Today we biked from Sarande to another town on the coast, Dehrmi. It was a fairly easy day which is amazing to say since we had to do more than 5,000 feet of climbing. I guess I am getting stronger. There were some challenging slopes however and a number of people had to walk them but all in all a pleasant day. The route was along the coastal mountains so that we would climb over a mountain, descend down to the coast, climb another mountain, descend again, over and over. Although we are technically in Dehrmi we are actually at a resort outside of town. It is a very modern looking hotel but we are so remote from the town we cannot easily walk to any stores or restaurants. We will have dinner at the hotel. The next few days look like they are not going to be too difficult either wo we should be fine for four days of riding.
Yesterday I just wanted to lay back and do nothing so I downloaded a book and read all day. Today, as I was riding, I was thinking how different things are now compared to when we were here traveling in the mid 80s. Back then books were scarce and highly prized by travelers. Most travelers were backpacking so books were a luxury since they were heavy and took up room. So, one of the first things travelers did when they met at a hotel or campground was to exchange books that they had finished with other travelers. It was always an interesting process and the more people involved the better so that everyone could possibly get books that they were interested in reading. Now, of course, you don’t have to carry books and with WiFi you can download whatever you want.
There are about 28 riders on our tour. I haven’t had a chance to talk in length with all of them. One of my great frustrations is that because of my poor hearing I cannot typically participate in group chats like at dinner because with the general noise level I lose the train of the conversation over and over. I’m fine one on one or in small groups but that limits how I can participate. Anyway, about 2/3 of the riders are retired, of the ones not retired some of their occupations are civil engineer (2), laboratory chemist for a mining company, money manager, and that is all I know. Some of the past occupations of the retired folks are home builder, parole officer, accountant, lawyer, and that is the sample that I can remember. Of the group there are 10 or 11 women, there are three couples, and there is a father and son. Ages range from early 30’s and I am either the oldest or next to the oldest at 71. I would guess that maybe a third of the riders are in the late 50s to mid 60s range. There is a range of abilities. About 1/3 of the riders are stronger than me, about 1/3 are similar and about 1/3 are weaker. I guess the most surprising thing to me is that over half of the riders have done these types of tours before and a good number of them have done many rides like this.
I don’t have many pictures today since it was mostly views down from the hills to the ocean with not much variability but here are a few.
