Stage 43: From Xanthi to Alexandroupoli

I also wanted to do today's stage together with Lotfi and Andrea. In the morning, we quickly bought supplies in Xanthi for the almost 110 kilometers to Alexandroupoli. At -1°C, we went to the supermarket, and the temperature difference to the coast was clearly noticeable. So we put on our warmest clothes and got back on the bike around 9 o'clock! But as we were riding towards Komotini, it got significantly warmer, and we could enjoy the scenery on a quiet road. Especially the short but steep section along the Kompsatos River was worth a photo stop! In Komotini, we took a short coffee and snack break before continuing to Alexandroupoli. There were still a few challenging climbs along the coast, where Lotfi and Andrea naturally left me behind again, but we could enjoy the fast descent just before Alexandroupoli together. Lotfi and Andrea had already met someone in Italy who had contacts with a nice Italian hotel owner (Marianna). Accordingly, the whole family gave us a warm welcome and provided us with two huge rooms! In the evening, we briefly explored the city, went shopping again, and enjoyed some delicious Greek cuisine (with beer).