Cycling in Turkey s countryside against fierce winds tested my strength — but every gust was softened by genuine kindness and tea offered from the heart.
Cycling in Turkey
Days 20 and 21: The wind has become my biggest rival. It howls straight into my face, turns every pedal stroke into a battle, and steals my energy like a silent thief. 💨
That’s why I couldn’t write for a while — my brain was too busy convincing my legs not to quit.
But maybe exhaustion has its own rewards. Because when you’re too tired to rush, you start to see the real Turkey — not the tourist one.
I rode empty rural roads, sometimes without asphalt at all. Passed tiny villages where houses crumble slowly back into the earth, and pastures guarded by fearless shepherd dogs that seem to take their job a bit too seriously.
It’s rough, dusty, and honest — and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.
The Day I Lost My Tent (and My Patience)
Tired brains make dumb mistakes. In the morning, I somehow turned two five-kilometre climbs into three.
Why? Because I lazily strapped my wet tent on top of the panniers. After the first descent, I realized part of it was gone. So — back uphill I went, cursing, sweating, laughing.
Luckily, I found the missing piece near the summit. Let’s call it bonus training.
When Strangers Become Friends
If I keep repeating how generous Turkish people are, it’s because they really are. Traveling solo on a bike is not for introverts — someone always wants to talk, help, or at least share a cup of tea.
Two encounters stand out:
- A young guy outside a grocery store wanted to give me free water. When I said I already had some, he insisted I come to his office for tea instead. That kind of pure kindness is rare.
- A waiter near Sivrihisar not only arranged cheap accommodation for me but turned out to be an artist who paints in his spare time. He dreams of buying a caravan and traveling through Europe. “Come visit me in Trenčín!” I told him. Of course, the tea was on the house.
Now I’m resting in Sivrihisar (13 km north of the historical site of Pessinus), gathering energy and hoping tomorrow brings a tailwind for once. If it does, Istanbul will finally start to feel closer.
Sivrihisar
Everything for the Kilometers!
Day 23: Today was the perfect cycling day. Sunshine, 25°C, and — after endless headwinds — the wind finally pushing me forward. To make it even better, the road went mostly downhill.
A combination that only happens once in a thousand rides.
I didn’t stop for photos, cafés, or even thoughts — just pedaled. That’s why I have exactly one photo from the entire day. The rest? It’s all in my legs.
Today’s Stats (and a Proud Smile):
🚴 Distance: 210 km! 🔥
🕒 Time on bike: 100+ hours
📍 Total so far: over 2000 km in the legs! 🤯
Tomorrow, the road leads to Istanbul — the milestone I’ve been dreaming about.
The bridge between two continents… and maybe between exhaustion and euphoria.
Keep your fingers crossed that the wind stays loyal for one more day! 💪
Question for you:
What’s the best cycling weather you’ve ever experienced?
Share it to email — maybe we’ve shared the same tailwind somewhere.
