So I had a lovely chat with Bogdan over a sunny pint yesterday (in-between thundery showers):
The best thing about him was a total lack of interest in pro-racing, so I didn't need to give him my "no T-de-F spoilers!" speech. He comes from the cycling-for-utility/health/environment side of the force, and is a big cheese in the movement for cycle infrastructure in Kiev. Apparently they have a LOT of work to do!
He was much more enthusiastic about Lviv as a cycling city, and as a nice place to visit. Apparently it has historically always been a bit more cosmopolitan (& dare I say "Western"?) than other Ukrainian cities. They have a lot more Brevets going on there, but Kiev has its first 1000k ride this year (as well as a 400k ride that encircles the Chernobyl exclusion zone.)
Which brings us back to the Lviv 1200; Bogdan sent me this year's revised route, which takes in a new/upgraded road into Poland, and adds some Slovakia. It *nearly* gets into Romania, so still just the 3 countries
(I prefer the less spider's web route of this version too.)
https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=uqsfiporyxzytjcz(it's actually also on this page:
Link Here:-
https://lvivbicycle.club/events/54
I am half-Ukrainian and led 2 CTC Tours in Ukraine in the 90's, and it's very beautiful in the Carpathians, but beware some poor road surfaces.
... which has now been updated.)
There are indeed some poor road surfaces, but being upgraded all the time (riders report dreading certain sections ... then findind nothing but perfect tarmac ... )