Tour de St Paul - October 19-25, 2007
In 50 AD one man took a journey from Philippi to Corinth in Greece and changed the world. His message was love, truth, and divine power. His name was Paul. He was a man of honour and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
All are invited to follow the route of this one man on bicycles. It will go over 800 kilometers. It is designed to restore ones self and to bring hope and restoration of the Balkan region.
On Friday Oct 19, the journey begins on the hill overlooking the port of Kavala (Neapolis) where Paul arrive in Acts 16.11 and where parts of the ancient Roman road Egnatia can still be seen. After the descent downhill into the valley, the ride zips through the centre of ancient Philippi and turns left just before Lydia's baptism centre. The route circles around the Pangaio Mountain and climbs up to ancient Amphipoli where a huge marble lion guards the river. The day concludes at Asprovalta on the sea after an easy 70 km.
On Saturday Oct 20, day 2 follows along the sea and then cuts through the valley to Apollonia. The route then climbs over the mountain Horiatis and rolls into Thessaloniki after 100 km.
On Sunday Oct 21, day 3, after worshiping at The Balkan FMC near the center of town we will begin an all flat ride towards Berea and then past King Philip's tomb to the sea again. Following the shoreline the day ends at Leptokaria at the foot of Mount Olympus on the shores of the Aegean after 140 km.
On Monday Oct 22, day 4 starts with a ride around a seashore medieval castle. Continuing south along the sea, the trip crosses the Tembi river and goes around the Assos Mountain. After a beautiful stroll along the beach the route climbs over the Pelion Mountain and descends into the city of Volos after 120 km.
On Tuesday Oct 23, day 5 follows the bay down to the tip of the cape some 60 kilometers south. There a boat will take the riders and their bikes 5 km across the Euboic Sea to the island of Evia. There the route curls around the northwest part of the island to the port Limani about 60 km distance where the sailboat, the Morning Star will be waiting to take them back across to mainland Greece to a secluded bay and a good night sleep on the boat.
On Wednesday Oct 24, day 6 heads south for Athens passing by the battlefield of Marathon to arrive at the Cosmovision Sports Centre in Koropi about 100 km.
On Thursday Oct 25, the final day starts with a visit to Mars Hill at the Acropolis where Paul spoke to the philosophers and concludes at Ancient Corinth about 100 kilometers away.
The group then returns to Athens or Thessaloniki according to their flight arrangements.
The bikers will be accompanied by a support vehicle for bags, parts and supplies.
Last years riders from 5 countries!
To ride this year contact Mike Long to get more specific details and to arrange your arrival and departure information.
