CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

travel planning for 2017 - Albania? Finland?

(13 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by unhurt
  • Latest reply from crowriver
  • This topic is not resolved

  1. unhurt
    Member

    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 (& 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.

    Other options on the table include Finland - preferably at a season not filled with biting insects! And rather more expensive once there.

    To make things more interesting, in both cases I might try to get there without flying...

    Advice/opinions/suggestions/should I just go and ride round Iceland (wearing a midge suit)?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. jdanielp
    Member

    Finland , Finland , Finland
    The country where I want to be
    Pony trekking or cycling* or just watch T.V.
    Finland , Finland , Finland
    It's the country for me

    (* camping is the original lyric)

    (NB: I have not actually visited Finland)

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    I'd go to Albania*, but not sure about cycling there.

    *of course I would, I'm a quarter Albanian.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. paddyirish
    Member

    Pretty sure I read somewhere that Emily Chappell went through Albania in the Transcontinental this year ( as a routing mistake and loved it).

    linky to the mistake bit, but I'm sure she had raved about Albania in a separate interview, which I can't find...

    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.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. amir
    Member

    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)

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. acsimpson
    Member

    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.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    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.

    There's a friendly Albanian chef in the canteen at @Stickman's work. Could be a useful contact for info?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. SRD
    Moderator

    Half, I'm half Albanian. I need a holiday!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. steveo
    Member

    I need a holiday!

    I hear Albania is nice this time of year.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. unhurt
    Member

    Thanks all so far - thoughts to follow, distracted by having to do actual work & run errands, bah humbug!

    @SRD - which half?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. paddyirish
    Member

    "@SRD - which half?"

    The top half?

    I'll get my coat...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. SRD
    Moderator

    The half that cooks lamb for Christmas!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. crowriver
    Member

    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.

    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.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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