To Turk Land and Back...: Bloody Hell, it's Hot!

A stupidly quick drive from Norwich to Stansted meant Dad and I had a few hours to kill; what better way to spend it than slurping on one last cold beverage before the slog began. Dad had to balance the Karma from his good deed and thought it was only fair that he dumps me on the side of the road and leave me to lug my bike box and all my gear a km to the terminal. This saved the grand total of 2 quid, which is daylight robbery in my opinion; therefore I forgive him (I would have done exactly the same :D).

Getting the stuff on the plane went suprising well, I didn't have to rip my bike box open to justify all of my wonderful designs to the miserable guard. In true English style, I worked my way into a huge Abbot Ale and Steak pie at Spoons - Brother Brown would have been proud!

Lindsay would be proud!

Arrived at Antalya at 03:30 local time, and had 3 hours to kill so what better to do than have a little kip on the benches - in true tramp's style. Once it got to about 06:00 I thought I had better get moving so started to unpack my bike and one of the local guards ran over, of which I thought he was going to explain I couldn't build my bike there, but instead grabbed an Allen key and started whipping things together and ripping the packaging off - good lad.

My bed for the night

I changed into my kit in a lovely bush near the airport and got on my way. My first impressions where "where the hell am I meant to go" and "bloody hell it's hot", closely followed by "f*** me, look at the size of that hill, you don't get those in Sunny Norwich"

House fire with local news crew

Some of the hills I have had to face

The first day brought 1000ft climbing per 10miles and I climbed the equivalent of 2 Ben Nevis'. The scenery is fantastic, there are lot's of water stops to top up bottles - actually, I hope that water is clean. Fingers crossed. The roads are the width of a small runway and to my surprise there isn't much traffic.

After spending the full day in Turkey, I can see why so many people online recommend it as a great country to cycle in. The people here are fantastic; on a number of occasions I have been offered lifts up these monstrous climbs, given free Turkish tea at the petrol stations and just a general interest in what I am doing and friendly locals.