{"id":2694,"date":"2024-02-23T16:21:14","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T16:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/about\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T05:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T05:40:03","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; module_class=&#8221;page-title-section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/DSC07619-Edit.jpg&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;About&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#f7f7f7&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;2.7em&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#444444&#8243; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#f7f7f7&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;justified&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>It all began 25 years ago in Thessaloniki\u2014a city of studies, dreams, and first adventures. On two bikes and with nothing but maps, stories, and plenty of curiosity, we set out to explore the hidden corners of northern Greece: Grammos, Valia Kalda, Kara Dere in Drama, and countless other secret spots. Every ride was an adventure\u2014sometimes small, sometimes wild, but always unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p>Life took us on the move for the next 15 years. Every new city, every new landscape became a playground for exploration. Slowly, we discovered the heart of Greece, its southern lands, and its islands, always chasing the thrill of the next journey. Now based in Athens, we roam the hills, plains, and mountains of Attica\u2014but our hearts still beat for the faraway peaks we love to climb.<\/p>\n<p>After two decades on two wheels, we wanted to share our routes with those who feel the same pull of the road, the trail, the unknown. Hours spent poring over maps, hunting down details, and cycling through breathtaking landscapes have become a way of life. Even today, with GPS and satellite maps at our fingertips, we chase the unexpected, driven by curiosity and the joy of discovering what lies just beyond the path.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;75px||150px||false|false&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;mountains2&#8243; bottom_divider_color=&#8221;#f7f7f7&#8243; bottom_divider_height=&#8221;140px&#8221; bottom_divider_repeat=&#8221;2x&#8221; bottom_divider_arrangement=&#8221;above_content&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Meet the Team&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Giorgos Koutrotsios&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Giorgos&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h5&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Giorgos Quick CV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;justified&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]Giorgos has been a cyclist and nature explorer for as long as he can remember. Bikes aren\u2019t just transport\u2014they\u2019re a passport to adventure, leading him across mountains, valleys, and trails throughout Greece. His fascination with the natural world took him deep into the study of fungi, and today he is an Assistant Professor of Mycology at the Agricultural University of Athens.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0aa;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/koutrotsios.georgios&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0b1;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/koutrotsiosgeorgios\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Vaios Karalaios&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Vaios&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h5&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Vaios Quick CV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;justified&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Vaios still remembers the day he took off the training wheels\u2014a memory etched on his skull. From there, he explored the wide plains of Thessaly, eventually venturing to higher peaks. For 25 years, he has balanced climbing and cycling, working as a climbing instructor and professional photographer. You\u2019ll rarely see him in the photos; he\u2019s usually the one behind the lens, capturing the team\u2019s adventures.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0aa;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/vaioskaralaios&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0b1;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vaios_karalaios_photography\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#f7f7f7&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;75px||150px||false|false&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;mountains2&#8243; bottom_divider_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; bottom_divider_height=&#8221;140px&#8221; bottom_divider_repeat=&#8221;2x&#8221; bottom_divider_arrangement=&#8221;above_content&#8221; da_disable_devices=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; da_is_popup=&#8221;off&#8221; da_exit_intent=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_close=&#8221;on&#8221; da_alt_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_dark_close=&#8221;off&#8221; da_not_modal=&#8221;on&#8221; da_is_singular=&#8221;off&#8221; da_with_loader=&#8221;off&#8221; da_has_shadow=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Partners&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Aris Leontaritis&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Aris&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h5&#8243; title_text_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Giorgos Quick CV&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;justified&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]Aris\u2019 love for exploration started with rebellious mountain bike rides as a child in Penteli. An alpinist, researcher, and mountain enthusiast, he studies Greece\u2019s high-altitude landscapes and the glaciers that once shaped them. He is also the founder of thegreekmountainproject, a long-term adventure and research initiative that combines science, cycling, and the thrill of discovery.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0aa;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aris.leo.908&#8243; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_icon font_icon=&#8221;&#xe0b1;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#333333&#8243; icon_width=&#8221;40px&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/the_greek_mountain_project\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; module_class=&#8221;inline-icon&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_icon][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It all began 25 years ago in Thessaloniki\u2014a city of studies, dreams, and first adventures. On two bikes and with nothing but maps, stories, and plenty of curiosity, we set out to explore the hidden corners of northern Greece: Grammos, Valia Kalda, Kara Dere in Drama, and countless other secret spots. Every ride was an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2694","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2694"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2899,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694\/revisions\/2899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtb-greece.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}