(written by Nancy) It was raining this morning as we packed up our bikes and the sky looked pretty grey and gloomy.  We knew today might be a bit tough with lots of backroads to navigate and some climbing to get to our intended destination of Yalova.  The rain had stopped by the time we … Continue reading Through the farmlands – Inegol to Yalova (88/15,417k, 570m)

(written by Nancy) Some days riding is easy.  Some days you struggle to get started and the k’s pass by quite slowly.  Today was one of the slow days for me and a bit for Dave as well.  It is always hard to leave a nice hotel under the best conditions… We enjoyed another fine … Continue reading Fraction day from Eskisehir to Inegol (105/15,329Ks, 485M)

(written by Dave) Pretty quiet day here in Eskisehir.  We were both so tired that we didn’t hear a single train overnight.  Nancy had read a couple of reviews on this hotel that mentioned the trains are particularly loud on the 1st floor, on the side of the hotel that we happen to be in.  … Continue reading Hanging in Eskişehir

(written by Nancy) We survived the night in our “lovely” accommodation in Sivrihisar.  Breakfast was not included but given the condition of the room and bathroom we decided to forego our usual substitute oatmeal breakfast and try to get something further on down the road.  We saw several petrol stations yesterday with attached restaurants so … Continue reading What a difference a 100k makes – Sivrihisar to Eskişehir (100/15,224k, 380m)

(written by Nancy) We left Polantli just about 8am this morning under blue skies after a bit of a disappointing breakfast.  This was the first place we stayed that didn’t have cheese out on the breakfast table – all we got was some packaged  cheese spread.  No honey either….  Dave is still thinking about his … Continue reading Free tea day – Polantli to Sivrihisar (62/15,124k, 640m)

(written by Dave) Before I talk about today, I have to make a correction about the spa at the Saracoglu Termal Hotel in Haymana.  Yesterday we reported that they told me that the spa closed at 8PM.  I think it was something else that closed at 8PM as the spa was open all night long.  … Continue reading Hilly short ride to the Turkish festival in Polatli (42/15,062k, 430m)

(written by Nancy) We rolled out of bed at 5:30am this morning, determined to get an early start on our long day.  It wasn’t too hard to get up, as we were already awakened at 4:30 by the call to prayers.  Not sure why but they seem to have moved the schedule back by an … Continue reading A long day with a sting in the tail – Şereflikoçhisar to Haymana (127/15,020k, 980m)

(written by Dave) We had weather worries today but it turned out to be a pretty good day.  The weather people got the forecast right.  They called for 80% chance of rain and some thundershowers.  It rained early in the morning and was lightly raining when we got up.  Keeping in mind that 80% chance … Continue reading Flat roads and tailwinds to Sereflickochisar (79/14,893k, 225m)

(written by Dave) The whooshing of the gas jets from the balloons woke us up this morning before the alarm went off.  The wind had changed directions from yesterday and the valley just outside our room was full of balloons, many very low – it looked like they could see right into our window. I … Continue reading Out of the tourist area and into Askaray (90/14,814k, 780m)

(written by Nancy) Today was our big balloon adventure – an exciting day that started with the alarm going off at 4:30am so we could be ready for our pickup at 4:50am.  That is just a bit too early for me but we dragged ourselves out of bed, got dressed and shuffled outside to wait … Continue reading Sugoi Day in the balloon over Goreme