Rest Day: Train to Thessaloniki

We've changed our plans to include Athens. Because of the added distance we have to cover ground by train, so we caught a train to Thessaloniki (180 miles), the second largest city in Greece (1 million plus) and a historic trade, business and government center. Antiquities are everywhere. Those letters Paul wrote to the Thelonians - that was for the first Christian church in Thessaloniki..

Susan is having fit problems, so we went to a bike shop run by an ex pro racer, now frame builder. He was all business until I mentioned that I grew up with Gary Fisher's brother. That was the secret handshake - now we are bike bros. We'll be seeing him tomorrow.

The city is crazy congested and you need confidence to ride here. Tomorrow we tour the city and will post pics. Still deciding how to handle Athens.Read more