Cyprus road biking

[Nobby Diesel]

I have a week in Paphos, over October half term.
Considering taking the road bike.
Can anyone advise the condition and suitability of the roads, for a fairly novice, yet enthusiastic biker?

I'm thinking of early morning outings, before the family are ready for breakfast, so probably 1.5 hours max.

I've not been to Cyprus before, so I would be delighted to get some advise.
We're staying at the Constantinou Athena Beach Hotel, if that helps.

Thanks.

[SoliD]

Quick reply before I have to go out.

I went out at the beginning of February and had a great time, but it was more for training than a holiday. The roads in Paphos are terrible, but once you get out, quieten down and are lovely.

With only short rides you won't see the fantastic roads to be offered, and you would probably only get a little way up some of the ascents, but there are a few loops you could do, however you will take up a bit of time getting in and out of Paphos which will bite in to your proper ride time. IF you can get some time or get dropped off, head up into Cedar Valley, great roads, great scenery and sooooo quiet! If you want any routes, give me a shout, can send you over my strava rides.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I stayed in Pissouri for the first 2 weeks of August and hired a road bike from http://www.mountainbikecyprus.com/Mountainbike_Cyp... for the 2 weeks that I was there. Once you get out of Paphos the roads are fantastic. I would definitely recommend the riding the coast road from Paphos to Kourion, the views are fantasic. Another good route is from Kouklia (near to the airport) up to Dora.

[louiebaby]

Not ridden, but driving through the Trudos mountains, I wished I had brought my road bike with me...

[okgo]

I am going but staying near Limmasoul in a couple of weeks.

I'd been warned off riding there by a mate as the drivers are dangerous?

Would you say I should? And being on the south coast, is that a massive problem?

I wanted to ride Mt Olympus.

[Cerbieherts]

okgo said:

I am going but staying near Limmasoul in a couple of weeks.

I'd been warned off riding there by a mate as the drivers are dangerous?

Would you say I should? And being on the south coast, is that a massive problem?

I wanted to ride Mt Olympus.

I lived in Cyprus for seven years. I wouldn't recommend using a bike on the road there. My wife was part of a cycling group in Nicosia and attended only three meets, all of which involved one of the group being hit by a car. I was knocked off a moped on a pretty deserted road and the driver sped off. The hospitals were always littered with people injured in bike/motorbike collisions with drivers, who's standard of driving is generally poor to very poor....they drive while texting/on the phone/drunk..

[okgo]

Thanks, I will stick to the gym bike.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

okgo said:

I am going but staying near Limmasoul in a couple of weeks.

I'd been warned off riding there by a mate as the drivers are dangerous?

Would you say I should? And being on the south coast, is that a massive problem?

I wanted to ride Mt Olympus.

I have no experience in cycling in the larger towns/cities in Cyprus but once you get outside the towns most of the traffic is on the main motorway (Paphos - Limasol - Larnaca) which means the other roads are very quiet. When I stayed there in August I did all of my riding early morning (6:30 - 9:30) just because it was too hot, and there I would imagine that by the end of September is should be cold enough to do some longer rides. Most days I encountered more cyclists than cars whilst riding the hills near Dora/Pachna/Arogyna/Pissouri. The coast road through the British Army base is fantastic with some spectacular views.

I drove up to the top of Mt Olypmus, the road looked great for cycling but it is quite steep (had to turn off the aircon in the hire car to get up the steepest ramps). The guy that runs Velo-Cyprus told me that if I wanted to ride there it would mean a 4:00AM start (or alternatively come back from October-May when it is cooler).

I plan to return next year and possibly take own bike.

[SoliD]

okgo said:

I am going but staying near Limmasoul in a couple of weeks.

I'd been warned off riding there by a mate as the drivers are dangerous?

Would you say I should? And being on the south coast, is that a massive problem?

I wanted to ride Mt Olympus.

Get out, I only had one issue in my week there, but that was because the guy looked about 900 years old, rest of the time it was fine, some great climbs, that you with your ability would really enjoy.

Also thumbs up for the velocyprus guys for bike hire, Al the guy who owns it is really passionate and happy to take you or show you some good routes, with estimated ride times. Coast road and up from Khouklia are some good roads too.

Would love to have ridden Olympus but it was -5 at the top when I went, and only had short shirt and bibs and some arm warmers Not sure on temp now, but would assume it would be fine to ride up to, would definitely love to do it from Paphos, although would be 100+miles with huge climbing, although the descending would be brilliant.