We hoped to reach Samsun in a day, probably around 200km on the map. Unfortunately the coast road isn't as straight as on the map, literally following the coast in and out of bays and inlets and rising up the 700ft steep cliffs. All very nice except for the bad road surface, sometimes dusty gravel and very bumpy. Not any campsites to speak of so we followed the route laid out by Volcan and Ozzy to Amasra.. Popular with tourists but like everywhere this time of year, quiet. Not much choice but to find a cheap hotel (about £15 each) and a hot shower!
Everyone we ask estimates anything from two hours to Trabzon or four days!
At least the road improved, if not the petrol prices, the most expensive in the world here! Still no sign of Samson after a very tiring ride, and a close call with a taxi that didnt stop at a slip road and passed right between us, death by taxis perhaps? I found a suitable field and gingerly rode the bike through a narrow gap between some trees. The track was about 2ft wide but as I passed through, the left side caved into a 3ft deep hole, throwing me into a stylish judo roll over the bars! Was I laughing? Well no but I was unhurt and the only damage to the bike was a small bend in the crashbars. I was more than ready for a kip after we dragged the bike out, so I laid on my poncho and soaked up the cold dank night.
Every single night since I can remember, dogs have been the bane of this trip. They are running loose everywhere from Croatia onwards, and last night several packs were around as usual. Along with spiders crawling over my face, an owl and many other unidentified creatures around, niether of us slept at all!
I think we left for Samsum at around 6.30 after having no problem getting up early! At least the road left the coast for a while and gave us a chance to make up some time. Until the local traffic police decided that 110kph was a tad over the 70kph limit. As there are no signs, so that seemed to us a comfortable speed on a long empty dual carriageway. A few excuses later, we convinced the three officers we we raising money for cancer charities, 'Chernobyl' as they called it, worked for the BBC, gave them a Riders Digest mag and posed for photos! I like Turkey a lot.
Samsun came and went at a more sedate speed but I was feeling very ill, especially after stopping a a Turkish 'greasy spoon' cafe, where the unidentifiable cubes of meat and potatoes floated on an inch of grease! I had no appettite and felt rough but I made it to Ordu where we decided another cheap hotel would give us some rest. I've never been so tired or felt so ill on a bike. Annoying as I've been meticulous about what I eat and drink.
Trabzon is around another 200km so we will be a day late into Russia if they let us in!
I hope I feel better in the morning!
Everyone we ask estimates anything from two hours to Trabzon or four days!
At least the road improved, if not the petrol prices, the most expensive in the world here! Still no sign of Samson after a very tiring ride, and a close call with a taxi that didnt stop at a slip road and passed right between us, death by taxis perhaps? I found a suitable field and gingerly rode the bike through a narrow gap between some trees. The track was about 2ft wide but as I passed through, the left side caved into a 3ft deep hole, throwing me into a stylish judo roll over the bars! Was I laughing? Well no but I was unhurt and the only damage to the bike was a small bend in the crashbars. I was more than ready for a kip after we dragged the bike out, so I laid on my poncho and soaked up the cold dank night.
Every single night since I can remember, dogs have been the bane of this trip. They are running loose everywhere from Croatia onwards, and last night several packs were around as usual. Along with spiders crawling over my face, an owl and many other unidentified creatures around, niether of us slept at all!
I think we left for Samsum at around 6.30 after having no problem getting up early! At least the road left the coast for a while and gave us a chance to make up some time. Until the local traffic police decided that 110kph was a tad over the 70kph limit. As there are no signs, so that seemed to us a comfortable speed on a long empty dual carriageway. A few excuses later, we convinced the three officers we we raising money for cancer charities, 'Chernobyl' as they called it, worked for the BBC, gave them a Riders Digest mag and posed for photos! I like Turkey a lot.
Samsun came and went at a more sedate speed but I was feeling very ill, especially after stopping a a Turkish 'greasy spoon' cafe, where the unidentifiable cubes of meat and potatoes floated on an inch of grease! I had no appettite and felt rough but I made it to Ordu where we decided another cheap hotel would give us some rest. I've never been so tired or felt so ill on a bike. Annoying as I've been meticulous about what I eat and drink.
Trabzon is around another 200km so we will be a day late into Russia if they let us in!
I hope I feel better in the morning!
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