"Yes"
"...and you chose to visit Kythira?!"
An odd interaction with an Athenian man driving up a steep hill as we were about to cycle down it. I suppose that Kythira island is not very well know to tourists, so why would anyone come here unless they're visiting their ancestral homeland? Well it's a beautiful island, quite diverse and surprising. Coming off the ferry it just looked bleak and treeless, but after cycling around for our first day, we saw so many different areas it was incredible. Not a lot of cars and many interesting roads winding their way around the island. But it's not for the feint of heart - the conversation continues:
"Are you going to cycle down this hill?"
"Yes"
"and cycle back up too??"
"Well...yes"
"You are a hero!"
Hmmm... We've tackled short sections up to 14% and extended climbs averaging 7%, I won't say "with ease", but it didn't kill us, and in the right state of mind (which I'm ALWAYS in when cycling beautiful hilly terrain) it can even be enjoyable. Coming down to this beach was a challenge for our brakes and our braking fingers (not to mention our tires - the rims got VERY hot) we'll see what physical challenge tomorrow morning brings...
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