My 62 km ride today started exactly as promised. A major road, yes — but not a highway, and every review online described it as a relaxed, enjoyable route. And they were right! There was plenty of shoulder, the traffic was steady but respectful, and honestly, it felt like every driver must’ve had a cyclist somewhere in the family. They all gave me a lovely, wide berth. No stress. No drama. Pure cruising. It’s even a favourite ride for locals between Larisa and Volos — and I could see why.
Then… Komoot decided to add its own little plot twist.
Instead of keeping me on the lovely, wide road, it detoured me into an industrial estate. Normally fine. Today? Not fine. Very not fine.
First came two dogs, launching themselves at me like they’d graduated from the “Terrify a Cyclist 101” academy. I yelled, they hesitated, I turned the corner… and then they came back for round two like absolute lunatics. I was properly scared — like “heart-thumping, legs shaking, what-the-heck-is-happening” scared. A large black dog was literally inches away, lunging at me.
And just when I thought this is it, an angel disguised as a man in a small truck screeched around the corner, jumped out, and distracted them long enough for me to escape. My first hero of the day.
But the universe wasn’t done.
Two kilometres later, a dog the size of a piece of furniture was sitting right in the middle of the road. It locked eyes with me, barked, and charged. PERFECT.
And then — Angel #2, this time driving a bigger truck, swung in like a guardian saint of cyclists. The dog went for the tyres instead of me, and the driver cleverly herded it into a gated area and held position until I was safely past. Absolute legend.
That whole area is apparently a dumping ground for dogs… which explains the chaos, but doesn’t make it less terrifying when you’re on a bike with nowhere to go.
I’m absolutely writing to Komoot. They cannot be sending unsuspecting cyclists into that zone without a giant flashing disclaimer saying “ENTER AT YOUR OWN DOG-CHASING / ATTACKING RISK.”
Made it safely to Volos, but wow… what a finish. Today’s ride had everything — scenery, serenity, adrenaline, and two unexpected guardian angels.