CRETE – THE NEW CYCLING PARADISE

Advantages of the island
We are totally convinced that Crete has the assets to become the new cycling paradise in Europe. All members of our company are successful cyclists with a total of more than 500.000kms in training on the Cretan roads! The beautiful island of Crete offers several advantages for cyclists:

•    The climate:
It seems hardly difficult to find other places in Europe with so many sunny days and so little rain annually.  
The climate in Crete is  temperate with more than 300 (330 in Southern Crete) days of sunshine per year. The spring time between March and May is the most beautiful period of the year, because everything is in bloom and very green. Especially in May and June, Crete shows its most beautiful face to nature lovers and walkers. Between May and October rain is rare, normally there is  lots of sunshine and an average temperature of 25oC.
During summer time, in the hottest months of July and August, the temperature gets higher. During daytime you can expect a temperature of 30oC, but the heat is bearable because of the low humidity on the island. Water temperature, which gradually increases from May is approximately 25oC. The end of the holiday season which is the middle of September offers an average temperature of 27oC and the sea offers perfect conditions. For many Crete fans, this time is considered as the best on the island. The olive and fruit harvest time begins.
There is no autumn in the real sense of the word in Crete. Only in October it starts becoming colder in the morning and during the evening hours. But the water temperature is still welcome (23-24oC). The first raindrops are expected at around late October.
Even winter is mild, especially near the coasts and the temperature ranges between 16oC -20oC – Ideal temperature for cyclists!  

•    The geography of the island
Crete covers an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi), with a coastline of 1,046 km. It is the fifth biggest Island in the Mediterranean with 8.331km² and more than 5.000km of road network. Most of these roads can be used for cyclists. There is a high variety of courses with different levels for free time cyclists as well as for professional athletes. We have selected a wide range of courses whose measures and altitudes are defined with contemporary methods. All necessary information is available in our website. If ‘Sports Promotion Hellas’ makes the choice of different routes, it is always towards the goal of combining the beauty of the island and places of high cultural value with the athletes’ demands.  From November until May, athletes can enjoy the combination of snow peaked mountains (higher than 2.400m) and the sea, something which is difficult to find in other places worldwide.

•    Population density
Population density on Crete is very sparse, only 72/km². This means that we do not have any congestion problems on the island. Especially in the winter, cyclists will enjoy the peace and quiet of the island without the hustle and bustle of the peak season. No rented cars and no excursion buses! Cyclists can really enjoy their training!

•    Sightseeing and places of cultural interest on the island
Crete is the birthplace of our civilization and this is evident everywhere on the island. There are a lot of worth visiting places. The high cultural standards of the island can be can be spotted everywhere and the influences from the glorious past mingle harmoniously together with the contemporary face of the island, making your visit an unforgettable experience, not only for you, but also for your friends and family members.

•    Low crime rate
The crime rate in Crete is one of the lowest rates in the world, which means that athletes and their friends and family members can feel really safe and can truly enjoy this peaceful island.

•    Authenticity of Crete
You can feel the authenticity of the island everywhere. Cretan people are so hospitable, eager to help you and cater for every wish of yours.  Services for the guests are always offered in different languages and nearly everybody on the island speaks German and English. You will be amazed by their open heartedness and hospitality.

•     Crete as a birthplace for sports
In antiquity, even before the Classical era, e.g. on Minoan Crete, exercise played an important part in daily life. In fact, the Greeks credited several mythological figures with athletic accomplishments, and male figures such as Apollo and Herakles (patrons of sport) were commonly depicted as athletes. It gives all the athletes a wonderful feeling to train in such a historic place.

•    New experience for cyclists
It is a new experience for cyclists and other athletes to discover this new cycling paradise. Crete is not only an alternative place for cyclists from all over the world, but the best choice for their training during winter time!  

•    Competitive prices
The prices for flights, hotels, bike rental are absolutely competitive with other regions for cyclists. Special charter flights can be arranged for large cycling groups!
DISCOVER THIS NEW CYCLING PARADISE!!!
                                                         

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