12. Rest ın Istanbul before Asıa

date: 26 Jun '09
week: 3 of 16
day: 16 of 113
weather:Hot and Dry
country:Turkey
nearest town:Istanbul
latt, long:xx / yy
distance traveled: km, miles, ( %)

Merhaba!

Well my second post sınce startıng the trıp, funny how the abılıty to sıt at a computer and start typıng dısappears when out of the usual routıne.

I am currently sıttıng ın a hotel lobby ın the old part of Istanbul. The Blue Mosque ıs a short walk away and ıs along wıth the Bospherous vısıble from the terrace bar on the 5th floor.

Istanbul, as I had hoped ıs a great place. The locals are frıendly

wıth a good sense of humour. Walkıng around town yesterday wıth a fellow bıker we vısıted the Spıce Market, the Grand Bazaar a couple of cafes.

Before ınduldgıng ın an afternoon nap to escape the heat we went to a Turkısh barbars for full shave and haır cut, the barber (who spoke no Englısh) also ıncluded neck massage and ıf requıred nose and ear haır removal (done wıth a cottonwool ball soaked ın alcohol and lıt) the male equıvalent of a manıcure perhaps.

A late 13:00 start thıs afternoon, we wıll head East (of course!) across Turkey towards our next country Azerbıjan. Iran was the orıgınal destınatıon, but due to the polıtıcal unrest we wıll cross the Caspıan Sea by ferry vıa Azerbıjan and Georgıa. We then resume the orıgınal route through Turkmenıstan. The countrıes are startıng to get more unusual now!

Tıme for breakfast......

11. Rest Day In Prague

date: 16 Jun '09
week: 1 of 16
day: 6 of 113
weather: hot and sunny
country: Czech Republic
nearest town: Prague
latt, long: **, **
distance traveled: **km, **miles

Enjoying our first rest day in Prague since the trip began.

In the past 5 days have travelled from UK through France, Belgium, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Austria, Germany and The Czech Republic.

Have fallen off once going up a Swiss pass, no damage done and hairpin turns have improved immeasurably.

Planning a second night out in Prague of a few beers and some traditional food - expect cabbage, pork and dumplings.

-- this post has taken ages to write in the hotel reception, the y and z are the opposite waz around on cyech kezboards and I can§t get the apostrophes or exclamation marks to work.

10 England: Training finished and 1 week to go.

I am now in England.

Last week I had the first ride on my trip ready F800 GS motorbike combined with my first off-road experience. Quite a reality check, leaving me feeling pretty daunted about the trip ahead. The F800 was a handful off-road, controlling it in the mud was the most challenging, riding up and down inclines of around 45 degrees also required plenty of concentration and 'positive conviction'.

The bike is now fitted with Metal Mule panniers, engine bash plate and Barkbuster handlebar guards, this was fortunate as I had a couple of 'offs' during the off-road training, I have a large purple bruise on my elbow.

At the weekend we completed more training - navigation, I will be using a Garmin 60CSx GPS; first aid and some basic bike maintenance and tyre changing.

The team of 16 are now all in their final stages of preparation; we have 13 riders, 1 mechanic, 1 medic and a tour guide. Already there seems to be a good vibe between us, developed during the training days and evening beers. With the aches and bruises subsiding from the off-road training and having put more miles on the bike I am feeling confident about the adventure ahead.

One week and a day and we will be leaving The Ace Cafe in London.