!
SPECIFICATIONS
Total km: 55.5
Total ascent: 1500m
SOIL: 54km.
Asphalt: 1km.
CP: 5 (per 8-10km)
Valid finish time 6 hour
Map
Track