Each year we open the season with this easy but really fantastic warm-up ride through the beauty of spring. Going through the lower passes of the still snow capped Rila, Pirin, Rhodope mountains, through overflowing river valleys, across the Aegean to the island of Thasos. We have a full free day on the island to ride on or off-road, in small groups, or alone, or not ride at all, it's really up to you.
We ride at a relaxed pace, we stop frequently enough so there is no feeling of being rushed. In the evenings, delicious food, chilled beer and a laugh wraps up the day.
The weather at this time of year
Morning temp average is 9 - 11 Celsius
Day temp average is 20 - 22 Celsius
Rain: We have bribed the weather into not raining. Also it's generally quite a dry month.
Sea water: would make you sing like an angel
Sunrise is at 06:03
Sunset is at 20:09
The Program
Friday
The rally point is Ikea's lower parking lot at 09:00. Fuel up your bike the evening before because we are setting off at 09:30. We have prepped a route that has plenty of scenery with the soft oncoming spring in the lowlands and the still snow capped mountains on the horizon. We will be following some large rivers through their gorges and making our way to the border split into groups which will carve the asphalt and those who want to get some dirt on their bikes. Nothing too technical or challenging but all in good fun. We pop into Greece at the end of the day, for a nice meal and a nice relaxing night.
Start:
End:
Lunch is in:
Ride time:
Ride distance:
max elevation:
Sofia @ 0930
Sidirokastro @ 19:30
shhh, it's a secret
8 hrs
400 kms
1400 m
Saturday
We wake up, grab a brush put on a little make up... well maybe not that but we do load up and get some breakfast and start the bikes up at 10:00 We go through the border into Greece, immediately pointing toward Alexandroupolis, using а very, very old road to get there. Once there it's time for a walk, some coffee, etc. and once we're done with that, we hug the sea as closely as possible and start making our way west toward Thasos. It's one of our favourite coastal roads, almost completely void of traffic this time of year, lot's of small spots to check out, beaches etc. There's a slight shortcut to be had for those of an off-road predisposition. We hop on a ferry and get to the island in the late afternoon. A quick ride will be available if you want to join, both on and off-road. If not, you can start drinking early.
Start:
End:
Lunch is in:
Ride time:
Ride distance:
max elevation:
Sidirokastro @ 10:00
Thasos @ 19:00
a tavern
7 hrs
320 kms
1150 m
Sunday
This is a free day. You can do whatever you like. There will be a group that will ride around the island, tarmac only, there will be an off-road group which will spend the better part of the day up in the mountains. If you'd like to join the off-roaders but your bike doesn't allow you to, there is an option to rent an ATV or a dual-sport bike for the day.
Start:
End:
Lunch is in:
Ride time:
Ride distance:
max elevation:
-
-
-
0 - 10 hrs
0 - 200 kms
0 - 1200 m
Monday
What is usually the most hated day of the week will be so, so much better on a bike. We've built it focused on the ride rather than the fact that we are going home. There's four whole mountain passes, a truly interesting cave (only 3 of this type in the whole world), a lunch that will have you sweating and considering going on a diet effective immediately. It is a big day of riding that just so happens to end back home rather than a hotel.
Start:
End:
Lunch is in:
Ride time:
Ride distance:
max elevation:
Thasos @ 10:00
Sofia @ 20:00
Drama
8 hrs
420 kms
1300 m
Price
EUR 350.00
payable EUR 200 in advance up until 10.02.2026
remaining EUR 150 due until 31.03.2026
Extras are... well, extra.
What's in
Guides, a bed in a double room with a almost sure to not snore motorcyclist (free earplugs), ferry fees and tolls, traveler's insurance (5k EUR limit) and road assistance in case the bike or you decide to misbehave
What's out
Food, fuel & beer pretty much. We don't know if we can afford your drinking habits, so do please take care of them yourself. We did some light estimations on how much you'd need, they are somewhere below.
Extras
Additional passenger is + EUR 200.00
Single room accommodation is + EUR 200.00
Rental motorcycle starts at EUR 75.00/day
Rent an ATV or a dual-sport on the island from EUR 60.00/day
What about the bike
This is a great route for all bikes. That said, you'd struggle to keep up if your bike is under 250cc, but anything above that, really anything that can sustain 100kph will be excellent.
The route is 100% asphalt, off-road is optional
Coming? Great! Consider:
Gear
Our guides carry these, so we think you don't need to double up on them: A basic first aid kit, tire puncture repair kit, inner tube for anything nastier than a nail, zip ties, so, so many zip ties... a rope, some electrical tape and a basic toolkit. Anything special that makes you or your bike run, you should take yourself. In our dreams we all ride naked, right? No? Just us? Oh, well either way when awake we take this stuff seriously, so although we're not saying that's how you should ride, we ride with full face helmets, full suit without the thermal liners and some serious boots. It's still cold in the mornings so we put on a layer you can remove easily. Waterproof gear if it rains: it won't rain. If you're missing bits, ask us, we will try to help out. Remember, always wear all of your gear, even when having sex.
Luggage
A common thing is to overdo this and end up carrying half the stuff you own "just in case". Don't do it - it ruins your bike's handling, it looks ridiculous and it's annoying to carry it. The "just in case" bit is perfectly covered by a 100 EUR note in a pocket somewhere - it can be exchanged for extra clothes, forgotten charger cables, etc. That said, pack these: - pair of walking shoes; - 4x clean underwear; - 4x non-stinky t-shirts; - 1x long sleeve top; - 1x jeans; - a toothbrush if you own teeth; All of them will fit in a backpack if you don't have dedicated motorcycle luggage. Whatever you use, tie it down on the bike. Carrying it on your back wears you out for no reason. Waterproofing luggage if it rains: it won't rain
Pocket money
Other than the fee, which covers the stuff we said it covers, you need maybe EUR 200-300 in your pocket. We estimate: - about EUR 100 for fuel. We fuel mostly in Bulgaria but there will be some in Greece as well. Considering a 5l/100kms consumption this should be plenty; - about EUR 120-150 for food and beer. Beer money may vary depending on beer capacity - about EUR 20 for tiny shiny trinkets, to bring home and remind your significant other that you have thought of them on this trip...so essentially, bribe money If you decide to book a dual sport motorcycle or an ATV for the island, they are EUR 60 to 80 and you do pay them on the spot, cash. Which reminds us - keep some cash on you. Bill splitting is annoying otherwise.
