Vize-Subasi-Istanbul (Paris to Istanbul: Days Forty Nine to Fifty)

Vize to Durusu (Day 49: Saturday 29 August 2015)

Set out with Trond and Liz on the penultimate riding day for what turned out to be a good days ride of just under 100km.

First 20km or so mainly down hill then up and down hills for most of the remainder.

When we took a break at around 33km and partook of tea (me) and Coke (Liz and Trond) at a local village tea shop they declined to accept payment which added to our good mood with the end in sight.

Soon after we met a young German couple who had been riding self-supported from the start of the Danube – with a couple of side trips by train/bus – over the last 6 weeks. Seeing them ride carrying all their gear did put our effort into a better perspective. I chatted with them as we rode along and invited them to join us for lunch (60km) so that others could meet them.

  


The riding day finished on a brand new road but with a 3km of 5-8% gradient just a few kms before the end. We also caught a glimpse of the Black Sea.

Our accommodation was at a gated resort – there was still 1.4 kms to ride from the entrance with a guard house to the hotel reception.

That night we had an extended rider briefing covering not only the route for the final ride but also what the program was for the remainder of the final day.

We were also given our official Paris to Istanbul Orient Express 2015 riding jerseys so that we could ride in me on the last day.

Then to top it off we had a 10-15 minute slideshow of photographs and short movie clips covering the ride from the start – put together by Vilma with photographs and footage shot by her as well as Gergö, Debbie and others. This was a great way to start the process of wrapping up the trip.

Great buffet of Turkish food for dinner and good live music- guitarist/singer (male), singer (female) and violinist (male) unfortunately a bit too loud if you wanted to chat but at least the sound quality was good and not distorted.

Durusu to Istanbul {Sariyer} (Day 50: Sunday 30 August 2015)

Due to the hotel breakfast not being available until 08:00am we had a bit of a sleep in but no theless everyone was eager to leave and complete the final leg – which was just a quick 50kms. It was great seeing everyone decked out in the “Team Colours”

Of course Trond and myself we amongst the last to leave though at one stage it looked like Trond might be ready to go well before me. “Don’t go being ready being early on me at this late stage of the trip Trond” – we have a reputation/tradition to maintain. However Trond redeemed himself when he informed me that we needed to stop at the petrol station (opposite to the entrance to the resort) for supplies – so this soaked up a few more minutes and made sure that everyone was well ahead of us (Except Gergö – as we later found out – who was delayed by dealings with the resort management). Liz had gone ahead with the expectation that we would soon catch up with her – well that was the plan.

It was another up and down run on a good main road with not a lot of traffic. Slow going for the first hour or so but after a while there was more down that up so the pace picked up.

There was a good steepish climb near the end which assisted Trond and myself catching up with most people. It turned out it was a holiday (Military Day) and there were many parks along the way packed with picnickers.

Not to let an opportunity for a bit of Trondling to go by, Trond and myself doubled back for Km or so just before the finish. So rather than be amongst the first to arrive at the boat we were more in the middle group.

Lots of mutual congratulations, photographs and celebratory ice creams and soft drinks.

Our bikes were loaded up onto the top deck of the boat and we fitted into the bottom deck for a cruise on the Bosphorous for the next 2.5 hours including a satisfying lunch and celebratory champagne.

  

On docking we had a group photograph taken and then weaved our way through the tourist throngs with our bikes for the short walk to our hotel.

After check in it was full on bike boxing in an outside car park next to the hotel i.e. with all hands on deck i.e. Peter, Özgür, Vilma and Gergö all working hard. Due to Australia’s strict quarantine rules I spent a good hour or so washing my bike. I was using a water jerry can and my water bottles – which was a bit fiddly – before, just when I was nearly finished, we discovered a tap with a hose just metres away😀.

Throughout the trip both Peter and Özgür had expressed interest in my bike bell (a nice brass one which had a very good sustained “ding” to it). So during the boxing up of the bikes, without telling them what for, I introduced them to the concept of a coin toss. What started as puzzlement soon turned to laughter when I gave the “winner” – Özgür – the “prize” i.e. My bike bell. Gergö got into the spirit of things by pretending to spit the dummy saying “What about me. I’m the one boxing your bike.  …. I quit!”

As we were packing up – taking the bikes up to the hotel, the Gergö, Peter, Vilma and Özgür were sitting near one of the vans having a well earned rest. I jokingly said to Özgür not to go showing off the bike bell in front of Peter. So of course he got it out and rung it. Peter said “Yes he will. Phoning me up and not saying anything just ringing the bell!”

I just had time for a quick shower before meeting up with everyone in the lobby for the walk to our end of trip dinner. Great venue – top level (all to ourselves) of a restaurant overlooking the water. Good vibe amongst everyone.

  

The last formality was the handing out of the medallions stipulating if we had done the full tour or particular sections and bonus medals for those who had ridden all the way. It was only a few people who for very good reasons had to ride in the van for half a day or more at some stage.

Hugs and handshakes all round and then off to bed. Some were off to,the airport early the next morning. Others staying on a day or five to relax and see the sights of Istanbul and beyond.

I’ll do at least one more post of various bits and pieces.