Hi Julie, me and my friends have been coming to Crete for cycling since 2000. We have always rented top quality SCOTT mountain bikes or hybrid / trekking bikes from OLYMPIC BIKE (just Google). You will find prices on their site. As service they deliver reliable bicycles all over Crete, right on the doorstep of your accommodation. Biking equipment such as helmets, repair kits, pump and locks are included in the price. The English speaking staff is just a phone call away in the very unlikely event of any technical difficulties. MTB's are definitively the best "weapon of choice" for cycling on the "rugged" South Coast, due to the conditions of the local roads and because of the correct gears. Just make sure that you order your bicycle well in advance, as during the holiday high season we have had problems with the reservation of the desired bike models and / or frame sizes, due to high demand (although they have over 300 MTB!). A great ride with spectacular views of the whole bay of Plakias is the ride: PLAKIAS - LEFKOGEIA - ASOMATOS - MARIOU - FIONIKAS - PLAKIAS. If you are strong bikers I can also recommend nice quiet off road mountain bike routes towards PREVELI BEACH - AGIA FOTINI (lovely taverna directly next to the Libyan Sea) - KERAMES and back to PLAKIAS again. I am actually now in Plakias at Kostas / Chrysoulas for my "spring training" and will be back end of August / September for some more relaxed rides. Maybe we will bump into each other. HAVE FUN!