Grooving Greece with Jeff Stuart

Make your way through rolling terrain to the intermediate point of Koskarakas Gorge. From there, the main part of the climb averages 4% with gradients rarely troubling. End with sweeping views of Máni and the Messinian Bay.

Starting in the picturesque village of Kardamyli, climb gentle, rolling terrain up to the top of the pass separating the region of Máni from the municipality of Kalamata.

For those tackling the Taygetos challenge, this is by far the worst part. Not because it’s part of the challenge, but because after ascending all the way to the pass, you have to come back over this small set of switchbacks before getting back to Kalamata. Luckily for you, you don’t already have a 1200 m pass in your legs. Or do you?

An easy, pancake-flat, mostly car-free road. Starting right next to the airport, cycle about twenty minutes towards the city itself, passing by farmland and beaches

The first bump on the old highway from Kalamata to Sparta. Climb approximately four-hundred meters.

The average gradient is deceiving as there are several parts where the gradient kicks up. This recording is meant for those looking to test their fitness as it should take about twenty minutes at a steady power of 4.5 W/kg.

Another brute of a climb from Messinia, this ascent takes you up often double-digit gradients through switchbacks and varied terrain to some of the best views of the Messinian Bay one can get to on two wheels. The effort is most certainly difficult, but the reward makes it worth it.

The first bump on the old highway from Kalamata to Sparta. Climb approximately four-hundred meters.

The average gradient is deceiving as there are several parts where the gradient kicks up. This recording is meant for those looking to test their fitness as it should take about twenty minutes at a steady power of 4.5 W/kg.

How many cities can boast sun, year-round good weather, blue-flag beaches, and a well-maintained, mostly car-free, 1250m ascent? Kalamata has it all. Take on the local mountain race happening every September that leads you from the Kalamata farmer’s market all the way to the top of the pass in the Ταϋγέτος (pronounced tie-YEE-tose) mountain range that separates Kalamata and Sparta.