UK to Turkey and back August 2014
 

Hi all, I'm planning a 50th birthday celebratory tour next year in August. I've got five weeks and I'm going to meet up with friends at a villa in Kalkan on the southern Turkish coast. The current plan is to head south over 12 days stopping in Prague and Istanbul maybe. Then spend ten days at the villa, then head back north by a different route.
I'll be riding my R1200RT and want to stick to 300 mile days or less so that I get to see stuff en route. I'd be happy to meet up with people on the way or even have a companion or two to share the experience etc.
I'm not at he detail stage yet but would love to hear from anyone who's done similar ?c?

Kalkan is almost a British town now situated in the middle of Turkish paradise coastline.Population more than Turks!!!
There is a nice community with English newspaper and website.
Kalkan Turkish Local News

Highly recommend to participate a bikers festival in the area..

Wish you all the best..

Thanks Mehmet. Is Istanbul easy to ride around? I've heard some horror stories!

Merhaba,

Tips for all friends planning to visit İstanbul..

1A-İstanbul is diamond of Turkey with so many colors to discover..Highly recommend lock up your bike at the hotel garden,buy an İstanbul card and take the local transport systems..
(except 7-9 am and 5-8 pm.)
If you have to ride,do it without panniers.Each month we are making group rides and cycling tours to get more awareness for 2 wheelers and protest bike accidents and deaths..5 days ago, the greatest protest was organised by cyclistsand was shown on all TV.s after 3 cyclists lost their lives in a week..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=ZiLnki_JnbA

1B-The best way to enter the city center is to take the seaside road after K.Çekmece lake bridge and before the airport.Thats Kennedy Road..Dont take E-5 or D-100 road or the toll road named O-3..Always rush traffic and % 30 longer..
1 km after yenikapı and boat stations, you will see the brown traffic sign to Sultanahmet and traffic lights at the corner of the Petrol station..Take the main road under the the railway bridge uphill to Sultanahmet..Also this is the best area for hotels,hostels in the heart of the touristic istanbul near blue mosque.

2-Leave istanbul by ferry to Yalova or Bandırma when you are on the way to Kas.No need to take the rush and crazy traffic through industrial areas.Ticket price for ferry is always cheaper than the amount you will pay for gas..
Ferry/boat station at Yenikapı and you can buy online tickets.
(2,10 Euro/Lt. in Turkey now..)
İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri A.Ş.
3-When you are on the way back to home,can recommend you the aegean coastline road to dardanelles then to greece or bulgaria..(Roads are good asphalt 2-3 lines each direction,so many cameras.)This way you can also visit pamukkale hierapolis,ephesus,st.mary hill,bergammom,asos,dardanelles,gallipoli WW1 battle field arenas..Sure you will love this route if you havent done it before..Plus so many free camping areas and cheap nice pensions and hotels in lovely and small anatolian seaside towns...
(Kalkan,Denizli,Selçuk ,İzmir,Çanakkale Road)
(Always speed control between denizli and İzmir)

TIP..:
Definitely participate a bikers festival..Free camping,entertainment,music,chat with local same minded bikers, etc..Have a thread here showing 2013 festivals in Turkey...
Here is how it looks.
4.iznik Festivali - Dailymotion video
And some festival photos.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...9813774&type=1

All the best..

Ride to Istanbul
 

Hey Crusty

I'm considering doing something similar to your plan - also for my 50th next August, possibly with wifey although not planning quite such a long stay in Istanbul. Haven't started planning yet but will be touring/camping through Europe en route rather than blasting there and back.
Keep posting your plans as they develop and maybe we can join at some point .

Cheers

Bazzer
bier

kevski241 turkey trip
 

hello matey,just stumbled upon your posting,sounds interesting!i hit the big five-o myself next year and was thinking of doing a trip down to Germany on my bike,that is until I read your post,always fancied a ride over to turkey,just never fancied doing it on my tod,i see your planning going to kalkan and fancy tagging along with you as I have an apartment in alanya,about 230 miles further along the coast,was thinking I could possibly ride down with you,fly the family out there,spend some time with them,then hook up with you for return ride,would love to know what you have planned,camping or b&b or bit of both?
gotta be honest I don't do head down arse up balls out riding and don't play race and chase,i just like to chill,kick back and take in the scenery im riding thru,im an easy sort of fella to get along with,bit of a novice,been riding bikes for thirty years but only done a couple of jaunts in Europe,anyway pal,dont want to bore the tits off you,if your interested on some company,a few beers and a few laughs on you trip giz a shout ,

Hey Gilmore

Would be great to have one or two to ride with, it's a long way to go solo, so am glad you're interested! Got the inspiration from Uneasy Rider (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uneasy-Rider...s=uneasy+rider) which I read a few years ago when I was 42 too - must have another read before we go! What bike do you ride, I'm on a BMW R1200 GSA so should have the legs. I plan to camp as much as possible to keep down costs but occasional cheap hotel to keep the fleas at bay! I'll also be looking to ride to Morocco in March/April and Normandy for DDay 70th celebrations in June (with Mrs as pillion) for a bit of practice!
I'm down in Bristol - whereabouts are you?
Keep in touch and see if we can muster one or two more novices!
Cheers
Baz beer

hello pal,definately fancy doing this trip.think were on same wavelength cos im happy to do camping with odd hotel to keep costs in check,at the moment i ride a triumph tiger 955i and a honda valkyrie so any one of these is more than capable of doing this trip,would be great if we could get a couple of people interested in this im based up in newcastle,keep in touch baz,lets see if we can make this work,any ideas on route,crossings,timescale?.im gonna sit and have a look at possible routes.
cheers
kev

you can also get in touch with me via facebook.just send a friend request to kevin Gilmore

When I did this, I went to Bari Italy then ferry Ingomanitsa Gr
Then across top of Gr to Tr, the bridge across the Bosperous is a giggle 7 lanes or so trying merge
I also did it the long way through
Turkey is fun wild camping too as is N GR,
Ro, Bg Hu, well I dont camp much there and not at all in Ua

hello matey,how long did this trip take you? are ferry crossings pricey,would love to hear more of this trip you done

Facebook
 

Easier said than done, exactly which Kevin Gilmore, biker from Up North are you?! Might be easier to find me mark barrington, profile pic is me on my GSA.:clap:

Bazzer
beer

Doıng ıt now - ı'll let you know how ıt goes!

wısh ı read thıs earlıer!

me too ! ............... well not quite 50
 

This is one of my options for next year too, and I'm not for from 50 either AND I'm an Essex boy too ! ( Not far from you ) My outline idea at the moment is for me to have 4 weeks at it, with the wife flying out for the 2 weeks in the middle to make sure I carry enough hair products around Turkey. basically travel to and from Turkey on my own or with company. Might be worth a meet up??

Tim

Brilliant just what I was looking for thanks Mehmet for posting this. :thumbup1:

Meet Up?
 

Are you Essex boys, and anyone else fancying a Turkey trip next year, going to the Adventure Overland show at Stratford upon Avon this weekend? Could arrange a meet and chat there maybe?
beer
Blazer

Yes I am Saturday hoping to go Fri eve straight from work, camp friday and do show sat. Prob home sat eve.



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ok,no route planned yet,but have decided on my start date,im leaving on the Newcastle to Holland ferry 9th august 2014 and looking to hook up with other riders in Holland or Germany,looking to do about 300 miles per day,9/10 days travelling sightseeing down to turkey,about 10 days stay in alanya,then head for dear old blighty,anyone interested?

Hey Crusty,

I'm planning this trip next summer, but the other way round - currently based in Jordan. Plan is to meander across Europe and end up in UK - then head back this way..roughly around the same time you'll be heading to Turkey.

I'll follow you through this thread; keep updating with you plans. Would be great to share the ride and a few beers

cheers,
Damo

Yep, I'm still interested! Just need to finalize dates, my 50th is 20th Aug but not sure if I need OR want to be in UK on that date!
Bazzer
bier

anyone heard from the boyo who set us all off on this male midlife crisis shite,earth calling crusty.........earth calling crusty,come in crusty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

midlife crisis ? No........ surely not..........isn't this what everyone does at the weekend?

In answer to you question : No

turkish delight
 

:thumbup1: Nice one Chris. Have done that one many years ago 1989 I think on a suz gsx 1100esd.... :innocent: 5 weeks is oke & doable in a relax way. I went from amsterdam to Budepest (pick up me girl friend :oops2:) then Serbia (used to be Yugoslavia), Bulgaria & into Turkey. I was camping most of the time. I love Turkey, people are friendly. Traffic is hectic & chaotic just keep yer cool, common sense & yer spirit of adventure up. Nice advice from Mehmet but the Phosphorous bridge is super. I parked the bike in Istanbul on the camping site & used public transport to get around, chill, meet the people, study the traffic situation. Went inland toured around, but don't know Kalkan haven't been there. Coast road is super. Took boat once from Venice to Ingomanitsa Gr. also a good option, they have the high speed boats now, I used the slow one, deck passage sleeping under the stars super Post your trip as much as poss.... and happy birthday in advance. Have fun Vince

Chuck this in from my side.
 

My thoughts are :

Calais>Belgium>Germany>Austria>Hungary>Serbia>Bulg aria>Turkey

Other option was down Italy to Bari and cross to Albania>Greece>Turkey, but having done the trip this year down to Bari>Croatia I don't feel like doing again so soon.

Return route poss inc Bulgaria>Romania>Hungary>Slovakia>Czech Rep>.......

All this has to fit in 30 days allowing as much time as poss. in Turkey without killing myself to get there, or missing any obvious POI on the way. I am willing to make good time through Belgium/Germany/Austria, but stopping at Vienna. Similar on return once out of Czech Rep.

Easy! :confused1:

Preferred dates: last 2 weeks in Aug + first 2 weeks Sept. = 30days
At the moment my wife will fly out to wherever at end of week1 and fly home from wherever end of week3.

If all goes OK I think it is doable as long as there are some early big mile days to get there and similar coming back.

POI's to to be decided. Camping mostly with weeks 2&3 no doubt requiring the odd hotel for the occasional "bad-hair-day" if you get my drift :innocent:

?c?

On your way to Turkey via Bulgaria don't forget to stay over at the Motocamp Welcome to motosapiens.org | motosapiens.org

If you travel to Turkey via Bulgaria don't forget to have a stopover at the Motocamp Welcome to motosapiens.org | motosapiens.org

right, been thinking about trip to turkey 2014.rough ,very rough route planned.
day 1:ferry terminal amsterdam to wurzburg germany 551 km = 342mls
day 2:wurzburg to graz austria 598km = 371mls
day 3:graz to budapest 395km = 245mls
day 4:budapest to caransebus romania 405km = 251mls
day 5:caransebuse to bucharest 460km = 285mls
day 6:bucharest to burgas bulgaria 314km = 195mls
day 7:burgas to istanbul 334km = 207mls
day 8 istanbul
day 9:istanbul
day 10 istanbul to isparta 598km = 371mls
day 11 isparta to alanya 230km = 207 mls
approx 7 days off bike in alanya

RETURN LEG
day 1:alanya to bolvadin 379km = 246mls
day 2:bolvadin to istanbul 470km 292mls
day 3:istanbul to sofia 581km = 361mls
day 4:sosia to belgrade 396km = 246mls
day 5:belgrade to bratislava 572km = 355mls
day 6:bratislava to prague 329km = 204mls
day 7: prague to leipzig 256km = 159mls
day 8:leipzig to osnabruck 395km = 245mls
day 9:osnabruck to arnhem 177km = 109 mls
day 10: arnhem to amsterdam (ferry terminal) 98km = 61mls

anyone got any thoughts ,ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup1:

It is just what it says on the tin " a route" which will serve you well to get from A to B. You did say it is rough so maybe you won't be city hopping in the end?

What I will say, for me anyway........... "city hopping" can become a little boring sometimes. I made the mistake of doing it on my first ever trip. You pack up your camp eat some breakfast, get going on the road arrive at "Wherever City" make camp spend afternoon and evening trying to avoid bloody pizza again, drink some beer, see the sights, enjoy the night life, have a good wash, go to bed. Next day do the same in a different colour / flavour ...........having seen lots more road and little else in between. It was still a good trip but very "sanitised and same-y" if you know what I mean :confused1:

Since that first trip I've ditched the city hopping for all the POI's I can find and use those as the "dots" and join them up to form a route if I see them all great if not so be it. That does/will include a few, very few, City's......such as Istanbul for example :thumbup1: Flexibility is important too, just in case you stumble across something en-route. This is more difficult if you must be somewhere at some time.

The distances don't look unrealistic but do be prepared for it taking a good deal longer than what a satnav or route planner says > if it says 5hrs it could well be 7+ It's not very often less in my experience.

Just my thoughts ideas ..........

definatly don't want to do city hopping just pick cities on route, will be looking to skirt around city looking for nice little villages,this is a very rough plan I am open to any suggestions,the onlf fixed destination I have is alanya,thanks for your input,any tips you have feel free to chip in with ideas.

cheersbeer
ken

Hi Crusty,
Last summer I did a tour of Istanbul from Nottingham UK. From here to Dover, France to Switzerland into Italy ending in Ancona. From Ancona to Igoumenitsa Greece on a ferry. From there to Ipsala in Turkey and eventually to Istanbul. You will love it. Riding in Istanbul is ok. On your 1200 rt you have the speed and agility to negotiate amongst cars. Return trip was back to Greece , Albania, montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and finally UK. There are some breathtaking scenery on the way...... all the best. Take care in Albania if going that way.
Regards Hibble


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Albania - what were your findings I wonder? About the 5th " albania ...... Oooh be careful":confused:

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I am interested in this trip too. Planning to go down to Bulgaria on the ABR trip but fancied Turkey as well.
I'm retired so no time constraints,coming from Scotland would probably take the Newcastle ferry so your route sounds about the way I would be going anyway.
i will keep an eye on the thread to see how it develops

can't wait.
 

Oh brilliant ! The more interest the better as there is more chance of some / all getting a plan that suits.

If you do decide on heading south to cross at Dover you are welcome to stop off at my place in Essex. We have plenty of room for camping.

I've been doing lots of research and the Turkey trip can't come quick enough !

Still nothing from the OP ? Anyone else heard ?

Lots of research on Turkey good man. we can both keep an eye on the thread. Thanks for the camping offer :thumbup1:

Hi, i would like to suggest an alternative, circular route to Turkey, around the Black Sea. Possible in 3.5 - 4 weeks (only visa needed for Russia)
Turkey is a great country for bike touring with very friendly locals.
Don't listen to the negative comments about Albania, toured it twice, this year on my own. 'Camping Albania' near Shkoder is a superb hostel / campsite.

So far I've heard from various sources "avoid" or "be careful" but not one is specific to anything? Maybe you can't get marmite anywhere...... (brown sticky gloop you spread on bread in the UK )

Anyway yes your route is another option, but I wish to spend as much time in Turkey as possible and save Ukraine / Russia for another time.

Edit: I'm referring to Albania just to be clear.

Too regimented for me. Are you in the army or something?
Cheers,
Mark

Its the ride that counts
 

Hi Friends..... i have rode my bike many times to turkey ukrane ect
i favor Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Turkey....as in all travel be wise be safe DO NOT FLASH THE CASH lock your bike oh and have some fun

Hmm, Turkey, Morocco..........

I may be interested as well. There are two if us on a VFR800 and a Triumph 1000 looking to makeour way to either Granada, Spain or Turkey. Please add some dates so we can sort out our admin with work here and may well join you guys


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I think date-wise there will someone from this thread in or on the way to Turkey, pretty much all of August. It's most likely I will be heading off from UK around 2nd week in August.

Anything from OP anyone???

I am still watching this thread Tim and August 2nd week sounds good :thumbup1:

Hi All

This is my first post having just joined today - was browsing the site and this thread has inspired me to join.

I'm planning a potential two month trip during which I was thinking of holidaying in Turkey for a week with family flying over. Was wandering if gilmore347 or anyone else might be able to suggest any good links for holiday accommodation in Southern Turkey?

My basic plan will involve leaving from Dover early July and, also inspired by An Uneasy Rider, is to head as far east as possible without having to worry about visas, etc as far as the Iranian border. Will probably head out via Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria going and then Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and France on the way back.

I'm looking at avoiding all motorways and using only A or B road equivalents and taking in as many ultimate roads as possible, maybe a few city stops but mainly its going to be about the ride and the roads for this trip.

Hope some of you may be able to help with holiday suggestions and if the timings work out it would be great to meet up with people en-route. I've been riding for 4 years and this will be my second trip overseas.

Cheers

Tim

never done a trip on the bike to turkey,but for digs in Germany check out biker Rhineland and vine cottage and pension William,once you get to turkey I have an apartment in the resort of alanya you are welcome to use if im not there

Hi Crusty,
I live in Bandirma, and like to welcome you..
are you member of ukgser?

date set !
 

Just a quick update to all. I am leaving UK Friday evening 8th August on the tunnel crossing to Calais by bed time, stay over night at a hotel and head towards Turkey. I will be solo at this stage, meeting up with the wife around 14/15th August, most likely Istanbul, she will fly in. We need to be back in UK Saturday 6th September.

Who's in for the trip down to Istanbul for starters?

My wifes flight comes into Istanbul 15th August (18.30 ish ) All booked. I need to be there then. Anyone still going down to Istanbul the week before?

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Essex boys outing
 

Just read this thread. Been thinking of doing a month in the summer, but hadn't thought of a route really. Just put a deposit on a Vara, so that's what I'd be riding. I'll keep an eye on this as could be just the ticket. Anyone got an idea of cost, I'm not a rich man lol

I hope to have a lot of change from 2K! But it largely depends on how much my wife spends :rofl:

Solo and wild camping not eating out keeping off toll roads no beer.....etc it can be real cheap. But you have to buy fuel no matter what.

I allow an £100 fuel per 1000 miles. ( its much less in practise ) But its always further than you think, not nearer !

Good to hear. No point getting all excited about a trip, then finding the majority want to be Johnny 5 stars and eat in restaurants every night and I cant afford that. ( Well, unless my circumstances change quite a bit !! )

Anyone for Turkey ?
I AM GOING.
Details in this thread.

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Southern Turkey in August - obviously you like the temperature turned to the max !!

we will be heading east from Istanbul along a more northerly route towards Georgia, then further south on the return leg. Depending on how hot it gets will dictate how far south we go.

Just shake this thread tree and see what falls out!
 

Anyone heading out this way still?
I leave on the 8th Aug as planned for Istanbul by 15th. But sightly earlier in the day - midday from Essex. No set route very flexible.

We are going to Turkey but from the opposite direction, Russia, Georgia, Turkey and may then head to the south coast depends on how long it takes to ride round the black sea. Andy.

Hey Andy we should be at the Georgia border (Sarpi) around 22/23 Aug ? Do you think you will be around that area then? ........ be good to hook up.

That might be a bit late in the month for me mate, we are going to a rally in VT Bulgaria and I'm sure its on that date, we hope to be in the Crimea around the 8-11 Aug then head off to Georgia, where will you be around the 15-16?. Andy.

Funny enough 15th & 16th is the only time I will know where I will be. Istanbul on those dates, I pick up my wife on 15th from the airport. before we head East along the Black Sea coast.

OK, I don't yet have a route planned for Turkey, always seem to follow my nose, but will try and catch up with you nearer those dates beer, if you have any recommendations for digs, camping or cheap hotels I would be more than grateful. Andy.

I did a similar trip recently ...but never made it to Turkey as you will see!
Have a great time..I have just returned from Turkey.....V hot!
the link is in my signature....what could go wrong certainly did!

Well...............I'm already a day behind. Because if it could go wrong it has. Most importantly my V5 doc for the bike is nowhere to be found. It simply isn't in the purple folder with the four other vehicles V5. Any idea where it might be? ( I have looked under carpets ) :taz::taz::taz:

Update a few hours later. Gave up looking ordered a new one. Got an email temp V5 to cover me .........hopefully ?

Not that hot
 

Having just returned from the trip I can say that of the two weeks we spent in and around Turkey only two days in the south of the country were HOT ( 40 something!) the rest ranged from very "warm" to very cold & wet.

Overall it was hot where I expected it to be hot and cooler where I expected. Would I go in August again? Yes probably.........

However............camping in the south is not too good. Get a cheap hotel with aircon! :rofl: I expected that too :innocent: