Day 1, Sunday, May 7
383km in 5h · 78km/h
- Traveled 64km in 52min
- 12:34 Stop for 5min
- Traveled 75km in 55min
- 13:35 56min The only restaurant I know of in Kalofer - the aptly named "Panorama"
- Traveled 173km in 1h 51min
- 16:23 22min Gas, coffee and some air both for me and the bike
- Traveled 72km in 1h 04min
- 17:49 16h 19min Visiting a friend on the way is always a good idea
Day 2, Monday, May 8
356km in 5h · 41km/h
- Traveled 119km in 1h 44min
- 11:53 23min A small detour to Gramatikovo along the now very passable road between Tzarevo and Malko Tarnovo
- Traveled 24km in 31min
- 12:48 12min Quick pastry stop
- Traveled 8km in 9min
- 13:10 6min Bulgarian border
- Traveled 305m in 1min
- 13:17 14min Turkish border, surprisingly they checked my luggage
- Traveled 45m in 14s
- 13:32 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 90km in 1h 10min
- 14:47 Stop for 16min
- Traveled 380m in 54s
- 15:04 6min The search for cash and local SIM
- Traveled 667m in 1min
- 15:12 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 200m in 38s
- 15:15 16min The search for cash and local SIM, finished
- Traveled 113km in 1h 38min
- 17:10 16h 36min A small and cheap hotel near the new Istanbul airport with a view to the sea and a campsite with its own flock of chickens inside
Day 3, Tuesday, May 9
537km in 7h · 68km/h
- Traveled 66km in 49min
- 10:37 7min Some navigation preparations after the highway/bridge part
- Traveled 112km in 2h 01min
- 12:45 32min A stop after the madness of the Istanbul traffic was gone
- Traveled 168km in 1h 49min
- 15:08 1h 01min A very nice roadside restaurant
- Traveled 159km in 1h 43min
- 17:52 20min A well-timed, albeit by chance, stop for fuel to wait out the rain
- Traveled 32km in 27min
- 18:41 6min Unloading the bike before parking it for the night
- Traveled 16m in 3s
- 18:47 14h 31min Afyonkarahisar and its fortress towering over the city
Day 4, Wednesday, May 10
496km in 6h · 72km/h
- Traveled 0m in 0s
- 09:18 8min Loading
- Traveled 105km in 1h 10min
- 10:37 21min It was high time for some chain maintenance in the middle of nowhere
- Traveled 39km in 34min
- 11:33 4min Nasreddin Hoca's supposed birthplace
- Traveled 89km in 1h 03min
- 12:41 2min Some wordplay shennanigans
- Traveled 51km in 30min
- 13:13 Stop for 11min
- Traveled 40km in 23min
- 13:49 25min Tuz Golu, a salt lake.
- Traveled 49km in 37min
- 14:52 36min Mehmet's kofte was super nice, Mehmet as well
- Traveled 40km in 41min
- 16:10 2min Random Ottoman bridge, visibly restored recently
- Traveled 84km in 1h 09min
- 17:21 16h 36min Passing through Capadoccia again, meeting my parents (for their surprise)
Day 5, Thursday, May 11
451km in 6h · 50km/h
- Traveled 126km in 1h 27min
- 11:25 16min A fuel stop coupled with a cup of tea and a chat with the station manager about taxes and politics
- Traveled 67km in 51min
- 12:33 12min Stop for a bit of suspension adjustment and getting some more clothes on as it is a bit cold for May
- Traveled 56km in 43min
- 13:29 35min Yazilikkaya, Hitite ceremonial complex
- Traveled 201m in 25s
- 14:05 12min Hatussa, Lower city and the famous greenstone
- Traveled 1km in 1min
- 14:19 18min Hatussa, Lion's Gate and one bus of italians
- Traveled 566m in 2min
- 14:41 28min Hatussa, Phoenix Gate & Tunnel
- Traveled 462m in 1min
- 15:10 3min Hatussa, King's Gate
- Traveled 548m in 1min
- 15:15 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 199km in 2h 51min
- 18:11 15h 59min I missed the working hours of the castle, there was a meeting in the center. Only managed to have dinner and sleep in Tokat.
Day 6, Friday, May 12
207km in 4h · 51km/h
- Traveled 5km in 11min
- 10:23 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 91km in 1h 28min
- 11:55 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 33km in 49min
- 12:47 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 35km in 38min
- 13:29 1h 27min Lunch time over the sea shore
- Traveled 14km in 14min
- 15:11 39min Jason's (from Jason and the Argonauts) landing point (supposedly)
- Traveled 30km in 26min
- 16:18 17h 16min (this is supposed to be in Giresun) The weather was pissing, literally. Used a cafe and a manti restaurant as shelters in the evening walk
Day 7, Saturday, May 13
312km in 4h · 71km/h
- Traveled 31km in 24min
- 09:59 31min Rain has intensified so it's time for full wet suit. And also some fuel.
- Traveled 103km in 1h 30min
- 12:02 9min Somehow the tracker finds the 14km tunnel as a 9 min stop
- Traveled 33km in 33min
- 12:45 1h 23min Sumela Monastery - used until rather recently (1923), dates back to the early chritianty. Probably makes more sense to visit it during the week and on a clear day
- Traveled 38km in 35min
- 14:43 9min Somehow the tracker finds the 14km tunnel as a 9 min stop
- Traveled 108km in 1h 12min
- 16:05 17h 42min Bayburt was a pleasant surprise with its nice walkways around the river and general tidiness
Day 8, Sunday, May 14
456km in 6h · 56km/h
- Traveled 6km in 7min
- 09:55 8min Quick fuel stop
- Traveled 17km in 10min
- 10:14 2min Snowy peaks <3
- Traveled 23km in 16min
- 10:33 3min First snow of the trip. Foreshadowing.
- Traveled 259km in 2h 49min
- 13:26 7min Another quick one
- Traveled 99km in 1h 12min
- 14:47 2min The coldest point so far - 1.0 degrees at 2550 m above sea level
- Traveled 35km in 32min
- 15:21 8min Turkish border control on the way out. The border crossing is under construction and is kind of tricky to find your way.
- Traveled 75m in 46s
- 15:31 9min "Vehicle registration" part. No signs, of course. Got escorted to the proper building by a helpful border police officer.
- Traveled 27m in 9s
- 15:41 8min Georgia border, a lot smoother and in one place
- Traveled 705m in 2min
- 15:51 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 17km in 17min
- 16:11 16h 57min The coldest ever hotel. In Akhaltsikhe
Day 9, Monday, May 15
125km in 4h · 30km/h
- Traveled 27km in 30min
- 09:40 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 16km in 46min
- 10:30 4min Little did I know what was up on SH14
- Traveled 4km in 13min
- 10:48 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 665m in 2min
- 10:52 3min The top of Zekari pass marked the end of the rocky climb and the start of the snowy descent
- Traveled 13km in 36min
- 11:32 8min Quick stop for some rest below the snowline
- Traveled 49km in 1h 05min
- 12:46 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 37m in 6s
- 12:50 30min Fuel and chain maintenance that was much overdue at this point
- Traveled 15km in 21min
- 13:42 1d 19h A rest day in Kutaisi. Found the Irish pub with the Czech beer.
Day 10, Tuesday, May 16
Day 11, Wednesday, May 17
369km in 7h · 43km/h
- Traveled 16km in 21min
- 09:50 19min One of the several abandoned sanatoriums in Tskaltubo, near Kutaisi. This one is called Immerti
- Traveled 29km in 34min
- 10:44 25min Ophitara waterfall on the way to Lenthekhi
- Traveled 97km in 1h 54min
- 13:03 8min Construction workers said the road ends 3km later. Time for a U-turn.
- Traveled 72km in 1h 23min
- 14:35 1h 07min Lunch and detour planning - next night will be in Zugdidi, rather than Mestia
- Traveled 123km in 2h 13min
- 17:57 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 29km in 31min
- 18:33 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 2km in 4min
- 18:39 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 8m in 3s
- 18:42 14h 21min Zugdidi is not much to write home about, but it has a nice "bothanical garden" (more like a park with paid access, but still nice)
Day 12, Thursday, May 18
144km in 3h · 44km/h
- Traveled 40km in 42min
- 09:46 6min Enguri dam wall
- Traveled 51km in 1h 00min
- 10:54 13min A genetic hydration stop and some rest in between the pot holes of the main road to Mestia
- Traveled 25km in 34min
- 11:41 11min Nearing Mestia and the snowy peaks reveal themselves
- Traveled 23km in 31min
- 12:24 8min The first Svaneti towers showed up
- Traveled 6km in 12min
- 12:45 20h 16min Staying at a hotel with its own river crossing
Day 13, Friday, May 19
220km in 5h · 26km/h
- Traveled 8km in 22min
- 09:24 8min First photo stop just after the "Cross over Mestia"
- Traveled 2km in 8min
- 09:41 2h 08min Snow and 4x4 have made the road a bad idea for a 2-up ride, so we continued on foot for another 2 kilometers
- Traveled 430m in 3min
- 11:53 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 2km in 5min
- 12:03 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 8km in 21min
- 12:29 7min Souvenirs before leaving Mestia
- Traveled 242m in 44s
- 12:37 1h 18min Lile restaurant for a snack before departure
- Traveled 110km in 2h 12min
- 16:08 23min Gas and chain maintenance as already customary
- Traveled 90km in 1h 37min
- 18:10 15h 56min The dullest town in Georgia - Poti
Day 14, Saturday, May 20
176km in 3h · 53km/h
- Traveled 164km in 2h 21min
- 12:28 45min A stop at the Katskhi pillar
- Traveled 11km in 18min
- 13:33 19h 56min Chiatura and its lifts for the night
Day 15, Sunday, May 21
184km in 3h · 46km/h
- Traveled 66km in 59min
- 10:29 Stop for 17min
- Traveled 23km in 20min
- 11:07 1h 11min Stalin museum in Gori (his birthplace)
- Traveled 14km in 19min
- 12:38 2h 23min Uplistsikhe cave complex
- Traveled 796m in 1min
- 15:03 1h 04min Late lunch after the caves
- Traveled 39km in 36min
- 16:44 5min Rain mode on as we are approaching Tbilisi
- Traveled 41km in 52min
- 17:42 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 3m in 2s
- 17:46 1d 15h A rest day in Tbilisi
Day 16, Monday, May 22
Day 17, Tuesday, May 23
210km in 4h · 46km/h
- Traveled 15km in 33min
- 10:18 39min Chronicles of Georgia - a massive monument commemorating questionable facts
- Traveled 51km in 59min
- 11:58 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 10km in 13min
- 12:14 32min Ananuri - more of a monastery than a fortress.
- Traveled 10km in 9min
- 12:56 1h 31min Lunch on the way to Gergeti
- Traveled 48km in 54min
- 15:22 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 2km in 3min
- 15:28 25min Another monument of something practically non-existent - the Russia - Georgia friendship. Also, the truck drivers on this road are mental.
- Traveled 34km in 47min
- 16:42 6min A nice spot for photos of the Gergeti Trinity Church from afar
- Traveled 615m in 1min
- 16:49 36min The church itself with views to Kazbegi and Shani peaks
- Traveled 7km in 9min
- 17:36 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 21km in 20min
- 18:00 6min Some rusty Pamukkale type of sight
- Traveled 11km in 14min
- 18:22 15h 47min A "spa" hotel in Gudauri. An Indian restaurant across the street. Multi-culti.
Day 18, Wednesday, May 24
262km in 5h · 46km/h
- Traveled 64km in 1h 04min
- 11:14 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 58km in 1h 05min
- 12:22 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 2km in 2min
- 12:28 29min It got so hot (30+ C) we needed a stop for ice cream and some shade
- Traveled 82km in 1h 20min
- 14:17 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 11km in 15min
- 14:35 1h 20min Bodbe Monastery and its fantastic garden
- Traveled 46km in 45min
- 16:41 Stop for 6min
- Traveled 5m in 2s
- 16:47 Stop for 1d 17h
Day 19, Thursday, May 25
Day 20, Friday, May 26
311km in 4h · 63km/h
- Traveled 2km in 3min
- 10:12 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 95km in 1h 22min
- 11:39 Stop for 11min
- Traveled 133km in 1h 47min
- 13:38 Stop for 9min
- Traveled 47km in 34min
- 14:21 Stop for 26min
- Traveled 33km in 36min
- 15:25 18h 30min Last stop in Georgia - Borjomi
Day 21, Saturday, May 27
274km in 4h · 31km/h
- Traveled 11m in 3s
- 09:55 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 1km in 3min
- 10:01 8min Sendin post cards and filling up
- Traveled 92km in 1h 29min
- 11:39 47min Khertvisi fortress
- Traveled 16km in 18min
- 12:45 2h 51min Vardzia cave complex
- Traveled 1km in 2min
- 15:39 58min Last bites of Georgian food before we enter Turkey
- Traveled 1km in 3min
- 16:41 4min Some nice views over the valley with Vardzia in it
- Traveled 4km in 10min
- 16:55 6min More views
- Traveled 30km in 33min
- 17:35 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 17km in 19min
- 17:58 5min Georgian border - grumpy, but non-problematic border police officer
- Traveled 94m in 24s
- 18:04 7min Passport check for entering Turkey. We're the only non-lorry vehicle
- Traveled 104m in 28s
- 18:12 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 0m in 0s
- 18:16 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 234m in 1min
- 18:20 5min Suiting up for the colder weather in the high Anatolian plateu
- Traveled 110km in 1h 25min
- 19:51 14h 49min A sort of late and cold arrival in Kars - rain and 10 C.
Day 22, Sunday, May 28
400km in 5h · 75km/h
- Traveled 5km in 11min
- 10:52 8min Fuel time with joyful locals
- Traveled 43km in 32min
- 11:33 2h 34min The Ani ruins
- Traveled 124km in 1h 25min
- 15:33 57min A late lunch is better than no lunch. It was also very good.
- Traveled 91km in 1h 07min
- 17:38 5min Some of us prepare for the eventual rain (that never came)
- Traveled 53km in 37min
- 18:21 25min Fuel and some maintenance - chain, tire pressure.
- Traveled 15km in 10min
- 18:57 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 69km in 56min
- 19:56 13h 39min Arrived in Van just before the election results were in. Pure luck.
Day 23, Monday, May 29
416km in 6h · 49km/h
- Traveled 132km in 1h 39min
- 11:16 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 22km in 27min
- 11:47 1d 22h Entering the Nemrut crater
- Traveled 2km in 3min
- 11:55 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 7km in 13min
- 12:12 29min Nemrut crater lake
- Traveled 1km in 2min
- 12:44 5min Some more pictures around the Nemrut crater
- Traveled 7km in 9min
- 12:59 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 7km in 8min
- 13:10 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 76km in 1h 03min
- 14:16 16min Fuel stop after some rain
- Traveled 30km in 24min
- 14:57 1h 08min A late lunch, but a good and cheap one.
- Traveled 132km in 1h 47min
- 17:53 Stop for 7min
- Traveled 0m in 0s
- 18:01 Stop for 16h 03min
Day 24, Tuesday, May 30
448km in 5h · 71km/h
- Traveled 86km in 1h 12min
- 11:16 5min Water cistern system in Dara
- Traveled 817m in 2min
- 11:24 1h 17min Burial site dug in the rocks
- Traveled 71km in 46min
- 13:28 22min Gas, soda and ice cream
- Traveled 133km in 1h 25min
- 15:16 2h 14min Gobeklitepe, one of the most important archeological sites for understanding the earliest societies (according to the site's narrative, of course)
- Traveled 158km in 1h 59min
Day 25, Wednesday, May 31
550km in 8h · 60km/h
- Traveled 1km in 3min
- 10:04 9min Loading as the hotel did not have a parking
- Traveled 165km in 2h 11min
- 12:26 31min Fuel & Ice cream has become the norm
- Traveled 117km in 1h 43min
- 14:41 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 30km in 50min
- 15:34 49min Rather expensive, and also subpar, lunch at a truck stop after a surprise unpaved pass powered by Map Factor's navigation choices
- Traveled 38km in 33min
- 16:57 6min Only fuel this time. This was the first station to have petrol for the last 40-ish kilometers - only diesel for the trucks.
- Traveled 199km in 2h 10min
- 19:14 14h 38min Late arrival in Konya, time was only just enough for dinner.
Day 26, Thursday, June 1
472km in 5h · 87km/h
- Traveled 141km in 1h 35min
- 11:28 27min A close call with the fuel - range indicator surrendered few kilometers before the gas station.
- Traveled 153km in 1h 46min
- 13:42 1h 08min Nice lunch at a roadside restaurant. Unfortunately, the rain caught with us and we had to start with the rain proofs on.
- Traveled 90km in 57min
- 15:48 8min Quick refuel
- Traveled 88km in 1h 07min
- 17:05 16h 02min Iznik (Nikea) is a nice lakeside town that is still contained within the old walls. Hotel was nice, although the main street was quite noisy.
Day 27, Friday, June 2
546km in 7h · 75km/h
- Traveled 87km in 1h 17min
- 10:25 55min Stopped at probably the worst cafe in Turkey, which had the least communicative waiter in it.
- Traveled 106km in 1h 24min
- 12:45 39min Gas, ice cream and chain maintenance
- Traveled 226km in 2h 27min
- 15:52 1h 25min A late lunch and last chance to buy turkish sweets for presents at home
- Traveled 21km in 14min
- 17:33 Stop for 9min
- Traveled 9km in 6min
- 17:49 13min Ipsala border crossing, turkish side
- Traveled 2km in 4min
- 18:07 14min Ipsala border crossing, greek side
- Traveled 93km in 55min
- 19:17 15h 15min A refreshing stop in Komotini - a smaller, quiter town than what we had the last few days.
Day 28, Saturday, June 3
384km in 6h · 59km/h
- Traveled 99km in 1h 44min
- 12:17 Stop for 2min
- Traveled 7km in 8min
- 12:29 1h 23min Time to remember what bulgarian restaurants offer after a month away.
- Traveled 97km in 1h 51min
- 15:43 6min Some fuel before the rain kicked in and followed us mostly till the end.
- Traveled 34km in 34min
- 16:24 Stop for 3min
- Traveled 52km in 51min
- 17:19 Stop for 4min
- Traveled 94km in 1h 11min
Legend
-
Generic stop 33
-
Tourist sight 24
-
Gas station 23
-
Hotel 22
-
Restaurant 15
-
Beautiful sight 13
-
Border 9
-
Beach 1
-
Something special 1
-
Coffee 1