Day 5: Ilgaz to Ozmanck 117km climb ?
Day6: Ozmancik to Amasya 114km climb ?
Day6: Ozmancik to Amasya 114km climb ?
I took a half day on Day 4 which involves taking the lunch bus to the half way point and then cycling from there. Breakfast is at 5.45 am and then lunch is at about 10.30 am but you just eat when food is prov
ided. This was the second of three and a half days along the D100 which is a main highway and full dozens of large noisy trucks. Each and every one toots their horn about 50 yards behind you forcing you off onto the hard shoulder which is not always that hard. One rider came off his bike and was lucky to escape with only bruised his hip and arm. All the same it was a good ride with lots of down hill, my average speed was 50 kph while Mike's was 70 kph.
ided. This was the second of three and a half days along the D100 which is a main highway and full dozens of large noisy trucks. Each and every one toots their horn about 50 yards behind you forcing you off onto the hard shoulder which is not always that hard. One rider came off his bike and was lucky to escape with only bruised his hip and arm. All the same it was a good ride with lots of down hill, my average speed was 50 kph while Mike's was 70 kph. After another wonderful meal: Miles is able to fill 50 hungry people with food you would be proud to cook at home, we had a talk from the nurse Elaine about "Butt Health", thankfully not illustrated by the few who are already suffering. Basically you treat your riding shorts like nappies and liberally apply nappy cream all over, after the sun cream on your exposed parts and deet for the mosquitoes, combined with sweat you can imagine how we smell.
Day 5
We both cycled all day although I set off about 6.30 am when it was wonderfully chilly and made good progress, though I kept stopping to take pictures. The countryside is a beautiful a mixture of hot dried mountains and small oasess of fields protected by tall elegant cyprus trees. Surprisingly there were dozens of paddy fields where large black and white storks liked to fish.
Mike waited for me at lunch but we soon parted company as I wanted to stop every 15 km or so have a drink or ice cream, chat to whoever was also in the rest stop and then eventually get going. Not Mike's style at all! The temperatures soar after mid day and you take so much longer to go any distance, it can be really hard work.
We both cycled all day although I set off about 6.30 am when it was wonderfully chilly and made good progress, though I kept stopping to take pictures. The countryside is a beautiful a mixture of hot dried mountains and small oasess of fields protected by tall elegant cyprus trees. Surprisingly there were dozens of paddy fields where large black and white storks liked to fish.
Mike waited for me at lunch but we soon parted company as I wanted to stop every 15 km or so have a drink or ice cream, chat to whoever was also in the rest stop and then eventually get going. Not Mike's style at all! The temperatures soar after mid day and you take so much longer to go any distance, it can be really hard work.
The campsite in Ozmancik 
was a local children's swing park and Mike had done his best to find some shade but the tent, which we successfully pitched this time was extremely hot and unpleasant. We were constantly surrounded by curious kids testing out their limited English: hello, what is your name, I love you and sex. They stayed with us until we all went to sleep at 9.00 pm. The town was though down by a river which was lovely to walk down at night in the fresh breeze until the mosquitoes came out in force. Unable to swim in the river which was an interesting green shade and fast flowing we "showered" in the local empty hostel. Not quite a shower, but a garden hose in a bath tub, or as the queue was too long I stripped off in the kitchen area and sponged down in the kitchen sink with my back to the window, Edwina was even braver and did the same in the loo sink before 
another kind soul unblocked the toilet.
another kind soul unblocked the toilet. I have to agree with Mike, I hate camping and the less done in 40+ degrees with cars and kids around you all night the better, we both got very little sleep and Mike had to cycle all day the next day.
Day 6 into a rest day at Amasya . The camp site is a local tree-strewn park with three showers for 50 people in 
the local children's football teams changing room, next to the railway. Mike and I are in a converted old merchant's mansion with an ensuite room and balcony overlooking the river, with a good Wi-Fi. We're atching the world go by in a cool breeze doing email, while the hotel does our washing: I do feel a bit guilty I have to say.
the local children's football teams changing room, next to the railway. Mike and I are in a converted old merchant's mansion with an ensuite room and balcony overlooking the river, with a good Wi-Fi. We're atching the world go by in a cool breeze doing email, while the hotel does our washing: I do feel a bit guilty I have to say. 
0 comments:
Post a Comment