31 August, Giresun to Perşembe, 61km
Hotel DedeEvi 80TL (breakfast included) (negotiated down from 120TL)

Another superb day of cycling the Black Sea coast. It was cool and overcast when we hit the road this morning, and remained so until we reached Ordu with only 15km to go to our destination. Charl’s new-ish back tyre shredded early on in the day, popping two tubes before the small settlement of Piraziz. There we made enquiries about a bike shop, hoping to find it open on a Sunday morning. We were directed to a lastik (tyre) shop beside a supermarket, to find it closed. The man who had sent us there, followed us on foot, nonchalantly got out his cell and called the number printed on the door. While he was in conversation with the proprietor, Charl discovered a discarded bike tyre lying outside the shop and asked if he could have it. “Yes” was the answer and we were back on the road. After checking into the DedeEvi we walked to the disappointing local beach for a swim, then had a beer and coke in a pub, our first pub since Bursa in early-May. A client sitting nearby offered us a refill which we initially refused. He was so insistent Charl proposed he give him a cigarette instead. This he willingly did, but continued to say he wanted to buy a round. When Charl continued to reject his offer, he reached up, took Charl’s head in his hands, pulled it down to his level, and planted a loud kiss on it. What can you do? We drank another beer and coke...

Ordu

Ordu

Ordu

Between Ordu and Perşembe

Between Ordu and Perşembe