Brovet III: Mapping the undisclosed Peloponnese

So there goes Brovet version III. This time we decided to visit Peloponnese again with the aim to explore in depth rather than cross through the whole region, something that we did last summer. If the target at first was to create a road cycling event to share with friends now it is clear to us that Brovet is more of an exploration, an adventure, a quest if you like, to map, explore and cartograph in depth the unknown and mysterious country roads of Peloponnese.
The region of Mr. P as our super-hero logo suggests, is the epitome of a cycling ground. There is everything there: high scary mountains, flat plateaux, beaches that stretch as far as your eye can see, ancient monuments and temples, a vast and diverse network of country roads, beautiful villages, farm land and a history that dates back to the beginning of European civilization. Within this background we roamed to find meaning in our own personal physical effort, team spirit, companionship and an attachment to this land that will only truly be ours when we cycle it all. So with this new lay-out for the event we gathered for this adventure.

Maintain calm while climbing in extreme heat and recuperate while bombing at 78klm a country road with a flock of sheep as your only bystanders and cheerleaders. Not exactly like the Tour de France. Survive the Trainspoting-like toilet in a village that resembles a Sergio Leone western movie. Stand in awe next to the wind turbine as you gaze the “big blue” in the horizon. You are at the highest point. Sharing a BBQ and a bottle of ice cold beer with your companions while having sand in your feet. Diving into the clear waters of Epidavros having a big mother crab looking back at you while you try to swim the pain away from your feet. And last but not least, take a deep breath while this land, these mountains, will kick you back searching for shelter under the bushes, send you deep to your own personal thoughts and then resurrect you back as a cyclist triumphantly pedaling your way through towards the end of the road. Lesson learned.

Brovet: an excursion in cycle therapy and true companionship.
We’ll meet again.

Photographs by Konstantinos Souvatzoglou, Agi Kolyvas. Christian Manousarides.
Many thanks to our support car crew: Konstantinos and Nastazia, roadbook design Vagelis Gkravaritis, Mr. P logo Bend Design, Tokyo Fixed for providing prizes, Yorgos at Mike Epidavros for extra prize and everyone that supported.