http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: albania - Recent Posts en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:58:38 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239737 Sat, 24 Dec 2016 00:25:24 +0000 crowriver 239737@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's certainly true that road surfaces can be poor, and driving in the Balkans can be insanely aggressive, but then the driving's not great in Scotland either. One issue I have found, when cycling in Bulgaria, is that the normal 'rules' for sensible cycling don't apply, at least in larger towns and cities. That is, keeping to quiet streets and roads may save you from lorries, aggressively driven 4x4s etc. But in quiet (urban) areas you may instead find yourself being chased by packs of hungry looking stray dogs, or even rather terrifyingly large guard dogs from local businesses or homes! This seems to be the case in Romania too so I can imagine Albania is similar.</p> <p>Having said that, once in the countryside proper or in small villages, the Balkans can be very very beautiful. On a pleasant day cycling there can be a real joy. Oh and the food is usually good too, especially if you eat meat. If not, there are plenty of good hearty salads and cheese pastries to enjoy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239699 Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:58:00 +0000 SRD 239699@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The half that cooks lamb for Christmas! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239695 Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:19:36 +0000 paddyirish 239695@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"@SRD - which half?"</p> <p>The top half?</p> <p>I'll get my coat... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239690 Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:01:12 +0000 unhurt 239690@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks all so far - thoughts to follow, distracted by having to do actual work &amp; run errands, bah humbug!</p> <p>@SRD - which half? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239652 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 16:34:59 +0000 steveo 239652@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I need a holiday!</em></p> <p>I hear Albania is nice this time of year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239647 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:37:45 +0000 SRD 239647@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Half, I'm half Albanian. I need a holiday! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239638 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:05:08 +0000 I were right about that saddle 239638@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Last I heard of travel in Albania was from a motorcyclist ten years ago. Gorgeous, and friendly other than roaming dogs and stone-throwing children. </p> <p>There's a friendly Albanian chef in the canteen at @Stickman's work. Could be a useful contact for info? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239636 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:38:48 +0000 acsimpson 239636@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you fancy Finland in a season guaranteed to be free of biting insects my cousin is currently offering wilderness tours. He says ice fishing under the northern lights is the highlight. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239634 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:21:24 +0000 amir 239634@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went to Finland but on work. It was gorgeous - I think there were quite a few cycle lanes. I imagine there are more interesting parts (e.g. in the south, on one of the archipelagos, or in the lake district) and less interest parts - the endless forests (though you may see interesting wildlife including flying squirrels) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239633 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:08:46 +0000 paddyirish 239633@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pretty sure I read somewhere that Emily Chappell went through Albania in the Transcontinental this year ( as a routing mistake and loved it). </p> <p><a href="http://www.paperbike.co.uk/new-blog/2016/9/27/qa-emily-chappell-on-being-the-first-woman-to-complete-the-2016-transcontinental">linky</a> to the mistake bit, but I'm sure she had raved about Albania in a separate interview, which I can't find...</p> <p>Iceland is truly wonderful and I would love to cycle around it. Bring your swimming togs- a hot tub/geothermally heated pool awaits in each village. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239631 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:56:06 +0000 SRD 239631@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd go to Albania*, but not sure about cycling there. </p> <p>*of course I would, I'm a quarter Albanian. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239630 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:42:21 +0000 jdanielp 239630@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Finland , Finland , Finland<br /> The country where I want to be<br /> Pony trekking or cycling* or just watch T.V.<br /> Finland , Finland , Finland<br /> It's the country for me</p> <p>(* camping is the original lyric)</p> <p>(NB: I have not actually visited Finland) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17285#post-239629 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:31:50 +0000 unhurt 239629@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Has anyone been to Albania? I have a few contacts who have travelled/worked there, and loved it, but I hear the driving is pretty terrifying, so I'm pondering the wisdom of going there with a bike (&amp; tent) next year... I know the roads are also a bit of a state, but the tourer takes pretty fat tyres, so okay on that front. </p> <p>Other options on the table include Finland - preferably at a season not filled with biting insects! And rather more expensive once there.</p> <p>To make things more interesting, in both cases I might try to get there without flying...</p> <p>Advice/opinions/suggestions/should I just go and ride round Iceland (wearing a midge suit)? </p>