Doable itinerary in Turkey for 'beginners'.

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arizona
arizona

I'm collecting some info for two ladies who like to cycle in Turkey next year, in September or October 2014 for a month.
They've not very much bicycle experience, are in rather good shape. So the itinerary should not be too hefty. Though for some difficult (traffic, elevation) stretches they could take public transport.

Like nice scenery and meeting people, knowing from previous visits tot the country they're very hospitable and helpful.

Consulting sites like crazyguyonabike.com and rad-forum.de my impression is traffic is tough and often dangerous; cars overtaking and tunnels.

So the main questions are:
-itinerary slightly hilly, limited longer steep climbs (i.e. > 4 km and > 5 %)

-traffic safety
-sceneric
-camping possibilities (official and in the wild?)

What about riding pretty close to the Black Sea, let's say between Istanbul and Trabzon? Is it hilly everywhere. And the tunnels?
I found some info/weblogs but not too recent (2006/2008)

Any advice about a possibly better route, preferrably not the coast between Fethiye and Alanya?

We would appreciate some insight from cyclists who have been there. Many thanks!

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anabase
anabase

I would not recommend cycling between Istanbul and Trabzon. Those roads between Samsun and Trabzon which offer sea views and easy climbs will be heavily trafficked, and Turkish drivers do not like cyclists to say the least. You might be able to find an itinerary between Istanbul and Samsun.

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noelbike2
noelbike2

I have ridden most of the Black Sea Turkish coast and rate it as excellent. It is hilly as far as Trabzon but after there, through Rize, it is flat. There are lots of tunnels in Turkey but they are ok. The length is always shown and of course you need lights. No problem.
The Turks are fantastic people. Kind and considerate.
The routes over the Anatolian plateau might be too hard for a beginner. For example, riding from the Black Sea up to Kostamou or up to Ezerum is tough to say the least.
But you are there with thenTurks and they will look after you.
You may camp but I always stay in hotels in Turkey.

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travelinhobo
travelinhobo

I only biked the portion of Turkey from Thessolonoki Greece to Istanbul, into Bulgaria. The only bad portion was Istanbul itself. Not possible to bike into/out of and certainly wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. Didn't have problems with the drivers outside of there which makes me wonder if #2 is hearsay or she biked it herself.

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anabase
anabase

travelinhobo, I guess you are referring to my post. Turkey is well known for having aggressive drivers and there are many other forum posters who report the same. You are likely if you didn't see this on the quite small distance you went through the country. In Anatolia, there are very many young men who think they own the road. Not only is cycling there stressful, but even riding in a car (I have also extensively hitchhiked the country on many occasions) can be a white-knuckle experience, so irresponsible are these hot-doggers. There are some less-travelled roads that can give one an enjoyable ride, but you must choose carefully. The quietest places on the bulks of Black Sea coast involve heavy climbs, so they are not ideal for the OP's group.

Not possible to bike into/out of and certainly wouldn't recommend it for a beginner.

Istanbul is in fact possible to bike into from the west.

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arizona
arizona

Many many thanks for your info, a lot to think over.
Since it´s very uncertain - and that´s why I didn´t mention it in the OP - they are discussing with relatives to join them for at least a part of the trip with a campervan (and bike-rack). It might improve circumstances (connect difficult stretches for example, overnight as a last resort) but there's some fear to do no justice to the 'art of cycling'.

So wondering if some minimal but essential support for doing this trip would work for sportslike beginners.
I can hardly imagine the 'real' long distance cyclist will have experienced this in this way. Never know though.

Again thanks and if tips (with or without having experienced this), we also will appreciate your thoughts and insight on this aspect.

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