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Perched on the outskirts of Athens, Mount Parnitha is a 1,000m climb into nature and mythology.
Cyclist sets out on a Greek odyssey
Photography David Wren
Climbing into the foothills of Mount Parnitha, Myrto educates me about the local history. She relates the legend of the Greek god Pan, who frequented the forests here to play his flute and dance on his cloven hooves among the deer.
I nod silently as she talks, seemingly absorbed in her tales, but the truth is I am incapable of speech. It’s taking all of my energy simply to turn the pedals and mask my increasingly laboured breathing. Myrto is very fast.