18 September, Ayancik to Tϋrkeli, 41km
Hotel Pehlivanlar 70TL (negotiated down from 80TL)

We had planned to be an additional 11km west of Tϋrkeli, but called it quits here despite having done only 41km. On the outskirts of Tϋrkeli we met a young German cyclist headed east en route India from Germany. He has been travelling the old coast road, the 010, since leaving Istanbul and told us it is really tough with many 10% inclines. Having studied our map, and after two days on this road, we already knew, of course, that we were in for a difficult last couple of weeks. We thought that we might take a shortcut today between Ayancik and Helaldi, picking up the 010 again there. The first 2km or so were difficult, but beautiful ... and then we ran out of tar. Here’s the thing ... I am a wuss on the bike, afraid of many things. I am terrified of falling, so I am afraid of very steep declines, and afraid of cornering, and afraid of dirt roads, especially those with fist-sized stones scattered everywhere. Poor Charl, fantasising about a shorter run to our destination, and loving the dirt on his Specialised Rockhopper, was reluctantly persuaded to turn back and take the longer route. This was lovely and rural, but included a monster climb much of which we had to walk. So Tϋrkeli it is.

Ayancik

Between Ayancik and Helaldi

Between Ayancik and Helaldi

Between Ayancik and Tϋrkeli

Between Ayancik and Tϋrkeli