Istanbul – Düzce – Tosya –Amasya – Sivas

Just after getting on the saddle, a few metres later a Turk calls out to me…where are you going?
 To Asia, I reply.  Ah, you want to go to Anatolia! Have a good ride!
 Well with “Asia” I am not wrong, but of course in fact he’s right.
 So I learn quickly and from now on I am chauffeuring my carbon donkey towards Anatolia and want to get to the heart of this region.
 Sivas is a good 850 km by bike from here, where Orient and Occident meet. 
I cycle on the D 100 to the first Bosporus bridge with the intention of reaching the “Asian” side.
Unfortunately, I am stopped a few metres before the bridge. A policeman spotted me from his guard post and refused to let me pass. Yet I was so looking forward to crossing the Bosporus, to pedal across this body of water from Europe to Asia.
 Just a minute later, the uniformed man is joined by four more policemen who start dealing with me. In conversation, it becomes clear that cycling is forbidden at all three existing bridges to cross the Bosporus. 
I ask them if I am allowed to cross the bridge on the pavement by walking. No, that is not allowed either. Years ago, it was possible, but apparently, people kept jumping into the Bosporus. Now I try if the police will grant me an escort to enable me to ride my bike. All to no avail. Shortly afterwards, a bus is stopped and the driver is instructed by the officer to take me and the bike to the opposite bank. After all, the journey is only short and free of charge.
 The traffic density decreases with every mile. Shortly before Kolcaeli I discover a nice hotel with a great view of the Marmara Sea. On the balcony, I enjoy the evening atmosphere and wow, there are even dolphins.

The E 84 runs parallel to the D 100, so traffic is kept within limits. The hard shoulder, on which I always keep to the far right, is like a protective shield. Now it’s even fun when trucks overtake and I can benefit from the wind suction.
 However, I always have to reckon with a concert of horns. It also provides a bit of variety. Nevertheless, it happens again and again that I get a big fright and the buzzing in my ears reminds me of it for a long time. Especially if the driver blows his horn by the moment he is at exactly the same height as me.  It would be interesting to know what the truck driver’s real intention is.
 In Gümüshaciköy I have another rest day. It rains all day anyway and I was already exposed to the rainy weather yesterday. In addition, my clothes have to be washed and the bike cleaned.
 There is also a break done which has to be repaired.
 Fortunately, my bicycle dealer Knipp Cycling is available! Nils Knipp gives me the necessary instructions to fix the problem via WhatsApp and by means of a video tutorial. Merci 1000 Nils, your support is worth GOLD!  Now all 22 gears are working again. During cleaning, a cable connection came loose unnoticed, but I couldn’t find out exactly where.

But now everything is in order and sunshine is forecast for tomorrow.
In the town of Amasya with its famous rock tombs, I allow myself another half day to visit the most important sights. The entire city is both relaxing and inspiring.
The journey continues via Tokat and the last day of the tour leads me to Sivas. On this 108 km I have to climb more than 1500 metres in altitude. During a short stop in a shop, I replenish my provisions. The shopkeeper asks me how much my bike cost. I am often asked this question. My answer: Much, much less than a car! He was happy with that (he is a proud car owner himself), but wanted to go for a ride with my light blue FLOW and literally had fun with it. But he didn’t want to trade in his car and neither did I, of course.
 The town of Sivas was an important crossroad of the old caravan routes. Now I am definitely back on the SILK ROAD.  In the evening, I distort a tasty kebab and want to buy a Turkish Efes beer. The search takes ages until finally a beer shop is found. These authorised shops are usually somewhat hidden and in inconspicuous places. Often you can’t avoid asking.

As always, when the flight home is due, there is the challenge of transporting the bike. 
Every airline has its own rules. What is clear is that a suitable box has to be found and the bike has to go into it.
 Well, what sounds simple in theory is often not so easy to implement in practice.
 But this time it seems to fit immediately, because there is a bicycle shop just around the corner. I can’t believe my eyes!  Through the shop window I see empty cardboard boxes of bicycles. Motivated, I go into the shop and ask for a box. The owner immediately sends me out. A little startled, I hastily take my mobile phone and use the translation app to tell the man again but slowly my desire.

Now he puts on an even meaner face and repeatedly sends me out of his shop. 
Resigned, I give up and try my luck elsewhere.
This time it works and the helpful salesman is the pure opposite!
 He looks for a suitable box for my vehicle. None of the boxes finally correspond to the ideal dimensions of H 75 L 150 W 25. The box handed over is a little too big in all respects. The dealer gives the advice that if the airline finds the box too big, it can be made smaller if necessary. I like the idea and pay the desired fee.
 Booking a flight ticket online is quickly done. However, the airline requires me to register the bicycle transport. Their homepage states that a transport fee is charged for both domestic and international flights. But how is the bicycle to be registered? Unfortunately, this is not possible to get online. I am referred to the call centre. Experience has shown, however, that this is no help. They let you waiting on the phone for ages and while listening the voice tape they recommend you to visit their homepage. Before anyone answers, you are then thrown off the line. I don’t book my bike transport, but wait to see what happens at the baggage check-in.
Surprisingly, the box is accepted without any problems and not even a fee is charged.
 At the end, I am asked a question…. but I didn’t understand anything. Sorry, what was your question?
 Now he speaks into his translation app and hands me his mobile phone!
Any Covid test certificate? 
I show him my CERTIFICATE.
OK all right, have a good flight!
What took me 12 days riding I can now see from above during 68 minutes, just in the opposite direction.
 Sivas to Istanbul.
The weather is excellent and so I can even spot the stretches of road I am travelling on at times.

See you soon Turkey! It was so beautiful! I’ll be happy to come back!