Bike trek rider heads into Albania (From Oxford Mail)

Bike trek rider heads into Albania

5:51pm Wednesday 14th April 2010 in Oxford By Dan Hearn

Round-the-world-cyclist Steven Fabes surveys the scenery in Albania

HE HAD been warned of dangerous driving, terrible roads and even terrorist training camps.

But round-the-world cyclist Dr Steven Fabes decided he would cycle through Albania anyway — and said he had discovered the most welcoming country so far.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Southdale Road, North Oxford, is three months into his attempt to cycle 50,000 miles around the world in five years.

Dr Fabes said: “I'd been warned not to venture into the country’s interior and I’d planned to take heed of this advice.

“Albania is Mafia country, I was told by a hostel owner in Dubrovnik. I was also warned of the poor quality of Albanian roads and I had even heard rumours of Albania being home to terrorist training camps.

“The UK Foreign Office site gave advice on travelling in Albania and did little to convince me this would be a sensible path to take.

“Even the Albanian flag, a black two-headed eagle on a red background, looked sinister.”

However, the former Abingdon School pupil discovered he had no reason to worry.

He said: “I crossed the border into Albania and immediately my fears were confirmed. The road became a hotchpotch of potholes and craters. But then what I didn’t expect – cheers and waves from Albanians out working in the fields. I was even saluted by some of the children as I rode past.

“People were clearly surprised to see me. Horses and carriages now shared the road with bashed up old Mercs and the occasional new one which I secretly hoped was occupied by the Albanian Mafia.

“My first night in Albania was spent drinking vodka with a group of men in a metalwork shop.

“In fact Albania has been the most welcoming country of my journey so far and nothing better highlights the generosity of the Albanians than my experience shortly after.”

Dr Fabes spoke about the “particularly warm” welcome he received from one Albanian family. He said: “I was just settling down for the night in my tent when a man arrived with the cheekiest of the children, Albert.

“They couldn’t speak any English but it became clear that they wanted me to take down my tent and come into the house.

“This was an invitation and I followed them inside.

“A coat was placed over my shoulders. The women brought out food – sausage, egg, gherkins, yoghurt, a nondescript meat dip, bread and cheese.

“Every time I finished, the father would click his fingers and someone would scuttle off to fetch more.

“I felt totally unworthy of such hospitality.”

Dr Fabes, who formerly worked at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, hopes to travel across six continents and raise £50,000 for Merlin, an aid agency that gets remote medical clinics running again.

He is cycling about 100 miles a day, and is now in Bulgaria. His next stop is Turkey.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk