Turkey Archives - Footloose Cycling

Turkey: Cars vs. Bicycles

adminFTG — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:49:46 +0000

The coastline is spectacular, but it sure gets a fair share of traffic and, undeniably, the passing cars pose a danger for a cyclist. It’s about cars vs. bicycles. Still, cycling along this coastal road is never boring and while one needs to monitor the cars as the drivers get distracted with the panorama, on a bike, the experience is ethereal. But is it too dangerous to ride on this kind of road? There is no one simple answer. Every cyclist has to decide for himself. Play the video below. Would you ride your bicycle down this road?

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Cycling Mediterranean coast of Turkey

adminFTG — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:04:07 +0000

I knew it would usually start raining around mid-October in this part of Turkey, and even during the last of September and the first part of October the weather could be wet, but during the three weeks I cycled along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey from Antalya to Fethiye, the weather could not have been more perfect – cloudless blue sky, comb, and dry, no humidity at all! Compared to the relentless heat and humidity of the south coast summer, I couldn’t have picked a better time of the year when to ride this mesmerizing coastline.

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Walking Istanbul

adminFTG — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 18:33:30 +0000

Following my cycling trips in Panama and Czechia during the summer of 2021, I still had two more travel vouchers that I had to use before the end of the year. Both of my flights to Panama City and to Prague were the same case, using vouchers I got instead of ticket refunds on cancelled flights I had booked in 2020 and first part of 2021. When I realized Turkey was a possibility of where to go next, I did not delay and booked myself to fly from Prague to Istanbul. Late September, October was just right for a trip to Turkey. Spending a few days in Istanbul was a must, although I planned no cycling around the city. The old city sports wonderful lanes for walking, alas, not cycling. The streets are too narrow and chocked with traffic, not to mention rather steep to navigate by bicycle. Besides, I was due for a sojourner in Istanbul. Actually, it was my third time in Istanbul. First time was on the way from Europe to India in 1973. Second time on the way back in 1974; I froze crossing Afghanistan and Iran midwinter and once again in eastern Turkey. But here I was again, 50 years later, set for a cycling mini tour of Turkey, warming up with long walks in Istanbul first. Frankly, cycling trip in Turkey would not be complete without a walk in Istanbul.

I booked a room in Beyoğlu and spent a few days walking in all directions. One can’t miss heading toward the water with the iconic landmarks guiding one’s progress. From Taksim Square past Galata Tower to Galata Bridge and beyond – to Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and back, always taking yet a different route. See my Flickr album, Walks in Istanbul.

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