Troodos is the highest top pick in Cyprus. If we will search very carefully accurate the highest top pic in Cyprus is Olimp. He have 1952 meters high. Troodos Sports & Fun Festival is event for everyone. Not only for road cyclist but also for MTB, Dowhill or running! In two June weeks in Throdos organisers prepare very interesting event. Again
I had problem with transport to the start line and then with help come Osman, Thanks a lot men! I don't like in races in Cyprus that they must start very early because later will be hot and they are forcing me to stand up very early in the morning. So that was also this time I must woke up at 5:00 am to eat and got on the start line. I was very surprised by the amount of participants. To Limassol came people from whole island.
I had clear plan: "climb to the top". I didn't expect that it won't be so easy. We start from city center of Limassol and rode 30 km to the dam in Kouris. In this beautiful place we filled our bottles, are bananas and prepared to start. Unfortunately, during this ride I lost one bottle but still I had another one so I was lighter and I could continue race.
Mister of race with his beautiful Colnago
The organisers explain all rules and recalled route of the race. Everyone very fast lined up in their positions and we was ready to start race. The race started at the sound of a whistle. Riders on front started as bullet.
Route near Kouris Reservoir lake was the fastest part of race. If you will be near lake you should stop somthere close to the lake and enjoy these view. The route leading up close steep slope. We rode up and down it was good warm up before real climbing which started before Lofu. For cyclist waited 19% uphill road!!! It was looking like wall, good that was only 150 meters. I did't know but it wastent the most steep driveway. In Lofu I filled the bottle.
Stage from Lofu to Kato Platres was the easier part of the race. The food point in Kato Platres was in perfect place. Guy from Bolse Vita had bananas and oranges which helped me refuel all vitamins and added me energy for final stage!
Cloudy weather, silence which was sometimes broken by the chirping of birds and the sound of the creek and gray colors surrounding the way to the top that caused increasingly felt reverence and respect to the Olympus. The road which that led to the top was wide and switchback. Here I felt so much whats mean real climbing. The worst was the fact that I have not seen the end, the summit was hiding in the clouds.
Last "pit stop" 6 km before finish line was placed where I believed in my strength. I was so close and I could 't give up. Legs hurt me very strongly but only few kilometers up separated me from the finish of the race. I told myself "I could 't give up".
When I reached Troodos it gave me strength to ride last three kilometers to the top. Last few curve and uphills and I could across the finish line and finished race! I made it! I climbed to the highest point of Cyprus. It was my first time so high by bike. Now I can image how strong are cyclists from pro teams which rode in tours.
Congratulations to all who successfully complete this tough race. You showed that you are strong not only physically but also mentally.
Way down with Faros Cycling Club:
