tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82487228518651522902024-02-07T16:45:11.868-08:00MadHeadCyclistMadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-3329757377524678452013-10-03T14:20:00.000-07:002013-10-03T14:20:25.256-07:00Wasdale Triathlon Sept 13.Just thought I would update on what has been happening on the run up to Wasdale and after the event.<br />
<br />
When I originally entered the Wasdale event I was really excited at going in for a Half Ironman that looked harder than the Bolton full Ironman event of 2011, especially the amount of climbing on the bike and run sections www.wasdale-tri.co.uk<br />
<br />
Let the training begin !! It was April and Salford watersports centre had opened for the open water season, so one thursday evening after work I was there.. after around 200om of breast stroke I felt ok. I was now on track to get faster with time.. or so I thought!<br />
<br />
After that particular swimming session that was it until the day of the Wasdale tri Whoops! I had good intentions of carrying on with my swimming but with 2 months to go until the triathlon I thought sod it I will just see if I can do this without any swimming practice.. which then leads onto the running..<br />
<br />
In between signing up for this I had a few jogs around near where I live, and one day at work I decided to leave my car overnight and run home, that particular day I was 20ish miles from home. This was the biggest run up to the triathlon, by the time I had got back home that night it was around 11pm and my legs were Shot at !! I ran a cold bath when I eventually crawled in at home lol<br />
<br />
On the cycling side of things it was not too bad, I had done a few cycles on my day off up to Holme Moss and back, also did a recce of the Manchester 100 miler with my bro, this was a practice run for the up coming JoiningJack charity cycle @alljoiningjack <br />
<br />
So all in all that was my training for the Wasdale Half Ironman. So not really ideal but my mind was still focused on completing it.. My previous blog post covered my diet on the run up to the Triathlon and past the triathlon (This is my normal eating and drinking habits - I know..... I should really cut back on some things, I'm trying lol)<br />
<br />
Its the Saturday before race day and I'm driving up to Wasdale Head, the weather is fantastic. Very sunny with clear skies.. I'm buzzing ! I arrive there about 3pm and plenty of people are out and about in the car park close to the Inn. I try to get organised with the things I require first thing in morning, plenty of smiling people around. I get booked into the @WasdaleHeadInn its very nice and staff very good.<br />
<br />
I check myself in for the triathlon and get my numbers etc.. Met some of the crew who were great very welcoming. I had something to eat and some pints of local ale then I was off to get some sleep.<br />
<br />
Bleep Bleep !! Its 4.30am.. Blimey that sleep was quick, I'm up packed and out.. As I came out of the Hotel I looked up into the night sky and it was brilliant ! The stars were out in there millions, what a great sight to see so early in the morning. I get in car down to start area. Bike and bags out and in place and everyone is getting into wetsuits and chatting about the race.. Some people saying I'm metal when they ask how training has gone for me and I reply with my training for the year ! :-)<br />
<br />
Its 7am and were off.. My thought was everyone will now be flying off doing front crawl and I will be left at back doing my leisurely breast stroke and I was right. I think I had the best swimming view though as my head was constantly above the water taking in the views of Scafell, Yewbarrow and Great gable Perfect!<br />
<br />
Out of the swim and my legs are very wobbly ! I am not last out amazingly, there was one guy left so that made me happier.. I stagger over towards the T1 and try to get into my cycling shorts, socks etc.. each time I lift my leg up to put my socks on, my legs cramp up ! Ouch ! <br />
<br />
I'm on the bike now and feeling well ermm, well not too bad ! After about 5 mins into the bike my left thigh cramps up ! lol Oh deary me... not going well at all. But I carry on through the cramp and try to put my legs in different positions and eventually it wears off a bit. The cycle is going ok until the 33% climbs then its off it, and pushing it up Hardknott pass (Its feckin steep!)<br />
<br />
I can remember as I reached my first summit (Hardknott pass) the race leader was ending the bike ride part ! Amazing that... When I eventually got back to this part after another 2 peaks I can recall - how many miles more have I got to do and could I really finish it before 2pm cut off time ? I had a rush from somewhere and got it into my head that I could possibly do it, so I hammered it from there on in, but with 15mins to the cut off at 2pm I still had 6 miles to go ! this proved to be too much for my tired legs and resigned myself to just rolling back to T2 I reached the checkpoint 22 mins after close.<br />
<br />
My triathlon was over, and to be honest even if I had got back on time I don't think my legs could have taken the summits of Scafell Pike and Scafell.. I stayed around for a short while to clap/cheer some of the amazing guys that were now finishing the run too, Brilliant times for the full race.<br />
<br />
So that was it... beaten until next year. Yep! I have already registered :-) I'm in again, but one thing I have learned is that this kind of course demands you to do at least some more training!<br />
<br />
So that's my plan... Learn to Front crawl and do more cycling and running.. oh and try to eat a little more healthy and drink less Smiths :-(<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and following...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-59996098498936103362013-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:002013-09-15T13:53:21.550-07:00My general Diet !A few people have asked if I stick to a "Strict diet" for my adventures !<br />
<br />
So I have decided to put on here a daily list of food and drink that I regularly consume over a weekly period.<br />
<br />
This list could be <u>Any</u> week of the year !! it really stays similar, even before/after adventures/trips..<br />
<br />
<u><i>Monday</i></u><br />
1 x Bowl of Coco pops.<br />
2 x Bacon butties with Brown sauce.<br />
1 x Large family bar of Fruit and Nut.<br />
1 x Chicken Balti with Chips.<br />
1 x Sweet and Sour Chicken cantonese style with chips and curry sauce.<br />
8 x Coffees.<br />
2 x Bags Monster munch.<br />
6 x Pints John Smiths.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Tuesday</i></u><br />
1 x Bacon on Toast (2 Bacon).<br />
1 x Beans on Toast.<br />
1 x Pudding, Chips, Peas with gravy.<br />
1 x Quarter pound meal with Cheese (McDs).<br />
1 x Bottle water (small).<br />
Half bottle of Red Wine.<br />
1 x Jacket potato with beans. <br />
7 x Pints John Smiths.<br />
6 x Coffees. <br />
<br />
<u><i>Wednesday</i></u><br />
1 x bowl of coco pops.<br />
1 x Sausage/egg muffin meal (McDs).<br />
1 x Pudding, chips, peas and gravy.<br />
1 x Large bar Fruit and Nut chocolate.<br />
3 x Bags deep ridge crisps.<br />
4 x Pints John Smiths.<br />
1 x Bottle of Red Wine.<br />
1 x pack extra strong mints <br />
1 x Large bowl Pasta in tomato sauce. <br />
2 x Bottles of water (small).<br />
6 x Coffees.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Thursday</i></u><br />
1 x Beans on toast.<br />
1 x Bacon on toast (2 bacon).<br />
1 x Bag Galaxy counters.<br />
1 x Chicken Balti and rice.<br />
1 x Jam sponge with custard.<br />
7 x Coffees.<br />
1 x smoothy (small bottle).<br />
1 x Rump steak chips and onion rings.<br />
4 x Pints Carling lager.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Friday</i></u><br />
1 x bowl coco pops.<br />
2 x Bacon.<br />
1 x Sausage.<br />
1 x Fried Egg.<br />
1 x Fried Bread.<br />
1 x Mushrooms.<br />
1 x Tomatoes.<br />
6 x coffees.<br />
Half bottle of Red Wine.<br />
1 x Tin Mackerel in tom sauce.<br />
2 x toasts with butter.<br />
1 x pack extra strong mints. <br />
4 x bags Space raider crisps.<br />
1 x Pork Ribs in BBQ sauce with chips.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Saturday</i></u><br />
1 x Bacon on toast (2 bacon).<br />
1 x Beans on toast.<br />
1 x bottle water (small).<br />
1 x Large Galaxy chocolate bar.<br />
1 x Bag jelly beans.<br />
1 x Lasagne with chips.<br />
1 x Chicken Bhuna.<br />
1 x Nan bread.<br />
1 x Rice.<br />
7 x Coffees.<br />
16 x Pints John Smiths.<br />
1 x bottle water (small).<br />
<br />
<u><i>Sunday</i></u><br />
1 x Fried egg.<br />
3 x bacon.<br />
1 x tomato.<br />
1 x Beans.<br />
1 x Fried bread.<br />
2 x Sausages.<br />
1 x Glass fresh orange.<br />
1 x Bar Galaxy chocolate.<br />
1 x Large Sunday roast Beef dinner with york pudds.<br />
1 x Large bowl of Ice Cream .<br />
2 x Bottles Red wine.<br />
6 x Coffees.<br />
<br />
How does this diet compare to yours ?? Let me know.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and following.<br />
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-58357047717115951972012-10-16T15:15:00.002-07:002012-10-16T15:16:10.819-07:00Huddersfield to Gibraltar cycle 2010 (Video)<div>
</div>
Don't think posted this on my blog. Here goes .....<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzp5_s9kAQ3kPU5GDLDHbNxxRGVUkrgAYE_iwlfOpWXjDIDR-555LV2UcZMWzs--rcq2k9ByHXm_lnzkv4R' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-45837953977557212612012-10-11T14:41:00.001-07:002012-10-11T14:41:10.947-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 17.Monday 4 June. Day 17. (Final Day)<br />
Malkara to Istanbul 130 miles.<br />
<br />
After a wake up call with a difference this morning (prayers from Mosque over a megaphone heard all over the town and surrounding areas by the loudness of it - must have been about 4am) its my last day, can't believe it's gone so fast when I think back of when I set off from home.<br />
<br />
As last nights stay over was so cheap, breakfast was not included ! I did enjoy staying over in a place like Malkara, as its off the beaten track and the locals probably don't see any tourists that much. I'm out with my bike ready for the off, the guy at the hotel tried to explain where I could eat breakfast but I couldn't make out where he was on about, so I head off towards the main road towards Istanbul, from the centre of Malkara it's a downhill cycle back to the main road, the roads are in poor repair with plenty of dust as local cars are driving past.<br />
<br />
I stop at a local store to get some water, and a few snacks just to keep me going until I come across some place that I could get a more substantial meal. I reckoned on a shorter milage day for today and worked out roughly it could be just over the hundred miles, so shouldn't be too bad.<br />
<br />
After being on the main road I was thinking its a good job it is about 100 miles today as the going is tough, not because of the road conditions they seem to have improved now back onto the main road, but the hard challenging part of the morning was the rolling hills - it's exactly like cycling along roads in Cornwall and Devon (plenty of up and downs) and throw in the temp - around mid 30s.. its tough, the downhills great the uphills painful and very slow, but the views are great, again you could be in Devon and Cornwall its so green - am I really in Turkey ?<br />
<br />
At around midday, I head toward a main city/town of Tekirdag it looks a busy place from the hill I have just cycled over, then its a long descent towards there, I keep on the main road which takes me to the left of the main centre which is good, I whizz past a diner as go past the outskirts and think I should really stop there for something to eat but now I'm probably about half a mile past and turning back seems like a bad idea ! so I carry on, the road then goes up hill quite a steep one too, I start to flag a bit and end up crawling slowly, until the top then its back down (Yes that'll do) after a mile or two there is a junction where you could go to a small town, so I came off and followed this dirt road down until I see a petrol station - I pull in, it's fine as I can get food, and drinks and a top up of water.<br />
<br />
After a little break and water top up I'm off up the dusty hill back onto the main road. In the afternoon the main road does go quite flat again so thats great as I can cycle easily and quickly. All the way along this road I have the sea-view to my right which is fantastic, I also make regular stops at petrol stations, I have a craving today for ice lollies, I can't get enough, I just buy snacks, drinks and ice lollies and just sit at the side of the building and watch the world go by as I'm enjoying my snacks - I do feel quite relaxed today probably due to the finish later. Along the main road I was that close to a part of a beach I could have touched the sea, so I did, I pulled into the side and pushed my bike near the sea.. I was tempted to take a dip, but one look at the side of where I was stood and I could see sewage !! No thanks haha and back I went on the main road and back on the bike.<br />
<br />
Its about 5pm and I think I'm coming into the centre of Istanbul... I can see a mosque in the distance its also a built up area like a city, so I'm taking photo's and thinking about where can I stop tonight. The traffic is getting quite busy at this time, I get out the phone app to see if any hotels are around. When it loaded up I was not in Istanbul but looked like I was just at the tip of a province and Istanbul was at the opposite end of town... Damn! So I head off again in the thick of it "Traffic everywhere" ! 5 and 6 lanes converging at regular intervals its like London but 50 times worse ! It's a fight for survival here, but Its forward I go, dodging cars buses, wagons everything that this place is throwing at me.<br />
<br />
Every few minutes its Beep Beeeep Beeep ! madness.. an hour passes and I'm still in the thick of it but on the good side I'm nearly there, I just miss a turning, so I carry the bike off this main road, carry it over a grass verge, and see quite a large drop to get to the road I need to get on below. So the panniers are removed and thrown down, the bike is lowered as far as I can stretch my arms then I let it go, luckily it drops a little before landing Ok, then I take the leap down myself... Bump, its like a parachute roll over as I land on the road. I get the bike packed up again, dust myself down and off I go on the last road towards Istanbul, it's only about 15 mins and I'm nearly there, I'm heading down a cobbled street with restaurants and shops at either side of me, I eventually get to a main square where I see behind a mosque (It's the Blue Mosque, I'm here, although it was a little further distance today that I thought it would be) Yes.... I push bike to where I can take a photo of myself and bike with mosque in the background, its not really a good light as it's starting to get dark. I ring Mrs F and tell her the great news that I have made it safely too, she's delighted and just looking forward to my coming home. I update Twitter and Facebook and then It's finding a place to stay and get some food and wine.<br />
<br />
I head back up the cobble street, where I see a place to stay, I'm straight in and booking a room, they say I have a bike where have I come from, they are amazed that I have got here in so little time even after all the spoke/wheel problems! one of the guys offers to carry the panniers up to my room while I place my bike next door in like a empty shop window. The guy who carries my bags is struggling with them, so I show him hows its done , he remarks to me "Superman" ! (I liked that) haha. Once I'm booked in and washed, I'm back downstairs and out of the front door, straight opposite there is a little supermarket, my thought is that my flight is quite early tomorrow, so I will need cardboard of some sorts to pack my bike up with, so before I look for a restaurant I head over towards the bins outside the supermarket where lots a cardboard and after popping my head inside the supermarket to ask if I can take some for my bike they just nod. Whilst I'm routing through the rubbish looking for the best quality card, there are people /tourists walking past me probably on their way down the road for meals/walks etc... I was thinking I bet they think I'm looking for scrap food.. :-)<br />
<br />
After getting a stash I head across to my hotel and leave it with the check in desk for early tomorrow, a mini bus will pick me up at 9.45am to the Airport, so I will have to get up early for breakfast then break down and pack away my bike ready to get to airport.<br />
<br />
Once sorted I head back down the cobbled street and the first food place is a Chinese restaurant, well.. I'll have Soup, Beef and mushroom, rice and a bottle of Red please :-) after I demolished that meal I go for a walk about the town taking pics of the mosque and also go down to the water front, but can't really see anything so head back towards my hotel. Along the way I stop off at a corner cafe, I sit outside and order a wine, its very busy out and about wit plenty of people relaxing/eating. I decide to look at the menu and order a Turkish kebab meal now whilst drinking several more glasses of Red wine - well I am Celebrating. Its getting quite late now so I pay bill and walk back towards my hotel, and along the way the Mosques are again blasting out prayers again, its very loud but I'm used to it after staying in Turkey last night too.<br />
<br />
The morning after I'm up about 6.30am and get in breakfast, get the bike packed up, and I'm all ready for the mini bus back to airport and back home to see my family (I have missed them).<br />
<br />
The mini bus driver pulls up and I say goodbye to hotel staff, it's a 11 seater minibus, and there are 2 people and me, so thats great! then I see that the driver is on a route to pick up more people, and when we get to 11 people on the bus including myself, my bike has been in and out of the boot with everybody's cases being re-positioned were all thinking yep thats it were off now to the airport, well the driver pulls up outside another hotel with 2 more people to get on it really was a squeeze on this bus but we all got to the airport eventually Including my bike.<br />
<br />
Total miles cycled from Huddersfield to Istanbul was <u>1930 miles</u> or <u>3105km</u><br />
Countries cycled through - Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, France, Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All with minimal training beforehand, and not an ideal diet before and throughout - apart from the Wine :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks for taking time to read my blog - keep following for other updates and the Next Adventure :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeJGSy8EqzBXJkp0FQ4kq6QECqYPvo_k7V1B5feVo8nL1j6f4nOzulR4DSBzDR1pDPuXf_n-uT-bju32X3utx7e7HQvgSxRy3Qs0nIAzQ-cr3I3YZ8l5zBQEwP0NekUznyyMBLJpswRk/s1600/801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeJGSy8EqzBXJkp0FQ4kq6QECqYPvo_k7V1B5feVo8nL1j6f4nOzulR4DSBzDR1pDPuXf_n-uT-bju32X3utx7e7HQvgSxRy3Qs0nIAzQ-cr3I3YZ8l5zBQEwP0NekUznyyMBLJpswRk/s320/801.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVzZ5n7SJncYb6EkreAdJYG30zGlvsQbzwU4oudGgBgHDrKybE3zXN93cZVW31CefWnnCr6Wq7CC1bU27dePmqzfElgjMzQTVsKk4TJ2JC1gXiB-u6l2bm5hD3D61i9BhSb7DD-gYQb4/s1600/802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVzZ5n7SJncYb6EkreAdJYG30zGlvsQbzwU4oudGgBgHDrKybE3zXN93cZVW31CefWnnCr6Wq7CC1bU27dePmqzfElgjMzQTVsKk4TJ2JC1gXiB-u6l2bm5hD3D61i9BhSb7DD-gYQb4/s320/802.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT_U6IjZPHj_yu_ZqEoFFoR2KmJoePTzHP2VRNAWJP177SIulreWqPgMALduRdIBzbcTHONLLAijcg8UAk1NvyFFAl-y1MsJYB8LB5jv9JDZgn3AkS3tcYgGSdWJGMQD62BprLSKDvQs/s1600/803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT_U6IjZPHj_yu_ZqEoFFoR2KmJoePTzHP2VRNAWJP177SIulreWqPgMALduRdIBzbcTHONLLAijcg8UAk1NvyFFAl-y1MsJYB8LB5jv9JDZgn3AkS3tcYgGSdWJGMQD62BprLSKDvQs/s320/803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-G9CgEU8rwSWoLu3198R4SRJFVSQXNuOC8FCTQjQccfA-7q3ZXOGAmi4v7vWBXbNlYM_PhjCCAkBbfwb9mCyzVsg0zYoRSc4MhotSTBZne43vzrkyJ7UgjV-l58qDXUBTE0JUcmcus/s1600/810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-G9CgEU8rwSWoLu3198R4SRJFVSQXNuOC8FCTQjQccfA-7q3ZXOGAmi4v7vWBXbNlYM_PhjCCAkBbfwb9mCyzVsg0zYoRSc4MhotSTBZne43vzrkyJ7UgjV-l58qDXUBTE0JUcmcus/s320/810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYqDKDEr-RUDtxkO4f6jXg3tRAXhUCIkiDsUzmhpZfBqlZYAP0HCAn_sEIAC1EgCk0W9E7sfCNcRRFT7DsqXbYQma7FQVVYFbeQOy9Ce41nvhrtYWKU7-dusQwmAqny5q6R9trWxBMeM/s1600/811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYqDKDEr-RUDtxkO4f6jXg3tRAXhUCIkiDsUzmhpZfBqlZYAP0HCAn_sEIAC1EgCk0W9E7sfCNcRRFT7DsqXbYQma7FQVVYFbeQOy9Ce41nvhrtYWKU7-dusQwmAqny5q6R9trWxBMeM/s320/811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2xODg5XTSvN-W5L1UHACmKjREC8Rz8AuCaZreS4KolbI-qeiW1qm_x0_vum0RaH2je_Efl_9ZzhXiR50PiFn2pfU7JUq4-EmcCh_Hw5mHrj_DEbb7BjUYnrBj4YPNeWoUfBTzAOLlRc/s1600/812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2xODg5XTSvN-W5L1UHACmKjREC8Rz8AuCaZreS4KolbI-qeiW1qm_x0_vum0RaH2je_Efl_9ZzhXiR50PiFn2pfU7JUq4-EmcCh_Hw5mHrj_DEbb7BjUYnrBj4YPNeWoUfBTzAOLlRc/s320/812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr8XWy_GGseUu95lwxOtSIInyzHILxkfr8CC8PZe-PpYPpoNBUOvu9f6p5zs4elwCje_VfW7MvD-uPb7OlbAoSGe4RdbWfAmwWUBauXDiYFJO-KJTbIbO7B6wBT5H3U2X9THDilUzbLg/s1600/813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr8XWy_GGseUu95lwxOtSIInyzHILxkfr8CC8PZe-PpYPpoNBUOvu9f6p5zs4elwCje_VfW7MvD-uPb7OlbAoSGe4RdbWfAmwWUBauXDiYFJO-KJTbIbO7B6wBT5H3U2X9THDilUzbLg/s320/813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CCbYp0CP21P_Dd74IcTJehZ2uM6g1x3U79c1l_5luw9ninxyyRc2zq7cX_Zd92DAeM-oKj2Y_5XIozKeu_zHIGvqqsmyEl3iLWsbduc7ZTuesRff-iHpMQQ87J_f_iJ5YxoUYgbd3Lg/s1600/814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CCbYp0CP21P_Dd74IcTJehZ2uM6g1x3U79c1l_5luw9ninxyyRc2zq7cX_Zd92DAeM-oKj2Y_5XIozKeu_zHIGvqqsmyEl3iLWsbduc7ZTuesRff-iHpMQQ87J_f_iJ5YxoUYgbd3Lg/s320/814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvpGPcZzvlSym3a1G3n_jhaFYKiPbzseO2BUFZ2RBfVC24DCF0lIhySSfcLaqIOD_tuwQpSG-adCiOMbxxFmwt70HJu8K-tJfYh0Oqjcg_OvEyjFYc8eroxRz2FlVfqiYk3w5vRiWGgI/s1600/815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvpGPcZzvlSym3a1G3n_jhaFYKiPbzseO2BUFZ2RBfVC24DCF0lIhySSfcLaqIOD_tuwQpSG-adCiOMbxxFmwt70HJu8K-tJfYh0Oqjcg_OvEyjFYc8eroxRz2FlVfqiYk3w5vRiWGgI/s320/815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoLAcUr6u_dA6sZxByDSOj5MK5n_I0pcEhQglwbl-qn2H7DxRHl9tVF9sUQz5aEUOUJnBtgYg113zrhPvegSJyAHaTfcv_qh3TiKppeIlBGqj5Ompc0WGGB0IAjkSVJM70zOxpFa0Fco/s1600/816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoLAcUr6u_dA6sZxByDSOj5MK5n_I0pcEhQglwbl-qn2H7DxRHl9tVF9sUQz5aEUOUJnBtgYg113zrhPvegSJyAHaTfcv_qh3TiKppeIlBGqj5Ompc0WGGB0IAjkSVJM70zOxpFa0Fco/s320/816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeBM4Ly9sINo0VBQcc7NU6pLv-L7fL3cluj6k1giJramreEodvPHpsvN2FWIQS64M5mvoJl-Bf-VlKVqjXjr-Gz3hfqvcnu2z-SUGXVzvrnXuRKncKmnVBL-XqShLzuVpzyIrEK1mdGA/s1600/817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeBM4Ly9sINo0VBQcc7NU6pLv-L7fL3cluj6k1giJramreEodvPHpsvN2FWIQS64M5mvoJl-Bf-VlKVqjXjr-Gz3hfqvcnu2z-SUGXVzvrnXuRKncKmnVBL-XqShLzuVpzyIrEK1mdGA/s320/817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzMOtRFz6s0T_vMMnVpRCnDwjsqG63TXH36g5v5yZY_DUX7W2tXEQdd4OCfu0bEKHfXaYOOHd60uyA6KuDKZqXlr8ay11iyrAIVQU0Ej6lgEi5RB0i8ftFjdrcvcjIDHSrrxQYN8slTY/s1600/818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzMOtRFz6s0T_vMMnVpRCnDwjsqG63TXH36g5v5yZY_DUX7W2tXEQdd4OCfu0bEKHfXaYOOHd60uyA6KuDKZqXlr8ay11iyrAIVQU0Ej6lgEi5RB0i8ftFjdrcvcjIDHSrrxQYN8slTY/s320/818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq1zlbNjTgZlK567riglEPWWNe2OXuv3f3Hptna_0oQuTVUkRQVWmGs9FkCkNybDhxIMOqqIxIqx54YcIam3DVNNMZO0EuSr_pfsgQAaHXGngFwpLLdPu8iZgtmL3o__TD6eO3G2DC8s/s1600/822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq1zlbNjTgZlK567riglEPWWNe2OXuv3f3Hptna_0oQuTVUkRQVWmGs9FkCkNybDhxIMOqqIxIqx54YcIam3DVNNMZO0EuSr_pfsgQAaHXGngFwpLLdPu8iZgtmL3o__TD6eO3G2DC8s/s320/822.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4w4r-dPT8x0LXyVjwurU9pulNs2we6pjrOpzu1HxLTiMoXqA0Dxb2v05Zks98NvFv5koagN6BwQWrOiKBxmUZUbstcf89X3RSWQ8DqdGPuEFadovYeWR81ks8h2Ba5ghpcqdfSjVDJc/s1600/824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4w4r-dPT8x0LXyVjwurU9pulNs2we6pjrOpzu1HxLTiMoXqA0Dxb2v05Zks98NvFv5koagN6BwQWrOiKBxmUZUbstcf89X3RSWQ8DqdGPuEFadovYeWR81ks8h2Ba5ghpcqdfSjVDJc/s320/824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MVkV0mPXbwiVGd54k6wNWn6N5hHGi-O_jhK8IUUPuwW2APJvF9PSSN5vwBzyzbjq4KlHQzSMr1PkSeThsuvZpdXGH5UOW0ozNaHErDvZbH_C5dDYxCTLesDzSxp8VSKi2IPZG6hBhUk/s1600/826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MVkV0mPXbwiVGd54k6wNWn6N5hHGi-O_jhK8IUUPuwW2APJvF9PSSN5vwBzyzbjq4KlHQzSMr1PkSeThsuvZpdXGH5UOW0ozNaHErDvZbH_C5dDYxCTLesDzSxp8VSKi2IPZG6hBhUk/s320/826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZIDVRsKdqDVcbE-BUB1RYRX9T-MUrvaoaV3bbIsBFDvSrq_mg7f5wBUAKywq3_b9KrpmwzMDMHuvBnQdk4dVpu7QEIpNioRlj5y_4kAC55SophTJd0HfyPZJ3f1VnmQ5DNc7_WcCes8/s1600/828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZIDVRsKdqDVcbE-BUB1RYRX9T-MUrvaoaV3bbIsBFDvSrq_mg7f5wBUAKywq3_b9KrpmwzMDMHuvBnQdk4dVpu7QEIpNioRlj5y_4kAC55SophTJd0HfyPZJ3f1VnmQ5DNc7_WcCes8/s320/828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JqSTZoG2YVAA1zEE7KtIhqozBlkJD5a8tPp3jqv0_P3p9Oub6JwjunN3IvxWBUD3Z1BvcQBTs6nlhBoeefnR1PF_XevPjFrzcU5PYK3ESECnWMfAQxCIsDZmvAoUpWX36JO234iqNxA/s1600/829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JqSTZoG2YVAA1zEE7KtIhqozBlkJD5a8tPp3jqv0_P3p9Oub6JwjunN3IvxWBUD3Z1BvcQBTs6nlhBoeefnR1PF_XevPjFrzcU5PYK3ESECnWMfAQxCIsDZmvAoUpWX36JO234iqNxA/s320/829.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnlhpLQkpNyjMCrFbo5HR2ekq-zzoCeTTD0f5MFoiAsyNNzdFIRhHbEflPrtshed4tVFzAKkWLRx8pDTX4ESLdQF1K9zxOTarwqt-r826lmwoGp8y89R6xBoxdiQ-CwfTigaET0nccoA/s1600/831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnlhpLQkpNyjMCrFbo5HR2ekq-zzoCeTTD0f5MFoiAsyNNzdFIRhHbEflPrtshed4tVFzAKkWLRx8pDTX4ESLdQF1K9zxOTarwqt-r826lmwoGp8y89R6xBoxdiQ-CwfTigaET0nccoA/s320/831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_CEvLmtcyhAB2qMmJp3mhVx_RcFE8qSDIISdi9gYMz9g5NoYAo5F1JLFxM7tX3vThyqS7ZLix5jfIsixlBKWv2XCr1kmDL8GU0L-veSDkEPUWkUFElpgcnMXeXAzK05gt7rs-JLHJXQ/s1600/836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_CEvLmtcyhAB2qMmJp3mhVx_RcFE8qSDIISdi9gYMz9g5NoYAo5F1JLFxM7tX3vThyqS7ZLix5jfIsixlBKWv2XCr1kmDL8GU0L-veSDkEPUWkUFElpgcnMXeXAzK05gt7rs-JLHJXQ/s320/836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB8B4bkj-E3QLliBBs43KFT3VeNOPKiZwyL0ZN2F4hVwKzrL2DsZuMDa2r2TvgSrbIhgaMRESZ1ZuyLOKdcenxrmUr5H56hCwnHkxSi026qOtIj5M8c-kSiI9px3GtTW7P1M0-qHqM7c/s1600/842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB8B4bkj-E3QLliBBs43KFT3VeNOPKiZwyL0ZN2F4hVwKzrL2DsZuMDa2r2TvgSrbIhgaMRESZ1ZuyLOKdcenxrmUr5H56hCwnHkxSi026qOtIj5M8c-kSiI9px3GtTW7P1M0-qHqM7c/s320/842.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLY60FQoevzbtPKfnfKDhyEbV0cZXFzaVBfZX7WMN-ypj3MxJl6L0N1SJK_S7-pskeWEpZiaXcmOGde45ZO3eZ729mAtlVfmk2ypHvnpLAC5Hwut7uDEtTDjZxfjVHgrvNqe-nQjrGvw/s1600/846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLY60FQoevzbtPKfnfKDhyEbV0cZXFzaVBfZX7WMN-ypj3MxJl6L0N1SJK_S7-pskeWEpZiaXcmOGde45ZO3eZ729mAtlVfmk2ypHvnpLAC5Hwut7uDEtTDjZxfjVHgrvNqe-nQjrGvw/s320/846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrma0Ygy3_TE8xckfu7N1yHXqgCBrU2dmy9WFa5kAhyPkDGJR_btZt8DG-b_N7TSxo6ea9YhOI-mGN7TFiJUtuSXEBEzPTSaSyWZcWuuUj5TO3uqoVvl7H_BnY-V7QoSxpJcPCHNmXGk/s1600/847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrma0Ygy3_TE8xckfu7N1yHXqgCBrU2dmy9WFa5kAhyPkDGJR_btZt8DG-b_N7TSxo6ea9YhOI-mGN7TFiJUtuSXEBEzPTSaSyWZcWuuUj5TO3uqoVvl7H_BnY-V7QoSxpJcPCHNmXGk/s320/847.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPfNdx-1_o-zWGVBN4Hs6lh4yEWAClEYebODCY_LC8Xmr0pJUXBRFX3WDpOJFpKwCPLvbGpgDCYDvc1IQ4ojIe-yvY7iax_vy21aCdNbgEQT35jDwGzI-YjTjol0gCU7XTa5Rl3iUm8Q/s1600/849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPfNdx-1_o-zWGVBN4Hs6lh4yEWAClEYebODCY_LC8Xmr0pJUXBRFX3WDpOJFpKwCPLvbGpgDCYDvc1IQ4ojIe-yvY7iax_vy21aCdNbgEQT35jDwGzI-YjTjol0gCU7XTa5Rl3iUm8Q/s320/849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK5qh5U9YplRdY_ALysEDJbrLOD2sZMnzehTHrFMItvvqeAkP8cq3RCl_uGX50ib8AaDnE7Q5Q7yPbupJeN-HCVvN67SYxzzjZbij2LhhpjezRgjL6bIHrFyChxJIBBwGPlyL8Al3q_Y/s1600/852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK5qh5U9YplRdY_ALysEDJbrLOD2sZMnzehTHrFMItvvqeAkP8cq3RCl_uGX50ib8AaDnE7Q5Q7yPbupJeN-HCVvN67SYxzzjZbij2LhhpjezRgjL6bIHrFyChxJIBBwGPlyL8Al3q_Y/s320/852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27VvfFkszgEkumgVjLFUpSd_2QiRsWOkqDDHBL0ZD66NwOAgxxNosKsDWpqcR6xsVHVChenmAzqRZNkJCZmKfI-V1ktlgWi1_BF9d9BaPvzp7MJAkE5WYgC6UTXosfg6paKbGex8eHiA/s1600/855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27VvfFkszgEkumgVjLFUpSd_2QiRsWOkqDDHBL0ZD66NwOAgxxNosKsDWpqcR6xsVHVChenmAzqRZNkJCZmKfI-V1ktlgWi1_BF9d9BaPvzp7MJAkE5WYgC6UTXosfg6paKbGex8eHiA/s320/855.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sm9K-O5s5a0lTJmSGIUaV2b_5YVxQHOpNUJ-O0kuP2q-cmDQxefc637qHfTClPoKiOnhyBBzVAkgB9cNyc0rwfbUTuTLIozyHX02b0CXXlICNSmJzJ3OMGuQljiMXs7N54PGNDPr3tU/s1600/857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sm9K-O5s5a0lTJmSGIUaV2b_5YVxQHOpNUJ-O0kuP2q-cmDQxefc637qHfTClPoKiOnhyBBzVAkgB9cNyc0rwfbUTuTLIozyHX02b0CXXlICNSmJzJ3OMGuQljiMXs7N54PGNDPr3tU/s320/857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuYwh5T6-zQDIWGqqup8nnSxMu8MLgl_6HcVOdhifFQPOJffH_rYUiA9p7px10F9a2YMd5TgAhdYh84ll3UUUA5uHtkqfuxrYFy4_FFiGBi4JYbuFVrXEC77CQqStPk3KmfFaxJfsSXo/s1600/858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuYwh5T6-zQDIWGqqup8nnSxMu8MLgl_6HcVOdhifFQPOJffH_rYUiA9p7px10F9a2YMd5TgAhdYh84ll3UUUA5uHtkqfuxrYFy4_FFiGBi4JYbuFVrXEC77CQqStPk3KmfFaxJfsSXo/s320/858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs3qOMCnPv6fYLeJXbxBuCKm_nKsJ7-fZkJt8W6X9fM9QrcXutVeGmxo4jIHPZ03Zhf1n-JE0v-mDlSHi1K6LTUoBoYv25XqwQPLrGAhGejR3PKiafowIlcmWDGqsIKtAslkysnbTVAE/s1600/861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs3qOMCnPv6fYLeJXbxBuCKm_nKsJ7-fZkJt8W6X9fM9QrcXutVeGmxo4jIHPZ03Zhf1n-JE0v-mDlSHi1K6LTUoBoYv25XqwQPLrGAhGejR3PKiafowIlcmWDGqsIKtAslkysnbTVAE/s320/861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-36206510861714946062012-10-09T15:25:00.002-07:002012-10-09T15:25:28.597-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 16.Sunday 3 June. Day 16.<br />
Xanthi to Malkara 133 miles.<br />
<br />
Well its another bright morning in Xanthi, as I'm coming out of hotel there are a coach full boarding their coach (I wonder where they are off too today?) Its also very quiet, its Sunday but I have lost track of the days all I have looked at is how many days to go really.<br />
<br />
I make the cycle back to get back onto the motorway again, hoping its going to be as flat as yesterday and I can get some miles in again. I'm back onto the motorway and first car that goes past is Police ! but its Ok they have not stopped to tell me to get off, which confirms to me that its Ok in Greece to cycle on a motorway. One thing that I have noticed along the Greek coastline you go through some tunnels in the cliffs, some small and some a little longer.<br />
<br />
After cycling a few hours I start to look out for the next town, to top up my supplies, as I'm going through water quickly now because its really hot weather, and its around the mid thirties in temp. I see a town called Komotini, I take the exit road and make my way towards the town, just a little further on a petrol station/shop.. I Pull in here and the only living thing I can see is a big dog on the forecourt... Typical ! and its giving me the eye ! haha. I better get off the bike and just walk slowly towards the shop, the dog keeps on eying me up but stays put! good. I walk inside and a guy is behind the counter I just grab usual water, sports drinks and sandwich just to keep me going until I come across another cafe like yesterday.<br />
<br />
I get stocked up and off I go, pushing the bike until I get far enough away from that dog haha. Then its back onto the motorway - not much really to see on this road, but it does help me get there quicker. By early afternoon, I see signs for Alexandroupolis - I see on the map that its by the sea.. Is it worth going to see the sea, or should I just plod on ? I turn off and head down the main road towards the town, I must be nearly there when I see a little cafe/restaurant on my right. I stop and prop my bike against the cafe wall, all the tables and chairs are under cover but you are still sat outside so it looked great.<br />
<br />
I checked out the menu and ordered a starter and main course and garlic bread - Not had that for a while but I was quite hungry, after this I ordered ice cream with my water and coke cola. What a meal and it was really cheap - I paid my bill inc a tip due to being very good and great service to the family that was serving everyone. I think they appreciated the tip in these hard times.<br />
<br />
Back on the bike I now, I decided not to carry onto the beach, instead I have a longish cycle back up the hill to the motorway, its very long and start to break a sweat again. Lots of water is the key... Notice I didn't have wine with my lunch ;-)<br />
<br />
I get back on motorway and headed towards the Turkish border, on the route towards I headed through a long tunnel, not really knowing if cyclists are allowed through I carried on regardless, as I got towards the end I see the sunlight and the tunnel end in sight, after coming out of the tunnel I also look immediate right and a guard is stood there looking as if he was going to say something, so as I start to stop then out of the blue a mad looking dog starts to run and goes straight past the guard and is heading straight for me..... Jeeeez! not again... I think quickly and start to cycle from a standing position, I think feck the guard whatever he was going to say - I'm off !! and it took a short time to get some speed up, the dog was chomping at the side of my panniers, while I was swerving from side to side shouting at that fecking dog to just do one (probably made the mad dog worse by shouting at the thing) anyway luckily enough there was a massive descent just after the tunnel opening, so I did start to get faster and faster was leaving the dog standing now and that guard was well in the distance by now.<br />
<br />
Phew ! that was too close... so these dogs are mental. even when the owners are there with them. I get a buzz when I was going down the hill now - I'm hitting between 30 and 40 mph so well chuffed. I'm nearly at the border now and thinking I'm nearly in Turkey, should I get more supplies at the last petrol station in Greece before I cross over the border - I do, and call at the last fuel station to buy water etc..<br />
<br />
After another hour I'm going through the border with Turkey - this border seems a lot more strict, I also have to pay some Turkish currency to enter the country. There are armed personnel all over the place, when passing them I just nod and say Alright ! not sure if they know that word.. there is a bridge at the border too, it seems to go on forever crossing from one country to the other. I get my passport stamped at the Turkish booth, and the guy asks where am I going - Istanbul I reply - he said 250km to Istanbul. Easy I replied !!<br />
<br />
The signs were stating 230km to Istanbul so not sure where he got 250km from.. anyway I'm in Turkey Yeah !! I'm nearly there - what a feeling. The road out from the border is a dusty and not in great repair so every car and van that goes past me throws up lots of clouds of dust and crap. Also I have a hill to climb as I head towards Istanbul, the flat roads appear to have gone :-( its more like Cornwall/Devon hills now (very rolling).<br />
<br />
Its still light the sun has not yet set, so I carry onwards, I pass a place called Kesan, it looks very populated and a great place to stay over, but my thoughts were I could probably get a bit further tonight which will mean less to cycle on my last day - easier day on final day was the plan.. I have my sights on a place called Malkara now, I have checked my phone map and according to that there are 2 hotels in that place, so I carry on, and on.. The roads are up and down, but mostly up nearing Malkara, also by this time the sun has set and the light is fading. I'm pushing myself towards Malkara, and take a left turn towards the town but its up hill again, twisting up and around then up again its relentless, and from the looks of it, theres not much here, so the 2 hotels that appeared on phone (will they be still here, and how updated was the info on my phone map app)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I'm nearly at the top of the climb and start to see signs of civilization some kids run over asking What my name ?? What my name ?? I just reply Madhead - they look confused as I cycle on further looking for these elusive hotels. Its more populated by now and I stop to ask someone where hotel is? I get blank look so I carry on searching around, after 10 mins I see one that was on my map app, I head towards and enter the front door, I look up at the steepest staircase obviously up to the reception, so its lift and struggle carrying the bike up them sweating like a pig (hope they have a room now) The guy at the desk didn't really speak much english so I had to get the phone translate out and give him the question Do you have a room 1 night how much please ?? He took 10 euros, I thought bargain - but I had not seen where I was sleeping yet ! <br />
<br />
He took me to the room, after a lot of trying to communicate, and gave me the key and displayed the action to me of how to open and close the door to get in and out.... Right I thought no wonder its 10 euros per night, I asked any food, he said No. Then he went to the window overlooking the street outside and hand signaled the directions to Kebab place, food there he said.<br />
<br />
After sorting bike and room out I headed out to find this kebab shop for some supper. I did find it, in fact I had 2 kebabs, and a coke. I was the only person in this cafe type place so after I had eaten I returned back to hotel, didn't really feel like it was a safe place for me. After getting back to hotel I said bye, to the guy at reception (think he was the owner as he was trying to make conversation, also he was on the computer) and after I had told him where I was going tomorrow he brought up on computer all the places to check out and see whilst I was their. (great bloke for doing that for me, but now I just needed to sleep) I get back to my room, tackle the door before getting some sleep.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexsaZbp8b4Mbj2Dh7O_8i2zKbl7O8AdJIdakBNdxB3lYPZCajFyuXqIq5tLGIHADfKxmdU1geNhk9gyEoAsu6UqUqAMuHFKKWKmAvUofB52jz-CwoBd3nZXIMQtb-SavtcBhk45cEZ4A/s1600/775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexsaZbp8b4Mbj2Dh7O_8i2zKbl7O8AdJIdakBNdxB3lYPZCajFyuXqIq5tLGIHADfKxmdU1geNhk9gyEoAsu6UqUqAMuHFKKWKmAvUofB52jz-CwoBd3nZXIMQtb-SavtcBhk45cEZ4A/s320/775.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L278lc3bdrdKL6xIDsCXJ5Zpah6aZV-eUkW6qCsA224z5TzNPYgBmb7fJwkd5_M-JXcFp_ORDgPE6GLqFXfUNPymKqfbH7XMt456PdhvKRJyDK8_97Ma3jjjEkcVF7Z4hr0vGF7m5WE/s1600/776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L278lc3bdrdKL6xIDsCXJ5Zpah6aZV-eUkW6qCsA224z5TzNPYgBmb7fJwkd5_M-JXcFp_ORDgPE6GLqFXfUNPymKqfbH7XMt456PdhvKRJyDK8_97Ma3jjjEkcVF7Z4hr0vGF7m5WE/s320/776.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjIPovFqmNsye_IWS2UoPBQJXyab_TNNOQ4qPUqSutCGgBUWFFORKLI1X0A-wkU3PDGeApyVT3t3tVjXzfupvvQAnd-MZmk37_VIPqBFRd7AduzFXOVb7H9aS3VpnV80NthqCfqeze_4/s1600/780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjIPovFqmNsye_IWS2UoPBQJXyab_TNNOQ4qPUqSutCGgBUWFFORKLI1X0A-wkU3PDGeApyVT3t3tVjXzfupvvQAnd-MZmk37_VIPqBFRd7AduzFXOVb7H9aS3VpnV80NthqCfqeze_4/s320/780.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DKqd4gjXPb9hshRNAPImvtUxDCw2L-JU84DMKzbUZt4-tgTIfmtixO0HSG1rXJeqV04HcJot0nCM_gYCGXGx3AfJH-Pd_rTMMVher7hwtpIR5_JCQaxt_rs3_Jjb6jmMYOsoZUs6Zzw/s1600/781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DKqd4gjXPb9hshRNAPImvtUxDCw2L-JU84DMKzbUZt4-tgTIfmtixO0HSG1rXJeqV04HcJot0nCM_gYCGXGx3AfJH-Pd_rTMMVher7hwtpIR5_JCQaxt_rs3_Jjb6jmMYOsoZUs6Zzw/s320/781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiWEDTq7FfkySmzgGTeLi3e2rvEgZ1j3mJ81dpWJJfGxes7HGXrpPBr5Hiuuwj2h7M4xlHZicF725NEtvkd6yI6X5cQ7S15T8XGHG1anZOtHzivWY7NI1fXVMp2awtg928dZ7cJ4rUIs/s1600/782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiWEDTq7FfkySmzgGTeLi3e2rvEgZ1j3mJ81dpWJJfGxes7HGXrpPBr5Hiuuwj2h7M4xlHZicF725NEtvkd6yI6X5cQ7S15T8XGHG1anZOtHzivWY7NI1fXVMp2awtg928dZ7cJ4rUIs/s320/782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lWUBRGthbyUfQm7kwIOoXw7ByZtKYIrisMLd-K1e5B6MBU9rhDYykJ3FsZQT9NdRQ2M4VTXZzqO_jlVCQNXQMMcfI_i7XyjgyMMQXF8Uu4FwBdn6Ed8PKJPjysj6Fk3ReqUO2Hi1M5o/s1600/784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lWUBRGthbyUfQm7kwIOoXw7ByZtKYIrisMLd-K1e5B6MBU9rhDYykJ3FsZQT9NdRQ2M4VTXZzqO_jlVCQNXQMMcfI_i7XyjgyMMQXF8Uu4FwBdn6Ed8PKJPjysj6Fk3ReqUO2Hi1M5o/s320/784.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDWzgYxzuTW_D-9TJGgofoL126ZcYkv_MTSBpenUtg4AgEJ4QK3-KORp-fPcUm0ja8zpghKxyQqDbAphXzgZwUo0r5sPvM5Bd0SqQcRp1GfOmJa2_s6RqthGuksUMtmi_24UhoQcDc-w/s1600/785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDWzgYxzuTW_D-9TJGgofoL126ZcYkv_MTSBpenUtg4AgEJ4QK3-KORp-fPcUm0ja8zpghKxyQqDbAphXzgZwUo0r5sPvM5Bd0SqQcRp1GfOmJa2_s6RqthGuksUMtmi_24UhoQcDc-w/s320/785.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIeXP402DPuEj_vqQs6koArNmS_FTFfcrNOr6S_5FOZt6zLNPMMCx4iSjsOATWH5rxPcQDl4DjwFJ7lCv9qMwITXj-eWajpXnpoRTQT4MG59EoOSQkFDkyeDYkDUC_Zrvg6T2lCWGE48/s1600/786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIeXP402DPuEj_vqQs6koArNmS_FTFfcrNOr6S_5FOZt6zLNPMMCx4iSjsOATWH5rxPcQDl4DjwFJ7lCv9qMwITXj-eWajpXnpoRTQT4MG59EoOSQkFDkyeDYkDUC_Zrvg6T2lCWGE48/s320/786.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIyHbu_3ReGb-A9WyUq48wL6H2Gc-Bx_GXhiCQFDmPNwK8LrgIIOwNQWVc5CBsSANUkDI1RSeDfvmk8aXMiyjbz_VktJKnQzviI1cWKb0Ev0UXLcV2fEdwjs7LEXs5RhqaabrEtyw6g/s1600/787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTIyHbu_3ReGb-A9WyUq48wL6H2Gc-Bx_GXhiCQFDmPNwK8LrgIIOwNQWVc5CBsSANUkDI1RSeDfvmk8aXMiyjbz_VktJKnQzviI1cWKb0Ev0UXLcV2fEdwjs7LEXs5RhqaabrEtyw6g/s320/787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6-UfLpfRYrsgXH5j_8FCtKzq3UtjANhfE3oxMLPRIchotfwEoZoQku66wu6Vf4c0RUqzTN_CLi-Aq_gfF80nNNaRTM63NyoPLVw3rwRfDzOQvl3MBuzhpl0kYIYBkBZ-XSPF_izpS5g/s1600/788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6-UfLpfRYrsgXH5j_8FCtKzq3UtjANhfE3oxMLPRIchotfwEoZoQku66wu6Vf4c0RUqzTN_CLi-Aq_gfF80nNNaRTM63NyoPLVw3rwRfDzOQvl3MBuzhpl0kYIYBkBZ-XSPF_izpS5g/s320/788.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGDncdNarQuc6pBJ4L6UcZwmZMmjxk_FDhTELZJjZi1OZpSw_oclICqs2q4zzWF5ZV9BYBLGzSaCLA3aZrDysZedyVLCxz2MJp74ArT52-VGJI_eZ5k1uiF-OECzhjXWD15LunYlo-34/s1600/789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGDncdNarQuc6pBJ4L6UcZwmZMmjxk_FDhTELZJjZi1OZpSw_oclICqs2q4zzWF5ZV9BYBLGzSaCLA3aZrDysZedyVLCxz2MJp74ArT52-VGJI_eZ5k1uiF-OECzhjXWD15LunYlo-34/s320/789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6hkj-vm2WOTVlNWufVJe2rHhexlC5Lqq6h9b4NyrZoaylqJauL5o9gdCp8TzffQ4w-ejj71dsuaITo9SrJpLKwoIJBe7iI4JpDTWgMcw_1YKef06P1gODw23VLhNLgnd28_zgtRV06Q/s1600/791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6hkj-vm2WOTVlNWufVJe2rHhexlC5Lqq6h9b4NyrZoaylqJauL5o9gdCp8TzffQ4w-ejj71dsuaITo9SrJpLKwoIJBe7iI4JpDTWgMcw_1YKef06P1gODw23VLhNLgnd28_zgtRV06Q/s320/791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45OFyBDIo2pvRIEFAqQS1rB-GWKJxZKrGDjI_lM8Jc-wkfeLONXcIBfuHacOtpYC-AJ_YrlDAlSOIIQGJ0x5iItJZkOSYtKXnDskC2_D8uXGKVhAQpmANDAJzGzS5la3W63b8YqX0hqE/s1600/792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45OFyBDIo2pvRIEFAqQS1rB-GWKJxZKrGDjI_lM8Jc-wkfeLONXcIBfuHacOtpYC-AJ_YrlDAlSOIIQGJ0x5iItJZkOSYtKXnDskC2_D8uXGKVhAQpmANDAJzGzS5la3W63b8YqX0hqE/s320/792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqjYowJX-XvZpDJu5arYfF6RAHi36AVShjQ4-u_WMF2o0nq3VQxxqd9IfyN0Y2hp-9K6yMmlUNnS7OHRpgiEjD5sn0eKOkILEl8caZ0ztJ7qtUrZ3hK2lca2YI5taj4h09EtCdoiISV8/s1600/793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqjYowJX-XvZpDJu5arYfF6RAHi36AVShjQ4-u_WMF2o0nq3VQxxqd9IfyN0Y2hp-9K6yMmlUNnS7OHRpgiEjD5sn0eKOkILEl8caZ0ztJ7qtUrZ3hK2lca2YI5taj4h09EtCdoiISV8/s320/793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y3HIQG16xAj1svKl6ZMrbge3vKdaYwUCXPJtPww_geMbuZYr4TLDYEh8OifGmg6PzAyGazHf3sCMsTdqsEMoAQXRFumaUdV1Y1RK0j6p1bQ563gB7RBFAZx5PkegMXO67oB1miLLGTI/s1600/794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y3HIQG16xAj1svKl6ZMrbge3vKdaYwUCXPJtPww_geMbuZYr4TLDYEh8OifGmg6PzAyGazHf3sCMsTdqsEMoAQXRFumaUdV1Y1RK0j6p1bQ563gB7RBFAZx5PkegMXO67oB1miLLGTI/s320/794.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWghlwVxD4p58PP5vmoQRXNAiCqjbOBaain5zjRgp_nWzciXr4Be5uxKhYYV1gkXza8fIpMdCzpEDFP7zhe_XTFzffy4R0LszhzfKRyGyo59TQ9AKyqUGIsWTTqJaxmpjZZAIdUb2CeIQ/s1600/797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWghlwVxD4p58PP5vmoQRXNAiCqjbOBaain5zjRgp_nWzciXr4Be5uxKhYYV1gkXza8fIpMdCzpEDFP7zhe_XTFzffy4R0LszhzfKRyGyo59TQ9AKyqUGIsWTTqJaxmpjZZAIdUb2CeIQ/s320/797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdI8BOJiJj-SVxCORVpnJ2pkavp4IYfYSQ31XowujB9oD_KubNx84m0x4qm2UO_z2T2sh8SD3Kd981ANOPk2B4w5YoNlwELnrR9OzYfurMg2uIe9EvCxYcXgAY5U43Tai6TODgT_ZVYY/s1600/798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdI8BOJiJj-SVxCORVpnJ2pkavp4IYfYSQ31XowujB9oD_KubNx84m0x4qm2UO_z2T2sh8SD3Kd981ANOPk2B4w5YoNlwELnrR9OzYfurMg2uIe9EvCxYcXgAY5U43Tai6TODgT_ZVYY/s320/798.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiV7E1-mYr_5Svd9blk5kHLEp4lKt0I03C1xbTJuyAa6KWiMLzZNIOtk8Gs_HvbCGPHYwshKM4bzLbnRsn5uMS1Ln5MtDh9IuAn3froXl1UpqE-ALGutt3rPT_uG_qD80NNch4vlUsag/s1600/799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiV7E1-mYr_5Svd9blk5kHLEp4lKt0I03C1xbTJuyAa6KWiMLzZNIOtk8Gs_HvbCGPHYwshKM4bzLbnRsn5uMS1Ln5MtDh9IuAn3froXl1UpqE-ALGutt3rPT_uG_qD80NNch4vlUsag/s320/799.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5s_JOc0QHLJbKRtJ-awD2m3aJWL2E1RZ8Qq1tscMOAyuRdtDqtle6dEeXAl0Z6xekjzPprA0xuyFplD5Y95yLni_KBfAjgAW4PQYLYzcxmmV9Q9B9yWLg7LyQqhSM6aPBJB1VismJdg/s1600/800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5s_JOc0QHLJbKRtJ-awD2m3aJWL2E1RZ8Qq1tscMOAyuRdtDqtle6dEeXAl0Z6xekjzPprA0xuyFplD5Y95yLni_KBfAjgAW4PQYLYzcxmmV9Q9B9yWLg7LyQqhSM6aPBJB1VismJdg/s320/800.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-65720881152553822012012-10-09T12:34:00.001-07:002012-10-09T12:34:38.920-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 15.Saturday 2 June. Day 15.<br />
Thessaloniki to Xanthi 132 miles.<br />
<br />
After a nice breakfast and "lots of it" in the nice, but little expensive hotel. I was loading up my bike with the panniers. All my phones and gps solar chargers were fully charged again after plugging them into the mains overnight. The porter helped me out of the hotel and was asking where I was going to and where I came from he was very impressed that I was carrying so much weight on my bike and also that I had come so far in so little time. I waved at him as I left the hotel, it was a long way out of the centre to get onto the motorway. I stopped at a little kiosk en route for water etc..<br />
<br />
The weather was fantastic and clear blue skies, but when I cycled out of the shade of the buildings the sun was baking hot. It was a busy place Thessaloniki, and getting out of town was busy too. I eventually, get to the motorway and my thoughts are - Can I cycle along here ? Well, it's a really great road surface probably matching western european roads for smoothness, and after the initial climb out of the centre the motorway is very flat, and continues to be like this all morning with only a few gradual climbs.<br />
<br />
As this motorway is elevated a little with fences running along side each carriageway I get the feeling I could be out of reach of any mad dogs along the way today. Having said that I was cruising along at about 25mph (easy miles) when in the distance I heard a little barking of a dog, I looked to my right over the fields and in the distance I see a dog heading over in my direction haha Oh no here we go again I thought ! Well, this time I had the fence and also there was a side road that run parallel to the motorway, the dog was flying and started to run on the side road but was looking up at me barking away at me, it was only a little dog but it couldn't half run ! I checked out my speed and it was about 28mph, and the little fecker was keeping up with me haha.. after a few minutes it stopped and turned around and went back in the direction it ran from, I was thinking at the time - why are these dogs finding me so interesting that they run miles to get to me ! I can remember tweeting I'm sure these dogs think I'm the "Pedigree chum" guy with my panniers full of dog food.<br />
<br />
I plod on covering great miles today, its brilliant - sunny, smooth, flat roads. In the distance and from signs coming up I see there is a toll coming up ! Now... What do I do now ? do I carry on and maybe risk getting told to get off ! or do I launch my bike over the fence and carry on on the side road then after the toll booth launch the bike back over onto the motorway side ?<br />
<br />
Well, just before you reach the toll booth there is a snack van and eating area to the right, so I pull in and take a toilet break, and also go to the snack van. Coffee please I asked the guy in the van, I also tried to ask if he knew if I could get through on my bike - He say - Maybe! Maybe not! Thats good then :-)<br />
<br />
I decide after my cold coffee (Yuk!) to head towards the toll, I pull up at the end booth a young guy looks and I ask how much ? He laughs and gestures to carry on through no charge ! That'll do for me, so I must be Ok to cycle on the motorways. Brilliant! <br />
<br />
I cycle on into the afternoon, and see a sign for a cafe/service area, so I pull off and follow the signs, when I get there it's a cracking place there is lots of hot food on display, and there is hardly anybody in the place, so plenty of tables to sit down and eat/chill for a while. It was certainly the best meal I had throughout the day anywhere, it was roast chicken, jacket potato, bread butter the lot… also plenty of coffee, water and sports drinks ! I even called Mrs F to say I've had the best daytime meal on the trip (makes a change from sandwiches, cake, crisps, chocolate etc). I must have stayed there an hour and had a great rest, and even danced with my headphones on the Abba gold on ipod :-)) Happy Chappy.<br />
<br />
After my break I carry on heading towards Xanthi, this was the place I would be happy to make this evening. I was knocking the miles out much easier today and passed some brilliant views of beaches (Kavala) very nice sandy beach in my photos.<br />
<br />
Just as the sun was going down I reach the turn off for Xanthi, it took about 30 mins to get to the centre from the motorway. I see a hotel on my left I pull in, prop the bike up outside and walk in and ask how much? 30 euros - it looks Ok so I book in, only one problem! no food... So after getting sorted shower/change, I take a walk down the main road, the guy on reception pointed me in the direction of a restaurant, after 10 mins walking i reach it - looks like a local - get together place - as its very busy. I take a seat and wait to place my order, the waiter comes over and takes my order - Spaghetti bolognese oh, and some wine. The waiter didn't bring a bottle over or jug.. just a single glass of wine. The wine went down very quickly and I kept on asking for another glass, after glass after glass :-) at the end he brought my a big glass of Red over and said One on the house sir ! Fantastic what a guy !! Needless to say after around 11.30pm I staggered back to the hotel very happy again for another night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwfZie5p06h-ECBgIMGPVdU_5ASN2voXuIDx0wmtior_22GBnSLmvUrYYHjYf8LhR4CZHpKZbB9mWZENmZNxlO0IijE4L8mwLvtOrxpQolV12okzygX_eZUeBPup13udtmRWtedeF4Zo/s1600/747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwfZie5p06h-ECBgIMGPVdU_5ASN2voXuIDx0wmtior_22GBnSLmvUrYYHjYf8LhR4CZHpKZbB9mWZENmZNxlO0IijE4L8mwLvtOrxpQolV12okzygX_eZUeBPup13udtmRWtedeF4Zo/s320/747.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyAsZNnc0q5M5d3yEYcUgRtXVNFcXkwfgng6OMSl9rZc8O5OX7Hhq17UO8oUQPj8DWINl3SkqFWZldSh23EFSSCglRwWsO38mUg7EFAQzyGB8ir_1eL02txsiPZmwmOXzDcvebgFHDaw/s1600/748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyAsZNnc0q5M5d3yEYcUgRtXVNFcXkwfgng6OMSl9rZc8O5OX7Hhq17UO8oUQPj8DWINl3SkqFWZldSh23EFSSCglRwWsO38mUg7EFAQzyGB8ir_1eL02txsiPZmwmOXzDcvebgFHDaw/s320/748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNcWa1BBoUXnyw8MmV4kFZ4GFaXhv_x7kmHqFHZ9wVhHcxg_zh0M8_wTFm4KP9RdKiEcZpimpFE17UMbElgriksXAuJO0UefxJckU5ar-oodRbuKJMqCFgxwLECah2zddN2DqhftHsV0/s1600/749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNcWa1BBoUXnyw8MmV4kFZ4GFaXhv_x7kmHqFHZ9wVhHcxg_zh0M8_wTFm4KP9RdKiEcZpimpFE17UMbElgriksXAuJO0UefxJckU5ar-oodRbuKJMqCFgxwLECah2zddN2DqhftHsV0/s320/749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6nEMd_0-xcLXN6VjoXtA8JvzUNmj7Fryym-0Qc2rp8SAUvZLZbLdlqtc9hmq-NxApgyA6Y9e0CSqcYADi1jAeRWHcce-0uXplyDZHS7x8mrHWdvoAfSBCLFNEjNzwknHw1GHHjUYi2s/s1600/751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6nEMd_0-xcLXN6VjoXtA8JvzUNmj7Fryym-0Qc2rp8SAUvZLZbLdlqtc9hmq-NxApgyA6Y9e0CSqcYADi1jAeRWHcce-0uXplyDZHS7x8mrHWdvoAfSBCLFNEjNzwknHw1GHHjUYi2s/s320/751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFm0x7eMquSmrFcEJC305crLWpxO5h0dd-y3c_hlSKbOZZIbZA0jSOvAqP8VRZmmC2QCeKwSsXAk3IFkBDUaLel1oZJkpIZLIdcBZJJoyXuVDGvluKu3buuzwZNKlNJNpHcTo-Reajk4/s1600/753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFm0x7eMquSmrFcEJC305crLWpxO5h0dd-y3c_hlSKbOZZIbZA0jSOvAqP8VRZmmC2QCeKwSsXAk3IFkBDUaLel1oZJkpIZLIdcBZJJoyXuVDGvluKu3buuzwZNKlNJNpHcTo-Reajk4/s320/753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0xK-8pWH5tWLkq6bq3K8aFpkqnU7XE6ewtsN9QH11rY__4sEJTJwIakvDqtWNC5dOGsZ0zl8qhlGY_9_z7s8cdlG43pGVfOzUnEdR-i1SqH7UoQ9IOK9Kr4I3Rviw6KposoDxp6KG9s/s1600/754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0xK-8pWH5tWLkq6bq3K8aFpkqnU7XE6ewtsN9QH11rY__4sEJTJwIakvDqtWNC5dOGsZ0zl8qhlGY_9_z7s8cdlG43pGVfOzUnEdR-i1SqH7UoQ9IOK9Kr4I3Rviw6KposoDxp6KG9s/s320/754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz5K1L4QPSeiOQ0nTbipRVKzuRsGzgEWHy_bLZ3uxIIEY24SUEPqzxbkLrFXDK_cTxW0hbwaBgK07t33Z1lZjgHaxeyO71R9l20RpntoanljQNSVVDfT62kl0KCbPHOz_6ufooRsB7rY/s1600/755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz5K1L4QPSeiOQ0nTbipRVKzuRsGzgEWHy_bLZ3uxIIEY24SUEPqzxbkLrFXDK_cTxW0hbwaBgK07t33Z1lZjgHaxeyO71R9l20RpntoanljQNSVVDfT62kl0KCbPHOz_6ufooRsB7rY/s320/755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MZ7u0fCNuZcR-9kUoA7FOq52urt41TGoi2L2tn3_mcCuSvjGXZjFANyZT1ggn5mmtIz0EF2jBOrT12ie6QDdFX6VTeU7fbpAqrX-zTjrliz5Q4iq39jBwWHCkbtGSkLvu0sncDjDAeI/s1600/756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MZ7u0fCNuZcR-9kUoA7FOq52urt41TGoi2L2tn3_mcCuSvjGXZjFANyZT1ggn5mmtIz0EF2jBOrT12ie6QDdFX6VTeU7fbpAqrX-zTjrliz5Q4iq39jBwWHCkbtGSkLvu0sncDjDAeI/s320/756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA65nhyphenhyphenyrIBayt-R68kXJxn7iMFm6NdHU9WiBEzkXhjpsLLdQefhJ8KvSoN5jsaQ5tZhG11m8hrl-1fyoww5PbDCrMGTWQm2mFKOQc6Qkt_tp9p78JKuYGdjlHknoYq9WZgCkMOGDhi8I/s1600/757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA65nhyphenhyphenyrIBayt-R68kXJxn7iMFm6NdHU9WiBEzkXhjpsLLdQefhJ8KvSoN5jsaQ5tZhG11m8hrl-1fyoww5PbDCrMGTWQm2mFKOQc6Qkt_tp9p78JKuYGdjlHknoYq9WZgCkMOGDhi8I/s320/757.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOLsugOFmBScQY8RRn_vDcGi63W2aIskynVxPHmTwaVCu8G0HM96cNSCljJprGxkeoymBk4EdHhA3W2befLLNv8dT5etTfyf6xTxxziexwp41msUAX9h1odhYNpGG3gY157Ny6V3ssKI/s1600/758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOLsugOFmBScQY8RRn_vDcGi63W2aIskynVxPHmTwaVCu8G0HM96cNSCljJprGxkeoymBk4EdHhA3W2befLLNv8dT5etTfyf6xTxxziexwp41msUAX9h1odhYNpGG3gY157Ny6V3ssKI/s320/758.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuiDccXQrcwVj6Acjo58CevsyWiJ6zXwKdI8zjvMmV4jgjKzQzK2GU2FAJDL8QvAMYNkuLdlzzbxDICigDMqJEhXQz2JH2F0IJfBbUhjh1-jEVJhdtzesGysSeoPmeQQPl1F9ZCspPU4/s1600/759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuiDccXQrcwVj6Acjo58CevsyWiJ6zXwKdI8zjvMmV4jgjKzQzK2GU2FAJDL8QvAMYNkuLdlzzbxDICigDMqJEhXQz2JH2F0IJfBbUhjh1-jEVJhdtzesGysSeoPmeQQPl1F9ZCspPU4/s320/759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQC0nM3TflL_ntDVB0iLKELA61EiSeeoXdLCCdfAxT4NFsSjvNAFDp1JC6jYFsXBBQZiJXJ7norOJOfioyzBzg28YPUI6P4aidPSs2GNSS1JEkNp0OX5hcOFUKybEsXmIwbpacAyx7Jc/s1600/760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQC0nM3TflL_ntDVB0iLKELA61EiSeeoXdLCCdfAxT4NFsSjvNAFDp1JC6jYFsXBBQZiJXJ7norOJOfioyzBzg28YPUI6P4aidPSs2GNSS1JEkNp0OX5hcOFUKybEsXmIwbpacAyx7Jc/s320/760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovb6J5GXpnxFoupnC6j2Q6n-YuasJhGl6QpjGzfzDTqfv-ahA4T2QWk8oPMOyreHHBaMMh60dXXwGwro_e-_K4OHqH4zxo0xxjZAqg7_YDzQB_4WAfDnZcOO2YZBu3VqY8bU7uiZrCqg/s1600/762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovb6J5GXpnxFoupnC6j2Q6n-YuasJhGl6QpjGzfzDTqfv-ahA4T2QWk8oPMOyreHHBaMMh60dXXwGwro_e-_K4OHqH4zxo0xxjZAqg7_YDzQB_4WAfDnZcOO2YZBu3VqY8bU7uiZrCqg/s320/762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGHS3D95rwjGbMJNZFcCFdL-s4MmmCIFgYmHTxbGrW4JPjav09nvhT3vpQu3en0U0cH70wZO929riLJZq8WPO08zWq2FcH4d1pcgLBnOIsMg3KYGfoB2p3sZZakJB1NOrUNnpPtvmi0k/s1600/764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGHS3D95rwjGbMJNZFcCFdL-s4MmmCIFgYmHTxbGrW4JPjav09nvhT3vpQu3en0U0cH70wZO929riLJZq8WPO08zWq2FcH4d1pcgLBnOIsMg3KYGfoB2p3sZZakJB1NOrUNnpPtvmi0k/s320/764.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYqKAV3mrBicH9wPF-x-zQNpTkzyaFB1P2WfTEEbv0Y0wGQtOyaa-E4c3Zbuaxrf3XMyjxyQ-693Bgo9R_mqNOEYte8W1q58fO3JaDPsP8ojsxM8nfUIBUSAfAxCsfhCTrJY87U4aNvY/s1600/765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYqKAV3mrBicH9wPF-x-zQNpTkzyaFB1P2WfTEEbv0Y0wGQtOyaa-E4c3Zbuaxrf3XMyjxyQ-693Bgo9R_mqNOEYte8W1q58fO3JaDPsP8ojsxM8nfUIBUSAfAxCsfhCTrJY87U4aNvY/s320/765.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfecU7rwWEf2ttxzy0Db90AYI4UBVmBDmV8ay4aDFrcS9776PQ2UVctpsQdWhv46P1acOhrgKixk15AQV9n4-Gz7EcixXfHPZLUZCPGiNrXiZ3Hj0B_kmVH1UCB5GMxm4-C3XFneB6mo/s1600/766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfecU7rwWEf2ttxzy0Db90AYI4UBVmBDmV8ay4aDFrcS9776PQ2UVctpsQdWhv46P1acOhrgKixk15AQV9n4-Gz7EcixXfHPZLUZCPGiNrXiZ3Hj0B_kmVH1UCB5GMxm4-C3XFneB6mo/s320/766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-PcSBgzz7OS0GXOCC8tRFIhGkeq7tZ9UoThnvlYmNoOIC8UCxvESAV4B0kiqQB_12SWj2FEiVa46CZVI988M94Q3w4DnnGuod5v0W20acJNaPldwv_fQVu3gllwd462az89nCg7TnZA/s1600/767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-PcSBgzz7OS0GXOCC8tRFIhGkeq7tZ9UoThnvlYmNoOIC8UCxvESAV4B0kiqQB_12SWj2FEiVa46CZVI988M94Q3w4DnnGuod5v0W20acJNaPldwv_fQVu3gllwd462az89nCg7TnZA/s320/767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JR5DEH9RbSRo5MWKehRPr1zqfWr-o5I-hie49bcmTMdnvx_SFcGzY-0PSm5-xcDMMpc0SoA6YYRzqjnin_BLivfncwPN9tKuI0mrQUo2DttJyPIfL6HzqR66fkGUDEKz6of1N4I1Vm0/s1600/768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JR5DEH9RbSRo5MWKehRPr1zqfWr-o5I-hie49bcmTMdnvx_SFcGzY-0PSm5-xcDMMpc0SoA6YYRzqjnin_BLivfncwPN9tKuI0mrQUo2DttJyPIfL6HzqR66fkGUDEKz6of1N4I1Vm0/s320/768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_nfVYsZZ0f1Jwkax_LzItc13vBCHno7aup5KxlyVfup0UJEBW6Ix9mDogd_ySmZ4BibLEbMsXyXb5_e2Ii1C6lZ8AJCAfGiebTZ6DsNuNrU7wJ__m5SH1sHI9J3pRZjkSqGQ-Hu68rA/s1600/769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_nfVYsZZ0f1Jwkax_LzItc13vBCHno7aup5KxlyVfup0UJEBW6Ix9mDogd_ySmZ4BibLEbMsXyXb5_e2Ii1C6lZ8AJCAfGiebTZ6DsNuNrU7wJ__m5SH1sHI9J3pRZjkSqGQ-Hu68rA/s320/769.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3P3V5QAJyym_sMruGsI3k_NRkeLPT7NdPuYaMWGIUpa9xDJ2OniBgtdblwHieN6EC0j6Jkgg3od6bcSoFtknmxLOA79JWgq97hrVW6D3H1Bx3fY98T9aGHenzq8dtYX32p0WQehE6S4/s1600/770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3P3V5QAJyym_sMruGsI3k_NRkeLPT7NdPuYaMWGIUpa9xDJ2OniBgtdblwHieN6EC0j6Jkgg3od6bcSoFtknmxLOA79JWgq97hrVW6D3H1Bx3fY98T9aGHenzq8dtYX32p0WQehE6S4/s320/770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAfJlPlXzLx-Jrtpn8PL4DtS-PLzAc_Ii44vHmTZM4OhOTfVRuUvwFMoQ6TzQpzPNyA2AFnhZr4ptMbOCOLmAV3XBaXvXkVAWQhu5vup-SqSpWijjmHZrFJoiYwtA7opxzDumYHIzY5c/s1600/771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAfJlPlXzLx-Jrtpn8PL4DtS-PLzAc_Ii44vHmTZM4OhOTfVRuUvwFMoQ6TzQpzPNyA2AFnhZr4ptMbOCOLmAV3XBaXvXkVAWQhu5vup-SqSpWijjmHZrFJoiYwtA7opxzDumYHIzY5c/s320/771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZo56gNFqMxvjHSA4PM_KPEDIQhGsP1dcygs7qFcsFkRsXJKYWT_PRAo56k-7jSUUXCqOXkW4qUsszCidWaLkvrjeVQiB-GA3ZbMtqFi8_dG3znV0sKUJ4b3AU5c9Bc7AT1c57DEK5WQ/s1600/772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZo56gNFqMxvjHSA4PM_KPEDIQhGsP1dcygs7qFcsFkRsXJKYWT_PRAo56k-7jSUUXCqOXkW4qUsszCidWaLkvrjeVQiB-GA3ZbMtqFi8_dG3znV0sKUJ4b3AU5c9Bc7AT1c57DEK5WQ/s320/772.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-46417299852034740782012-10-08T14:17:00.002-07:002012-10-08T14:17:47.143-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 14.Friday 1 June. Day 14.<br />
Bitola to Thessaloniki 148 miles.<br />
<br />
After a damp night and hardly any sleep, not forgetting the little snack and drink of last nights supper, I was awake and getting out of my tent at around 6 am it was bright but very chilly and no rain :-) I took a photo of my sleeping pad as I couldn't see a thing last night in the darkness.<br />
<br />
Eventually getting the bike and myself back to the main road then off headed towards Bitola centre. I was off, my thought was I should warm up soon as I start to clock up the miles for today. It was around 7am I was cycling downhill and noticed a petrol station, my first thought was FOOD.. I got off the bike I wandered inside, and I just picked up quite a few things. usual sandwich, cake, biscuits and crisps and chocolate. I tucked in when I got outside the petrol station, then headed into the centre of Bitola. Whilst cycling into the centre it was not like I would have expected, it was a little spread out and I didn't really come across any hotels, so to camp before the centre was probably the best choice last night.<br />
<br />
I was headed in the direction of the Greek border, a sign I passed at a fork in the road showed a right direction, although the main road veered left hand side, but I carried on along the road, it was a quiet road so it was nice and peaceful , I was going for a good hour and still checked out my iphone map and yes, I was heading in the right direction. I stopped off at a bullet ridden sign to apply some sun cream, whilst applying the sun cream I could not help to be thinking how long have those bullet holes been on that sign... Was it recently? is it dangerous here ? All these thoughts were in my head, but carried on regardless.<br />
<br />
After some time the road was getting narrower, and more rough. I checked out the phone map again, and the signal was very poor even trying to locate me was proving difficult, I didn't even bother using the Garmin as it run out of charge overnight. I carried on into this what looked like a farm yard/field, it was up hill so was starting to sweat like a pig, I kept going on past this couple, I could see big hills in my distance and was thinking thats probably the border over that big hill. The track by now was very poor and I was thinking this is not the way to the border surely ! I turned around casually and headed back down through this farm yard type place where I again passed this couple.. On the way up they were talking to each other but as again I could not understand, but coming back down I asked them where is the Border greece ??<br />
<br />
The guy looked at me and pointed in the direction I had cycled from earlier on, and said Greece! So.. I had been going in the wrong direction since the fork in the road Blimey !! I didn't need this sort of delay :-( I quickly cycled to way back again until seen a right turn, checked my phone app agin and if i cycled down this track it would eventually lead me to the main road (The main road I should have been on coming out of Bitola) Oh well... All part of the adventure I thought.<br />
<br />
Once I reached the main road I was off again at speed, the road was in great condition, and it was not long until I was cycling through the border with Greece. Nice quiet border part which was good. I was now even closer to Turkey. I headed towards the town called Florina, that is where I could probably get a decent hot meal.<br />
<br />
As I cycled into the town it was heaving/very busy I took a little time to just cycled around taking in the centre and the atmosphere of the place. After about 30 mins I was heading out of town, I had not stopped anywhere for food, my thought was to just crack on and get the milage in. On the main road some time after the town I found a Lidl and dropped in there, I bought some frankfurter type sausages (Its just what I needed, something meaty), it did the trick and after some red bull and other snacks I was back off again, headed towards Thessaloniki (this was my goal for today to reach here!)<br />
<br />
The road after here was a single carriage-way I was cycling away nice and steady when I looked over to my left I seen a field of sorts/farm type of place.… It had a wooden fence running parallel with the main road, and whilst I was cycling along about 12 mph, there were about 6 dogs running along the length of that field fence, I was thinking daft dogs running along thinking they could catch me ! Well, after the full length of the fence probably about 800 yards one of the dogs got through, and it wasn't the smallest dog (It was like an Alsatian type, It was out ! and on the opposite carriage-way and heading in my direction.... Shit ! was my thought as I pedaled like a Madhead, it was now over the central reservation and hot on my heels... I just sped away at about 25 mph - after a few hundred yards it finally stopped and turned back ! I must admit I thought what will I do if it catches me ? Luckily enough it didn't Phew !! that was close.... A few miles further on I seen a bear sign ! Jeez.. I didn't think they had them in Greece.<br />
<br />
I thought Greece was going to be safe after cycling through Albania and Macedonia, but it looked like I had to be on my guard after the dog episode. My thought going forward was that I hope I'm not going up hill when the next one appears as that would mean I will have to go back on myself to out cycle the things haha.<br />
<br />
It was a little hilly to start with but the roads flattened out on some parts throughout the day, I was cracking on towards my goal Thessaloniki, in my head I had a vision of what the place would look like when I arrived. My thoughts were of a long sandy beach with a hotel front.<br />
<br />
I was rolling into Thessaloniki at around 6pm, I remember thinking how far is it to the coast/sea, the place seemed to go on forever before the coast/bay. It was very busy going through the centre, I eventually got to the seafront and - Not as I had imagined ! It was like a port bay, no sand.. unless the tide was in. I looked through my phone and tried to find a hotel. Several showed up and there were lots of people walking along the sea front. A place popped up on my screen, I was determined to stay somewhere nice after last nights episode, so I called the hotel that came up first and closest, the guy who answered asked if I want sea-view or standard, I just said Standard, well that was over £100 for the night - I can't imagine what the sea-view one costs, but I wasn't really bothered, all I wanted to do was book in, shower, change, get food and Wine (oh how I have missed my wine) and then have a wander around the place. By the time I was out again it was dark.<br />
<br />
Over from the hotel was a nice restaurant selling pasta and burritos type food, the place was heaving (my first thought was is greece really in trouble in eurozone? (well this place was buzzing! - no crisis here) - it was brilliant and I kept having a few Reds too :-) After my meal I took a stroll down the front, there were boat restaurants and all-sorts going on.<br />
<br />
What a nice place. I remember Thessaloniki being a place visited on coach trip tv series (All I could hear in my head today en route was Brendan's voice off coach trip shouting "Thessaloniki" to the people that were on that episode, that were going there)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2rJciE_VNL9IE0WuDZaDFs0o7xUC066b9DlvE7njXHdpx3WMyTEWRxviDrgvDy8aA1PYiFh-wVshWIcI-CseQN6V633WAgvwRdGtmU0-xxIKopTD2ayWQDsjOIc-RAOpuf0-3S6p0A0/s1600/726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2rJciE_VNL9IE0WuDZaDFs0o7xUC066b9DlvE7njXHdpx3WMyTEWRxviDrgvDy8aA1PYiFh-wVshWIcI-CseQN6V633WAgvwRdGtmU0-xxIKopTD2ayWQDsjOIc-RAOpuf0-3S6p0A0/s320/726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4PGGDuVEbyjmgAYbhRcZ2S0ULhfEt9RiVQPWlVMeeUPJrbH0qVhMHC65EIi2czzi-DkZHQR3nBI2NJVG8bVT4I0V3vH9yJptugTs6_5sYmT4hdt0cWCdHCu9KG6yGpxPS7fHisKQtZU/s1600/727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4PGGDuVEbyjmgAYbhRcZ2S0ULhfEt9RiVQPWlVMeeUPJrbH0qVhMHC65EIi2czzi-DkZHQR3nBI2NJVG8bVT4I0V3vH9yJptugTs6_5sYmT4hdt0cWCdHCu9KG6yGpxPS7fHisKQtZU/s320/727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqpgjp8_g3_bIdF-Bd8F5AfXqiUzyvQ1joKmU19D1npR9VIADu48Fu5UDMJhIQwAycz4mxkjzS1Ao3ZCRhWvCnbZ329q_oezeCLzv6AscVCahXYVt7jaQZapDaDssYXDPBQq7eoPLknI/s1600/728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqpgjp8_g3_bIdF-Bd8F5AfXqiUzyvQ1joKmU19D1npR9VIADu48Fu5UDMJhIQwAycz4mxkjzS1Ao3ZCRhWvCnbZ329q_oezeCLzv6AscVCahXYVt7jaQZapDaDssYXDPBQq7eoPLknI/s320/728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTPUh0wasZTrbQe8Kv94Su34rUDKeOd0x4e-5xrFEcIZocGC6hw5qVWuN5-i1ofdRJGlqvLwLD7-elZwKFe1WeLEhy3vTnzzmUjx7ePTfP2wgBEV-1UDrMvka7UMnt3epQDDd7x5vegM/s1600/729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTPUh0wasZTrbQe8Kv94Su34rUDKeOd0x4e-5xrFEcIZocGC6hw5qVWuN5-i1ofdRJGlqvLwLD7-elZwKFe1WeLEhy3vTnzzmUjx7ePTfP2wgBEV-1UDrMvka7UMnt3epQDDd7x5vegM/s320/729.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdflcpPtJ5UDtRcn_cDlc0Lo4tchLbDy6qBa57DSMiFyMnagWaBbyOSw_llU8Mz2ImtYb-aHThVvijw9LbBdTn5iR_elRG2KFNP8v00DMETfyGHo6HI3hyjNXqlUA4JblTSqG0KmRGJc/s1600/731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdflcpPtJ5UDtRcn_cDlc0Lo4tchLbDy6qBa57DSMiFyMnagWaBbyOSw_llU8Mz2ImtYb-aHThVvijw9LbBdTn5iR_elRG2KFNP8v00DMETfyGHo6HI3hyjNXqlUA4JblTSqG0KmRGJc/s320/731.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ki9LNEXaFebUtl8fdLoT4pV9EoF-yl8bGQ7okpB0fSIT2l1rXwY4uLp4rlwZdroLN2tyLOtCAcNYZdctfuwI3i7CfcPY6_pYspQ4VrkCBC8uxIdIBCzhf5jeMSMGlpD0gXA8apmIhQ/s1600/732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_ki9LNEXaFebUtl8fdLoT4pV9EoF-yl8bGQ7okpB0fSIT2l1rXwY4uLp4rlwZdroLN2tyLOtCAcNYZdctfuwI3i7CfcPY6_pYspQ4VrkCBC8uxIdIBCzhf5jeMSMGlpD0gXA8apmIhQ/s320/732.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZjqlkzjoFYxenlUxszY9mCiqaPYgdUjJGDhWQOXvumcSAFFmPOLR3p0swGqYwubQiSJkeTI33Jz7RAo2ayaiqZFgjTnCFETnRKNap9hTyQZTM6UulXqMMxJ_CZ7hdqTIbMIWReqf3OY/s1600/733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZjqlkzjoFYxenlUxszY9mCiqaPYgdUjJGDhWQOXvumcSAFFmPOLR3p0swGqYwubQiSJkeTI33Jz7RAo2ayaiqZFgjTnCFETnRKNap9hTyQZTM6UulXqMMxJ_CZ7hdqTIbMIWReqf3OY/s320/733.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYdkAPv1BBm_MV1uwyo7nffffrFzKQtJBTLikzEaMjUT0XTLZqTkgDw-WNXcel8lByfha3XLfrsjykrD4vNEz6o2Dm_QtR67tnTVWUZy7Bkp0EbTfkjwGkrJf-pnaRaI0v0Us03suR7U/s1600/734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYdkAPv1BBm_MV1uwyo7nffffrFzKQtJBTLikzEaMjUT0XTLZqTkgDw-WNXcel8lByfha3XLfrsjykrD4vNEz6o2Dm_QtR67tnTVWUZy7Bkp0EbTfkjwGkrJf-pnaRaI0v0Us03suR7U/s320/734.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdQ0KBTxi2R3ax8vm9r8mXjISYxiJXK6jFI4FBgxDJTbn7saZStSfGgcMnUq66aIQiyQxIebxSf6_r5NOpAh70-Ad7NYEdO7d2ZuH_lMMPi6q0LGF0Kl8lEBcJwYG6TLbLfUrse526pI/s1600/737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdQ0KBTxi2R3ax8vm9r8mXjISYxiJXK6jFI4FBgxDJTbn7saZStSfGgcMnUq66aIQiyQxIebxSf6_r5NOpAh70-Ad7NYEdO7d2ZuH_lMMPi6q0LGF0Kl8lEBcJwYG6TLbLfUrse526pI/s320/737.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHJ9q8nk99_oiUzPIKMWfoUCOU8JxIAmo0N6K1dKV1P-vArxNF-et-K7Ry5GBTN9yL2xuindq96pGzxLqNhAJ-LyLgNuvzAVP2zoAPDftZN2cX1xrxdm0eJKL93lzeA_sZh02qkMYaOM/s1600/738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHJ9q8nk99_oiUzPIKMWfoUCOU8JxIAmo0N6K1dKV1P-vArxNF-et-K7Ry5GBTN9yL2xuindq96pGzxLqNhAJ-LyLgNuvzAVP2zoAPDftZN2cX1xrxdm0eJKL93lzeA_sZh02qkMYaOM/s320/738.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr9J2DVBFnvcAcqyT2QYpFBzGetctY6Azlrfh1AJJkQoqCUyEqxi1uwROPZB8Rl7C2eO9CapxPV_v2ykLafJ_e9tWN9BBfslkFOuLH6tFqQGKjErE_jwZFoQuYE31BTLxlPUXnEKoay0/s1600/739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr9J2DVBFnvcAcqyT2QYpFBzGetctY6Azlrfh1AJJkQoqCUyEqxi1uwROPZB8Rl7C2eO9CapxPV_v2ykLafJ_e9tWN9BBfslkFOuLH6tFqQGKjErE_jwZFoQuYE31BTLxlPUXnEKoay0/s320/739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hJhj9ucQ1X8qlMYtKQ119immo6w2n-3preXNUfU-3grD2TGEj7aqIK5fKMrOoAYSvZims6q34uXJVXdVGV3Ckzo67R6p9TEJhmp4D33knC24Qy3h37hNuNx1A0ahIbqmzDtymtjlpqQ/s1600/740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hJhj9ucQ1X8qlMYtKQ119immo6w2n-3preXNUfU-3grD2TGEj7aqIK5fKMrOoAYSvZims6q34uXJVXdVGV3Ckzo67R6p9TEJhmp4D33knC24Qy3h37hNuNx1A0ahIbqmzDtymtjlpqQ/s320/740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfF9TdDsR0cZtetHVZb_JdFhtgZBF_9IoFCAqMjFGM9ipt9J9Kb_dH_4962b1kgyU9MI2x48_Qjqa0n0e2Y9S5yxR-Tvh7Pa0h63448EjsMaF4gcx7fOkKgKtJX03OFUraE_jdJKgzUk/s1600/742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfF9TdDsR0cZtetHVZb_JdFhtgZBF_9IoFCAqMjFGM9ipt9J9Kb_dH_4962b1kgyU9MI2x48_Qjqa0n0e2Y9S5yxR-Tvh7Pa0h63448EjsMaF4gcx7fOkKgKtJX03OFUraE_jdJKgzUk/s320/742.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4k4HR5o4ClmOTZrSMqHJ9mLFCrIN4kwFfnlk-GoG1gpUTkLQLtlTdYH0U6urVK4kZva3Za6REarW39UdSey5r0xYjVND6KYB-mRGwzj0nbNH22Nsp7BdXr3vBc0qla3GpLVh4TYBPE/s1600/743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4k4HR5o4ClmOTZrSMqHJ9mLFCrIN4kwFfnlk-GoG1gpUTkLQLtlTdYH0U6urVK4kZva3Za6REarW39UdSey5r0xYjVND6KYB-mRGwzj0nbNH22Nsp7BdXr3vBc0qla3GpLVh4TYBPE/s320/743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp4C3XIKke9dJTjE7vCtOj41C3Mkz_t7QjFitL7_F7t0yo82o6vgsVsanF-iLSVWUmYDiug2XOTq7bsNHdHgNvizVdhjX18xeU5leSN7LuJdZ3o7YpGdqewICjUBHWjPfRn5zSUR0Urc/s1600/744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp4C3XIKke9dJTjE7vCtOj41C3Mkz_t7QjFitL7_F7t0yo82o6vgsVsanF-iLSVWUmYDiug2XOTq7bsNHdHgNvizVdhjX18xeU5leSN7LuJdZ3o7YpGdqewICjUBHWjPfRn5zSUR0Urc/s320/744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aFBAOTuLOHB8MjGvYRhEnKdp4ryQrftVLJJC-EqPf5fTU0y_vvKdJELNhxtTHJK6mWYAwGnMNy7Dw3JzoQemwTLB-1DRn_FGOd2RWin-Vchq6OrHzte9e6YPE8_C7PFcZ4jq2Bp_Psw/s1600/745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aFBAOTuLOHB8MjGvYRhEnKdp4ryQrftVLJJC-EqPf5fTU0y_vvKdJELNhxtTHJK6mWYAwGnMNy7Dw3JzoQemwTLB-1DRn_FGOd2RWin-Vchq6OrHzte9e6YPE8_C7PFcZ4jq2Bp_Psw/s320/745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-77366721485210196252012-10-04T13:52:00.001-07:002012-10-04T13:52:57.469-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 13.Thursday 31 May. Day 13.<br />
Elbasan to Bitola 108 miles.<br />
<br />
Each morning I dream of a Big breakfast, thats one thing I will look forward to when I get home - a Good Fry-up !<br />
<br />
But for this morning its Bread and cheese, also a black coffee, I clear the plate and try to get the ladies attention who is serving breakfast, btw there is only me in the room of the hotel. She comes over and I try to ask for milk - for my coffee ! I get my phone out and managed to get a translated note on screen for some milk please with me coffee thank you! Well, I think she got it as she walked over towards the door of the kitchen, I could see her talking to another lady, the other lady come through the door and left the room, probably going to the reception area. Some time had passed and they other lady cam back through and headed towards the kitchen door, after this the waitress appeared and headed over towards me with a Big glass of milk - she passed to be saying Ok? smiled and went back toward th kitchen.. not exactly what I meant but was very kind of them to take time to go out probably to a local shop just for my milk :-)<br />
<br />
I was fed - well a little anyway but I feel good and think I will top up on food if I pass a local shop.. I make my way up to my room to collect the panniers and head back down to reception to check out. The guy who booked me in is not around this morning but a lady I try to communicate about getting my bike ? I had no idea where the guy took it to last night, she nods and leaves the hotel main door and walks down the road somewhere ! she's gone for ages and my thoughts were... Have they lost the bike ? Where will get one now if they have ? she returns with nothing !! I say bike ? She said yes Ok.. I'm confused she goes back away from hotel Strange this one making me think they have lost it :(<br />
<br />
Five minutes later she has my bike PHEW!! Its here thank god for that... I get on and cycle off away from the hotel waving as I go at the ladies standing at the hotel doorway. I honestly did think my bike had vanished then.<br />
<br />
So I'm heading out of Elbasan, en route to Macedonia hopefully today - another country down and one closer to Istanbul. I get some miles out of town and stop at a local store, I head on in to get supplies, the usual water, crisps, chocolate, and I really fancied a yoghurt, so I bought 2 tubs. I payed at the till checked the till reading for how much smiled and paid, the guy and his young son who's shop it was, looked like they were the only two in there... I left and got to my bike, filled the water bottles up and usual organizing myself, I took the top off the yoghurt , folded it over and used it as a spoon to eat the yoghurt. As I was doing this the young boy came outside and gave me a proper spoon ! How kind was that :-) I was really touched at that so after I had eaten it I placed a translate on phone in Albanian worded "Just wanted to thank you for bringing me a spoon out so I could eat my yoghurt properly Thank you very much Very kind" I showed the shop owner my phone screen when translated - he was over the moon with that message. Little things make a Big difference.<br />
<br />
I waved them both goodbye, and set off again along the road toward the Macedonian border. After about 10 minutes I caught up with another cyclist, not like me, but was a local boy, his bike was making a right racket he wasn't moving very quickly and he didn't have any shoes on neither but he was plodding on towards where ever he was going to with some parcel on the back of the old bike - My thought as I passed him was you don't realize how lucky you are where we come from, and when times get hard I will now just think of what people go through everyday in poorer countries.<br />
<br />
Around mid morning its getting hot again, it has to be 30 degrees each day now with plenty of sunshine each day too, and the hills are here again, and I mean big ones too.. I thought I had done the big climbs over the Alps but no, this country was giving me something to work at too. I'm on a road that just snakes up and up, I stop off a a little roadside cafe where they had a spring or several taps more like, where passing people and cars could stop and fill their water bottles, its not long after my water stop until I reach the top and the view is breathtaking. I'm now looking down towards Macedonia in the distance but more stunning is the lake that comes into view Lake Orchrid. I take a few photos before I start the long descent southward down and along the edge of the lake -what a view and what a cycle down well worth the strain/sweating of getting up.<br />
<br />
After I reach the southern part of the lake I head eastwards and pass over from Albania into Macedonia, I get my passport stamped, and the guy in the toll booth asks where I am going to - I reply Istanbul - he says good luck and bye ! :-) I'm off again, it feels different again now in another country somehow! Can't explain what it is but it seemed safer. The roads are off again, and I'm climbing up again higher and higher, until after an hour it flattens off and starts to descend, I whizz past a right turning in the road, its only mountain roads not really wide and pick up speed as I descend WoW!! Faster and faster brilliant :-)) I eventually cycle into a small village where there is a billboard with local map, I stop get off bike and have a look.... Shit !! that right turning I passed before I descended was the turning I needed to take to get over these big mountains..<br />
<br />
Well I was not impressed, as I started to slowly cycle and mostly push the bike back up to my turning, as I was pushing the bike up a guy on a bike was coming down the road on a touring bike (just like me really) he stopped and we chatted about where we were both going. He was touring the country and he was headed for Orchrid that evening, I told him I was going up and over the mountain, he asked if I wanted to join him in Ochrid town as it is very nice place, I thanked him for the offer but I was behind schedule and did not really have the time to go sightseeing, so we went off in opposite directions.<br />
<br />
Eventually I reached my turning however this time it was on my left. I take the road and its off up again and again the roads are snaking in all directions - this is some altitude... I'm climbing here as I keep taking photos of the lake below as it gets smaller and smaller with the more height I'm gaining. Its that high I pass snow/ice at the roadside and its nearly June !! Eventually I'm at the top and I'm looking forward to the big descent :-) but on the way down the road is in a terrible condition with holes etc so i have to dodge these poor patches, another problem when I do get some speed up, its getting chilly so I stop to put on my windproof outer, thats better and I'm back off again cautiously, on the way down this side I see another lake to the right of me its Lake Prespa, another stunning view, so again take some photos on way down.<br />
<br />
I'm now at the bottom of the mountain roads and on a level road heading towards Bitola. Its starting the become darker a little now but I press on, it stays flat for quite a while, then the roads start to go up.. not as much up as before, more of a gradual climb and this is on a dual carriage way now, but the sun has now set and the light is fading, and I'm still ascending steadily, Mrs F calls me, so I take the call.. Have you booked in anywhere yet? no. not yet, but I'm only about 5 miles from Bitola (I was not 5, I was 15!) she asked is it dark, I said no, its still light and the sun is still up (I wasn't it had set about 15 mins ago) I said I will call you back when I'm booked in somewhere, she said Ok..<br />
<br />
After some miles cycling in the pitch black with no road lighting, on poor condition roads, and to add to that in front of me was Big fork lightning lighting the sky, complete with thunder !! Well,.. I though shit, whens the rain coming ? It looked as if it was a storm coming towards me.. so I had to make a decision - do I carry on or do I just throw the bike and myself over into a field and just call it a day.<br />
<br />
Yep. I stopped and in the pitch black, lifted my bike down a little ravine, back up and headed behind some trees at the side of the road, the field was very overgrown and I had to stomp and walk around in circles to flatten it ready for my tent (the tent I have only put up once before and guess what It was in the dark too) haha.<br />
<br />
After fumbling and tripping over a few times I eventually get it set up, get my bags off the bike with valuables and get inside the tent - very cosy Not! (no mat remember, and the grounds damp again and it will get a lot damper when that rain starts soon..) I give Mrs F a call to let her know I have checked in, she is relieved that I have booked in, until I say Im in my tent again but its nice here I have a safe spot. I tell her the option had and she agreed I probably did the right thing, so we say night and end the call.<br />
<br />
Stopping in the tent means that its no Great meals and No Wine!! Damn.. my only food tonight was two chocolate biscuits and half a bottle of water. That'll do after 100+ miles of cycling over mountains. So its night night from me then..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwxFv6b7Fs-fek8Jwr-VukdR9g8VoxAsPMIPTfN6xX1_DqQ9wOhzEWEw81CZ9an01Rg-VFuhwKadwYTKp4PSpX0OYaUizHdAMMVYa9JJfU3y5qRqZmm2t1mziXzC506xzHUpATEqdowo/s1600/692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwxFv6b7Fs-fek8Jwr-VukdR9g8VoxAsPMIPTfN6xX1_DqQ9wOhzEWEw81CZ9an01Rg-VFuhwKadwYTKp4PSpX0OYaUizHdAMMVYa9JJfU3y5qRqZmm2t1mziXzC506xzHUpATEqdowo/s320/692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7gN7CxqACUchmDyYV0BLz4nBuEX48HWR3Ol3zuW9oEQpPhg0xv2YrXxc2DMlDPIAgs2aF0sCg4Ee9-AcfRdLmBgZJ-cj9aR0lO-XFTcbrEJi2RB0tla_D2TIthKV1MPftcni2FenOSM/s1600/694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7gN7CxqACUchmDyYV0BLz4nBuEX48HWR3Ol3zuW9oEQpPhg0xv2YrXxc2DMlDPIAgs2aF0sCg4Ee9-AcfRdLmBgZJ-cj9aR0lO-XFTcbrEJi2RB0tla_D2TIthKV1MPftcni2FenOSM/s320/694.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_j0FIDd0uEfWWG7kZkhEVKIvQMO7l5yISQg2pSWm4iGbrh4p3hXm72DEVYLOR7a2LtIFGIdgpAek3iNcFfL5z0Qf4jecQYa4lh0kIsF90OtZ2SZhHCN54bQ0stZidL_MfVyxs5wpFvY/s1600/695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_j0FIDd0uEfWWG7kZkhEVKIvQMO7l5yISQg2pSWm4iGbrh4p3hXm72DEVYLOR7a2LtIFGIdgpAek3iNcFfL5z0Qf4jecQYa4lh0kIsF90OtZ2SZhHCN54bQ0stZidL_MfVyxs5wpFvY/s320/695.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0bBYNwYr2x4_BSEr1DMnGveh_1oeuEpD4u4NjWpVIwzJaCTKy6QhZIeyh9iekcfMcPRsY7kAf-YKlb2FR0ucosNiidyYKXxCcolO0xOg3KbTskMFPl9lP2H9-M-Wlu2iTiIgGLOloCI/s1600/697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0bBYNwYr2x4_BSEr1DMnGveh_1oeuEpD4u4NjWpVIwzJaCTKy6QhZIeyh9iekcfMcPRsY7kAf-YKlb2FR0ucosNiidyYKXxCcolO0xOg3KbTskMFPl9lP2H9-M-Wlu2iTiIgGLOloCI/s320/697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lk82evnwkz-l_IpzjDcg14cd6pFpe1xT6NhsVijTtgT_-aUtwSAz4HKfqXui4p8PvKgM4sDDV4FPBA7cid9V2H5VcMdASnIpURAkLmBBT32lz6BoeQCgv-5EeuDe4Cfc8OGkQEjgK9U/s1600/699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lk82evnwkz-l_IpzjDcg14cd6pFpe1xT6NhsVijTtgT_-aUtwSAz4HKfqXui4p8PvKgM4sDDV4FPBA7cid9V2H5VcMdASnIpURAkLmBBT32lz6BoeQCgv-5EeuDe4Cfc8OGkQEjgK9U/s320/699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd4lrgUS9GdmeoTf_AN_r0leJ7TJyhFD45Cd7J_ye3tRsyJ0KyJ8HZoGjP12ut7R3UNS4gLD28Y1Q0HZbqm2oX5ZsVBuKwAvd8R6irgo7uSkJjkZ-xsOS1DXIEaNBza1BSMkJ3_ZpJP4/s1600/700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd4lrgUS9GdmeoTf_AN_r0leJ7TJyhFD45Cd7J_ye3tRsyJ0KyJ8HZoGjP12ut7R3UNS4gLD28Y1Q0HZbqm2oX5ZsVBuKwAvd8R6irgo7uSkJjkZ-xsOS1DXIEaNBza1BSMkJ3_ZpJP4/s320/700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YSNVrDw3eiVqYUxacA6NEeiCFTUM7R_obXkrIqf1-rogNwxrCvQCnHdg_Hm-StVhtDv_qRKF_UV9WF36o3kzrzCkEsMMSYsM0lnAuVX71B19b1YAqaHou_dlrLnlrF7DP5-VyTjY5Og/s1600/703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YSNVrDw3eiVqYUxacA6NEeiCFTUM7R_obXkrIqf1-rogNwxrCvQCnHdg_Hm-StVhtDv_qRKF_UV9WF36o3kzrzCkEsMMSYsM0lnAuVX71B19b1YAqaHou_dlrLnlrF7DP5-VyTjY5Og/s320/703.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6zBxxD0AfFRBSamcm3hO20ha2ku6_qqXWtCbY0mKtA_Tr3BJsJtVc69rwCgqolGcjmOiB5zEQhiSEhGiVT9inHJq4j5zGysPYKriv4xLq8uB5oEfooIW8ndHv-gD3eoDktYH47ICWw/s1600/705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6zBxxD0AfFRBSamcm3hO20ha2ku6_qqXWtCbY0mKtA_Tr3BJsJtVc69rwCgqolGcjmOiB5zEQhiSEhGiVT9inHJq4j5zGysPYKriv4xLq8uB5oEfooIW8ndHv-gD3eoDktYH47ICWw/s320/705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZPy5Ihoxvznt6mFVTiIjyuILzE3tH1UTzPlVJVAUgvv_U2-0ly4qOSS3k7eVXlbMTSofj9ywNbnByV5kOdMyY5_e1K-xcmIw2bzdeQOgcr1DHNaDBFIWOqU3Vcjgvd3rpaveEuxuDrs/s1600/707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZPy5Ihoxvznt6mFVTiIjyuILzE3tH1UTzPlVJVAUgvv_U2-0ly4qOSS3k7eVXlbMTSofj9ywNbnByV5kOdMyY5_e1K-xcmIw2bzdeQOgcr1DHNaDBFIWOqU3Vcjgvd3rpaveEuxuDrs/s320/707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mEoGlW9M0sOaXdlgO4xmVzQYkUBjoyPPRbB4YJkW1tvsZ4vdUbH9QD4e023UUa2-hbsSB_7TJQvywW6tFvSFY9GtRq_eKTNxKzmrhmg904ivU72Qx_AR5hwyhBRNwj3F638en-QRzWE/s1600/708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mEoGlW9M0sOaXdlgO4xmVzQYkUBjoyPPRbB4YJkW1tvsZ4vdUbH9QD4e023UUa2-hbsSB_7TJQvywW6tFvSFY9GtRq_eKTNxKzmrhmg904ivU72Qx_AR5hwyhBRNwj3F638en-QRzWE/s320/708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeIpFjENv2jHadEM4G1o9AS5M_Wx1lJcpaEV652A8j1OBVU-_d7JgLAh6NZCAa-VrcTY3OPRMHNDRsIQSCtXEpYatqEF6O8HY9LPNYJ9ThPBQHUpGjvPaxVUw7udXV294DryCqVpHuiM/s1600/709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeIpFjENv2jHadEM4G1o9AS5M_Wx1lJcpaEV652A8j1OBVU-_d7JgLAh6NZCAa-VrcTY3OPRMHNDRsIQSCtXEpYatqEF6O8HY9LPNYJ9ThPBQHUpGjvPaxVUw7udXV294DryCqVpHuiM/s320/709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLcPfaZiE_zpMj4-Jz_eVATi3eR_v2y_D-kR3dK_uWqojH3dtit47McRX_tYfhAMddfwlzkthiY4DcatU8rK-u_pwQthcDCIRl1-ykYSEZmyutkNVRZM7StADuLCTkB2FnKlDn2UJ0Gw/s1600/710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLcPfaZiE_zpMj4-Jz_eVATi3eR_v2y_D-kR3dK_uWqojH3dtit47McRX_tYfhAMddfwlzkthiY4DcatU8rK-u_pwQthcDCIRl1-ykYSEZmyutkNVRZM7StADuLCTkB2FnKlDn2UJ0Gw/s320/710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AmgqICPAo8uJgpVu4qspf9oL8HyPvhKLNW478IgTSlfmm7S8tkTh5gcKJPUSLdPIIasomtHh5U_tSoRdlkDcVAayA753voYKILLBzQI19Ifa5zvz69FtpzYSc0DYb0DobVZVZ1iu7eY/s1600/711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AmgqICPAo8uJgpVu4qspf9oL8HyPvhKLNW478IgTSlfmm7S8tkTh5gcKJPUSLdPIIasomtHh5U_tSoRdlkDcVAayA753voYKILLBzQI19Ifa5zvz69FtpzYSc0DYb0DobVZVZ1iu7eY/s320/711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xvWe_dqT8FT892CVs5o9b3_4bvkawX6ewe_mZAMVxZxJBqkmhbtwCyurqlZ2MH520T-ax9QHET2jf8hyphenhyphenUVGSr-SHW6j13fxmaB0iWP_rOlMv6eFgzSr632AXV-fpbdBBRveIS5SnZlc/s1600/712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xvWe_dqT8FT892CVs5o9b3_4bvkawX6ewe_mZAMVxZxJBqkmhbtwCyurqlZ2MH520T-ax9QHET2jf8hyphenhyphenUVGSr-SHW6j13fxmaB0iWP_rOlMv6eFgzSr632AXV-fpbdBBRveIS5SnZlc/s320/712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9zYzXv5c19C73IkBiIiYv0PubS0LU4upUa8JFGWP02NfNFSD1kA7ToP8ShbTYPPZLhyJrxonwlk-xVJ6nnwjkAfr-pse5DlUtxReghzKPkn1NW9HcnRvD2jS91QPVrk_tmnizCIV-sg/s1600/713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9zYzXv5c19C73IkBiIiYv0PubS0LU4upUa8JFGWP02NfNFSD1kA7ToP8ShbTYPPZLhyJrxonwlk-xVJ6nnwjkAfr-pse5DlUtxReghzKPkn1NW9HcnRvD2jS91QPVrk_tmnizCIV-sg/s320/713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2UtQ6ADPlYygkXdNOHv7SwmPWj4M8s6uItvvw3fH7qjOh8oDT5dEDXX-g5PxbYnHPVqnUXDfzV7XDpzmZTJJ3I5S-3Bx6Yw0YVVDsQfZCn9xpWtBJML19MSOxjLbojWvwgiBEm0EKWM/s1600/714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2UtQ6ADPlYygkXdNOHv7SwmPWj4M8s6uItvvw3fH7qjOh8oDT5dEDXX-g5PxbYnHPVqnUXDfzV7XDpzmZTJJ3I5S-3Bx6Yw0YVVDsQfZCn9xpWtBJML19MSOxjLbojWvwgiBEm0EKWM/s320/714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITicnDlw8TcJiMqtfef5oPdGZ-RAT1qAIuqFwGUn0yvFvS0aQ059x-62GWLz8bsnqVJ761yd8QPuRm_IrJ_qbyT6t_-bfOwdWvs5G-yyicb3GZvFaXq2riEooeeUn9SeJG8BO7YfxOHo/s1600/716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITicnDlw8TcJiMqtfef5oPdGZ-RAT1qAIuqFwGUn0yvFvS0aQ059x-62GWLz8bsnqVJ761yd8QPuRm_IrJ_qbyT6t_-bfOwdWvs5G-yyicb3GZvFaXq2riEooeeUn9SeJG8BO7YfxOHo/s320/716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPiWE7CojAaJBksYoLjbbBNorEFXtdSYAhaL-ozjK_PoE-Lja-thIKDdOXJ2R_kHDe5Yrne3aMB1BWw25BFWRn0Ong-FmTeJBu3Buw-RMz5n8BXj9she2Y8wq_YyLUunA8HhCAhbUbEY/s1600/718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPiWE7CojAaJBksYoLjbbBNorEFXtdSYAhaL-ozjK_PoE-Lja-thIKDdOXJ2R_kHDe5Yrne3aMB1BWw25BFWRn0Ong-FmTeJBu3Buw-RMz5n8BXj9she2Y8wq_YyLUunA8HhCAhbUbEY/s320/718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJIhZUlM0t_LpjLQB6Q_oePMEPKnTgf-KdQSYhL_Gy5HwILPUxZ5yt2F97hmBfsOesEkrZL3LIH-ktRfGwBltYXwIS0cptn7Tu5uOhw1gxwKa7p6WNSi77HIoxmVwgc6FYPErmek5Vhs/s1600/720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJIhZUlM0t_LpjLQB6Q_oePMEPKnTgf-KdQSYhL_Gy5HwILPUxZ5yt2F97hmBfsOesEkrZL3LIH-ktRfGwBltYXwIS0cptn7Tu5uOhw1gxwKa7p6WNSi77HIoxmVwgc6FYPErmek5Vhs/s320/720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM8QV8qAvvKanT3pdDlAr5C_BtAf0KC49ZNe5S74upkRpWsvkMQ6XK0xU9y5vV4GRqKYbpLtCo0Xlm1cjM-i6ZEbHSbhyQzze9dsVF2Wpc_xHnKvl9UNvKRVgqoHbdQ7QM705O_U-X8Q/s1600/721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM8QV8qAvvKanT3pdDlAr5C_BtAf0KC49ZNe5S74upkRpWsvkMQ6XK0xU9y5vV4GRqKYbpLtCo0Xlm1cjM-i6ZEbHSbhyQzze9dsVF2Wpc_xHnKvl9UNvKRVgqoHbdQ7QM705O_U-X8Q/s320/721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BVVAXb6ut2-b9qqyIA6mw3FroNyDHlGEHLPGNHhtOUrVyiN-pSCH5zlas3yZgat8TDKzuV23AdK4Eh3MeZ-ScShoX8M7hcsfxIyK_QwNEZgWq0bZ9619hnSaF5uwwKUf8-8rAUag14s/s1600/724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BVVAXb6ut2-b9qqyIA6mw3FroNyDHlGEHLPGNHhtOUrVyiN-pSCH5zlas3yZgat8TDKzuV23AdK4Eh3MeZ-ScShoX8M7hcsfxIyK_QwNEZgWq0bZ9619hnSaF5uwwKUf8-8rAUag14s/s320/724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO3ogbyxdVEf7YhUJQyDvee2jGzuo8QzyL2z-D8oPmv1yOfqN2704m2nKiDqQwtsHbyDHgO9Fj7tEdCrZxrMrQVeM0D4mumKzSfawCKyovapfeS7HOJXrMLwoeJGNwDb8QZMcZ3YYaFo/s1600/725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO3ogbyxdVEf7YhUJQyDvee2jGzuo8QzyL2z-D8oPmv1yOfqN2704m2nKiDqQwtsHbyDHgO9Fj7tEdCrZxrMrQVeM0D4mumKzSfawCKyovapfeS7HOJXrMLwoeJGNwDb8QZMcZ3YYaFo/s320/725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-51279095596056745342012-10-03T12:03:00.001-07:002012-10-03T12:03:28.030-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 12.Wednesday 30 May. Day 12.<br />
Durres to Elbasan arrive at port Durres at 2pm. 60 miles.<br />
<br />
Not the ideal sleep I was planing on last night, but I'm awake, and my cabin buddies are up and about too. One of the guys has taken the dog out somewhere, and the other guy is chatting to me in broken english but he is apologetic about coming into the cabin in the early hours, I say forget it, its Ok, bit funny now and its something to chat about when I give Mrs F a call later on in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
The guy has got ready and says to me if you would like to join us for breakfast we will be on the upper deck if you like, I agree and say I will catch you both later. He leaves and I get up and get showered and ready for something to eat. Before the other guy left this morning with the dog I managed to snap a photo of the dog waiting outside the bathroom/toilet door. Looks a nice dog now in the light, but could have been any kind of dog in the dark of night :-)<br />
<br />
Once up and out I made my way up to the top deck to have a wander around to check out what is happening, nothing much really, and not seeing any coastline as yet. The planned arrival time for Albania was due to be around 2pm to 3pm local time. I met up with the 2 guys and dog on one of the decks they were sat in the sun with some of the other Albanian passengers, when I sat down to join them, the two guys were saying to the other people what I was doing, and where I was going.... (I could not understand what they were saying, but I saw one of the guys drawing a map with towns written on it, he said stay away from these towns (not good people in these places!) Whoops ! I was thinking will have to be on my guard in this country then. They said head for Elbasan you will be safe if you get there before darkness.<br />
<br />
To be fair Elbasan was the place I had in my head from the start, they told me it was about 60-70 miles away from Durres, and they asked could I make that distance before sunset. I was confident I could make it, but I was not sure about the terrain... not having really looked into it properly. After a few coffees and some snacks on board, the ferry is coming into port, its a bit earlier than planned - should dock about 2pm. I pack all my gear up ready for arrival, until then most people on board are on the top deck in the hot sun checking out the view as Durres comes closer into view.<br />
<br />
I take a few photos of the docking area, it looks different to say the least, with little boats sunk at the harbor. <br />
After a while all passengers move down to the base deck to get ready to disembark off the ferry. I was one of the first off being the last one on in Italy. I set off cycling but not sure which direction is the exit, I eventually get the correct direction as I pass a cabin/checkpoint but the guy waves me on out of the dock gates. After this I have a guy that I'm cycling towards coming over towards my direction waving lots of local currency in my face, I just cycle past and ignore him (not sure what he was doing that for !) a little further on another guy approaches me and asks if I like Taxi ?? What !! I carry on cycling past thinking what do I need a friggin taxi for ! haha.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to find the right road out of Durres but its difficult as when I stop to check the gps someone comes over and starts asking me things in their language but its no good, I don't understand what they are saying ! It takes some time, but eventually I am on the right road out in the direction of Elbasan, although all the signs I see are for Tirana.. Thats one of the places the guys told me not to go after dark. One thing that is slowing me down is the state of the roads - they are in poor repair nothing like western european roads, local people take their cattle onto the roads too. This really does slow me down but I have to crack on to try and get to Elbasan before sunset.<br />
<br />
Many cars that pass me have 4 male occupants and as they pass by they shout things out - Not knowing what they are saying I just ignore (they could be saying anything! haha) so after a few hours the roads head up high into the hills bending and climbing higher and higher, I stop off at a little petrol station on one of the climbs up the mountains for water, the guy in there is very friendly and starts to chat to me very basic, he waves me off and I wave back - at least I have water and a few chocolate bars just in case I don't make it to my destination tonight.<br />
<br />
I carry on climbing up these steep mountain roads - they seem to be going on forever, at last I see a sign for Elbasan YES! I'm only 25km away and its still light although it won't be long before sunset so I peddle like a loon!. I seem to be on a plateau now and start to get some speed up, should make time up on the descent down into town. As I'm cycling along taking in the nice warm evening with fantastic view of the surrounding mountains, I hear a gushot ! Bang, it echoed all around, not sure what or why, my only thought was is it someone firing at me ? - well I don't hang about.... there is nobody around here now apart from me and a possible gunman ! I go into Madhead mode and speed off into the distance, after about 10 mins I start to make the descent down hill I have to be extra careful as the roads are still in a poor state. After descending for several minutes I keep whizzing past local people at the side of the mountain roads - looks like selling local produce. I don't have time to stop as the light is fading quickly now.<br />
<br />
I can see Elbasan in the distance now on my descent I should fingers crossed be able to reach there before darkness but it will be close ! I get the flat ground and its about 2 miles further to go along the main road into town, there are plenty of people out and about in the centre in fact is very busy, I have cycled past a hotel on the way into town, but check out the centre to see if there are more hotels, can't see any so head back in the direction i came in, I stop at the hotel, its only a small one so fingers crossed they have a room.. a guy comes out of the hotel down some steps in front of the building I ask do you have a room for tonight ? He replies yes. I'm in. He even carries my pannier bags up to my room, and takes my bike somewhere for the night, the only let down is no food is being served. Once in my room, I just tuck into the chocolate I bought with the water on the climb up the pass before heading to here. It will do me for tonight, and I start to wash and charge all equipment up ready for the next day. Just glad I got in here tonight after a mad rush from the port. The time is now about 9.30pm I just need rest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFIcbxWc-rNpo2FxsZPETSbZLReC7cI33hP7uw3f7uVQ6cs6WqjnLEBeM_pZx6W-Wo7wPX8t6fzNHqOMeqtW_niZIPAZEQ1t6IKnG6AeDDDJ2IZ8wNXThyphenhyphenntR5EelvdNkrmocEvEYYbw/s1600/654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFIcbxWc-rNpo2FxsZPETSbZLReC7cI33hP7uw3f7uVQ6cs6WqjnLEBeM_pZx6W-Wo7wPX8t6fzNHqOMeqtW_niZIPAZEQ1t6IKnG6AeDDDJ2IZ8wNXThyphenhyphenntR5EelvdNkrmocEvEYYbw/s320/654.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-cTd6WedbA8PrZekHRIV2Ke3kh9vmxhMbwXY0EV3dMZXX_K1F76ODKtsJGYmoTSXPjCZUHl24q_-b1TGD_BGUlcK58pF4WUqn88pbENhQhWZR7QcC10hMJK_ch_KaW3WW8nWrTzeac8/s1600/655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-cTd6WedbA8PrZekHRIV2Ke3kh9vmxhMbwXY0EV3dMZXX_K1F76ODKtsJGYmoTSXPjCZUHl24q_-b1TGD_BGUlcK58pF4WUqn88pbENhQhWZR7QcC10hMJK_ch_KaW3WW8nWrTzeac8/s320/655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVPrv22Tm4jcdbVFINHiGOu7KvcQeJobZ2Rf-hdfe2zwsW3_Qo4XNTYOZqy319A800pebrwxp8DYaehRqMtonPzuSe8zIU1DwbYK2Cslpv8UkgyjfU9m0obYcu81yE_Lfb4jO4OZLP64/s1600/656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVPrv22Tm4jcdbVFINHiGOu7KvcQeJobZ2Rf-hdfe2zwsW3_Qo4XNTYOZqy319A800pebrwxp8DYaehRqMtonPzuSe8zIU1DwbYK2Cslpv8UkgyjfU9m0obYcu81yE_Lfb4jO4OZLP64/s320/656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRtvrC5vCEm5D0YYNp9yhRN1m31rLasoZrrt3V9a4JVIdW0T4_ef43XTCtjEXMS_vWasOV5eRbC_yGOG2JblBsMZnnmxnS73134sJ4jx5LKjPX-p1KEsgQDfRvxcAw_7qeNr3FoA1UlM/s1600/660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRtvrC5vCEm5D0YYNp9yhRN1m31rLasoZrrt3V9a4JVIdW0T4_ef43XTCtjEXMS_vWasOV5eRbC_yGOG2JblBsMZnnmxnS73134sJ4jx5LKjPX-p1KEsgQDfRvxcAw_7qeNr3FoA1UlM/s320/660.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8Rp4WAuCMfpxlUaZtRO_UAjnLtv-kuGMq4BaoXIl5dyeDkVZpS3qEaeC0fAIiqssnAdVkIaiuJHUtPFM3jsZ_lQxCz-1jMTURgAkBWSrG3ee0JkP_UT3MM0m0IIWkpTEBpIPWVEGfzQ/s1600/661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8Rp4WAuCMfpxlUaZtRO_UAjnLtv-kuGMq4BaoXIl5dyeDkVZpS3qEaeC0fAIiqssnAdVkIaiuJHUtPFM3jsZ_lQxCz-1jMTURgAkBWSrG3ee0JkP_UT3MM0m0IIWkpTEBpIPWVEGfzQ/s320/661.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_s-yC_CdwmNOPTPdYmxTOS-tNPY5N93702esn3kNhIBuIqP629sMGb2IoYlaROHfWlg8Ytq6cIkoUNFiae-57iT6wxCz4X_JnnbwekrCV5KqoOAn97q49mDfCi2J9QDU4aI34hCVvdU/s1600/666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_s-yC_CdwmNOPTPdYmxTOS-tNPY5N93702esn3kNhIBuIqP629sMGb2IoYlaROHfWlg8Ytq6cIkoUNFiae-57iT6wxCz4X_JnnbwekrCV5KqoOAn97q49mDfCi2J9QDU4aI34hCVvdU/s320/666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9LbrrLJlF0aoLeAsOkqTAx40B0x9PxXSkvhGhb_1INo5fCcxZs-wgU2D1RhXw9cmzY-hm5_1KeyN6qai5DttBThty3HQ12gPwQ67znsR14VrVPnoJLkiLNVjivnOFeaD79LTuvX2-Ks/s1600/667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9LbrrLJlF0aoLeAsOkqTAx40B0x9PxXSkvhGhb_1INo5fCcxZs-wgU2D1RhXw9cmzY-hm5_1KeyN6qai5DttBThty3HQ12gPwQ67znsR14VrVPnoJLkiLNVjivnOFeaD79LTuvX2-Ks/s320/667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmmbaxfe2WJDetwzvwbJcJFhGeVXUSF3q0KE8eFNz8zbWPb_3NHLz5BOo6D8jJNESx467mEmqRXkgw09zsgWQkqWFYj_2ETloCT6l6VpOfT4M0hVpIbAJ4FLd3FY0AAYOivxntx3yZHI/s1600/669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmmbaxfe2WJDetwzvwbJcJFhGeVXUSF3q0KE8eFNz8zbWPb_3NHLz5BOo6D8jJNESx467mEmqRXkgw09zsgWQkqWFYj_2ETloCT6l6VpOfT4M0hVpIbAJ4FLd3FY0AAYOivxntx3yZHI/s320/669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezFg09_g3aQTnpeR2AyRKleP6DKw4EY_FXg1nUivgLcCTq8Q3TW4xQfZus1I9mdC-nWU_hPLE-oonSwAW6fgvyH_BnlZNbCaABzCEM4NJY5CwNGnpRs0fNLmOWZFBm9lExpIZuOS79vE/s1600/670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezFg09_g3aQTnpeR2AyRKleP6DKw4EY_FXg1nUivgLcCTq8Q3TW4xQfZus1I9mdC-nWU_hPLE-oonSwAW6fgvyH_BnlZNbCaABzCEM4NJY5CwNGnpRs0fNLmOWZFBm9lExpIZuOS79vE/s320/670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccj1iyUtoaPw1iQgh3sfcK_4TiOdHJBMUX_ekOrMATTJtp02QDgrL7KSM1cioTg73vUJ_Sj8U-2GmYI3jnWEGgZ2SHjCQDTqPAF_QI2nvmZ6JlKduuiV5vU_ucF-QK_iUW-k4un90JYY/s1600/672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccj1iyUtoaPw1iQgh3sfcK_4TiOdHJBMUX_ekOrMATTJtp02QDgrL7KSM1cioTg73vUJ_Sj8U-2GmYI3jnWEGgZ2SHjCQDTqPAF_QI2nvmZ6JlKduuiV5vU_ucF-QK_iUW-k4un90JYY/s320/672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGgrr_AKlgqy4wzw2V4A686fmo7I9D6VG5WxKN7u21M_F-XwVThjorz743Je4daYBtSDohkZ9VJqTFcdOtULGUOZZrB47ZCr4wrsZMVtCSnrrHGqxxOoSSzTcM2jDKnPvBABvj1kPBRs/s1600/673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGgrr_AKlgqy4wzw2V4A686fmo7I9D6VG5WxKN7u21M_F-XwVThjorz743Je4daYBtSDohkZ9VJqTFcdOtULGUOZZrB47ZCr4wrsZMVtCSnrrHGqxxOoSSzTcM2jDKnPvBABvj1kPBRs/s320/673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuKCNxuTN6tQIftZA7u_VsgbGMTtaNarMedHmsC6GPpEkJJFkWBjMLXK0x1rl5q27YFpnkGKtgBZXS7xS7DS69lAM2MpIkyu4Ls8hHSPLU_Mgsheh1AtsdwySIcSv2UThaEU_Cq7l6dI/s1600/676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuKCNxuTN6tQIftZA7u_VsgbGMTtaNarMedHmsC6GPpEkJJFkWBjMLXK0x1rl5q27YFpnkGKtgBZXS7xS7DS69lAM2MpIkyu4Ls8hHSPLU_Mgsheh1AtsdwySIcSv2UThaEU_Cq7l6dI/s320/676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa1UxnHxhyphenhyphen9Ec8w3hckXGN-CHBw2ex3M23a3gabBUv9uUKlv-yaTHAWuUVk2iQ6uszBloydogVUzCLCjsbL2BPxnDwzRcGUZG3J39R5Zn377jZPTHp0Pg5kt2NbYh0NfQvSQ877CJ2t0/s1600/679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa1UxnHxhyphenhyphen9Ec8w3hckXGN-CHBw2ex3M23a3gabBUv9uUKlv-yaTHAWuUVk2iQ6uszBloydogVUzCLCjsbL2BPxnDwzRcGUZG3J39R5Zn377jZPTHp0Pg5kt2NbYh0NfQvSQ877CJ2t0/s320/679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWLFF3cOos4gj_tu3mK0vTPx-_dc5zMNrdNE9g2qKXp03FTpYZfd2dgWUYxoWXIdNg0i-KyISfPyJLwVWBrIPLfq1VgEoUqgaLrpTClxjBBZUr4Wddxhaf_J1dmCoJdS7cAw8CeomkuI/s1600/680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWLFF3cOos4gj_tu3mK0vTPx-_dc5zMNrdNE9g2qKXp03FTpYZfd2dgWUYxoWXIdNg0i-KyISfPyJLwVWBrIPLfq1VgEoUqgaLrpTClxjBBZUr4Wddxhaf_J1dmCoJdS7cAw8CeomkuI/s320/680.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQRw-kse_ScdQCGiMZlFa2orQ1o2qdbIQO8FCQz2cKUPY8BOVUMXP5sgklWhgsLK3FjYWG-dABA6ZbkdH6PXgURJ6UidMdsjTR_ulbZ-HKA7gPi7UVYnknZQir5penz5nHb8WQAKYmuA/s1600/682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQRw-kse_ScdQCGiMZlFa2orQ1o2qdbIQO8FCQz2cKUPY8BOVUMXP5sgklWhgsLK3FjYWG-dABA6ZbkdH6PXgURJ6UidMdsjTR_ulbZ-HKA7gPi7UVYnknZQir5penz5nHb8WQAKYmuA/s320/682.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFRWx27lY5VUfVp-MnVpw7gwVSwsxUPmh1XSRZy0EXWxoaRYyUvykDlKU-jQJwINaCAMeo4fb7iWM0BMdE3H-CtQ16z7yh2mgR7zgj0ftuMo34LVYcpxVjGC6v-p-x4act4m8jrlb6Hw/s1600/683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFRWx27lY5VUfVp-MnVpw7gwVSwsxUPmh1XSRZy0EXWxoaRYyUvykDlKU-jQJwINaCAMeo4fb7iWM0BMdE3H-CtQ16z7yh2mgR7zgj0ftuMo34LVYcpxVjGC6v-p-x4act4m8jrlb6Hw/s320/683.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9eTPGKEL46BZdJDw6jYRor9D-7AKu-pC3xuus5FqbKhy65OUrONMvYc0YnYBQdXgKM-fqyVwVSWQq5tHP2ugfM01XXoUP1c5X8m77rlfkMLIWg3h9WF2RcypV1uvKspgc_L7KWzbWD8/s1600/684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9eTPGKEL46BZdJDw6jYRor9D-7AKu-pC3xuus5FqbKhy65OUrONMvYc0YnYBQdXgKM-fqyVwVSWQq5tHP2ugfM01XXoUP1c5X8m77rlfkMLIWg3h9WF2RcypV1uvKspgc_L7KWzbWD8/s320/684.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikmU3qvbdAXgxQook-Y5KBseM4faSC9CiyPQQONNY230lK1mf7dRpBZqFEeRuN8h_hRyOkk0xoS0UENJ8EoKAJ_y7tOA1Xb7SG5gjq2UuTeOtRfvCpZ2B5rA8LY1FZaHGX6OTFTC0m3E/s1600/685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikmU3qvbdAXgxQook-Y5KBseM4faSC9CiyPQQONNY230lK1mf7dRpBZqFEeRuN8h_hRyOkk0xoS0UENJ8EoKAJ_y7tOA1Xb7SG5gjq2UuTeOtRfvCpZ2B5rA8LY1FZaHGX6OTFTC0m3E/s320/685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTjDN4zvYAbY92seT7dx2JoG9iJqMnjltg-ITEZlL7RsWHDAbI7EHT-ya71Egzb01U1xmoMTBdWYGjywd1k5-srPF8uSu1Q73ilZ6BMq_oWm8KJdxA83se8et-2LzDesR5gH-LFWVZuI/s1600/687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTjDN4zvYAbY92seT7dx2JoG9iJqMnjltg-ITEZlL7RsWHDAbI7EHT-ya71Egzb01U1xmoMTBdWYGjywd1k5-srPF8uSu1Q73ilZ6BMq_oWm8KJdxA83se8et-2LzDesR5gH-LFWVZuI/s320/687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTEw_RjAP1Nw_BzIpHCKzhfG40phPHwTXJvN_Z8IgfZ-iBCpwg3M3MtCPt_7VXIknLaW6813KnBC7P6UDKRwFWcZ6uaN3dASimVfHRJKtZYyXu1QurG_8LlD5bvtNPX1ZniTXhtsPuMc/s1600/688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTEw_RjAP1Nw_BzIpHCKzhfG40phPHwTXJvN_Z8IgfZ-iBCpwg3M3MtCPt_7VXIknLaW6813KnBC7P6UDKRwFWcZ6uaN3dASimVfHRJKtZYyXu1QurG_8LlD5bvtNPX1ZniTXhtsPuMc/s320/688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxA0W0YD4Dr72mrIgRh6I5hKcq10tJsJOwyezlAkCmsnPEpUZFMyRhcyfbAAWSbh-5bQW15W2AOrYfl08xpPoCPFDT01pwzh6lVyGW_d_6O9M6hpE7H3vHvrEIgbuhBDItlPJA89DD_I/s1600/689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxA0W0YD4Dr72mrIgRh6I5hKcq10tJsJOwyezlAkCmsnPEpUZFMyRhcyfbAAWSbh-5bQW15W2AOrYfl08xpPoCPFDT01pwzh6lVyGW_d_6O9M6hpE7H3vHvrEIgbuhBDItlPJA89DD_I/s320/689.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFPO2-PpAAW4iMXRUCU_IYAxXUQWvN2nm8tcoVCZNNmFMXDl23I6_OU3Hs5JKmi9I8mp_BPS0_MtvJtaX4kFNvCh91vpWoGToMRG31tckTpQWm7dWN_U_4BY9VsnzqYZy-2K7aqBzJ34/s1600/690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFPO2-PpAAW4iMXRUCU_IYAxXUQWvN2nm8tcoVCZNNmFMXDl23I6_OU3Hs5JKmi9I8mp_BPS0_MtvJtaX4kFNvCh91vpWoGToMRG31tckTpQWm7dWN_U_4BY9VsnzqYZy-2K7aqBzJ34/s320/690.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y5mnMKzgZRUtAlfpkvKttbsoISb4kATfwKGMSXtTd9Attg-8v8r3_-kCVC-U564xAldmbylsnCQkXoQCYvNDQYOPpx5Db2gtY-w5hwh-Do-Vyfg-5YIEoCVPVwr2mz-yXAIZoWKA0DI/s1600/691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y5mnMKzgZRUtAlfpkvKttbsoISb4kATfwKGMSXtTd9Attg-8v8r3_-kCVC-U564xAldmbylsnCQkXoQCYvNDQYOPpx5Db2gtY-w5hwh-Do-Vyfg-5YIEoCVPVwr2mz-yXAIZoWKA0DI/s320/691.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-20116988721169886092012-10-02T16:34:00.000-07:002012-10-02T16:34:07.175-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 11.Tuesday 29 May. Day 11.<br />
Ancona to Durres. (Ferry crossing to Albania)<br />
(approximately 20 miles just around Ancona centre today)<br />
<br />
I was up early once again, but before breakfast my priority was to go to the ferry port and check out the sailing times to Albania. I didn't want to miss a ferry it there was one in the morning. So I head out from hotel on foot. Whilst coming down from my room I have a check to see if my bike is still in the arcade ! It is :) PHEW !! Good news.<br />
<br />
I'm heading over the road to what looks like the port building, but its not ! Its a bus station, I hurry along the road to another building, is this the ferry building ? Nope its a court hearing building ! Blimey, how far is this ferry building - well after about 25 minutes I find it, so of I trot into the building to find some desks open and some closed - yep you guessed it, the one I need is not opened yet.… Come back at 10 am someone informs me at the building. So with the current time at 8am I head back to the hotel for some breakfast.<br />
<br />
When I arrive back I find that breakfast is just a piece of cake, and a brew! Not ideal energy fodder for the day. I go back upstairs for a while to charge up kit etc.. At about 9.30 am I head back off again towards the ferry building. I arrive there as the desks are opening (good timing I know). I ask the lady how much and what time to Albania - she informs me that the ferry to Durres sets off at 7 pm tonight and at a cost of 100 euros with a cabin. Well thats Ok I have the day at leisure then, and a cabin ! well thats a sleep over sorted too. She lets me know that the ferry arrives in Albania at 2 pm the following day.<br />
<br />
Well now thats sorted, I can head back to hotel to check out and just explore Ancona for the day, and take photos of Ancona. I leave the hotel and pack up the bike. I head off in the direction of the hill in the town. On the way I cycle through the centre which is very busy - there is a clear path through a garden part that runs through the centre of the town, and comes out at another coast view, its from there I head up hill again through a built up residential area, I stop on a steep hill and call in a supermarket for some water and food to keep me going. I head up further to the summit of the town only to end up looking back down the other side of town to building work in the distance. I turn back around and head back towards the port area again.<br />
<br />
Whilst heading towards the port I divert into the center again of the town, and stop for lunch at a cafe - I look at the menu and its all in Italian - I can't make out what it all says, so I take pot luck and choose something off the menu, and also order a drink too (Soft drink, its only afternoon ! :-)) When it arrives, I'm thinking I don't like the look of this.. lots of rice with lots of mussels mixed in the dish, I nod to the waiter and smile Thank you I say - only to really be thinking Crap !! Oh well I will eat it, and I did, it was Ok but would have like pasta instead :-(<br />
<br />
I head back to port after that meal and stay mostly around until late afternoon - I mainly end up just sunbathing/relaxing not far from the ferry entrance. At about 6.30 pm I cycle my way into the ferry docks, I get towards the departure point and hit a queue of vehicles and cars waiting to board onto the ferry. I notice a large military presence awaiting to board also looks like NATO they have guns on them too! At least it should be a safe crossing with these guys on board.<br />
<br />
Once everyone were boarding their vehicles and trucks/wagons etc the queue moves slowly onto the ferry, I'm near the ramp and a big guy stops me - you are last because bike, big vehicles first! So I wait patiently for my turn to board, there are some right sights driving onto the ferry, I remember a car stacked onto what looked like a Dinky truck haha. It was my turn eventually and the guy waved me on board, he asked me where I was going to I told him Istanbul - he replied Are you not scared ?? Well,... thats the first time that someone had asked me that, so naturally after that was thinking Am I ?Never thought of it really, but if I'm honest the thought of traveling through Albania would probably be the most challenging.<br />
<br />
I push the bike on board, tie it to some bars on the bottom deck, remove my belongings and make my way to the check in to get my cabin. All is great, I get my cabin card to get into the cabin, and when I get there I see that there are 3 bunks ! Ummm I think, do I have any one of these to sleep on or could I be sharing with others (surely not!) But I did notice a little wash bag on the opposite top bunk. My thought was that it could have been left by the people that was on the previous crossing to Italy from Albania.<br />
<br />
Well just to be safe I had a shower, and tied my panniers up and left them in the corner of the cabin. If some others were sharing they were out of the way and locked up. I left the cabin and went up to the top deck before departure to see the view of leaving Italy and heading towards Albania with the sun setting.<br />
<br />
I made a quick phone call back home as usual at this time of day, and informed Mrs F that I had three bunks to myself or maybe not ! I said that I would update here on the bunk situation when I arrived in Albania the following afternoon when we got a phone signal again, we said goodbyes and ended the call.<br />
<br />
So after a few photos of the deck and shots of the sunset, I headed back to the cabin to see if I had any people sharing the cabin I was in. I opened the door, looked in and Nothing!! Everything was as I left it, so by this time I needed to go get an evening meal from the on board cafe. I got pasta and a few beers this time then headed back to cabin at around 10 pm. As I got back and opened cabin door Nothing and nobody was inside therefore I was definitely on my own in this 3 berth cabin, and so I started to open the panniers and remove phones and gps and place them on charge through the night in the few charging points in the cabin.<br />
<br />
I was tucked up nicely in bed and sleeping like a log all was well. But in the early hours of the morning I was awoken with the door flying wide open and greeted by 2 Albanian guys and a big dog at their side stood in the doorway, it was dark I could only make out their silhouettes I could hear them taking and could make out the dog sniffing at my panniers near the door. My first thought I as tried to open my eyes was - Is it customs, is it the police, is it a drug bust of some kind ?? I replied to them saying , I'm English ! One of them spoke english he said sorry my friend this is our cabin also, we have driven from London and got onto ferry to Albania, we were tired of all the driving and went straight to the bar upon boarding the ferry... I see I replied its Ok then, they were getting themselves into their bunks after putting the dog into the toilet part of the cabin. My first thought was wheres my wallet, phone and my gps (they were on the table at the side of the beds so I reached out with one hand in the darkness and placed it into my bunk under the covers, same with my phones.. it was my gps now that was still in bathroom charging, I threw the blanket of me and one of the guys says I will get the dog if you need to use the bathroom, Its Ok I reply I just need to unplug my gamin, I push my arm through gap in toilet room and retrieve the gps, I then return back to my bunk in darkness with all my valuable items at hand. We all say our nights and go off to sleep until morning.<br />
<br />
I did not really sleep that well tonight, because I didn't really know who these strangers were :-O<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_slesWIDbhTyvHCAZ-qlxvDPsxDIW_JgRvlKY1RoEgX1WelqjbS0oKT-S2Qclvwf2g7qn-zEOUDwexwyFz4MQNs90_djd4_2dWt-hBJqBgogVUIu62qmyRVEgIvP5oD6tsZeuyNLHuUU/s1600/616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_slesWIDbhTyvHCAZ-qlxvDPsxDIW_JgRvlKY1RoEgX1WelqjbS0oKT-S2Qclvwf2g7qn-zEOUDwexwyFz4MQNs90_djd4_2dWt-hBJqBgogVUIu62qmyRVEgIvP5oD6tsZeuyNLHuUU/s320/616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqKO_AlnGjMK-Ib_k687-6c-TjI-XTTP2ZP9OtIppzdDv1yPgPoQ-FwsNbMlN9q8WMMe0V9orodCb3uybrMZDWm8WHNjo6jdwPJeSa_3DqSvgd5dpsGjcpNp6-SngZf23ATyGpRY0Crc/s1600/617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqKO_AlnGjMK-Ib_k687-6c-TjI-XTTP2ZP9OtIppzdDv1yPgPoQ-FwsNbMlN9q8WMMe0V9orodCb3uybrMZDWm8WHNjo6jdwPJeSa_3DqSvgd5dpsGjcpNp6-SngZf23ATyGpRY0Crc/s320/617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuFIdBlAe0tg4-KzcBw8eJ4pV04l9hr3eJDOwm0OjEcXVbnlRcRjs7anLcDO1bcfyidYRfWy1fbxny4hSZRoKuKuQU-IQZo-E0ljoeDK6p3N-aogFboHW71nSKOvk67UptGVL-9JeEBY/s1600/618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuFIdBlAe0tg4-KzcBw8eJ4pV04l9hr3eJDOwm0OjEcXVbnlRcRjs7anLcDO1bcfyidYRfWy1fbxny4hSZRoKuKuQU-IQZo-E0ljoeDK6p3N-aogFboHW71nSKOvk67UptGVL-9JeEBY/s320/618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVtbRd-6VHfRpV71goBAoOMsT6BMANBbMkY6PqRlHgAigu8ou-eJc_6-qlHUI7YPilpGF45OjkURMF37ICXKm8A0wH-ymnF3bJk0-R7TmnxWjoPG28WVtSCrzh9xjX8-fF94Qls3E0mY/s1600/619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVtbRd-6VHfRpV71goBAoOMsT6BMANBbMkY6PqRlHgAigu8ou-eJc_6-qlHUI7YPilpGF45OjkURMF37ICXKm8A0wH-ymnF3bJk0-R7TmnxWjoPG28WVtSCrzh9xjX8-fF94Qls3E0mY/s320/619.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq9Xd55hyydvXSKLXTTq0amtyMk5L7ZHGTRIwb5M_3a0xUMS38kCeFHa1kIUEV9xYp3xuBpwxiL0bhkilgd_C4AO1yHgcHi-SN2G18cu_DRaQ94Q0UtwWTxuscGjzsltZuwVan338CXY/s1600/620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq9Xd55hyydvXSKLXTTq0amtyMk5L7ZHGTRIwb5M_3a0xUMS38kCeFHa1kIUEV9xYp3xuBpwxiL0bhkilgd_C4AO1yHgcHi-SN2G18cu_DRaQ94Q0UtwWTxuscGjzsltZuwVan338CXY/s320/620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWINTtwmqThfHPBLJH4lSM7LfLfh09iUAeJSSaAps1V-hTT-k_VgUGOZPpsq0qMsqmIc1m3-hxTDIj7zA6bNr8-6Vn0JE6O5feaWZacg0I3PbXZ5BjR2A0Tz3J9VXntZ-ydTnjDJQlodU/s1600/621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWINTtwmqThfHPBLJH4lSM7LfLfh09iUAeJSSaAps1V-hTT-k_VgUGOZPpsq0qMsqmIc1m3-hxTDIj7zA6bNr8-6Vn0JE6O5feaWZacg0I3PbXZ5BjR2A0Tz3J9VXntZ-ydTnjDJQlodU/s320/621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjUwf1-lf2sEd3DXYbATWaAQ7pnNzDTf6pQOG9K5-BzVdnFZQSw1mXkMhaPZGEZisrXwXm-R-ipnNHydyvxhgNyWBvY2FE1O0naGYykWrOlHPNT2nwmDNR25RRom49xWnbdvcwhWH7ZA/s1600/622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjUwf1-lf2sEd3DXYbATWaAQ7pnNzDTf6pQOG9K5-BzVdnFZQSw1mXkMhaPZGEZisrXwXm-R-ipnNHydyvxhgNyWBvY2FE1O0naGYykWrOlHPNT2nwmDNR25RRom49xWnbdvcwhWH7ZA/s320/622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieamaq0GyqhnRDUZ9JgQ6y6j2swpeqMvDsYeiYP0_coB7TOhvMlhqZDdb6n17N9hLOmkYfzn1a5ni3IApw-8RFWWaP_G2Rvx1UgSBQHh5rEa4eoJY1cCruM8OKCmz763FKBIX_1TfyxiI/s1600/623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieamaq0GyqhnRDUZ9JgQ6y6j2swpeqMvDsYeiYP0_coB7TOhvMlhqZDdb6n17N9hLOmkYfzn1a5ni3IApw-8RFWWaP_G2Rvx1UgSBQHh5rEa4eoJY1cCruM8OKCmz763FKBIX_1TfyxiI/s320/623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl4NwMK_6FrWx0NAaWgTXEBWFXgd88n81r_N8BdELrB-p2sym-ZZQmm6xoi-Uq8wENnQxHDMR1RlXQse2-yF5cqy6tXcKcPXti79kar8vXQ8Rl6b19JrMoc0PmyzjIzOywIUdOo6F1gw/s1600/626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl4NwMK_6FrWx0NAaWgTXEBWFXgd88n81r_N8BdELrB-p2sym-ZZQmm6xoi-Uq8wENnQxHDMR1RlXQse2-yF5cqy6tXcKcPXti79kar8vXQ8Rl6b19JrMoc0PmyzjIzOywIUdOo6F1gw/s320/626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpdekh0knBhJLRuncO6Iv1aGdcbVHOqw1n1QFlDZ1T-4Ti5PXaql67K2kePL0qc1VQOQkDpP0G_H8gMO2aIXrEniJr-8UCqet-4ghM1gvvj2M1YaSZJK6I0Yy_R05UIiuwHOuGCTtyoQ/s1600/627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpdekh0knBhJLRuncO6Iv1aGdcbVHOqw1n1QFlDZ1T-4Ti5PXaql67K2kePL0qc1VQOQkDpP0G_H8gMO2aIXrEniJr-8UCqet-4ghM1gvvj2M1YaSZJK6I0Yy_R05UIiuwHOuGCTtyoQ/s320/627.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDtwBbCphZBl9FTNatlc5tQ-ch7CUWgpFh8CJztmhu-CV1pVkKrHJbttHAYCnkO3epde1WUqRyXa9wISURjdOcoEkv_oceYcyWzX8odENbZSi0NjavNmt-qPOogWX_3OgCtixVlcw52E/s1600/628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDtwBbCphZBl9FTNatlc5tQ-ch7CUWgpFh8CJztmhu-CV1pVkKrHJbttHAYCnkO3epde1WUqRyXa9wISURjdOcoEkv_oceYcyWzX8odENbZSi0NjavNmt-qPOogWX_3OgCtixVlcw52E/s320/628.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj68nJK2FUtqu9xhvOPEE7ydr1OV4ffng4d3YWnGDpYQRSv1HMRnrtAtSAvJgm2W8dtkRjq6jN97dOkw02xo_Yv_muT7p1IWIi774Ryx6IZ8PiOV5kr0ZyHN8QHKtJ9X_K__gZyfkmBLg/s1600/629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj68nJK2FUtqu9xhvOPEE7ydr1OV4ffng4d3YWnGDpYQRSv1HMRnrtAtSAvJgm2W8dtkRjq6jN97dOkw02xo_Yv_muT7p1IWIi774Ryx6IZ8PiOV5kr0ZyHN8QHKtJ9X_K__gZyfkmBLg/s320/629.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYTwPJ-tbyKIa9hp7wiyrlZrkkDIlDz-jFeEW01sPgbwLb3BUFFxMZGJ2XPxN_uDTL8wwSYaxtvoA6Bcb-WY_-O4Mp5cusfcD4cB5oLVeUSxJon4V_P3zVjWtj7k9ahfEqt0z0Bm9wQI/s1600/630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYTwPJ-tbyKIa9hp7wiyrlZrkkDIlDz-jFeEW01sPgbwLb3BUFFxMZGJ2XPxN_uDTL8wwSYaxtvoA6Bcb-WY_-O4Mp5cusfcD4cB5oLVeUSxJon4V_P3zVjWtj7k9ahfEqt0z0Bm9wQI/s320/630.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ldpNnPOhP2FHjz89YcvhWCLCmPXbnxJxlKGU6LrcQNMZo8rb9iS9HOlPVZ2MxDVpDVRiX5BNH5QjhhsLzH2qEfwAEYNqRT91q-6mnfJ8XQsI7IweXpcWx4pU_9oyx-TngHxOgi3Mju8/s1600/632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ldpNnPOhP2FHjz89YcvhWCLCmPXbnxJxlKGU6LrcQNMZo8rb9iS9HOlPVZ2MxDVpDVRiX5BNH5QjhhsLzH2qEfwAEYNqRT91q-6mnfJ8XQsI7IweXpcWx4pU_9oyx-TngHxOgi3Mju8/s320/632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Na-hpVdayNyELXkx_PjKKim8HtM1YYfCCNjpJo0aHJ0e_PwLjYb0TccIpI6N7clx2iOdrWrhKhbERjPkovkGUyuqzqi3U_sUo_AYF8SoR8y9NxmQDaOBiwuRwJOYaUy99efRYyj0NDI/s1600/633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Na-hpVdayNyELXkx_PjKKim8HtM1YYfCCNjpJo0aHJ0e_PwLjYb0TccIpI6N7clx2iOdrWrhKhbERjPkovkGUyuqzqi3U_sUo_AYF8SoR8y9NxmQDaOBiwuRwJOYaUy99efRYyj0NDI/s320/633.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi025CTMJHDN9lHuE0FBwVGH19kMRpCB6O_sDidZrlNdwszgB8kULC34J3RBNwymzIHXGZCsABw27cbDnJKGPEHKoLGjSbVQYcascqTiRt1Vm49cD_9Xnlj9YcjAXVxmFIH8eciBtvLho/s1600/635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi025CTMJHDN9lHuE0FBwVGH19kMRpCB6O_sDidZrlNdwszgB8kULC34J3RBNwymzIHXGZCsABw27cbDnJKGPEHKoLGjSbVQYcascqTiRt1Vm49cD_9Xnlj9YcjAXVxmFIH8eciBtvLho/s320/635.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOETUOyvK526dROjmBrjDz0M9OWaNZL-zXnFGReo9Ey8GTVovWmYbI7xKFnG5sbmj1trCjfAE1gZ8lzVMELgOqX2hND_uVEemY6V98_-ZIE0Wl7rivhiNlznk7vESaMIxLqdaZXevSmc0/s1600/637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOETUOyvK526dROjmBrjDz0M9OWaNZL-zXnFGReo9Ey8GTVovWmYbI7xKFnG5sbmj1trCjfAE1gZ8lzVMELgOqX2hND_uVEemY6V98_-ZIE0Wl7rivhiNlznk7vESaMIxLqdaZXevSmc0/s320/637.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrpxLY7K0OKbTXwkdjZwnjfnXsz3ATca1HuFNevUO63lU2Hi30MwnMkksLAn43uBOx7_IaxwtKj8OVGRuJj2xLBKIaS9k_fUVJtX_mR45aah5xqsH1KtZV7BtwT-l25c52n_Ov8JF0MA/s1600/640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrpxLY7K0OKbTXwkdjZwnjfnXsz3ATca1HuFNevUO63lU2Hi30MwnMkksLAn43uBOx7_IaxwtKj8OVGRuJj2xLBKIaS9k_fUVJtX_mR45aah5xqsH1KtZV7BtwT-l25c52n_Ov8JF0MA/s320/640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpXADijdfnknqd4jJboTZRgIhXiIbMfUrqFUce7NXe7G9uJzuJRrHHTRkcrxrxmmE36mCCKGCq_4GpfRP34LIuRKEFGWt70QuWns7Ca3j-4XcDWc8luaNPozGSVP5TqWlVn40AP8Mhwo/s1600/647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpXADijdfnknqd4jJboTZRgIhXiIbMfUrqFUce7NXe7G9uJzuJRrHHTRkcrxrxmmE36mCCKGCq_4GpfRP34LIuRKEFGWt70QuWns7Ca3j-4XcDWc8luaNPozGSVP5TqWlVn40AP8Mhwo/s320/647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtsvZR1sA_94_79YDTC9O64I94UnlMbVykWLaFbQTgKKyejr87S42WebyJJPI7LhzCNsQb5MshuPMAMvFWU59c_3kVEAqQj7QKrpYUmBafOM2vq-OaUKc1Qr7Oq9TloZVnRanj-6xmb4/s1600/650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtsvZR1sA_94_79YDTC9O64I94UnlMbVykWLaFbQTgKKyejr87S42WebyJJPI7LhzCNsQb5MshuPMAMvFWU59c_3kVEAqQj7QKrpYUmBafOM2vq-OaUKc1Qr7Oq9TloZVnRanj-6xmb4/s320/650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSRCAfPg678QILHJ-dtCrYdtjgGXwlIFsTBe9DuEdcTBmCB4V30BCyjqjh8IHlFUcggj3qM4mcUAUcOXVcciyhPeQyrj7Ntmw1IgxLqlE5pJ29yEKitjVPuf4_HNX6NYi3aLzcJTwXPY/s1600/648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSRCAfPg678QILHJ-dtCrYdtjgGXwlIFsTBe9DuEdcTBmCB4V30BCyjqjh8IHlFUcggj3qM4mcUAUcOXVcciyhPeQyrj7Ntmw1IgxLqlE5pJ29yEKitjVPuf4_HNX6NYi3aLzcJTwXPY/s320/648.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyMkHIiOAcEyuDEvWtmijHxmkqoxYp1Mi_01wnZhpm_5bqUJs6kP9LcEIOgv3oiqG5baohB1yW48FYBfc9bfVnnBVDWsd_A8vZ6sGEXUlhVxBwI-d3ywxXV0jfUD3JwPyi2u-HXB6YBM/s1600/649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyMkHIiOAcEyuDEvWtmijHxmkqoxYp1Mi_01wnZhpm_5bqUJs6kP9LcEIOgv3oiqG5baohB1yW48FYBfc9bfVnnBVDWsd_A8vZ6sGEXUlhVxBwI-d3ywxXV0jfUD3JwPyi2u-HXB6YBM/s320/649.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-75117977918375465662012-10-02T14:13:00.000-07:002012-10-02T14:13:30.600-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 10.Monday 28 May. Day 10.<br />
Modena to Ancona 164 miles.<br />
<br />
After waking up about 6 am I was feeling a little tired, but I had to get up, get packed and off I go on my bike for another day. After a larger breakfast than normal I was off to reception to check out of hotel, the guy on reception was the guy who checked me in last night and first off he said that I didn't lock my bike up last night and that he was surprised it was still there... I left it in a bike rack outside the back of hotel. I said I thought it would be Ok being at the back of hotel but maybe not! Lucky me then by the looks of it, as it was there waiting for my good self to jump on and off I go for another day.<br />
<br />
One thing that was different today that I noticed was how many people that were around and about compared with yesterday - probably due to the fact it was now Monday and all people back to work. Anyway, my first port of call was to see if I could get any money out of a cash machine as I was now really scraping the barrel. I cycled off out of Modena and it looked quite an easy route today I just need to follow the SS9 and that would take me to Rimini. I was just hoping the bike would be Ok and that the roads stay flat and then I could really knock out some good miles today - head down and off i went.<br />
<br />
I received a twitter message from a follower around an hour after setting off and it said that stay in the north of Italy as its very flat. Well they were bang on there, because thats what it was like straight to Rimini. I had made it there after about 7 hrs of cycling it was around 1 pm and I was in the centre just cycling around the town, I also remember it well because I had a go at getting some money from a cash machine (and it worked!) Fantastic ! I was starting to get a little worried, because I was down to about 5 euros in cash. So this withdrawal boosted my morale together with knocking off a hundred miles just after dinner. I celebrated by calling in at a pizza shop for a few slices and a coke cola drink.<br />
<br />
I continued to make my was to the coast as I knew this maybe a beach type place and wanted to see the Adriatic sea. I did and continued to cycle along the coast and it was very nice beach, it was miles long and one thing I did notice was that it was in sections, all 250 sections I cycled passed along the path parallel to the beach. Each section had a bar, playgrounds, sun loungers etc (I'd never seen a resort split up like this before). The sun was beating down and the temp was probably at the maximum for the day. I was beginning to slow down and was just taking in the beach a little too much and the time was ticking away, I had a chance to really get a record day of milage in here so I better stop looking around and get on with the cycling.<br />
<br />
I only got out of the resort and noticed a Mcds and turned into it and scoffed a Bigmac meal with coke and a coffee for after - the restaurant was really quiet too. I was one of three people who was in there (maybe Italians don't eat many McDs unless it was just a quiet part of the day for them). After the meal I was off on the bike again and heading towards Ancona. My thoughts along the way was that I could get a ferry from there instead of going further down the coast of Italy to Bari (thats where I originally was going to get a ferry over to Albania) I had my bother (Ady) looking on internet back home checking what times and days the ferry made the crossings. It worked out that I could board a ferry tomorrow from Ancona and arrive in Albania by 3 pm the following afternoon, or cycle to Bari and get to Albania the same day but at 7pm that night. Well, the option of Ancona was more inviting because when I arrive in Albania I could knock off some miles from 2 pm that afternoon.... So. thats my plan, I crack on towards Ancona, its about 40 miles to go but I stop off at a bike shop, to have a new tyre put on the back wheel, just in case (I didn't want to get to eastern Europe and have worn tyre that may start to puncture ! (I'd had enough of set backs earlier on in my adventure. The front tyre still looked liked new still even after all the miles up to now (Schwalbe Marathon type).<br />
<br />
The bike shop quickly changed the tyre and also changed the brake pads - Result! that should do me for the rest of my cycle to Istanbul. At the shop there was a Japanese guy who looked like he was on a cycle adventure too - he was trying to talk to the shop owner that he's cycled from japan and loves Italy country. he was right I was enjoying Italy too. The japanese guy was having plenty of photos taken with the locals, before he set back off on his touring bike to wherever next. I left the shop not long after and said my goodbyes (no photos though) :-)<br />
<br />
For the afternoon it was all along the coast mainly, cycling with the sea view to my left for the rest of the afternoon into the early evening. I had a couple of stops at petrol stations along the coast road where I had drinks and snacks and a few ice creams. I met another touring cyclist from Sweden, he was going in the opposite direction. I was eating well today but I'm not surprised as when I arrived in Ancona I had cycled up a daily milage of 164 miles (this was the most on any day of my trip so I was buzzing).<br />
<br />
Just as was coming into Ancona I looked back to take a photo of the sun going down had been a great day of cycling considering I was not feeling very energetic this morning. I was on the outskirts of Ancona near the ferry port and came across a hotel it was only a cheap one, I walked in with my bike and asked if any room for tonight, It was 20 euros, very basic but Ok. The only thing that concerned me was the fact my bike was to be left in an arcade part of the cafe within the hotel building :( but the girl on reception assured me it would be Ok. I took my panniers up to my room, usual shower, changed and out around the corner to a restaurant pizza and pasta place I remember it well as the locals were gathered around the television above the small bar area watching Deal or no deal in Italian :-) After my meal and of course some Red wine, I returned around the corner back to hotel to sleep, on the way up the staircase I looked back to make sure my bike was ok (It was still there propped up against the gaming machines :-) My first job tomorrow morning was to get up early and go to the ferry port to check sailing times to Albania.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuNqhPYKg8OKfK2oIkC6JDmWmRbZniG9xNAC7gX3kyl-Spzk7vS2TtaYeI0mCEmfGnq2VeEn3WG6aj5Uzl-_EgPkLZoi0jRcHPwY7GPaTyxTlOEzqeICdGJV9j37mjHteRsOqOv4Cn5E/s1600/586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuNqhPYKg8OKfK2oIkC6JDmWmRbZniG9xNAC7gX3kyl-Spzk7vS2TtaYeI0mCEmfGnq2VeEn3WG6aj5Uzl-_EgPkLZoi0jRcHPwY7GPaTyxTlOEzqeICdGJV9j37mjHteRsOqOv4Cn5E/s320/586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVCFN_xREIVU1PlnAbdutKlPaIXmrkGmVFcxxflzgHcTsbnAZtXx3WiwC7I2Th-5IvSzi_IdkeRUP2r9k50TmOm6oxVv8AxrQpGPLWY4Bch8IvxnwsTBbVoBB44bW-44N_P-9cnUoqqk/s1600/587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVCFN_xREIVU1PlnAbdutKlPaIXmrkGmVFcxxflzgHcTsbnAZtXx3WiwC7I2Th-5IvSzi_IdkeRUP2r9k50TmOm6oxVv8AxrQpGPLWY4Bch8IvxnwsTBbVoBB44bW-44N_P-9cnUoqqk/s320/587.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtORxByxw75FCJLaSGpdEG4D97FoglXNgRxI-i58oWGR0zGQUjaheUwrigP2M81onI2sjnJPpbwGIsxxPhaEuRMI5OYE_IbyOEiMWnkWw7kh9LwPUXGqHbWKJwcBdZmENMYTofQxAXeYo/s1600/588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtORxByxw75FCJLaSGpdEG4D97FoglXNgRxI-i58oWGR0zGQUjaheUwrigP2M81onI2sjnJPpbwGIsxxPhaEuRMI5OYE_IbyOEiMWnkWw7kh9LwPUXGqHbWKJwcBdZmENMYTofQxAXeYo/s320/588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTltn3X-Yy_jXnoX1A-_0bIY1niTenWOPeg1lvMSDVCXqwwQwU_CLx2soXySHbYfkDldXifvLVzdsxAKNpLKlqd2b7I6k2hsWepY-FOvpNe8dBHIh2Iypajb-q4gRNak6DJC-Ec_xq3sk/s1600/589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTltn3X-Yy_jXnoX1A-_0bIY1niTenWOPeg1lvMSDVCXqwwQwU_CLx2soXySHbYfkDldXifvLVzdsxAKNpLKlqd2b7I6k2hsWepY-FOvpNe8dBHIh2Iypajb-q4gRNak6DJC-Ec_xq3sk/s320/589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KnqEPi0mCf8elOoN_OrQZsG0py7XNhFYg9rEjHwmTHj5dr3-KACrxICTsP02E8dMYLjF_UXI2EpU1MZTtOspzEfsPk8DZxx2X_Pu3lQ40TZJEUYBmfJ74T2CVh3kU_Lbc0zKGtRePU/s1600/590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KnqEPi0mCf8elOoN_OrQZsG0py7XNhFYg9rEjHwmTHj5dr3-KACrxICTsP02E8dMYLjF_UXI2EpU1MZTtOspzEfsPk8DZxx2X_Pu3lQ40TZJEUYBmfJ74T2CVh3kU_Lbc0zKGtRePU/s320/590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRyCh3MTxXNNJdeF7npICn8nzJQhs2RtG9QFEF4_Q9Oew0BlqnqoFRq6BjfCOKdoSAQ7OP7zywirLXLemjTNb_X2BKSvVJeb9fWdXZCAVKXLyDPobFPwMlQPueiB8CLRanXQPsyisx94/s1600/591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRyCh3MTxXNNJdeF7npICn8nzJQhs2RtG9QFEF4_Q9Oew0BlqnqoFRq6BjfCOKdoSAQ7OP7zywirLXLemjTNb_X2BKSvVJeb9fWdXZCAVKXLyDPobFPwMlQPueiB8CLRanXQPsyisx94/s320/591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyJWJ8hYObPJpjwCVGgKXZ_mDMI4XYw03_gVr7zosPqWajNAK-chbGa4oDsJFOZXudtYmNyrS_M3hqHbx36mnKC8YjFAllWAgzl5eIdnguu4RdZgCgrGnlSggtnx6aitJK30YmlRaGvs/s1600/592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyJWJ8hYObPJpjwCVGgKXZ_mDMI4XYw03_gVr7zosPqWajNAK-chbGa4oDsJFOZXudtYmNyrS_M3hqHbx36mnKC8YjFAllWAgzl5eIdnguu4RdZgCgrGnlSggtnx6aitJK30YmlRaGvs/s320/592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk9WHp8MMWyQMg1zxtKWh0V-DukA2iq4G5BKnue94jSZTypfhSf_fSQUITIUdWwCml45sbi4gBX63Z40IWymLDO6P0VMfwFHGu1ErGhX4JnT2965jyAw2fpiYgxHH8iY0T9CsYJyi_LI/s1600/593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk9WHp8MMWyQMg1zxtKWh0V-DukA2iq4G5BKnue94jSZTypfhSf_fSQUITIUdWwCml45sbi4gBX63Z40IWymLDO6P0VMfwFHGu1ErGhX4JnT2965jyAw2fpiYgxHH8iY0T9CsYJyi_LI/s320/593.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLWjBhz6lvr6h7MvOClDT7SIOLJWG7ym8Y81SB9jWqmTE06rhSps7VZIfIDThLPlOCRQTy1O3hcgdgYDwn8VQKMeqo6ixma-n6Z3p1GuYyaPaBT2iWTX50XLnQknkmg1_9XPGWZmje4U/s1600/594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLWjBhz6lvr6h7MvOClDT7SIOLJWG7ym8Y81SB9jWqmTE06rhSps7VZIfIDThLPlOCRQTy1O3hcgdgYDwn8VQKMeqo6ixma-n6Z3p1GuYyaPaBT2iWTX50XLnQknkmg1_9XPGWZmje4U/s320/594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYV5CnKZ5UEp2Irtme-WmdtgXwkECitoqOyYwdEBWh0-7H9ouNLVb8VbnU2DP7kp4R2F_wbrCx6lKAftzdpkMasYUbYKGx2G10uySmpQ72-VnYQfU7vU94LJUojR58ao558AAT9KQ4L0/s1600/595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYV5CnKZ5UEp2Irtme-WmdtgXwkECitoqOyYwdEBWh0-7H9ouNLVb8VbnU2DP7kp4R2F_wbrCx6lKAftzdpkMasYUbYKGx2G10uySmpQ72-VnYQfU7vU94LJUojR58ao558AAT9KQ4L0/s320/595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JKEJURvT3svbLcHv0_d9uwgrvH0qWcY8v0BLV4QNikcaJpH90yQsCtwwnquenfXTvux-Och-PQzwvD9LrQLBzMqNoO2jXcTp-tsTDRbUtAQ1PVWjGWRAqovww0R0ShLVSx-1INhAHK8/s1600/598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JKEJURvT3svbLcHv0_d9uwgrvH0qWcY8v0BLV4QNikcaJpH90yQsCtwwnquenfXTvux-Och-PQzwvD9LrQLBzMqNoO2jXcTp-tsTDRbUtAQ1PVWjGWRAqovww0R0ShLVSx-1INhAHK8/s320/598.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0HAfDSATw2THIMOfwv4nGtGeNojcsr8QUEl7hhFs6mQYP0xrVHKVuFgVbj5UQ9JpYhzE0tkwi4uUgi8kvfTJUQDmCFvG8TsOD5tofzBRFgAVxoGc8-h-ZEVQr4kP5S120G9lQfOizHk/s1600/599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0HAfDSATw2THIMOfwv4nGtGeNojcsr8QUEl7hhFs6mQYP0xrVHKVuFgVbj5UQ9JpYhzE0tkwi4uUgi8kvfTJUQDmCFvG8TsOD5tofzBRFgAVxoGc8-h-ZEVQr4kP5S120G9lQfOizHk/s320/599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbNsvnj1qKIWHn2eKnL0zCtU7ylOi_3vEE_hfFPkir4fOOx6q-X0ZzJdeVmhezLwl2kcBnc7M9RJseMOfQS6HfGJQ5-chKp1P-49rjTP0ulRBBJkaGLuADB0LcuEoUsFBo6A_snVRg_c/s1600/605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbNsvnj1qKIWHn2eKnL0zCtU7ylOi_3vEE_hfFPkir4fOOx6q-X0ZzJdeVmhezLwl2kcBnc7M9RJseMOfQS6HfGJQ5-chKp1P-49rjTP0ulRBBJkaGLuADB0LcuEoUsFBo6A_snVRg_c/s320/605.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAiPUdDg4OQfOs848pLXzAJf7nbg6iYdx2POWvr_rZRddLbm63YkScy1053fRSmD1AxRWAdY3sdNCKqznTIXNh0sUSmSmnLwjdfQXcsfqmYFgsPKNA23MBOaC7VdXVEK_voruiQ6FK_M/s1600/606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAiPUdDg4OQfOs848pLXzAJf7nbg6iYdx2POWvr_rZRddLbm63YkScy1053fRSmD1AxRWAdY3sdNCKqznTIXNh0sUSmSmnLwjdfQXcsfqmYFgsPKNA23MBOaC7VdXVEK_voruiQ6FK_M/s320/606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkEm-XX6gDwzINSainb-XxMw7Ep00XAwoEQd_HFhW3ahmKFD3GWiVHYZoHuSzAgGEY1D0kvrRNYeMMWiAeued59YGeE48WVRiYiSHFm44jcDRg3d7AUmJg2LVpZ-OgXjn7E8gSQ5Eiyg/s1600/613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkEm-XX6gDwzINSainb-XxMw7Ep00XAwoEQd_HFhW3ahmKFD3GWiVHYZoHuSzAgGEY1D0kvrRNYeMMWiAeued59YGeE48WVRiYiSHFm44jcDRg3d7AUmJg2LVpZ-OgXjn7E8gSQ5Eiyg/s320/613.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYvr2McV3ITYw37-4H4BP2gOhOgNDlL40_K8xqIwCFosp1P8kO8oq3vOVYzwWxeplIcRyxSuvgxtnBVTjJELQuULLt2GelLzovfhixdI7lAZUKVeoSNdAJ1MOS_IRa3OhiTTO-_6Eshc/s1600/614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYvr2McV3ITYw37-4H4BP2gOhOgNDlL40_K8xqIwCFosp1P8kO8oq3vOVYzwWxeplIcRyxSuvgxtnBVTjJELQuULLt2GelLzovfhixdI7lAZUKVeoSNdAJ1MOS_IRa3OhiTTO-_6Eshc/s320/614.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-81236454696486270342012-10-01T13:34:00.000-07:002012-10-01T13:34:49.000-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 9.Sunday 27 May. Day 9.<div>
Alessandria to Modena 145 miles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As usual it's the same routine, up around 6.30am then down for breakfast at 7am. Stock up on food a lot today as I do need to bang some miles in now, especially the roads seem to be very flat which should help me knock up the milage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before I leave the town I need to find a cash machine, as my card that had my budget on has all been used up whoops! After trying at one hole in the wall its not playing and states connection not made and spits my card back out - not a great start, I will just have to try a other cash machines along the route for today.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Looking at the map I reckon it would be great to hit Modena by this evening... looks a good distance for today. I'm heading east now towards Piacenza, its nice and sunny again and the roads are superb, and I've just got my head down listening to my tunes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last night on my daily call back home to my wife and daughter, my wife told me that my 6yr old daughter had written a letter to me asking for me to come home safe and that she misses me (This was fantastic and I was really touched by that, so today I recorded a video message to send to Facebook so she would see that I had received her letter - she sent it the previous night by way of a lantern that was let off from our house).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just after midday it was time for stop at Lidl for food and drink stop. Once topped up I'm back off and making fantastic mile up to now, I'm definitely on plan to reach destination. Around late afternoon I just stop for a little break and see a nice motorbike, I put my bike down and take a pic. Its by a furniture outlet and in the entrance is a drinks machine - I just feel like a coffee so I buy one and it did taste nice even if it was out of a machine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Its now about 7pm and I'm coming into Modena, its a fantastic looking place lots of old buildings and lots of restaurants I spend sometime just cycling around the centre checking the place out. Its also time to try and find somewhere to stay, I end up just outside the main centre and book in for the night, I have to leave my bike outside tonight at the back entrance to the hotel, there are other bikes in the rack at the time I place mine in, I then remove my panniers etc and make my way up to my room, after shower and change I'm off down to reception asking for wifi code so i can update twitter and facebook - the nightly updates :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He replies with - you pay for wifi, it was a little expensive for internet so I passed on that one and headed out into the centre to look for somewhere to eat. The place had quieted down a little since when I first cycled into the place. I see a restaurant with tables and chairs outside, I pick my table and now waiting to place my order the waiter comes over and I point out my order (I can't speak Italian neither!) and I order the wine, can't forget the rocket fuel .</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After my meal and drink I head bak towards the hotel, lots of people have gone by now and only few people about the place. I get back and the same guy is on reception, hello I say and ask how much is wifi for 1hr ? I asked because If I update now it will probably be enough to update status on social media.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm very pleased that I managed a high milage day today, and go to bed very happy/motivated and looking forward to another day of high milage tomorrow if roads are as flat as they were today.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUVbnvtFJR-pK4gHhzuD70pjFUMOqXVf9Uob1zE3Boo5DVFjhkS94dwD5FbRg3t8C-4bEGTYWE1nBCOgE9hcL0v2u1Wj0q933qimy_brlxf44VwlEXwr9QIhhNOZe511Vv0E6fJ9KHp8/s1600/566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUVbnvtFJR-pK4gHhzuD70pjFUMOqXVf9Uob1zE3Boo5DVFjhkS94dwD5FbRg3t8C-4bEGTYWE1nBCOgE9hcL0v2u1Wj0q933qimy_brlxf44VwlEXwr9QIhhNOZe511Vv0E6fJ9KHp8/s320/566.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAMzQzgg2plcK7plBRIWUAPWgju1xnMOajCZEcxmkmOTqZVPPwWR_tkKumJnnz1pNFGxXajyUe4WtSdBmURFVkPVMHUtw94xfENSIvB4dcLLWSh7kkp1HASlwfx7p7jPlkVAAcNW19pQ/s1600/569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAMzQzgg2plcK7plBRIWUAPWgju1xnMOajCZEcxmkmOTqZVPPwWR_tkKumJnnz1pNFGxXajyUe4WtSdBmURFVkPVMHUtw94xfENSIvB4dcLLWSh7kkp1HASlwfx7p7jPlkVAAcNW19pQ/s320/569.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisscD38IKiLR9bNSN4P4tPPwKj8nZsmfsKyXgIeMDECrLNywgOy_Lc7WFapl5ap_54vFekQWZdsa9_pIYZgZE_ehbB9aNzCCV8PEfiIah5eFsCGeGuv_hpucNdaJShasB0MqSsF8LuC6U/s1600/570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisscD38IKiLR9bNSN4P4tPPwKj8nZsmfsKyXgIeMDECrLNywgOy_Lc7WFapl5ap_54vFekQWZdsa9_pIYZgZE_ehbB9aNzCCV8PEfiIah5eFsCGeGuv_hpucNdaJShasB0MqSsF8LuC6U/s320/570.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThgHWky3M_EbPCWn98f9WT-JvoPIMCaQ-TOpJSVNs7gjBGuKencM1V2d45-pcLem7fvs9NhGMMWyArrI_IRYvTQUfQLDHe2DoyGS8xTK9qr7vE-zmTirNvkQxVGvFL9anNF9PIzI1nvI/s1600/572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThgHWky3M_EbPCWn98f9WT-JvoPIMCaQ-TOpJSVNs7gjBGuKencM1V2d45-pcLem7fvs9NhGMMWyArrI_IRYvTQUfQLDHe2DoyGS8xTK9qr7vE-zmTirNvkQxVGvFL9anNF9PIzI1nvI/s320/572.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQeLbreFR5XJLvmewPQitXb9XsBiqCxYogP-Btu0n3qkzbQBrgGUuFRRTSd5nj3od97-g_FCV_xTP1hx4sysbKsbL7mGCo1zNnElwZ2_g8kbZLm-BJhRjfWU2KaaZiRp1nCcDI2DlK24/s1600/573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQeLbreFR5XJLvmewPQitXb9XsBiqCxYogP-Btu0n3qkzbQBrgGUuFRRTSd5nj3od97-g_FCV_xTP1hx4sysbKsbL7mGCo1zNnElwZ2_g8kbZLm-BJhRjfWU2KaaZiRp1nCcDI2DlK24/s320/573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudnMdZKJ0l0W7S8YRCavBf7gDWitFVZ-hlfVXwuRx7oPAOAYNhAG3Dn6nYfHgbgpIG36Ry52p5Z3ApwhTpjp2Oo6zjcKyhhMQY_bnQKvNtoJqnq0tW-XoqdF0lWYHaqstY_0owUAMnig/s1600/575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudnMdZKJ0l0W7S8YRCavBf7gDWitFVZ-hlfVXwuRx7oPAOAYNhAG3Dn6nYfHgbgpIG36Ry52p5Z3ApwhTpjp2Oo6zjcKyhhMQY_bnQKvNtoJqnq0tW-XoqdF0lWYHaqstY_0owUAMnig/s320/575.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwUtOkfBZo2i1Yz1hAcUXOyWZdiyVPFEDvBJ8aXU16faT9WlJ5xrXE2oQ-IDRwFPu_i0vjJfAeYe9Hdag2FPJg3ctlzT9Xmh3gElnb2n_DhKDc88i9xSHgCC5RH_V4dh_wEOyF9zHHU8/s1600/576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwUtOkfBZo2i1Yz1hAcUXOyWZdiyVPFEDvBJ8aXU16faT9WlJ5xrXE2oQ-IDRwFPu_i0vjJfAeYe9Hdag2FPJg3ctlzT9Xmh3gElnb2n_DhKDc88i9xSHgCC5RH_V4dh_wEOyF9zHHU8/s320/576.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x-03yAUXtBRb63kACdopXP4CI2w2Kv8HD_ISZ3Xv6ddyiuPr8uk4PFZHivt6XPpRH_E3-_hBqJU30aNtopl7yu3tV5mysHtL3gjuMczuTQt2LNUEHNpDartENNdHYbzHvBdRuvARMuA/s1600/578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x-03yAUXtBRb63kACdopXP4CI2w2Kv8HD_ISZ3Xv6ddyiuPr8uk4PFZHivt6XPpRH_E3-_hBqJU30aNtopl7yu3tV5mysHtL3gjuMczuTQt2LNUEHNpDartENNdHYbzHvBdRuvARMuA/s320/578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9hHWezjpbohJHByPOlWS3I3Klv8lNGItoJj9DconufIt-33A9BBg83P44Fng3g8wOAaxseCQDBQjFTmD0FhBTnwb0j-R7g04zgYleYHKchhR_LXKU8P_nuAebFsd4AKmcp-EctiP6tQ/s1600/579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9hHWezjpbohJHByPOlWS3I3Klv8lNGItoJj9DconufIt-33A9BBg83P44Fng3g8wOAaxseCQDBQjFTmD0FhBTnwb0j-R7g04zgYleYHKchhR_LXKU8P_nuAebFsd4AKmcp-EctiP6tQ/s320/579.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpupHENzPgqmQYaWWPDa6JAaK_Sh7QQjywtD-ZbUXpltUYEP3H-rPDJUuFQfmgFSNleiYeOHUTYHsGEEsPbde83fJz4CsIc8PHgjR3cehwHMNUQVa7NpECcAlQLltO54fFV6aeU6relA/s1600/581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpupHENzPgqmQYaWWPDa6JAaK_Sh7QQjywtD-ZbUXpltUYEP3H-rPDJUuFQfmgFSNleiYeOHUTYHsGEEsPbde83fJz4CsIc8PHgjR3cehwHMNUQVa7NpECcAlQLltO54fFV6aeU6relA/s320/581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYoE-7Vdg66lXXm1MKucXI6wuc3nWGQ6zAWs3WZw8STElfFVrRfZ7vZ_mgz_BU3YINZ89KYzfbIHHQ6hXx25HK6drLm0bwz16qYzYqA4bs9SS-UGfugmkyo5sUXcukCviGYzwN6LWcuA/s1600/582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYoE-7Vdg66lXXm1MKucXI6wuc3nWGQ6zAWs3WZw8STElfFVrRfZ7vZ_mgz_BU3YINZ89KYzfbIHHQ6hXx25HK6drLm0bwz16qYzYqA4bs9SS-UGfugmkyo5sUXcukCviGYzwN6LWcuA/s320/582.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMb2GukF0yUUO3zx2UagHNE-COoffPSIAUxmcm0ZTJsyeSypy76J6zotdeWCbNpzK5yrrDIdqYm495A4180NvdLMbDzyjYQyRcmhyphenhyphen3eqeE7BSDMUPJgnuAFibPaccHhQrTJ3ML5Qr5pQM/s1600/583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMb2GukF0yUUO3zx2UagHNE-COoffPSIAUxmcm0ZTJsyeSypy76J6zotdeWCbNpzK5yrrDIdqYm495A4180NvdLMbDzyjYQyRcmhyphenhyphen3eqeE7BSDMUPJgnuAFibPaccHhQrTJ3ML5Qr5pQM/s320/583.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5bRiavY6yE_xphsbZHk8CaxE8YfUets2CPw36uX030b99-5uXtrzFIItOAYVLFn5dsVdNe8Evfq-bG8LMbb4oVz5EyEY8uu_rRdC_k32msOcxN8N5Q7XgkHvCOMkBs_5txw9tmqAhbM/s1600/2155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5bRiavY6yE_xphsbZHk8CaxE8YfUets2CPw36uX030b99-5uXtrzFIItOAYVLFn5dsVdNe8Evfq-bG8LMbb4oVz5EyEY8uu_rRdC_k32msOcxN8N5Q7XgkHvCOMkBs_5txw9tmqAhbM/s1600/2155.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-998320806076302182012-09-29T13:36:00.002-07:002012-09-29T13:36:45.451-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 8.Saturday 26 May. Day 8.<br />
Modane to Alessandria. 143 miles.<br />
<br />
It's another early rise at 6.30am and getting ready for breakfast, I pack all my gear away ready for the off after something to eat. The breakfast consists of toast and jam with some cold meat and coffee, not ideal for a long day's cycling ahead but at least I had a great big meal and wine last night.<br />
<br />
I sit in the small dining area, and wait to be served, the landlord doesn't speak much english so chat is limited as I don't speak any other language, but he did understand that I was cycling somewhere, when I said Istanbul with only 9 days left he understood and said "Not enough time - too far" I just nodded and said yes very far I will have to be quick.<br />
<br />
After saying my good byes to them, I was off towards the Italian border today. It was a cold start to the morning, but it was sunny, the cycle was again going upwards the roads were bending and winding all the time, the views are now excellent and I'm now in the thick of the Alps. I pass by little villages and a monastery in the distance (well it looked like one anyway!).<br />
<br />
The climb today was relentless up, up and more up my legs were getting a really good work out today. This carried on until around midday when I reached to summit of Col du Cenis, I was elated the feeling of reaching the top was brilliant, made better with the brilliant weather on this day (Sunny with views of the Alpine peaks all around)<br />
<br />
After taking the views in, I saw there was a small cafe at the col, I propped the bike against the wall of the cafe and went inside - very nice, but I was the only customer in (could be because of the high price of the refreshments maybe!) Well I sat down and ordered a coffee, also I seen 2 pieces of cake on the bar/counter, I asked how much and had both (Nice treat).<br />
<br />
A few other cyclists had made it to the col and were just taking photos and generally chatting to each other (locals). After my snacks and coffee, I make my move thinking that I can't wait for the descending part :-)<br />
For about a mile after the col I had a head wind blowing in my face, and the road wasn't going down but it was flat, I was thinking wheres the down bit ?? Well after about 5 more minutes the road started to go downhill (Brilliant!) only bad thing headwind again :-( but I did get some speed up - around 27mph I can remember, the roads were a good condition too, plenty of bends and drops. After about 20mins of downhill I stopped to take a pic of the town below "Susa" but even after descending down so much, the town was tiny to look at in the distance - This was fantastic I must have be going down for about 45mins. The height of the col was 6834ft so lots of fun coming down, well worth the pain going up.<br />
<br />
Eventually after descending I arrived in Susa, I needed to top up on supplies so I cycled into a local Lidl store, the usual - bike outside, and me inside browsing around for my stuff.. when I got out I noticed I had a puncture on back tyre, so I repaired that before setting off again. It was a very warm day today and my tan was coming along nicely.<br />
<br />
I was now following signs for Turin, I'm in Italy now after passing the border sign on the descent down from the col. I still have a headwind but I carry on regardless I have to keep going. I noticed along the way that at some roadside laybys I used to see women sat on chairs just waiting (All I could think was must be ladies of the night) They never shouted anything as I cycled on by, but I just thought thats odd because they were not even in any built up areas they were sat there in open countryside mostly, by the roadside.<br />
<br />
Eventually I was heading into the centre of Turin. Why do I do this ? I got a little lost and some stages I was going the wrong way - very frustrating! But hey thats adventure I guess. After some wrong turns I began to find the correct roads out of the city. I am on a quiet road heading out of Turin Yes!! I'm ok now that I'm on the right roads again, and its quieter now after the hustle and bustle of that place. So I'm cycling along and hear a thud.. I slow down to the side of the road, stop and look back to check if anything has fallen off the bike, its my solar charger (Good one too) I see a coach coming my way down the same road I try to wave to the driver to move to the side of the road cos my charger is in the middle of the road, I don't think he sees me waving and he drives over the charger, when he drove past I run out in the road to see if he run over it.. Yep ! its well and truly squashed. Bugger! That was my best charger.<br />
<br />
I can remember tweeting after the coach had run over it, saying that I think Brendan off Coachtrip has just squashed my charger haha. (I like that Coach trip on TV).<br />
<br />
I was now headed towards a place called Alessandria this was where I was aiming for to stop tonight. The roads after Turin were pretty flat and made good time on the bike, passing through Asti then taking the wrong road so that put me behind and by the time I was getting into Alessandria it was dark. I looked up hotels on my phone and rang through to one that come up, I managed to book in over the phone, so I knew i had a place to stay and probably get some good food and drink again. I eventually arrived at the hotel, and the concierge welcomed me in, I said I'm very thirsty, I had drunk all my water on the way into town, he quickly brought my a bottle of water, I thought Great service until I thought that will be on the bill when checking out tomorrow :-(<br />
<br />
I checked in and removed the panniers and took them to my room and started my nightly ritual, showered and changed then back downstairs and looking for food and drink, I didn't have far to go as the reception guy said there was a pizza place just at the side of the hotel outside. Not far to go and I'm ordering a pizza (My first Pizza in Italy!) and it was fantastico :-) and the wine was too.. bedtime followed a few hours after.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG6RuCvrCL_uoNbQUX0uLtH1wPz4B-j6EEpvF38VWZ8lA5lemcGRmVeKjm9CmtaksEbp2o9NcbLa3gHCJVxlZVLrW8NLVnhBl0AaJl7HeFryuOr-GrC4iqdkUW1ATFqiMnlOErU5lyL8/s1600/459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG6RuCvrCL_uoNbQUX0uLtH1wPz4B-j6EEpvF38VWZ8lA5lemcGRmVeKjm9CmtaksEbp2o9NcbLa3gHCJVxlZVLrW8NLVnhBl0AaJl7HeFryuOr-GrC4iqdkUW1ATFqiMnlOErU5lyL8/s320/459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU53pzeg8dlEOTpJhIrYWoN7QmWMsCUY76p8kPJXHMh1BDpG-6Ma-SJDggU8SkUI6It1WCyKdryYpOETEN4ImHDuMqwDAobVE4W19NLCyFca6iNWibVvKlgTFkfU33lN_WWoaR9FVvic/s1600/460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU53pzeg8dlEOTpJhIrYWoN7QmWMsCUY76p8kPJXHMh1BDpG-6Ma-SJDggU8SkUI6It1WCyKdryYpOETEN4ImHDuMqwDAobVE4W19NLCyFca6iNWibVvKlgTFkfU33lN_WWoaR9FVvic/s320/460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo797JMBa-cLHJ-3UhRTXiyP0Szb92MXlGFeM2FC-vlc179wN4pEazMDd_BRQggZzGx1-0PljIrcuJHR3byBFct0-lqNWbeU2wt_RhvRW_rfIMSeJpf6UGKhxwcWc9_j5PNWjXMtL8gg/s1600/461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo797JMBa-cLHJ-3UhRTXiyP0Szb92MXlGFeM2FC-vlc179wN4pEazMDd_BRQggZzGx1-0PljIrcuJHR3byBFct0-lqNWbeU2wt_RhvRW_rfIMSeJpf6UGKhxwcWc9_j5PNWjXMtL8gg/s320/461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDyC_hGRBJbJC_THEj-2YJLgjvRpx_DOOSBZVlkydpuBvLY9ygn7NwriBaEHhGuvDrLbxhes1GRTqXFBE8ZoMABAS6BXyY2mt0xfGos4PDdxA5Mrgzu8Gc4kWR0Z3ZN4lUuV6ih6K3DQ/s1600/464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDyC_hGRBJbJC_THEj-2YJLgjvRpx_DOOSBZVlkydpuBvLY9ygn7NwriBaEHhGuvDrLbxhes1GRTqXFBE8ZoMABAS6BXyY2mt0xfGos4PDdxA5Mrgzu8Gc4kWR0Z3ZN4lUuV6ih6K3DQ/s320/464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEURNKXBP0rcHmOSUatEPt2d4QaWgubl15edJVGxIRl7pChYZ5so3BOLS6ACLRgwjuEVlFDJLBHITUwa3R8247Q19zvJQghshBMsZ8rZgspIq2_xQ7VuXEmZjNDtUSFL9PjsK9JqRU5cY/s1600/465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEURNKXBP0rcHmOSUatEPt2d4QaWgubl15edJVGxIRl7pChYZ5so3BOLS6ACLRgwjuEVlFDJLBHITUwa3R8247Q19zvJQghshBMsZ8rZgspIq2_xQ7VuXEmZjNDtUSFL9PjsK9JqRU5cY/s320/465.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicow5kk2t_rvvTKUPc-pbzwnXN67rPpCt52XwUxIYMzoNNew2O-9vaWbL6smZTUG7gzKVFx_EIUj-z1rfXhSZdW9F5OofsaHpGGHjKbQDc8sH9OGerchwFWcvWEjet_nEBgmRt2eyKKfk/s1600/466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicow5kk2t_rvvTKUPc-pbzwnXN67rPpCt52XwUxIYMzoNNew2O-9vaWbL6smZTUG7gzKVFx_EIUj-z1rfXhSZdW9F5OofsaHpGGHjKbQDc8sH9OGerchwFWcvWEjet_nEBgmRt2eyKKfk/s320/466.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbiBFuJ0y9qSLcd5DMzgd2BdVdoNkn3PoqiRDKROQAm6mLnV6HJPhEQod0zSkLbi6hgWSQx_IcScHK1c1tJKj9_Z2uETSutIBS-lYIbP8ONQ1hVhRFByikqVAZAqKMfbdS_6ogt4Uq4Q/s1600/468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbiBFuJ0y9qSLcd5DMzgd2BdVdoNkn3PoqiRDKROQAm6mLnV6HJPhEQod0zSkLbi6hgWSQx_IcScHK1c1tJKj9_Z2uETSutIBS-lYIbP8ONQ1hVhRFByikqVAZAqKMfbdS_6ogt4Uq4Q/s320/468.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqv9ET91pXYhPbGDdcHA5__9vocKgd9MYSJExK9uqb-tNW0D8TjZE51yhGc8yxXaLl86716eYRf-g3dY2TqKy5erVCMrSThhf7Z9UazJvDQZXfYI6Qryp4py4BfmhrtcDkuC4gKJWbZU/s1600/473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqv9ET91pXYhPbGDdcHA5__9vocKgd9MYSJExK9uqb-tNW0D8TjZE51yhGc8yxXaLl86716eYRf-g3dY2TqKy5erVCMrSThhf7Z9UazJvDQZXfYI6Qryp4py4BfmhrtcDkuC4gKJWbZU/s320/473.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxnIL4kx55MmxwBUxvrFKoAhb8DBpm-Wfsxr1xw4a-JX2Lo-Za2sITL5x1lDMLsXaD6pPWWtGMcIrSO_jJCfvSt5bG9xkUKgEIvD2_XfNRH0ixtwECAMgsHl54df2OjY_3kL7PSN3IGI/s1600/478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxnIL4kx55MmxwBUxvrFKoAhb8DBpm-Wfsxr1xw4a-JX2Lo-Za2sITL5x1lDMLsXaD6pPWWtGMcIrSO_jJCfvSt5bG9xkUKgEIvD2_XfNRH0ixtwECAMgsHl54df2OjY_3kL7PSN3IGI/s320/478.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6sRaSZaGjJhL3LmRGVCongXZuKAF2ZnTePoVt6cvLXF_dQuDypNQDfCGu2YJNvLvhNZhNkDFMJ_Srt-HEkcsYyAJLsZyKpdUG3EmChSSmzB1KFJjllH4yqtqspgIJNDGDGlAtv8uOrI/s1600/481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6sRaSZaGjJhL3LmRGVCongXZuKAF2ZnTePoVt6cvLXF_dQuDypNQDfCGu2YJNvLvhNZhNkDFMJ_Srt-HEkcsYyAJLsZyKpdUG3EmChSSmzB1KFJjllH4yqtqspgIJNDGDGlAtv8uOrI/s320/481.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokqtgO61XIr7nYpzxjkvpsxhrwyjK8LywYJysl5fExPdlkvb8l38NTSnK1dYBGEupJg6oFqfu4rha8j0d3_tz9yQC_mAuB2AjI5nsHyfgr3t4TJEzDU5C_XiQYzS1VSlVfZ38-Wcn1qw/s1600/479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokqtgO61XIr7nYpzxjkvpsxhrwyjK8LywYJysl5fExPdlkvb8l38NTSnK1dYBGEupJg6oFqfu4rha8j0d3_tz9yQC_mAuB2AjI5nsHyfgr3t4TJEzDU5C_XiQYzS1VSlVfZ38-Wcn1qw/s320/479.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_edsp77HZGjE6slY6qsEayk0J13i2RC4uoL_0Y0cBsvCrkA_QvaHjUfGwVGkxDrnZmNsMBcfl6j0QDYYIJTteEtUKPVebWDZxLzEadmIbOi9jlll2fm5ZWThHsOEuQFcwmMJ4_rDCpo/s1600/483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_edsp77HZGjE6slY6qsEayk0J13i2RC4uoL_0Y0cBsvCrkA_QvaHjUfGwVGkxDrnZmNsMBcfl6j0QDYYIJTteEtUKPVebWDZxLzEadmIbOi9jlll2fm5ZWThHsOEuQFcwmMJ4_rDCpo/s320/483.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bXmYzhCkag4KuNYcSwHM1sVufa3GpEbGn7vZJOWE5dG375k4EKggmbKZuil-h87lLdtuEtC57p8fdWxrNcnmeOVzIY-_I7xdkhd2JKIIEu8nWj5Vj5UWFrGZBdGuK5lRecQ_oadBfXE/s1600/486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bXmYzhCkag4KuNYcSwHM1sVufa3GpEbGn7vZJOWE5dG375k4EKggmbKZuil-h87lLdtuEtC57p8fdWxrNcnmeOVzIY-_I7xdkhd2JKIIEu8nWj5Vj5UWFrGZBdGuK5lRecQ_oadBfXE/s320/486.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V6pf20_ZsBo9eg7yc0HtvSmNWlfA_SN71cXM2i3MvJac7JazRt2ymKnV9wqM2iTXkecQjbRWtU7yxqC5AlhFd1xXzHod-lpdnSB8fK_1iGl6l-V6USAPnOG7DCRqGIfm-Tss0IB3Nuc/s1600/487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V6pf20_ZsBo9eg7yc0HtvSmNWlfA_SN71cXM2i3MvJac7JazRt2ymKnV9wqM2iTXkecQjbRWtU7yxqC5AlhFd1xXzHod-lpdnSB8fK_1iGl6l-V6USAPnOG7DCRqGIfm-Tss0IB3Nuc/s320/487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymqMecamGKTW_xX49xQLGUF_ayPEtd4W4cXxnGmSm54LJ4cp1Stxzydq3tnZ9B4L6tO8zNhoy5SUU3ee3XDYAunj46hC3WLiSeI65cmNkw1YuOsPTe8UULtFDvBOB22xrczNYoX0Yl-Q/s1600/489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymqMecamGKTW_xX49xQLGUF_ayPEtd4W4cXxnGmSm54LJ4cp1Stxzydq3tnZ9B4L6tO8zNhoy5SUU3ee3XDYAunj46hC3WLiSeI65cmNkw1YuOsPTe8UULtFDvBOB22xrczNYoX0Yl-Q/s320/489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X69zfE46VU9P3LdWfTTbs_upadqzxVk4i8gr00p55o6KLA3dulvwETgfQKAqQ5o-_pj_zmudoSi5Ay5R16PBpmdZGisPe0QVBTfXm_RlhEsCRfqmsx1He09zjnMDJp93xdrRdeSyB3c/s1600/490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X69zfE46VU9P3LdWfTTbs_upadqzxVk4i8gr00p55o6KLA3dulvwETgfQKAqQ5o-_pj_zmudoSi5Ay5R16PBpmdZGisPe0QVBTfXm_RlhEsCRfqmsx1He09zjnMDJp93xdrRdeSyB3c/s320/490.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9XewcooQeUBG-ij_Dje6JnExVOUDuYZooG2NNcDx6fprpYxT7s1EiR4arEsRjhagvah14Jiiaf1v3L2T8qYdZHLax9fAfnyFttSIfblt9W_a-cod2QEuTTBmyjmnm3Nj6lN8N06v3jw/s1600/492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9XewcooQeUBG-ij_Dje6JnExVOUDuYZooG2NNcDx6fprpYxT7s1EiR4arEsRjhagvah14Jiiaf1v3L2T8qYdZHLax9fAfnyFttSIfblt9W_a-cod2QEuTTBmyjmnm3Nj6lN8N06v3jw/s320/492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47Q15o81NnvHQ6C3FZDUr2zGvt6htaxV3yqoqZB6c5pLnSek7YM7Qj81TNqCD69J1Pf_XUIkSw5EQL1gSiL5A6UQPBipQr74BSTmQZDEbotPo4_ccnS7a8Dqy0mnWyj2RMyrdTA5JxeA/s1600/493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47Q15o81NnvHQ6C3FZDUr2zGvt6htaxV3yqoqZB6c5pLnSek7YM7Qj81TNqCD69J1Pf_XUIkSw5EQL1gSiL5A6UQPBipQr74BSTmQZDEbotPo4_ccnS7a8Dqy0mnWyj2RMyrdTA5JxeA/s320/493.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG9V64aSF8KYCDv1YN2xlRzfSIf3okh8yByFyHFHNXdjc3JzZad_zuCq_vFKkxvNkPf7LyVyZQrEt0pW2TucsLNW5w6HkR8Z6w_yea_3eJHnCGLXo0om5VaMAC2HVSOLq27lv0uiRj7A/s1600/494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG9V64aSF8KYCDv1YN2xlRzfSIf3okh8yByFyHFHNXdjc3JzZad_zuCq_vFKkxvNkPf7LyVyZQrEt0pW2TucsLNW5w6HkR8Z6w_yea_3eJHnCGLXo0om5VaMAC2HVSOLq27lv0uiRj7A/s320/494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkzYlAq839gTqKoNORy7LfW8cN5DhuAvLA1jhWOV2GdGzRhyTx_N_e1M4fcTiXQfFxrvNeZhnrmeqP47qrLtUCU7QFdIVRj1WDZtobEP71ugMig75-RoTWtqpxu43vtw7Z3RebLCJ_uI/s1600/495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkzYlAq839gTqKoNORy7LfW8cN5DhuAvLA1jhWOV2GdGzRhyTx_N_e1M4fcTiXQfFxrvNeZhnrmeqP47qrLtUCU7QFdIVRj1WDZtobEP71ugMig75-RoTWtqpxu43vtw7Z3RebLCJ_uI/s320/495.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweZfxAgfBR3_DQqQGwfVTDLFGFMvy0CdF71XF1zoT1E1w2s29fRC1v-C8eallbaCoiXkFrqWrQYIQf5tdySOXfswq7kiFiF-SQMNKIZCTgnx0KbUWJrfWK7NNasWzgk8g-JLlOqE76cE/s1600/496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweZfxAgfBR3_DQqQGwfVTDLFGFMvy0CdF71XF1zoT1E1w2s29fRC1v-C8eallbaCoiXkFrqWrQYIQf5tdySOXfswq7kiFiF-SQMNKIZCTgnx0KbUWJrfWK7NNasWzgk8g-JLlOqE76cE/s320/496.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExTJEZ1YPbdRPWSNxhxJnOk5uaAeDGuH4Lt0Nx54Y0eG6ZklbyesIzPvTeqq4jCigvXM6xqZ_aCBoXiFz3omuu7AkCTJFiID3nczmtMAE47GU0PEsHhiVLVRy7hYhCV-5r6IlLmVeMxQ/s1600/497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExTJEZ1YPbdRPWSNxhxJnOk5uaAeDGuH4Lt0Nx54Y0eG6ZklbyesIzPvTeqq4jCigvXM6xqZ_aCBoXiFz3omuu7AkCTJFiID3nczmtMAE47GU0PEsHhiVLVRy7hYhCV-5r6IlLmVeMxQ/s320/497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4cmPpWacuZuaZLQ4mCZnK9HzeByjAnkwXs9IREjm4DYWwYS6jFDkL4x03Zy0O7pciVKVHzBswGwGFhCOGSbTuj3uH6Qf8SFJZhPnq6rXjmcn_91O7cOXeJScEfcPNnDLVxrwPJePgDI/s1600/498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4cmPpWacuZuaZLQ4mCZnK9HzeByjAnkwXs9IREjm4DYWwYS6jFDkL4x03Zy0O7pciVKVHzBswGwGFhCOGSbTuj3uH6Qf8SFJZhPnq6rXjmcn_91O7cOXeJScEfcPNnDLVxrwPJePgDI/s320/498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwuE_gfXnevChMBH-UNzKR4mzqaekc6oECn2tOOFIGvazWTL-n9WT043bx-mPX41DzPPOB0CJX6tuewN_-faxTHK2kMgJD4lN4t8oDSu8AqRcBA1ezQtkD99AuFBPQOD_E0gClpZ7ef8/s1600/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwuE_gfXnevChMBH-UNzKR4mzqaekc6oECn2tOOFIGvazWTL-n9WT043bx-mPX41DzPPOB0CJX6tuewN_-faxTHK2kMgJD4lN4t8oDSu8AqRcBA1ezQtkD99AuFBPQOD_E0gClpZ7ef8/s320/500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9LQco4PzAcvGEWgcZJyJJKks2sy-EQHlb7lqMB6WdSfJ2NQ5AV4weuhuAAFIIHbMuKkkLmEfQFw9PaCiRJRptFyN_E0c_VLFVRLknn5o1v78-cHF8qOzHbg0g57y_aeKmsbvvrJ2soM/s1600/502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9LQco4PzAcvGEWgcZJyJJKks2sy-EQHlb7lqMB6WdSfJ2NQ5AV4weuhuAAFIIHbMuKkkLmEfQFw9PaCiRJRptFyN_E0c_VLFVRLknn5o1v78-cHF8qOzHbg0g57y_aeKmsbvvrJ2soM/s320/502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW1SWd4D5_xWA56mUB8s1imyYp6Vy98pC6-pOdNnetsoR0LzMPU8hqW2OeG-9h8Qc6nSoQ5R8nwQnMGO2P1rbqoWyW3W6Slr5ExGDGMYf-yavwYiGOYwZ5FR2jxzFp6AygSKdXAd2EkQ/s1600/503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW1SWd4D5_xWA56mUB8s1imyYp6Vy98pC6-pOdNnetsoR0LzMPU8hqW2OeG-9h8Qc6nSoQ5R8nwQnMGO2P1rbqoWyW3W6Slr5ExGDGMYf-yavwYiGOYwZ5FR2jxzFp6AygSKdXAd2EkQ/s320/503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3qnvXJF-oiKt2VGO5OPJl-1GqQKmnxar6l_iznd6IDVt9HXIfPa3ivSfLLwRHxMUi-HruAREZQGyy2gIWerrsedRGexg7WSH3wjlheIEQ641UiyHkFIXpn1AqJPzCYnMrKsk1SI9NkY/s1600/504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3qnvXJF-oiKt2VGO5OPJl-1GqQKmnxar6l_iznd6IDVt9HXIfPa3ivSfLLwRHxMUi-HruAREZQGyy2gIWerrsedRGexg7WSH3wjlheIEQ641UiyHkFIXpn1AqJPzCYnMrKsk1SI9NkY/s320/504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM9LnQ66kMwL05Rh_wodRtrPXiuqvl4oS1ZgRy_tkDfvZqnNEY4fK_wV5bCaCCQSOHCYhdfUdftCHeiQJboZhA8zcYIrx6HD3WH77ztXox-iLVIg4-ZFHO2_Q_4dhtu7iK2WEdAfIa4o/s1600/506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM9LnQ66kMwL05Rh_wodRtrPXiuqvl4oS1ZgRy_tkDfvZqnNEY4fK_wV5bCaCCQSOHCYhdfUdftCHeiQJboZhA8zcYIrx6HD3WH77ztXox-iLVIg4-ZFHO2_Q_4dhtu7iK2WEdAfIa4o/s320/506.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMCjG5A0SIiGQ4Mb6n17JM5hb9iw0MPvB2so756htbKgBldbLfOXxI-fluI3s_28tv-eTs-nyTnFKAHysuuw8pLJscqj0YGrnmnBc5kI9GjyalSdUlqukRqwMgffKJnl5jtMh_dvKjxY/s1600/507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMCjG5A0SIiGQ4Mb6n17JM5hb9iw0MPvB2so756htbKgBldbLfOXxI-fluI3s_28tv-eTs-nyTnFKAHysuuw8pLJscqj0YGrnmnBc5kI9GjyalSdUlqukRqwMgffKJnl5jtMh_dvKjxY/s320/507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBfJNzUrM7yF5Rr6yHUFw7ZY3T6t98WLQJiSLozh3Vxp28FwIFpLaVdcFIpOCIR50CrZVNKvnedqxBDX6p2hJMGePRBiplp01eMX_QiGhVdEnCQ-wwRkJM0cH4hq92A2-q5ARzrSQcwE/s1600/508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBfJNzUrM7yF5Rr6yHUFw7ZY3T6t98WLQJiSLozh3Vxp28FwIFpLaVdcFIpOCIR50CrZVNKvnedqxBDX6p2hJMGePRBiplp01eMX_QiGhVdEnCQ-wwRkJM0cH4hq92A2-q5ARzrSQcwE/s320/508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7-rBmxDQeProjS6KelIhFSW4n3NEs6DKyBgSC9jRjjI-YMxuWQtwQgrgUAqN9-XcGfLz1Dew31tZ9oO724CWREOr7tB7BtKBEismaDQzN2T68pDgpiajZwEv55dtAyntevN9W1x2rdY/s1600/510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7-rBmxDQeProjS6KelIhFSW4n3NEs6DKyBgSC9jRjjI-YMxuWQtwQgrgUAqN9-XcGfLz1Dew31tZ9oO724CWREOr7tB7BtKBEismaDQzN2T68pDgpiajZwEv55dtAyntevN9W1x2rdY/s320/510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZUjwOy6nDqQf4ZDW-3UwPnJqqmj1kDOE9LyvS1T4dpRruYhCmYKSKSroYlTsfA6XfXBlRQJGx2EPB-o863Li-rEF1h2ju-9qhlnk1QqPp_pbj_yU5mcfBjazbxgmAcTe-wVdzPXpujE/s1600/511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZUjwOy6nDqQf4ZDW-3UwPnJqqmj1kDOE9LyvS1T4dpRruYhCmYKSKSroYlTsfA6XfXBlRQJGx2EPB-o863Li-rEF1h2ju-9qhlnk1QqPp_pbj_yU5mcfBjazbxgmAcTe-wVdzPXpujE/s320/511.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oz_VyudofHzNqhExNfqtBeXrBB55PfH-_9L9KjShv2Eq-gda6rWKLUCyaMfaPantGpoBOXub6YvIjQLKjmp2Iu4WZhHTvq5s204GJNb30OlnvgeLX885qGe5_tldOgMf_xs2eLCi2CI/s1600/512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oz_VyudofHzNqhExNfqtBeXrBB55PfH-_9L9KjShv2Eq-gda6rWKLUCyaMfaPantGpoBOXub6YvIjQLKjmp2Iu4WZhHTvq5s204GJNb30OlnvgeLX885qGe5_tldOgMf_xs2eLCi2CI/s320/512.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbik67PCzbg6AEQ2cIWxJfGrX6yAOluedHYeYMw49ya9te4BOAd4sfab0qECK1OYGUrpsaOXAnCcOl-tHf51JmzbLOVkv0eikrHJoM8pXBKB0esFkArufvINsRQ1FaS5yAd-UoWUPNclY/s1600/513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbik67PCzbg6AEQ2cIWxJfGrX6yAOluedHYeYMw49ya9te4BOAd4sfab0qECK1OYGUrpsaOXAnCcOl-tHf51JmzbLOVkv0eikrHJoM8pXBKB0esFkArufvINsRQ1FaS5yAd-UoWUPNclY/s320/513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k8i9mNaAhzKKMiRehYLRyuKTWqDj5osTz9HUkqRHQBGREwqVmkkeUUos7_K7WTYE8zimMadLPGUGg7pfZU0WmmvgSolOH0CejEaTMUf57fGIlBR_fOxM8ts3PIm3PDaxcQizQnbrGkw/s1600/514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k8i9mNaAhzKKMiRehYLRyuKTWqDj5osTz9HUkqRHQBGREwqVmkkeUUos7_K7WTYE8zimMadLPGUGg7pfZU0WmmvgSolOH0CejEaTMUf57fGIlBR_fOxM8ts3PIm3PDaxcQizQnbrGkw/s320/514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-36543014966830231652012-09-28T13:36:00.000-07:002012-09-28T13:36:12.938-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 7.Friday 25 May. Day 7.<br />
Annacy to Modane 86 miles.<br />
<br />
I'm up at 7am and down for breakfast, its no use rushing around as the bike shop does not open until 9am so another late starter for me. Damn spokes ! :-)<br />
<br />
I'm sat eating my breakfast, and the guy behind the reception comes over to me to ask if I have the cellar key, I say I gave it back to reception last night ! but they cannot find the key and Its the only one apparently! Thats not good, but I go back up to my room to have a check anyway, but nothing there. As I get back to the restaurant the guy comes along and says he found the key... Hurray :-) (my thoughts turned to breaking the door down if we can't find a key - I have to get to Istanbul haha).<br />
<br />
Its around 8.30am and I start to push the bike down the road to the bike shop, it doesn't open on time in fact thEy opened at 9.15am, but at last I'm in and ask if they have a new wheel, they did... that's great, I'm thinking - can you change it now ? Their reply was come back tomorrow and it will be ready, What ? no I need it now my head was shouting.. I quickly get my phone out and go to translate (I need my bike asap as I'm doing a charity cycle ride solo to Istanbul so I am in a hurry - please) They checked the translation on my phone and were all chatting I think they were impressed, they replied No problem come back in 2 hrs we will have it done, will you have enough time to get to Istanbul in such a short time they asked me... of course I can I'm MadHeadCyclist :-)<br />
<br />
I went back to hotel to pack my bags and get everything together. At 11.30 am I'm on my way back hoping they have replaced wheel and its ready to go. It is, and only cost about 50 euros all in ! I'm happy as larry.<br />
<br />
After putting my panniers on and loading up the bike, I'm off on the road its 12pm and its already hotting up, I cycle my way through the town and end up near the water front where open markets and shops/cafes were. I'm thinking am I hungry now, so I stop at a cafe which does pizzas and coffee too, its nice just sat here in the sun watching the world go by. There are 2 older couples in the cafe too and I hear them talking in english, so I start to chat to them, they were from Lincolnshire and were on a coach holiday, once they asked what I was doing there and I told them - they were very impressed.<br />
<br />
It must have been about 30 mins chatting to them all and my pizza had not come yet, I had finished my coffee, and thought sod this I don't want the pizza now I got fed up of waiting, so I paid the coffee bill and was off to stock up on supplies at a local store. I'm packed up now with food and water and thats it I'm now on my way and I'll keep going as long as I can to try and pick up some miles that I have missed due to waiting for bike.<br />
<br />
I cycle past lake Annacy its beautiful scenery and the mountains in the distance are getting bigger, after some miles I end up on a cracking / smooth cycle path for ages Its Brilliant! and I'm whizzing by... these are easy miles - if this is what's its going to be like today it will do for me, I'm amazed It's not that hilly going through the alps - the cycle path goes as far as Albertville. I think I spoke to soon as from here I seemed to slow right up, no more was the 20+mph I was cruising prior! Now it feels all of a sudden that there's a headwind in my face or something (Its a weird feeling but there was not a headwind at all) I didn't realize at the time I was gradually climbing for the rest of the afternoon, it was mental how I slowed down, so I kept on stopping at the side of the road and had snacks/pringles and drinks (maybe it was energy I needed!) but I carried on regardless taking in all the scenery around me as I carry on forward heading towards Italy border, I pass by a big sign where it stated which cols were open or closed - My first look was at Galibier it stated Ferme! I can remember tweeting what does Ferme mean ? I got some back saying Closed. Oh well that was the pass I was going to cycle over but now thats not going to happen, and I have to carry on the road that I was already on.<br />
<br />
Again cycling onwards and upwards towards the Italy border, it must have been about 7.45pm and it was getting dark, at this time I had just cycled through a town called Modane my thought was where is the next town after here, I looked on my map and there was nothing for miles, so I turned around and headed back into the town. I found a hotel just on the edge of town before the main cafes/bars (there were only a couple of restaurants by the looks of it but it would do me for the night, I needed some wine :-)<br />
<br />
It was an old couple who had the hotel I stayed in, it was in need of modernization but it would do me. The guy showed me to my room, it was up 2 floors and the lift was only big enough for 2 people and the light in the lift was going on and off. (Fawlty towers springs to mind! Manwell) After I'm sorted/showered and changed, I'm off out walking down into the centre of town where I go in a restaurant for something to eat and drink. I'm surprised it's so busy in there, and the food was very good. I was sat there drinking my wine with my meal whilst reflecting on todays journey. After a bottle and half of red tonight I make/stagger my way back to the hotel, my thought was I hope they are still up at 11.30pm and that they have not locked the door. But when I got there and knocked they opened the door and asked if I had a good night, I said yes thank you, and see you in the morning for breakfast.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphuxilBdQmypTbJqcQCb3PwkEVlbXuBz6QbLNjE4CmPyrd3Hs5RQaNpiwo_iBCEuSgM-pfg_GZntx0cLx-NbdPKjDb46972yBCCpheyskSUdGzrG7rt9cfkV5QrWstREW1YfFLY-eQv8/s1600/408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphuxilBdQmypTbJqcQCb3PwkEVlbXuBz6QbLNjE4CmPyrd3Hs5RQaNpiwo_iBCEuSgM-pfg_GZntx0cLx-NbdPKjDb46972yBCCpheyskSUdGzrG7rt9cfkV5QrWstREW1YfFLY-eQv8/s320/408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOiMqxBOZFlz1WwJc2DhTYoDGr7N1s_iFoXoVbMRddrqE1FJ39av7RKAki1Iz8eWu7jfX5w1tMf19VN2URcMhgjkNEXl_Xas3xNrSYBkYomIAbY46kEFEAfV-EbO87mkZjRa7D79mWoU/s1600/409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOiMqxBOZFlz1WwJc2DhTYoDGr7N1s_iFoXoVbMRddrqE1FJ39av7RKAki1Iz8eWu7jfX5w1tMf19VN2URcMhgjkNEXl_Xas3xNrSYBkYomIAbY46kEFEAfV-EbO87mkZjRa7D79mWoU/s320/409.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiircOO_nh6VInC0Nt769xhLgh-iLnIAUR-W1p7VuYHJ7Mjj0xdSN_SU2gYvWegRl3hv0jZygdY4rcQk7VO1JbcHcyVrAxaaooJIMfFTY4Jq0xvxNnIIhdHDrQ335PD8mZMDcxr2iOvuOs/s1600/410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiircOO_nh6VInC0Nt769xhLgh-iLnIAUR-W1p7VuYHJ7Mjj0xdSN_SU2gYvWegRl3hv0jZygdY4rcQk7VO1JbcHcyVrAxaaooJIMfFTY4Jq0xvxNnIIhdHDrQ335PD8mZMDcxr2iOvuOs/s320/410.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXgKOMf_OpHSjIbcu9Z1qEfWqfFiKCnItl20OJmv7d7Yka1TRHHg-GNmx4DXffQ8LBrwxfdGfFthMN_OnShEOyaBeKTcU_W4eVoGdbXtyp049e-NadhyA2G_il1xIgkehAIs12Z-FDMg/s1600/411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXgKOMf_OpHSjIbcu9Z1qEfWqfFiKCnItl20OJmv7d7Yka1TRHHg-GNmx4DXffQ8LBrwxfdGfFthMN_OnShEOyaBeKTcU_W4eVoGdbXtyp049e-NadhyA2G_il1xIgkehAIs12Z-FDMg/s320/411.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDn-HdwIztALVPP8tC_jE5aCsnQL97tUIEqb7fJOFXQjL36TNd4J5o8OICWmygLRiXsC__eWQ-IQUxKeB63za-m8OgIBhVHKUDVhKobcrVEvo8lqMLJ78LTyBazxj3yEAcydkXiw7hyphenhyphenA/s1600/412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDn-HdwIztALVPP8tC_jE5aCsnQL97tUIEqb7fJOFXQjL36TNd4J5o8OICWmygLRiXsC__eWQ-IQUxKeB63za-m8OgIBhVHKUDVhKobcrVEvo8lqMLJ78LTyBazxj3yEAcydkXiw7hyphenhyphenA/s320/412.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTN16zWMzyWMN1GdfZCqKKFHISJlRuCfbUanLc6M-VD5l65hPFSWuj_gVCexshAIrpU7EppqTkyIuicBQK2S2jCen4FWFYUj1CSTdPauQwgKU6BZk1iRs7gfekfUZX3g-T6zhu4kEjY/s1600/414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTN16zWMzyWMN1GdfZCqKKFHISJlRuCfbUanLc6M-VD5l65hPFSWuj_gVCexshAIrpU7EppqTkyIuicBQK2S2jCen4FWFYUj1CSTdPauQwgKU6BZk1iRs7gfekfUZX3g-T6zhu4kEjY/s320/414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-UeyJUkRF4RbmBCuw7aXfoGVdmm8Yt9RW4oILu-Gm_Vt__hwinWqWPH_LxmOUGZyf5AQo1iDkoUhjcF9a9rwOkfLYNYq9K8uXZ1vzZszJQ9SkauYMWBc8PwqgDg0siaXVezLHrj1pJE/s1600/415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-UeyJUkRF4RbmBCuw7aXfoGVdmm8Yt9RW4oILu-Gm_Vt__hwinWqWPH_LxmOUGZyf5AQo1iDkoUhjcF9a9rwOkfLYNYq9K8uXZ1vzZszJQ9SkauYMWBc8PwqgDg0siaXVezLHrj1pJE/s320/415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvgFnB8iVpXm863sq96Fd5mRhp_IEeDXd6I25_pykjbLOkwipC06WvpRe9EnyLTqluON3ptj7qwR1u-MCQC9vDPkx55uYy1eFyJVP9WS28kTZnnxVHApQPE7QT_uCpG7gEl9dWR5fYt8/s1600/416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvgFnB8iVpXm863sq96Fd5mRhp_IEeDXd6I25_pykjbLOkwipC06WvpRe9EnyLTqluON3ptj7qwR1u-MCQC9vDPkx55uYy1eFyJVP9WS28kTZnnxVHApQPE7QT_uCpG7gEl9dWR5fYt8/s320/416.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6N3f6vHa0bQnUqwxHzyIIGSyieBwO-109ZBZ5GqEQH1i5XHOC8W6O4V6vaQ-8sEDdQ07K-FRoLSP2J346aIGs7FXtQNtBbSVNUMG5y8YY2PPF8YdrnBdhd_FrxxLVjNOxRuX4AT4sCM/s1600/417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6N3f6vHa0bQnUqwxHzyIIGSyieBwO-109ZBZ5GqEQH1i5XHOC8W6O4V6vaQ-8sEDdQ07K-FRoLSP2J346aIGs7FXtQNtBbSVNUMG5y8YY2PPF8YdrnBdhd_FrxxLVjNOxRuX4AT4sCM/s320/417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHrtloevKrH_jPTUq7txRd49e5Wf3Vvp_El-YjDpJsbhHKNoUB8Lcy1owPHznFpaglur9D2wllZquAWGyS_FX78hAnHkgXjtkWfU1LVU2C6NKKwJo32TMD9hsEhNnfRLQJmYxkHs4eUo/s1600/419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHrtloevKrH_jPTUq7txRd49e5Wf3Vvp_El-YjDpJsbhHKNoUB8Lcy1owPHznFpaglur9D2wllZquAWGyS_FX78hAnHkgXjtkWfU1LVU2C6NKKwJo32TMD9hsEhNnfRLQJmYxkHs4eUo/s320/419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJUny_KdMSyyEYHsrFAnVmIcuTg3FfIBEFmHB_iwqmyPHfedfg1YEP5lpF7v_8Yley36YJGonsAX-np7sk0XWonOumO8V0yYzRoC3iViYH73o_LiO2I4d-K8gRPErAB9bLvnP7wpigIo/s1600/421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJUny_KdMSyyEYHsrFAnVmIcuTg3FfIBEFmHB_iwqmyPHfedfg1YEP5lpF7v_8Yley36YJGonsAX-np7sk0XWonOumO8V0yYzRoC3iViYH73o_LiO2I4d-K8gRPErAB9bLvnP7wpigIo/s320/421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlw_sakGQ36Bs-3kzqdK2qG2Fw8jcKX4UdTXOifwPgmzv1SKoysp2URxyGr05AVClGhEPRJ0YlLWMXgCpA0X1-McQj_3RtWlMZKqJFA05Cmw-p5Fqe1o8IAQbgwKHtj80vky0dX66jto/s1600/423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlw_sakGQ36Bs-3kzqdK2qG2Fw8jcKX4UdTXOifwPgmzv1SKoysp2URxyGr05AVClGhEPRJ0YlLWMXgCpA0X1-McQj_3RtWlMZKqJFA05Cmw-p5Fqe1o8IAQbgwKHtj80vky0dX66jto/s320/423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu2hHd4C3jRoNQA-k_WJ641QJe2ktVEgPwIexe8V8n3wERlB_1ZEBwDaFdU75DTLZdrdSuUBULJmzIYdd57Zmm1vRB9Zm3J7j80LnHdmuE5Q4qCVqJpNlBD1QJM7puNKguqJeOB5Kxho/s1600/425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu2hHd4C3jRoNQA-k_WJ641QJe2ktVEgPwIexe8V8n3wERlB_1ZEBwDaFdU75DTLZdrdSuUBULJmzIYdd57Zmm1vRB9Zm3J7j80LnHdmuE5Q4qCVqJpNlBD1QJM7puNKguqJeOB5Kxho/s320/425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ns-h7gW8ahUOJE1Q6ioyyV76m4exFHT3q3RklYieQhpGh8x1SrWFpRMOHpK4BcCsPpD5qWcFBGrPVBXHFoOXgae02myNj7bQGcw6qA0YVKk_hlDgKFXJFgH1DYj5XMjg7RTPhM6hO2A/s1600/427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ns-h7gW8ahUOJE1Q6ioyyV76m4exFHT3q3RklYieQhpGh8x1SrWFpRMOHpK4BcCsPpD5qWcFBGrPVBXHFoOXgae02myNj7bQGcw6qA0YVKk_hlDgKFXJFgH1DYj5XMjg7RTPhM6hO2A/s320/427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99k8HoDaPVhkGHSflVhQP_RHtrwClnSrgdlafm2CaSa1gcJRyT1FaUR6t0m4JKX4UgLD52YdezCdaT2d2Q5R4VGRE6amCOsA88-CVDndHc9D4BBGpkAkd3Nfb7L55-BdCgf257DLew7c/s1600/428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99k8HoDaPVhkGHSflVhQP_RHtrwClnSrgdlafm2CaSa1gcJRyT1FaUR6t0m4JKX4UgLD52YdezCdaT2d2Q5R4VGRE6amCOsA88-CVDndHc9D4BBGpkAkd3Nfb7L55-BdCgf257DLew7c/s320/428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIonJ4nrN9Aj0Rb689yICm062g9fVXwrnxi1NVRBF6bZesHHp3jxPp6gGw5UuPupBk5eP-jmljPXtQ44RQrGDboRCD09Wb8wFZ5C11G1hgHSCLwf29MQQokA_z5qK-LGiWEBRkSnDipM/s1600/429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIonJ4nrN9Aj0Rb689yICm062g9fVXwrnxi1NVRBF6bZesHHp3jxPp6gGw5UuPupBk5eP-jmljPXtQ44RQrGDboRCD09Wb8wFZ5C11G1hgHSCLwf29MQQokA_z5qK-LGiWEBRkSnDipM/s320/429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp6EFD9G-KoToVCccthxe0FDw8TRUrNt5zKEM4pqimkpN4GYLyOusVERNX_YXROTP3N0hR3ORdQfNziC0XYx1Iy3BQvmWNbiq5rOlDDqY_rv1iajJt5zo3Xa3d5ipjTYyP-bFhMf3gNA/s1600/431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp6EFD9G-KoToVCccthxe0FDw8TRUrNt5zKEM4pqimkpN4GYLyOusVERNX_YXROTP3N0hR3ORdQfNziC0XYx1Iy3BQvmWNbiq5rOlDDqY_rv1iajJt5zo3Xa3d5ipjTYyP-bFhMf3gNA/s320/431.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q6NcqFf9UtYAnt_HsL3A9oYnv7ZLqBG2cPr2Y5byxo3osiou4aorMAs_-gqORn3HLKUgLXvZhFObd85qxjb4tnDiKf-Q5X5cO_RXzT1kgbnpK-PsH6ZyrYHXy-PdgRXaO0NCHrxVyDg/s1600/432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q6NcqFf9UtYAnt_HsL3A9oYnv7ZLqBG2cPr2Y5byxo3osiou4aorMAs_-gqORn3HLKUgLXvZhFObd85qxjb4tnDiKf-Q5X5cO_RXzT1kgbnpK-PsH6ZyrYHXy-PdgRXaO0NCHrxVyDg/s320/432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnbrF7U1QLIdxfbcc0BYznw-kZykGVmBRX-L5yzc-_M6ceX37AHnUuPx9Y78RG9HLsLHUkD3QVjpvwnfOHOwy4GnqKet00tvj0NX8rWhf9NMwpPgVxlE_ckjnyuetBgaujqQNbNRMqf4/s1600/435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnbrF7U1QLIdxfbcc0BYznw-kZykGVmBRX-L5yzc-_M6ceX37AHnUuPx9Y78RG9HLsLHUkD3QVjpvwnfOHOwy4GnqKet00tvj0NX8rWhf9NMwpPgVxlE_ckjnyuetBgaujqQNbNRMqf4/s320/435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEinpoawHWWpeaSHM75v_P-L_mK5muV0jk2u-z20s3s0OjpppdjVA0_3anlCs5RQCVLhUyziCAKhxLfz_XWixUzIuBsREqo6gk3WUMRXiSTIT8qgNCrcGScxbc8IHbQXcvKS3p8_98mg/s1600/436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEinpoawHWWpeaSHM75v_P-L_mK5muV0jk2u-z20s3s0OjpppdjVA0_3anlCs5RQCVLhUyziCAKhxLfz_XWixUzIuBsREqo6gk3WUMRXiSTIT8qgNCrcGScxbc8IHbQXcvKS3p8_98mg/s320/436.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTNiK_1TBn9UWlhD8bC-Y7DTEVxPEULmQDlTy13iVVnj8CLbLKBnkxyJs99E4sxmG23QvQZqJGSbKaSSl19QqV0XOoBY4SneAmJ1DfoUjU5kedibYQoB9qoHzqfbhmTwK81JO8EiUp74/s1600/437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTNiK_1TBn9UWlhD8bC-Y7DTEVxPEULmQDlTy13iVVnj8CLbLKBnkxyJs99E4sxmG23QvQZqJGSbKaSSl19QqV0XOoBY4SneAmJ1DfoUjU5kedibYQoB9qoHzqfbhmTwK81JO8EiUp74/s320/437.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1T1xDrZNMqnfBiclSJW6At332M_VPre2f15Q_UvbG6nknW5WtZ3XXUPOX1Y8M50rw6C_Qk-d50r4IuDom8fjqBndtaAsaXdAfZBdFL9_vJLqGJajJ3ia1D2PxKNoLb-MrdOzFpKeKAQ/s1600/438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1T1xDrZNMqnfBiclSJW6At332M_VPre2f15Q_UvbG6nknW5WtZ3XXUPOX1Y8M50rw6C_Qk-d50r4IuDom8fjqBndtaAsaXdAfZBdFL9_vJLqGJajJ3ia1D2PxKNoLb-MrdOzFpKeKAQ/s320/438.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBBF57Y91PfJzUfec_fika2DpAbiWAQqDDUBov1Ms-zhKjRlJLxX7KMZYaEF6xgN1AE1JZLC2iraJhyLLlG0Zk4qTIfg3TrMsoXV0jpos_duMCR3NxEvVJrb48aHsA7N0IxKuFDsWlUk/s1600/441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBBF57Y91PfJzUfec_fika2DpAbiWAQqDDUBov1Ms-zhKjRlJLxX7KMZYaEF6xgN1AE1JZLC2iraJhyLLlG0Zk4qTIfg3TrMsoXV0jpos_duMCR3NxEvVJrb48aHsA7N0IxKuFDsWlUk/s320/441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-77380781347672542932012-09-26T13:02:00.000-07:002012-09-26T13:02:34.141-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul. Day 6.Thursday 24 May. Day 6.<br />
Levier to Annacy 118 miles.<br />
<br />
After a poor nights sleep with minimal food/drink and nothing to charge up phones/garmin oh and a damp night with no mat to sleep on, and to add to all that I have 2 broken spokes on the back wheel. I had a few aches, but I had set my alarm early to get to a nearby town to see if there was a cycle shop there.<br />
<br />
I was headed for a town called Pontarlier it was about 12 miles away, so I was packed up for 6am and pushed my bike along not wanting to do anymore damage to the wheel. The sun was rising and the mist was burning off as the sun was rising. It was a long slog to this town unable to ride along, although on the downhill bits I let the bike go with me on it so it got me to a shop a little quicker. I arrived at Pontarlier about 9.30am and started to look out for bike shops, I see one so its straight in and ask them if they can fix it ? Yes they say come back at 11am and it will be done.. Result! they also said leave the panniers here they will be safe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I did, then walked off at leisure for a couple of hours. I stopped at a little supermarket as I was very hungry and thirsty, I managed to fill up my water bottles as i left the campsite toilets. I sat down in the sun with my goodies from the store - the usual Sandwiches, chocolate, biscuits etc. I have a stroll around the town until its time to go pick my bike up. I get back to shop and Its ready, the guy who fixed the wheel said The wheel is kapput !! It will need changing soon.. I took that on board and thought It may do me today, so I paid up and off i went, they also put a brand new tyre on too. They said the old one was knackered! I agreed so now I have a new tyre on back wheel, the front one has done fantastic up to now with no bother apart from 1 puncture.<br />
<br />
I was headed to Lausanne, the hills were getting bigger and the sun was getting hotter, but as long as I was cycling away it created a nice breeze all the way to Lausanne via Vallorbe. I was looking forward to seeing Lake Geneva as I had see it on another guys video on youtube, it looked fantastic.<br />
<br />
I was getting a little frustrated because of the repairs to the wheel, it was putting me behind schedule but had to keep pushing on.. It was not long before the lake came into view Awesome ! with the mountain alps behind in the distance. I cycled to the shoreline and stopped for a coffee at a cafe near a harbor, very good just to chill along the way. I finished my drink and headed along the coast of the lake stopping for an ice cream along the way. Eventually I arrived in Geneva, that cycle to here was Brilliant! a tail wind all the way along the lake.<br />
<br />
After a ponder around Geneva I was heading towards Annacy, thats where I thought that would be a good distance for the time I had available for today. I arrived in Annacy around 9.30pm it was dark. I managed o find a hotel and went in there was a steep staircase up to reception which meant I had to carry the bike up this narrow staircase.. I got to the reception and the guy looked in amazement at the fact I had just carried my bike up :-) I booked in and asked if there were any bike shops open tomorrow, he gave me a map of where there was a good one, I thanked him and then had to carry my bike back down the staircase because he wanted to put my bike overnight in the cellar.. oh well I'm carrying it down to the cellar its safe there for sure because he locks the door.<br />
<br />
So its now a frantic part to get my tent unraveled to dry it out from the night before, put my stuff on charge and then shower and change.. now its time to find some food, as this hotel does not do food especially at this time - about 10.30pm. So I walk off around the town and see a little kebab shop, I see some students are sitting outside eating what looks to be very nice. I asked for a curry tandoori as that was on the menu, he passed me a small cup with small pieces of tandoori chicken in it! The look on my face must have said it all ! I said could I have same again, then he asked if I want meal, said yes :-) <br />
<br />
He mentioned something big and I just nodded as I was extremely hungry tonight, he asked if I was sitting outside on a table, I agreed and on way out I asked for a small bottle of wine Red Wine with my meal :-)<br />
<br />
The food came over with the wine "Fantastic" a big plate of food.. nice I tucked in it was Fab, after eating this I asked how much was it for the meal and the wine, he said 15 euros, so I asked for same again, he offered up another dish so I agreed with him, if it was as good as the last one that will do for me, oh and can I have another bottle of red wine too ? :-)<br />
<br />
There is a daily phone call back home when I finish my cycle for the day, my daughter each day asks Are you in Istanbul yet dads ? so I run through the countries that I still have to cycle through to get to my destination, so by now the call is shorter the closer I am getting :-))<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXV3E-_tg_3PIyvPjx_JlxX0m-h9aVo2zYD1qmSUTN7uGwG3YR1B3pe61TF6KI9_uOAIuoijzZ_l_MuEtz7zlsYS-oc2TpQAeMrluz5MUskp224pNDITq3ag_DZIywroQxLAFbMFAqr4/s1600/370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXV3E-_tg_3PIyvPjx_JlxX0m-h9aVo2zYD1qmSUTN7uGwG3YR1B3pe61TF6KI9_uOAIuoijzZ_l_MuEtz7zlsYS-oc2TpQAeMrluz5MUskp224pNDITq3ag_DZIywroQxLAFbMFAqr4/s320/370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWQEQZsY9aHQORAqR_T7VnED3kIy2dYmRf76Sc3htx4ZpoFAugeMRHQzBwwbRl4tn31faf_Jb9vqZMSxCRQ_toCLWhyphenhyphen78jTZ94iH44LlB1fh5ROQwXRgdP2jIuBFOWsfD3jI69M5xwJ8/s1600/373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWQEQZsY9aHQORAqR_T7VnED3kIy2dYmRf76Sc3htx4ZpoFAugeMRHQzBwwbRl4tn31faf_Jb9vqZMSxCRQ_toCLWhyphenhyphen78jTZ94iH44LlB1fh5ROQwXRgdP2jIuBFOWsfD3jI69M5xwJ8/s320/373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_naTwdQJSYi2OAWpXd5v0OPiW8CMfWKNzDIsVWeWpNrQxi8RwP8Dcekuxg9Zx7hW7ssPcaQ2O8oiPtNTqhbd4RYYO_05UiTAvo6sAmngAb2OK3geeEnKsFlBPgf7PHuUaYTm4e7AetxM/s1600/374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_naTwdQJSYi2OAWpXd5v0OPiW8CMfWKNzDIsVWeWpNrQxi8RwP8Dcekuxg9Zx7hW7ssPcaQ2O8oiPtNTqhbd4RYYO_05UiTAvo6sAmngAb2OK3geeEnKsFlBPgf7PHuUaYTm4e7AetxM/s320/374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu0TwoXC3oKgWDEEkepNCI_vtRe0GkZJXuCkL1jWJo5J99sHPLxjjIr6IK7rptVSaPwmJHPakuodxR_aVNOFcnq4TGkp-77L9odaTJYwSzSsdsjx5Qr_TS4eFOGbG7GkSPeVQDlNssGA/s1600/375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu0TwoXC3oKgWDEEkepNCI_vtRe0GkZJXuCkL1jWJo5J99sHPLxjjIr6IK7rptVSaPwmJHPakuodxR_aVNOFcnq4TGkp-77L9odaTJYwSzSsdsjx5Qr_TS4eFOGbG7GkSPeVQDlNssGA/s320/375.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTUtWrZtksD_ct0j4Q07OKqvgUdiPsLi4pklkPc6AA8fm9tdIls3Wqaty3KxB9becRj22KGy-liyPuIEyU5ktIb7FR5DVFxkhmkUfYNTUVlTPMmNuWDm2CKUVHYZmKTjBVcTFTRyHMtY/s1600/376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTUtWrZtksD_ct0j4Q07OKqvgUdiPsLi4pklkPc6AA8fm9tdIls3Wqaty3KxB9becRj22KGy-liyPuIEyU5ktIb7FR5DVFxkhmkUfYNTUVlTPMmNuWDm2CKUVHYZmKTjBVcTFTRyHMtY/s320/376.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR-St8AgPTTjtcpQY5njNwTDCLi8szyUxUj5kGZCpfd3Agu1FcqUtEUWU7HWcHbVYe3KCwW4M-j9OAWF8rdI0x8mfcPNnQUHqdHnTDMvRsdGFv3IBeGvfXwLeqxweezoOqu89H1Z-7JE/s1600/377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR-St8AgPTTjtcpQY5njNwTDCLi8szyUxUj5kGZCpfd3Agu1FcqUtEUWU7HWcHbVYe3KCwW4M-j9OAWF8rdI0x8mfcPNnQUHqdHnTDMvRsdGFv3IBeGvfXwLeqxweezoOqu89H1Z-7JE/s320/377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI094asNUoJf8Udiogf1EE8W7yIH7LY8LWD-Xt-UbQWz6sNXEPr83M9Q02GUFBfrKxJXfarfzXtWyzrhP8qAiZal7CS5MWJzIaWwSk_4480s16tljcsi2rYmCCulIxJeGSXLvHwarKlU/s1600/378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI094asNUoJf8Udiogf1EE8W7yIH7LY8LWD-Xt-UbQWz6sNXEPr83M9Q02GUFBfrKxJXfarfzXtWyzrhP8qAiZal7CS5MWJzIaWwSk_4480s16tljcsi2rYmCCulIxJeGSXLvHwarKlU/s320/378.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLoczz7k2LIM7OOEoli4jNexW8Vt4Ykl_d-w2wDvO8pIVgcsfnmH9LQOUNvrW9VL4Tx6dRfwINnnSJs_h_va7CSc8lNkPyVx_ieqQv6vmjCqHvLKsmFnmklQnGWBAWc0x5eP9jhuCQzU/s1600/379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLoczz7k2LIM7OOEoli4jNexW8Vt4Ykl_d-w2wDvO8pIVgcsfnmH9LQOUNvrW9VL4Tx6dRfwINnnSJs_h_va7CSc8lNkPyVx_ieqQv6vmjCqHvLKsmFnmklQnGWBAWc0x5eP9jhuCQzU/s320/379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VEkGIMvPLtXhKj_LdJpsUPAT58B3RypRzbtzBPnCUExkR3iNTDpP72kYwcfCUpwfUrZcKG9tYdXKrt5ufOuYD06WpL43THu5YT0-zIN9h2PdL7DIfZlCyyf8nEx4qIFoO_R5HyuGsqM/s1600/380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VEkGIMvPLtXhKj_LdJpsUPAT58B3RypRzbtzBPnCUExkR3iNTDpP72kYwcfCUpwfUrZcKG9tYdXKrt5ufOuYD06WpL43THu5YT0-zIN9h2PdL7DIfZlCyyf8nEx4qIFoO_R5HyuGsqM/s320/380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY54U2JfFly46FNySyhAo2RGpyOyc2vf2recW3pJ_ATg7ZR06Qk7B-VccFw5Q3HIqimbIB2oFAuX5hv9vfstnD4RTD4PHpjm1LHpbxEaLc4oSBfHpguGqNbXPsiDLvTeflgCErMUG0OV4/s1600/381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY54U2JfFly46FNySyhAo2RGpyOyc2vf2recW3pJ_ATg7ZR06Qk7B-VccFw5Q3HIqimbIB2oFAuX5hv9vfstnD4RTD4PHpjm1LHpbxEaLc4oSBfHpguGqNbXPsiDLvTeflgCErMUG0OV4/s320/381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe6RiXQ9ykQiUpOJ6xvf_S2PTHzo8J1WqoVpqUuU44emC61hZ-q7ZY5O8VhIoDoFus2lHEzvoVo6LSTOYP3OR69EMGsXBKUPP7yQu3M1SdGGGzbdAPHWMbjkTGRrZQO37lx9rSIIi3hc/s1600/382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe6RiXQ9ykQiUpOJ6xvf_S2PTHzo8J1WqoVpqUuU44emC61hZ-q7ZY5O8VhIoDoFus2lHEzvoVo6LSTOYP3OR69EMGsXBKUPP7yQu3M1SdGGGzbdAPHWMbjkTGRrZQO37lx9rSIIi3hc/s320/382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfjCtN2kBaORodeN0S-cpb5GBvn4pV-N4IRb0oralhJTqYbKmsxC7olDIfsrp4nGa6cRtZU39_Ocbz0D19j3ITYdqhkfIbHSSEUbmHhh3WMgwRGHUYilAdUBiyOYsTcJE5Di5oUDx94/s1600/383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfjCtN2kBaORodeN0S-cpb5GBvn4pV-N4IRb0oralhJTqYbKmsxC7olDIfsrp4nGa6cRtZU39_Ocbz0D19j3ITYdqhkfIbHSSEUbmHhh3WMgwRGHUYilAdUBiyOYsTcJE5Di5oUDx94/s320/383.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAOv5Ph-KlSTBSq46r79lt6bvqGaLMdS7IBOZi8xWlgahc9-m6AzN78TCBImA4OXL9yUsVftsp89bPFHkNjY4PP150hbp2FaHGSLLflrjqP6saHcuQW3sghhLOzhp_QWYVF6_GulN2Z0/s1600/384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAOv5Ph-KlSTBSq46r79lt6bvqGaLMdS7IBOZi8xWlgahc9-m6AzN78TCBImA4OXL9yUsVftsp89bPFHkNjY4PP150hbp2FaHGSLLflrjqP6saHcuQW3sghhLOzhp_QWYVF6_GulN2Z0/s320/384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwOG4_E-XUhZrr4IZAuHRyzOKgXJiyNpOQW-rSwbN-gVLRkrTRriGl7RTLI3Voy04C5c8e3hyid-IITksrffIkugaxmnbJ0ZBg9zHNTuZ1gomOkoGHpXq1ySSQqRqmFUN_Iag5rNmrS0/s1600/385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwOG4_E-XUhZrr4IZAuHRyzOKgXJiyNpOQW-rSwbN-gVLRkrTRriGl7RTLI3Voy04C5c8e3hyid-IITksrffIkugaxmnbJ0ZBg9zHNTuZ1gomOkoGHpXq1ySSQqRqmFUN_Iag5rNmrS0/s320/385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcRn-sTFFa_8GuePY_ZzOyffEGs5oWJTXOG0JZgN37qXabhHacxyUgByuPGa-mQ94jgSfUk1-wDWQS0VYQJ8y4hfUzbGxdX0R1pt2npMVFJibKN6ULrO6TmQ34XnMixSFa7-FE0AAjaw/s1600/386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcRn-sTFFa_8GuePY_ZzOyffEGs5oWJTXOG0JZgN37qXabhHacxyUgByuPGa-mQ94jgSfUk1-wDWQS0VYQJ8y4hfUzbGxdX0R1pt2npMVFJibKN6ULrO6TmQ34XnMixSFa7-FE0AAjaw/s320/386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRZfoAigRWPFgswsua3vOKj5BkvWb15ohkELaT93OD8vqsEOZ_IYSoliUaFhxRlGCaD9PaijKX_Z4nFDCxWa_oYPTGFE2MJ7DgS8x6llhdRKZMf483Q55lPD2WaFpJydH4xArqKQ0SoQ/s1600/388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRZfoAigRWPFgswsua3vOKj5BkvWb15ohkELaT93OD8vqsEOZ_IYSoliUaFhxRlGCaD9PaijKX_Z4nFDCxWa_oYPTGFE2MJ7DgS8x6llhdRKZMf483Q55lPD2WaFpJydH4xArqKQ0SoQ/s320/388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9TH-naE2lvIPA0gD1al9YmlvQBFsg_1axWF78uxgaIoekVJMJe6T_o5qQOtXAzhIKHpMA80pjiSNncesTKcb_n5ROWnczJtOuxPBMQjP2xvEbcdS65AkmZGwyqA5ZjdUvpffbc4nrsQ/s1600/390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9TH-naE2lvIPA0gD1al9YmlvQBFsg_1axWF78uxgaIoekVJMJe6T_o5qQOtXAzhIKHpMA80pjiSNncesTKcb_n5ROWnczJtOuxPBMQjP2xvEbcdS65AkmZGwyqA5ZjdUvpffbc4nrsQ/s320/390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5PhYI_ZCYqIrEDGTLvmX71Wr_7OzaMDOcUQsnynZnAjorTMKmmomGEhDmlNO9wKDHaC1Qg6iJEWiMVvxRyQhQsUHxIskm3bEWz_GGWEDnDb4H-GVdRjuq1t9Vvm6gyy9ioBema9SWVA/s1600/391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5PhYI_ZCYqIrEDGTLvmX71Wr_7OzaMDOcUQsnynZnAjorTMKmmomGEhDmlNO9wKDHaC1Qg6iJEWiMVvxRyQhQsUHxIskm3bEWz_GGWEDnDb4H-GVdRjuq1t9Vvm6gyy9ioBema9SWVA/s320/391.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Vc8UVsJb6ImVoYo1QscUGMLMLZYIs8x78Wt6vMjOqQKrz_WX5P9ysTXcKLXOjdezj5Wx9-rKwiihcTYz5LAgkLtSdYXnATYjlWXWyYqs5A4LGwy-7Rt8Ig0NOgJeFw1ajUkT0sMqxE/s1600/392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5Vc8UVsJb6ImVoYo1QscUGMLMLZYIs8x78Wt6vMjOqQKrz_WX5P9ysTXcKLXOjdezj5Wx9-rKwiihcTYz5LAgkLtSdYXnATYjlWXWyYqs5A4LGwy-7Rt8Ig0NOgJeFw1ajUkT0sMqxE/s320/392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4efBvYkS4f__tb0hsxEh9uij569VhbcaAZvtjeQbzaot6odTSKsl_2jTayhOdFnA2N_UTollMl7j8YjON1hbZSJ4m69wcC_7etJ4hxSHDT-BO8Ct6P3sxEKxckBEwdzW7n-9VHOo8I/s1600/393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4efBvYkS4f__tb0hsxEh9uij569VhbcaAZvtjeQbzaot6odTSKsl_2jTayhOdFnA2N_UTollMl7j8YjON1hbZSJ4m69wcC_7etJ4hxSHDT-BO8Ct6P3sxEKxckBEwdzW7n-9VHOo8I/s320/393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iOVdu-gEE1SvDuNAOo_J2RyFOwGV15LGZTOwObAzNkvMmGVyRmZFXQmveo3zC_28VNBNjyhjpFrQDgSFLa9TCGyw_UlUDZJ7OtTXgFWIZs_pMKCrFMPyfsWHrLjCj02V3KaaLfz4hdE/s1600/394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iOVdu-gEE1SvDuNAOo_J2RyFOwGV15LGZTOwObAzNkvMmGVyRmZFXQmveo3zC_28VNBNjyhjpFrQDgSFLa9TCGyw_UlUDZJ7OtTXgFWIZs_pMKCrFMPyfsWHrLjCj02V3KaaLfz4hdE/s320/394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3AryHUKd5O1C1Bf2qZxizZN05bnHyQr4tSh5aMK9CCNKtYI8iWBpDAWLEktnJXZAkchV1Yx5KRC_4rTEZb9yf6VrigD5nS2C6l-TnRAWHAHuEysqilzGTnNdcLn1G7jJllM8nIOvKco/s1600/395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3AryHUKd5O1C1Bf2qZxizZN05bnHyQr4tSh5aMK9CCNKtYI8iWBpDAWLEktnJXZAkchV1Yx5KRC_4rTEZb9yf6VrigD5nS2C6l-TnRAWHAHuEysqilzGTnNdcLn1G7jJllM8nIOvKco/s320/395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSuwv2dOyz98nHLLgvkoXJFixwlnTXAvFhvStdkqGY_Uieh14J_MH_z8dzFECWqTi4oYw9jDo-bGfPw9Y-GdikreI8n0CXhwI21ot1F2XLYqA5WYwmYTCkXfuaq_GDEe0Ltq-SygvgdY/s1600/396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSuwv2dOyz98nHLLgvkoXJFixwlnTXAvFhvStdkqGY_Uieh14J_MH_z8dzFECWqTi4oYw9jDo-bGfPw9Y-GdikreI8n0CXhwI21ot1F2XLYqA5WYwmYTCkXfuaq_GDEe0Ltq-SygvgdY/s320/396.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wKH_E7ik26PwObQeuV7sX7i__Q9Rg0o8HhDqo4RQu4t3pS_g6K1TGMZ83DylH43plU8aWK7gmg-cNQ_Vr78dFZ6HLOKSC3nSNhIY2COzPDBYoiykdsbrVS_FJQxUyMb_sDp07212dAk/s1600/397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wKH_E7ik26PwObQeuV7sX7i__Q9Rg0o8HhDqo4RQu4t3pS_g6K1TGMZ83DylH43plU8aWK7gmg-cNQ_Vr78dFZ6HLOKSC3nSNhIY2COzPDBYoiykdsbrVS_FJQxUyMb_sDp07212dAk/s320/397.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZbKg9uKh05-38ZxromJPEOrblZiUNWWjmtEZxaLY4K22leAaPE72IuiTdgKJXxaFveThnAsr2lQUCLcae9Qk72y4OLD4Q5Yr33FtO3XeqhsKlSez4tF9X6q7-0TEtkBSFTu0dHfo_go/s1600/398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZbKg9uKh05-38ZxromJPEOrblZiUNWWjmtEZxaLY4K22leAaPE72IuiTdgKJXxaFveThnAsr2lQUCLcae9Qk72y4OLD4Q5Yr33FtO3XeqhsKlSez4tF9X6q7-0TEtkBSFTu0dHfo_go/s320/398.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFEtSgY5LeucRGsZtXO9YCMC7pSGyDTNv_cM6I3rGxzmMllXLlSZjded-TCnY7ZUxwRCwWRjr_CDrOlJCYaIu26vhw-cY9oWKdmHg0PXU7XojWwnzGzfbdNxZsloyJt8Fl3nzBuP0iRw/s1600/399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFEtSgY5LeucRGsZtXO9YCMC7pSGyDTNv_cM6I3rGxzmMllXLlSZjded-TCnY7ZUxwRCwWRjr_CDrOlJCYaIu26vhw-cY9oWKdmHg0PXU7XojWwnzGzfbdNxZsloyJt8Fl3nzBuP0iRw/s320/399.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT40bZml43pKts_9GXTqMF0HVxdMpejqgUFMb-xt7hpMTYnlO_bJ0keemIsfSFwbo6k-wcj8XSCkE8oDGq6VG86XvRC5NKpNTW-Z-t-Jc1hRgLWRpvebUqN2NviLQLUIK90h_zMWPsPs/s1600/400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT40bZml43pKts_9GXTqMF0HVxdMpejqgUFMb-xt7hpMTYnlO_bJ0keemIsfSFwbo6k-wcj8XSCkE8oDGq6VG86XvRC5NKpNTW-Z-t-Jc1hRgLWRpvebUqN2NviLQLUIK90h_zMWPsPs/s320/400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After my 2 meals and 2 wines I make my way back to hotel, my belly is full and I'm happy again. I get back to room, and my tent etc is dry now so I pack them up back into my bags so it saves time in the morning. What a day, and tomorrow I have decided I need a new wheel, so when the shops open thats my first job.MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-57207320810522444992012-09-25T14:15:00.000-07:002012-09-25T14:15:21.332-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul. Day 5.Wednesday 23 May. Day 5.<div>
Chaumont to Levier 118 miles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a good nights sleep, good food and wine again, I was up around 6.30am and just got ready and set off towards the town to see how far the bike shops were (2 of them I was informed by the lady at reception) so, I walked off into town. After about a 15min walk I came across a bike shop, checked out the opening time and it was 10am. Just further on the same road another with opening time of 9am Thats mine ! so I went back to hotel to get some breakfast - not fryup styles in france but jam, cooked meats, plenty of coffee and orange juice and cereals - not too bad for me that lot :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After breakfast I went up to my room to pack all my things up ready for when I return from bike shop so I was ready to set off. So I'm now walking back to bike shop with wheel in my hand. I go into shop and try to explain my problem, he understands and I say can you fix asap ? He nods and get to work on it, at this stage I was going to pay whatever to get it fixed as needed to get a move on - this late start has put me behind the time I would have set off, probably around 7.30 to 8.00am.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After about 25mins he had fixed and got the wheel as good as new Fantastic you're a star I was saying but I don't think he understood. 10 euros was brilliant news (Not that bad considering he got to work on it straight away even though he was serving another chap when I walked in his shop) Top guy :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So , I'm sorted and walking back to hotel swiftly ready to load up and off I go heading in the direction of Besancon.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The roads at first were generally flat once again, as I rolled into Langres (The place I was planning on getting to the previous day - but the broken spoke stopped me in my tracks!) After this place the roads were getting more rolling - I compared them similar to Devon, or Cornwall types of hills. I cycled on through little villages and towns once again, the weather was a little improvement on previous days - but still no Sun although it was trying to get through. It would have made the hills harder to cycle over if the sun was out I was thinking, so the shade was quite good for cycling hills.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did cycle over a nice place with a river running through - La Saone. Later in the afternoon I had reached Besancon after a manic cycle down roads that were like busy motor-ways I turned off into Besancon and headed down towards the river, once down there the views of the hills surrounding were very nice. You could tell that the alps were coming soon... just coming out from this town it was up hill more and more (very hard going) and didn't appear to be leveling out at all !! But after a few hours of cycling up I could see breaks in the clouds and for the first time since Holland I seen blue sky.... Yes !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After plenty of miles ascending it flattened out a little before going up again, and again Phew !! by this time the sun was setting and my thoughts turned to finding some place to stop for the night, I passed a hotel in Amancey, but cycled on up again and passed the hotel heading towards a place called Levier, but my thought was will that be too far for now? so I turned around and went back to hotel I had just passed. Pulled up at door way walked in, and shouted hello.. No answer, after a few minutes of waiting a guy came along and I was trying to ask for a room for the night but he didn't understand and called his daughter over and she told him my request, he replied FULL sorry.. Oh well I asked is there anywhere else nearby - his daughter said 7km back down hill, or 34km further up and over hills..... Blimey !!! I'm not going back down where I came up its just too demoralizing, so I said my farewell and started to carry on up and over the hills, the light was fading quickly !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got on my garmin and searched Campsites in the area, it gave me one 7miles further on, in Levier town, so that was the result I was aiming for (It's a night in my New tent, the tent I had not put up yet!) This should be fun in the dark !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was cycling in the darkness now, my water bottles had nearly emptied, and I was hungry with little food left in the panniers..ohh dear ! school boy error. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After about and hour I was freewheeling down a hill towards Levier and "PING" again and the wobble as previous night - Is it a puncture ? I thought, or is it another bleeding spoke.. I didn't stop to see I just carried on until I got to that campsite I just took it very slowly. Eventually I had arrived at the campsite but nobody was where you cycle in or anything so I just cycled on in through a little wood past some caravans and sneaked into the furthest corner of the small campsite, opened up the panniers and started to try and put up my tent for first time in darkness - Not good ! haha.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I thought I was going to get the tent up without any bother, but as I was struggling in the darkness, a guy and dog were coming over in my direction (did someone see me cycling in earlier?) Hello he said, I replied hello, is it ok to camp here, he said yes are you ok with that.... I said yes thanks, how much to stay ? 10euros which was good for me but no food or more importantly Red wine !! damn.. He walked off back where he came from and I fumbled away and after about 45mins I was in my tent in the dark with very little to eat just half a bottle of Lucozade sport and bit of chocolate and thats my tea for that night, also before I got into the tent I felt around the back wheel spokes and it wasn't 1 spoke it was 2 this time (Just my luck again) I will have to wake early in the morning and try and find another bike shop for repairs again. By the way in my tent I forget a sleeping mat so was sleeping directly on the damp ground - not much sleep for me then tonight :-(</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5Ta76tl4tNwhc_I40TJJ_y9wc49Qw5Dzpfso3ikWwg9Uev2T6Jnms2xN92KnYsvlmDRRC_SSbAh1QfNtNIwj1p1ixXbkbuLh_TVG4vUt0YmVP_w3cccOBZpTk4VL8bviErIzN6dAecM/s1600/348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5Ta76tl4tNwhc_I40TJJ_y9wc49Qw5Dzpfso3ikWwg9Uev2T6Jnms2xN92KnYsvlmDRRC_SSbAh1QfNtNIwj1p1ixXbkbuLh_TVG4vUt0YmVP_w3cccOBZpTk4VL8bviErIzN6dAecM/s320/348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJXCfwUnKuMrZ7XaEenAa1pI65kLF2eNF36WjVKAjTLCib8w8T5m5fDugOBS817-oRYV_cLq3E5G4KEPaHpbDTcuK-jZFOE87NhD5_Cyv_fLDpSl2QDgAonAD84TPRKU8l_cIvTu2Cz8/s1600/350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJXCfwUnKuMrZ7XaEenAa1pI65kLF2eNF36WjVKAjTLCib8w8T5m5fDugOBS817-oRYV_cLq3E5G4KEPaHpbDTcuK-jZFOE87NhD5_Cyv_fLDpSl2QDgAonAD84TPRKU8l_cIvTu2Cz8/s320/350.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjiSqTsjQ9an0onrnSNJIjTgWW1SI3DC42kLTF_djhSA9VS2zO7PQBPtlcDqKClnpvsVkKibGHi1GWx6lXbRZrjOk9QDNY75l3MHUrwQinN6SR_bg-xtO6X3vMoEvwzI9f6kc47dYxR8/s1600/351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjiSqTsjQ9an0onrnSNJIjTgWW1SI3DC42kLTF_djhSA9VS2zO7PQBPtlcDqKClnpvsVkKibGHi1GWx6lXbRZrjOk9QDNY75l3MHUrwQinN6SR_bg-xtO6X3vMoEvwzI9f6kc47dYxR8/s320/351.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLU-aXqz7NdJ_U0yMF5KEe-DbcTG9VSyBS236xjUSrOcmhQlmThzqPGE_hDwo_Yy_CSnBHJelFaSy54QDlHrMDqCKXYIvtC4X_il_GwEEAhvujOeA6RT3F-EiTyc4ynJNLjHlZN-I-cA/s1600/352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLU-aXqz7NdJ_U0yMF5KEe-DbcTG9VSyBS236xjUSrOcmhQlmThzqPGE_hDwo_Yy_CSnBHJelFaSy54QDlHrMDqCKXYIvtC4X_il_GwEEAhvujOeA6RT3F-EiTyc4ynJNLjHlZN-I-cA/s320/352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotSf15vWxbuUhbu3dkrRaSjJHG8oE5aISy1USwDUj7nZl5BHocqkfFqMfhOpgei5gKheHTcmFtMRbYs2mJ7ZKgc-wcc2s6MIlHLhAcuHfSNYU9DxAdPKkNDb86gHeaossObwbDg07Ewc/s1600/353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotSf15vWxbuUhbu3dkrRaSjJHG8oE5aISy1USwDUj7nZl5BHocqkfFqMfhOpgei5gKheHTcmFtMRbYs2mJ7ZKgc-wcc2s6MIlHLhAcuHfSNYU9DxAdPKkNDb86gHeaossObwbDg07Ewc/s320/353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3BeWoZQiw0IF8gzprTb4h5LCJYPt-UFtX02KRKtiAbBBr6TdyxUvP5HHgWi9hyePx1Ti2uvARug0OUqP9jV4zM1ZClQL8W34QD9IU2Q5KzIbibyifBU0Gjoqwyb06qjg5OjvZ9LDyBs/s1600/356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3BeWoZQiw0IF8gzprTb4h5LCJYPt-UFtX02KRKtiAbBBr6TdyxUvP5HHgWi9hyePx1Ti2uvARug0OUqP9jV4zM1ZClQL8W34QD9IU2Q5KzIbibyifBU0Gjoqwyb06qjg5OjvZ9LDyBs/s320/356.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1E2kOd8vSz85fS1dJriVuIeUc8KYBIUKGrUmAqWE8SS8fR0EtlS8mC8WIR0N_6IWA3gAcd0RE9BiUirYipItooS5PGGKM_LBan_QO4GuevfyHkEnVrYpf6mVCcFGS32g8GEJitP1TQo/s1600/358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1E2kOd8vSz85fS1dJriVuIeUc8KYBIUKGrUmAqWE8SS8fR0EtlS8mC8WIR0N_6IWA3gAcd0RE9BiUirYipItooS5PGGKM_LBan_QO4GuevfyHkEnVrYpf6mVCcFGS32g8GEJitP1TQo/s320/358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lzRKOubg5gPQ3agHd2H0QBf6s5agwoUHbpXHmX-gD48o6tsBNAJR1eI_o7u04jALNUPEwTAaTig-K4v_wNdhCyPTQme755u-wlk5GorKjS3vVibYwaDwzaFohzIvci-e3zLfRb_0bvE/s1600/359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lzRKOubg5gPQ3agHd2H0QBf6s5agwoUHbpXHmX-gD48o6tsBNAJR1eI_o7u04jALNUPEwTAaTig-K4v_wNdhCyPTQme755u-wlk5GorKjS3vVibYwaDwzaFohzIvci-e3zLfRb_0bvE/s320/359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRMuh4oFewty0yYfStoIglSfILsLuYqf-iTRMRQrkzdB57oDGEC8KHT7RgZ8jAO6v8DMg9_QOa9utXVMg8lJK0MQOLZlGzOP0mBALQcGMllVEefKKwNq-RLAVGK8DBsuDgr7ZmGlNGns/s1600/360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRMuh4oFewty0yYfStoIglSfILsLuYqf-iTRMRQrkzdB57oDGEC8KHT7RgZ8jAO6v8DMg9_QOa9utXVMg8lJK0MQOLZlGzOP0mBALQcGMllVEefKKwNq-RLAVGK8DBsuDgr7ZmGlNGns/s320/360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAckxw_anNRaRae7yB8nqWy2u1yNSM_BAu0o0wBvSnGRpJiUAqf07PFwFDHOyMVIzqq6RcwGKXVq6QeU5CEGbYoRhRLH6wVr7biwdwBw3lPanO1Ee0k_toBcw6zP7lRxhb3XKfka3nA4/s1600/362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAckxw_anNRaRae7yB8nqWy2u1yNSM_BAu0o0wBvSnGRpJiUAqf07PFwFDHOyMVIzqq6RcwGKXVq6QeU5CEGbYoRhRLH6wVr7biwdwBw3lPanO1Ee0k_toBcw6zP7lRxhb3XKfka3nA4/s320/362.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ggz0iIdz4EV53_I4AvmVYlS7J9BLF-EvgH5xoE_4d2e6Rus3ct8daFDEsG-51LhhvaYcoomQrzimV-o4xzoLjpnLUK5Occ99oIWP4x2PxbABgIAMhcXVjuQlND-igv2JPAh1jHcTFhc/s1600/363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ggz0iIdz4EV53_I4AvmVYlS7J9BLF-EvgH5xoE_4d2e6Rus3ct8daFDEsG-51LhhvaYcoomQrzimV-o4xzoLjpnLUK5Occ99oIWP4x2PxbABgIAMhcXVjuQlND-igv2JPAh1jHcTFhc/s320/363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzNtZs6QKShmRm-jo3ZKnJJVn6s1USkbQ9L8mFvtleFSheYRVxXLfkuERiS6gyUQYZb29K6TX6phx1hV57JKCNPXIG-5-qhiZMXYClGl1BQyXkp2Jw5sSsAJjBow2t_QQuBTKxMjTWec/s1600/365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzNtZs6QKShmRm-jo3ZKnJJVn6s1USkbQ9L8mFvtleFSheYRVxXLfkuERiS6gyUQYZb29K6TX6phx1hV57JKCNPXIG-5-qhiZMXYClGl1BQyXkp2Jw5sSsAJjBow2t_QQuBTKxMjTWec/s320/365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK20Ck3hR8cJdC4WLHNOnnNnn7lQQMie-9eWP-Ka2d1LzL3d4ai-Cz4AZcjUJQB7MyYKm1yGPF84RzX64U5zCvDUnqerWGX1DEh0mlo-k5r6ppeqdz_8J_8hLPHWS6y78ArS1edIgwW0/s1600/367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQK20Ck3hR8cJdC4WLHNOnnNnn7lQQMie-9eWP-Ka2d1LzL3d4ai-Cz4AZcjUJQB7MyYKm1yGPF84RzX64U5zCvDUnqerWGX1DEh0mlo-k5r6ppeqdz_8J_8hLPHWS6y78ArS1edIgwW0/s320/367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_D3_RPQw0_zlcTbuw4whyceGxec8NZMj4R2RnNmLzi_RrH9_jq9dDZr8wRRQkL3YY8m-GTynoxbzYbg2OuSHrtiC6V_fl5PrepcP3bEV7Bs804Og_gvKO3ovauPCQnYJGE1rA1zzBE/s1600/368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_D3_RPQw0_zlcTbuw4whyceGxec8NZMj4R2RnNmLzi_RrH9_jq9dDZr8wRRQkL3YY8m-GTynoxbzYbg2OuSHrtiC6V_fl5PrepcP3bEV7Bs804Og_gvKO3ovauPCQnYJGE1rA1zzBE/s320/368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxSH9-KEkP-ObJ76bhu98vXsRPdfLnN17F8tgyOFDkU1DeDyhWjTMW-8lRnNDzemfLf_3i6k1FxuLkYFmvV0t-f7BEZm-Xovzp77Cz6iuqbm-_zTm3DW4w9-R3jFRE6GykZ6pPIDpR_c/s1600/369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxSH9-KEkP-ObJ76bhu98vXsRPdfLnN17F8tgyOFDkU1DeDyhWjTMW-8lRnNDzemfLf_3i6k1FxuLkYFmvV0t-f7BEZm-Xovzp77Cz6iuqbm-_zTm3DW4w9-R3jFRE6GykZ6pPIDpR_c/s320/369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-32648099677403044912012-09-24T12:57:00.002-07:002012-09-24T12:57:40.466-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 4.Tuesday 22 May. Day 4.<br />
Vouzier to Chaumont 128 miles.<br />
Woke up this morning and looked out of my hotel window, it was another grey day but.. I was feeling fantastic, not sure if I was still tipsy with last nights Red wine but I was totally refreshed after good food/drink and sleep.<br />
<br />
So after booking out of hotel I was off.... panniers packed, water bottles topped up, ipod on (Abba gold) and ready to rock n roll.. :-)<br />
<br />
I was using my Garmin now, but just looking at the map part to see if I could get away without using iphone map app! I was heading in the direction towards St Dizier. The roads were very flat today and I passed through some very nice villages (typically french buildings). I did my usual stop of for food and drink stocks at a local Lidl, bike tied up next to trolley parks and off I go whizzing around the aisles for Baguettes, choccy biscuits, water and Red bull, after a quick snack outside Lidl I was off again :-) I was beginning to wonder where the sun had gone, and was hoping that when I get to the Alps the weather will improve - I really wanted some great photos of the mountains (heres hoping that the weather breaks for the alps!)<br />
<br />
After passing through St Dizier was en route to Langres (thats where I could get to today and was well up for some big miles to make up for some shorter milage done on earlier days)<br />
<br />
I passed through a place called Wassy and was cruising to Chaumont things were great. It was around 6pm and I had passed through Chaumont,as I approached the town I looked up and seen a train going across a viaduct. I reckoned that I could be in Langres in a few more hours, when about 2 miles past Chaumont PING!! and a little wobble from my back wheel.....! My first thought Puncture ! but it wasn't that. It was a broken spoke ! (I've never had a broken spoke!)<br />
<br />
After looking through my tool kit it was apparent I did not have a tool to remove the cassette from the back wheel Oh no!! Right... its decision time, do I push/walk the bike to Langres or do I return back to 2 ish miles back to Chaumont ?? I opted to go back :-( Not ideal I know, but my thought was that I would find a bike shop more easily in a bigger town that a smaller one, so off I went pushing the bike back.<br />
<br />
Just yards from arriving in the centre there was a hotel on the left of the main road into Chaumont, I pushed into here and asked if there was a room for the night. The woman on reception said yes, I was in so thats good I have another room tonight and good food and another bottle of Red YES..<br />
<br />
I asked if there was a bike shop she said yes about half a mile back into town it will be open at 9am or 10am. Well that will do for me, I was starting to bring my bike into the hotel when the woman asked if I could take it around the side of the hotel - there is a garage basement door at the side of the building, I started to push it around, although I had to carry the fully laden bike up several steps to reception doors which does knacker the arms a little as this bike weighs a ton.. so off I go to the basement garage door, the woman said she would use the automatic door to let me in. Great.. <br />
<br />
After some waiting at the garage door about 15 mins, I was getting a bit frustrated and thinking has she forgotten that I'm here at the door, so I went back around to the front and carried the bike up the steps again to ask here to open the door (didn't want to leave the bike around the corner or at base of steps I always think - take your eye of the bike and someone may pinch it) haha.<br />
<br />
Just my luck as I went back to see the woman, a coach load had pulled up and were all booking into the hotel !! Bugger... I tried to get her attention by waving hands "madhead stylee" :-0 she did see me and apologized and went straight away to open door. Result!<br />
<br />
After the bike placed was in basement I rushed up to my room to the usual routine, charge phone etc, shower and change. Then it was off for a steak meal together with another bottle of you know what ? :-) Getting used to this... its great after a good days cycling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuTVX3qRZbOHtwTCqwQIhA5kW7pMCB5e6dNaLcCkWHshLVNHvRpHoCqP11ermA7sSVsXyqPEYDTPsWO9QRhwt_TYFIzyhjq-QPIm_jhsW-h6KZWPe3ljP3TUixohI4fSP4KjtIHc05gs/s1600/326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuTVX3qRZbOHtwTCqwQIhA5kW7pMCB5e6dNaLcCkWHshLVNHvRpHoCqP11ermA7sSVsXyqPEYDTPsWO9QRhwt_TYFIzyhjq-QPIm_jhsW-h6KZWPe3ljP3TUixohI4fSP4KjtIHc05gs/s320/326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio42woqD4N5VqHVH0l_igHRNSLAvP3TxlC2_oYwuzCdik9Wek7nm7x9BVIc-9la4jdQPW6ELyMrO1WaQWpTzibQ29_5wokLznGclg0QTzSLWiT6iR3Lnwk2FSECxu3ptogg23i4bCrRsI/s1600/330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio42woqD4N5VqHVH0l_igHRNSLAvP3TxlC2_oYwuzCdik9Wek7nm7x9BVIc-9la4jdQPW6ELyMrO1WaQWpTzibQ29_5wokLznGclg0QTzSLWiT6iR3Lnwk2FSECxu3ptogg23i4bCrRsI/s320/330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWme2h-RT4RAhZQ3-iWcxboHpowx0vxVrKSc4zeZizcgjXhAQ7_tw8nKSW0NZwG7jsz5WZ7u2wfAEUJaxXqI23chktXiAewaGUsLu5v3vfaJCkUjIxfnmly2VRmiODV9K9ux8Yym3A8fI/s1600/327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWme2h-RT4RAhZQ3-iWcxboHpowx0vxVrKSc4zeZizcgjXhAQ7_tw8nKSW0NZwG7jsz5WZ7u2wfAEUJaxXqI23chktXiAewaGUsLu5v3vfaJCkUjIxfnmly2VRmiODV9K9ux8Yym3A8fI/s320/327.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMCNjENbzO-jP4ppvwazBsxsf5hpvr1V2dXyeTrrKvMe2N1AdkNVxaHBnjt0MM-T9mHNNQwSTlOxbeFlhwsqvlZ9gvTjon60Z9YSvuM9yGcCbXukSQFK1n6brOAnOnhO1qbrGbM0bsvU/s1600/331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMCNjENbzO-jP4ppvwazBsxsf5hpvr1V2dXyeTrrKvMe2N1AdkNVxaHBnjt0MM-T9mHNNQwSTlOxbeFlhwsqvlZ9gvTjon60Z9YSvuM9yGcCbXukSQFK1n6brOAnOnhO1qbrGbM0bsvU/s320/331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV8Yg8csWQg_Zk4QysnSi4wX466BZ9vxJsjue6ioNTvtxEFO-G8pZ-IemdjIEy64I5GDEMSLHfaDuaUNCdN0R7CLx3qwEV5_BStJNQM2WUuPsF05_KMruW5zdxkU62pUHuAGUr5AHN7U/s1600/334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV8Yg8csWQg_Zk4QysnSi4wX466BZ9vxJsjue6ioNTvtxEFO-G8pZ-IemdjIEy64I5GDEMSLHfaDuaUNCdN0R7CLx3qwEV5_BStJNQM2WUuPsF05_KMruW5zdxkU62pUHuAGUr5AHN7U/s320/334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv234uuDK4VjWqeSMrmsO4rrl4Amb6nX_WvBwI1O_Ud8gS04HqvVn54_SDSDvTeJhIuunjC7nVSGevdfwQv0zK2bytxwJvwnZv06ouN0a9L2xAWdyBGiClsb173Fy0Te10io1cOrsek4/s1600/335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv234uuDK4VjWqeSMrmsO4rrl4Amb6nX_WvBwI1O_Ud8gS04HqvVn54_SDSDvTeJhIuunjC7nVSGevdfwQv0zK2bytxwJvwnZv06ouN0a9L2xAWdyBGiClsb173Fy0Te10io1cOrsek4/s320/335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtbztw4-OmDoqTGVL0B8Q7SYHqZZ2H87aoNMduLU06nZoAl6FYFvtSCC893Nco4xGIuAFXBujyaPfN5G4H_HUOFWHVsfra6Q5QOG8It02vIfLO68D2G3jW8rg-w0XZI1az-Can3Lq2HQ/s1600/336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtbztw4-OmDoqTGVL0B8Q7SYHqZZ2H87aoNMduLU06nZoAl6FYFvtSCC893Nco4xGIuAFXBujyaPfN5G4H_HUOFWHVsfra6Q5QOG8It02vIfLO68D2G3jW8rg-w0XZI1az-Can3Lq2HQ/s320/336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJmyS2O_BBfvyfUNJUc-DVaVwjK4nYzFrAT-VNdqwwNGkF4HnQ0fz0lVDnpEy05btAsoXqBZZF6Ey-ylv4ctSq_iRW8ThlY1YzohP4O8sK4jrY1aEVl5tTlWZ2uVgDU13VS1fs6IiI3o/s1600/338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJmyS2O_BBfvyfUNJUc-DVaVwjK4nYzFrAT-VNdqwwNGkF4HnQ0fz0lVDnpEy05btAsoXqBZZF6Ey-ylv4ctSq_iRW8ThlY1YzohP4O8sK4jrY1aEVl5tTlWZ2uVgDU13VS1fs6IiI3o/s320/338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu_LxLn407s38DCtsdvUh8LcaPaLLenDZeLtxQyfjIpt4vhuUY3DNLebatJzFYDOfHByL7xd3T1jN9F56MSe0D1Y41zvYFGevo2NmLboq4HocKdYjyuZqh_8EDYxOfDqOXawfExTeGds/s1600/339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu_LxLn407s38DCtsdvUh8LcaPaLLenDZeLtxQyfjIpt4vhuUY3DNLebatJzFYDOfHByL7xd3T1jN9F56MSe0D1Y41zvYFGevo2NmLboq4HocKdYjyuZqh_8EDYxOfDqOXawfExTeGds/s320/339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdOb97EV4xV9zZI1Wmumjm9Qn-CEVgQmsPx3vA697xIwSsJuCXH8OwDTgtReUsN9Q76gCzlZWjY02jLu02kKt9mhbovTei2aMPT5TF16BeQN5QCNdh9cle7w0cxmjPOuuwOhVMUuKjrY/s1600/340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdOb97EV4xV9zZI1Wmumjm9Qn-CEVgQmsPx3vA697xIwSsJuCXH8OwDTgtReUsN9Q76gCzlZWjY02jLu02kKt9mhbovTei2aMPT5TF16BeQN5QCNdh9cle7w0cxmjPOuuwOhVMUuKjrY/s320/340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC45pG8yPE4Umal2cKM53EJPORcivKFzuHzs_yRgZjt_riEANkX5awXGXI1GMCzIQx8O1iFwUZwp-f0M2SpCfKfS2MWf6BTK43SKZshVa2QRMIOk8Ai4iijFEuoFyUABZf2sFWorRPwc/s1600/341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC45pG8yPE4Umal2cKM53EJPORcivKFzuHzs_yRgZjt_riEANkX5awXGXI1GMCzIQx8O1iFwUZwp-f0M2SpCfKfS2MWf6BTK43SKZshVa2QRMIOk8Ai4iijFEuoFyUABZf2sFWorRPwc/s320/341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpNFB7RHe3gSdAo09wE_rAAoSCjRVkC_OXU4GxpkMX0i3ueChDG02WLs_JZXOj3TtLWP98SzSyKv2-L9a4cErPgCxK_eROXSgRVIFO0L89O0XGYlxwaxDgbYvTGuduHpHrjRrzGchTi8/s1600/342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpNFB7RHe3gSdAo09wE_rAAoSCjRVkC_OXU4GxpkMX0i3ueChDG02WLs_JZXOj3TtLWP98SzSyKv2-L9a4cErPgCxK_eROXSgRVIFO0L89O0XGYlxwaxDgbYvTGuduHpHrjRrzGchTi8/s320/342.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5_p0B47_OtllGyS6TjT8Q-8yo1jR3M7EKtMWdEFKO6G9z2sEwbfGCkA5QLg9ZCW4YdCQtGtAhHIah4JqiJUZ1AEEdEFuGjqGXXjg8c4oM8fWzn5nToGqwrJm77IGJuIaKTCDOgPjOQk/s1600/343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5_p0B47_OtllGyS6TjT8Q-8yo1jR3M7EKtMWdEFKO6G9z2sEwbfGCkA5QLg9ZCW4YdCQtGtAhHIah4JqiJUZ1AEEdEFuGjqGXXjg8c4oM8fWzn5nToGqwrJm77IGJuIaKTCDOgPjOQk/s320/343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43xG7hrVOl3n328r2nc3rknSjnY0o6Jn_8U-Ro5nM5RIcU8IhcdCaGvMhd5wVNq9a0eXpysyunrq_EOId2mEidI1j1aHfW3cq4hiA-rwjCOdfPWlZ7W8gNxm4NvxaprhbWHGTCeB1T8A/s1600/345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43xG7hrVOl3n328r2nc3rknSjnY0o6Jn_8U-Ro5nM5RIcU8IhcdCaGvMhd5wVNq9a0eXpysyunrq_EOId2mEidI1j1aHfW3cq4hiA-rwjCOdfPWlZ7W8gNxm4NvxaprhbWHGTCeB1T8A/s320/345.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-52303934232544554812012-09-22T23:15:00.000-07:002012-09-22T23:15:20.396-07:00Monday May 21. Day 3. Brussels to Vouziers 127miles.<br />
<br />
Was checking out of the hotel around 6am today and with not eating when I checked in last night I felt weak. I needed some food so I asked if I could pay for a breakfast, as I remembered last night when I checked in the woman said it was 10 euros for breakfast. But she was not there in the morning it was my friend the annoying man, he replied breakfast will be 18euros, I replied that it was 10 euros last night when I checked in but he was not budging on 18 so I told him to go shove it !! haha.<br />
<br />
So after checking out with no breakfast I have to get on my bike and try to find a food shop for some sandwiches and drinks etc.. I'm cycling down into the centre of Brussels (massive place with hundreds of little roads/streets going in all directions) the weather is crap - misty, damp and cold. Big difference to previous day!<br />
<br />
I cycle into a small fuel station and it was small with only a few pumps, but it had a little shop on site, so I went to walk in but the doors were closed, the girl inside held up her hands 10 mins until opening.. once inside at opening I'm browsing around but there are no sandwiches, so I have to get some plain baps, and a pack of cheese and make my own when I get back outside. Not ideal but at least its some needed calories to down..<br />
<br />
After my cheese sandwiches, I'm off to try and find a road south out of this massive place (Brussels) I should have really avoided the main cities due to poor navigation through them, but that was where I ended up last night so I could not really do anything about it now.<br />
<br />
Another thought that was also on my mind was the amount of money that had been raised so far to date, I really thought that it would have been pushed more at work and got lots of people behind it (my thoughts were "Big solo cycle unaided" should be raising lots more that it had to current date!), so with the weather being poor, the just-giving page not really motoring, adding in the stress of finding my way around this busy city with my iphone map app which by the way had now used up 150MB of data so when I worked that out it was £150 already and I wasn't even in France ! As you can imagine today was a low day, and the thought of just packing it all in was close by in my head :-(<br />
<br />
But after taking several wrong turns I did eventually get back on track, and was heading south towards Charleroi. The weather was poor for most of the day, and some thunder was around too.<br />
<br />
In the late afternoon the weather was improving but still grey! What I needed was food and a better place to stay tonight and also to try and get my phone back up and running because I had used up my data, anything used now would cost even more and I did not budget for this. The garmin was switched off by now due to saying turn around all the time (Damn thing! but I must try to suss the map part out at least for navigation)<br />
<br />
By late afternoon I was in France and had left Belgium my spirits were raised due to the fact had now cycled through 2 countries. I was looking out for somewhere to stay.… The town Vouziers appeared on the signs and I thought thats the place I will look to stay tonight. It wasn't to hard to find a place to stay, I cycled up to one that looked good, booked in got showered and changed and headed down for some food (At last some decent food and wine Oh yes! Wine and it was equivalent to a full bottle.<br />
<br />
My belly was full and I managed to drink a full bottle of red, I was happy and also sorted my data to be reset on my phone. I also had time to try and suss out the garmin even if it was just the map part to get me around. i would try it the following day. My mind was back focused on my adventure and not what was happening elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQJTCPkvd3b3v5x7-ZhocjG2uB33t_aAJdzdQlA4uq6Ldzg8eZ4s-MhK_gheZORmj_Xf1hcnEPXzq-Y-MsJMUklwswgnaegF5-EV11q0bCPETzLu50ddta24Ro8jNC_50JN0lO6eVrF0/s1600/316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQJTCPkvd3b3v5x7-ZhocjG2uB33t_aAJdzdQlA4uq6Ldzg8eZ4s-MhK_gheZORmj_Xf1hcnEPXzq-Y-MsJMUklwswgnaegF5-EV11q0bCPETzLu50ddta24Ro8jNC_50JN0lO6eVrF0/s320/316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gF9YYRPVEvd95DyHiAWryEa4L3sAw0YHwR0LSnZ1TGIVtmcEOSY6E3yAZmEMCa8R1_69XqPYv_zKETvc-f9FV19mVidaaLdkYhDK2Dlk0Oc-qNQ-0x6c2bdkue0-FUaGrV4bRy-Xeig/s1600/317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gF9YYRPVEvd95DyHiAWryEa4L3sAw0YHwR0LSnZ1TGIVtmcEOSY6E3yAZmEMCa8R1_69XqPYv_zKETvc-f9FV19mVidaaLdkYhDK2Dlk0Oc-qNQ-0x6c2bdkue0-FUaGrV4bRy-Xeig/s320/317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO9U9s2rn0KNcZreNi6_2uT4v1ZCATEM0meIE2IsHGNKJrVoh6ICU4yp4pY42yUW4TEXGB0IkScqSeCI5QKmqUrt_KbvJehzWnpKL4sSWzK3rZRhO3Q-a5Z5kGzk2muY6YkOnNoJF7-Y/s1600/318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmO9U9s2rn0KNcZreNi6_2uT4v1ZCATEM0meIE2IsHGNKJrVoh6ICU4yp4pY42yUW4TEXGB0IkScqSeCI5QKmqUrt_KbvJehzWnpKL4sSWzK3rZRhO3Q-a5Z5kGzk2muY6YkOnNoJF7-Y/s320/318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv247NzC6eLU8WPTT313Jmkp0tgyxfWGgSvypVcY9zxb-3mv5VxkIs5Cuv4l5MJDj4WDJkhIkAPWGYdpghM81z4oFfByAanhOWoGqbgC5jHPAT5t6kLpHyX7sMYB-LJKOUfhXSxy_PUH8/s1600/319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv247NzC6eLU8WPTT313Jmkp0tgyxfWGgSvypVcY9zxb-3mv5VxkIs5Cuv4l5MJDj4WDJkhIkAPWGYdpghM81z4oFfByAanhOWoGqbgC5jHPAT5t6kLpHyX7sMYB-LJKOUfhXSxy_PUH8/s320/319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaewOtlJkZcD85fAHOAgDp01BLGk7z4mSiF5Z1qkE-wEOw_oE1Ntwbhe5PLNRWz1SMoiHUuoJmH03lwmrOrUMSgaZ1M6L4uvcaZTfnjGKxLnlx3s16afbLS_uGDOFKeX-ksT0wnGwhXU/s1600/323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaewOtlJkZcD85fAHOAgDp01BLGk7z4mSiF5Z1qkE-wEOw_oE1Ntwbhe5PLNRWz1SMoiHUuoJmH03lwmrOrUMSgaZ1M6L4uvcaZTfnjGKxLnlx3s16afbLS_uGDOFKeX-ksT0wnGwhXU/s320/323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-62976396867910975232012-09-22T16:56:00.000-07:002012-09-22T16:56:22.579-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Day 2.Sunday May 20. Day 2.<br />
Hook of Holland to Brussels 116miles.<br />
<br />
It was around 8.30ish and the ferry was slowly sailing towards the docks in Holland. My cabin had 2 single beds and a shower, not too bad really apart from the engine noise throughout the night. At 9am we had arrived, it was a mad rush under the decks to the basement for everyone to get going (me included).<br />
<br />
As soon as I'm on the road out of the ferry I'm thinking now which way do I go ? I have a Garmin800 but don't know how to use it yet, as I only received it a day or two before departure (Its a long story that one!!)<br />
<br />
So I'm making do with the map app on my iphone. I know it is going to cost me BIG time by using it, but hey this GPS is bleeping all-sorts of noises and sounds and I've not even touched it yet !! but I do keep having a go with it ;-)<br />
<br />
I'm out on the road now out of the port.. well I'm on the cycle paths and what great paths they are - smooth, flat and very wide. The weather is better than the previous day its sunny Yeah! and quite warm in fact its around 70 degrees.<br />
<br />
I'm zooming along thinking this is fantastic, I'm going to bang in some serious miles here..until I end up in a housing estate still on the cycle path.. I'm thinking Is this the right way ?? I back track towards the main road where I see over the other side of the road the cycle path I needed to be on....<br />
<br />
This was going on all the time, so much so I decided to get on the main roads as those cycle paths kept taking me off course.. the local car drivers were not impressed that I was on the roads - plenty of "Beep Beep" and hand gestures to get back on the cycle paths. They do take a bit of getting used to for sure if you are here for the first time, but I was not here for a leisurely cycle around, I had to catch a flight from Istanbul.<br />
<br />
I did pass through a tunnel on route to Brussels (Think it was just past Roosendaal- I remember that name well as some people that I know on twitter were posting what are you doing in Rossendale :-))) once in the tunnel it looked like it was for cars but looking back now I think it was just for cyclists - they do really look after cyclists in Holland, but there are lots of waterways so navigating is hard when trying to cover long distances around the rivers/waterways. Just after midday the temp was rising it was in the 70s for sure and I had a puncture the first of the trip - front wheel, so that would do for me. After that was fixed I was back off again calling in along the way to petrol stations for snacks and water, I was still trying to work out the garmin but as usual it was yelling at me to do a u turn - so i switched it off (Doing my head-in) haha.<br />
<br />
As I was approaching Antwerp I took a quick pic little did I realize at the time there was a McDs in the shot. I did not go into it, but just past there the weather started to become grey with bits of drizzle, not nice after glorious sunshine earlier. It was getting heavier the rain as I cycled further towards Brussels, along the way I did call into a McDs for a Big Mac and coffee, and nice it was. At around 7pm I was entering the outskirts of Brussels and thought I need to stop somewhere now, and seen a hotel billboard.. I headed towards the hotel and went past a large monument and took a couple of photos (Still not sure what it was - let me know if you know what it is ? see below..<br />
<br />
I cycled to the front entrance where I got off the bike and entered into reception, like a drowned rat ! I don't think the guy on the desk was impressed - I got the feeling he didn't want me staying there that night, luckily enough there was a nice receptionist who was very nice and booked me in for the night I think she said would I like breakfast for an extra 10euros I declined for now. Great, I could now get changed and look forward to something to eat. I got my bike after I'd checked in and started to bring the bike inside the hotel (I was taking it up to my room - as per usual!) but no... the awkward chap appeared again and was mumbling something about not taking my bike to my room, and pointed to a storage type room I open the door to the room and wheeled my bike inside.. there you go I said to the miserable chap.. he yelled No No No !! Silly me I had lent it against a projection screen Ooops!! must be worth a fortune that - it went from the floor to the ceiling! After a reposition of the bike he was happy, or I thought so.<br />
<br />
After a quick shower and change, and after plugging all phones etc for charging I returned to reception - Do you have any food/menu ? The guy replied "No Food" oh well, no tea for me then. So I went back up to the room to check out the map app and updated social networks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDjve9GArhXR7X64yymAKpRpuFyXdAGogTwnFyksr5Is-YQsuIsZdqqMse97ajdaL6poXrQFCOPnSWVrCkol1KPPGfKlu73VlO1KhFTLmD1NT_WKFAnVlxpnej1adMt15aoM1MmRVYgk/s1600/307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDjve9GArhXR7X64yymAKpRpuFyXdAGogTwnFyksr5Is-YQsuIsZdqqMse97ajdaL6poXrQFCOPnSWVrCkol1KPPGfKlu73VlO1KhFTLmD1NT_WKFAnVlxpnej1adMt15aoM1MmRVYgk/s320/307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lH-BaMx3fiYbNhjs9xSjKXJRH60XcBnulCn-D-Asy3fmGZdfvqt5mqXQUAPcRaW0w4VW1pHMWtx2uMiFNijV4YIpBm0_6w3UxGNOfeVu7-F7zk-XU47LbySxJB0xN_U6GR6OKUqKSxo/s1600/308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lH-BaMx3fiYbNhjs9xSjKXJRH60XcBnulCn-D-Asy3fmGZdfvqt5mqXQUAPcRaW0w4VW1pHMWtx2uMiFNijV4YIpBm0_6w3UxGNOfeVu7-F7zk-XU47LbySxJB0xN_U6GR6OKUqKSxo/s320/308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpjWlJ3U1CHn7UBXuBTf_yqtqJ9xWPO8h8035G-5KFZ8FldJMs2MnHQ7UGxKppsBcrSb_Aw_UjpRccX3EuDRWziL5gWk1Uy_XHUmZIaGzb1I5v9n875fPzURDzIFUAs-JJcxj4S3slS4/s1600/309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpjWlJ3U1CHn7UBXuBTf_yqtqJ9xWPO8h8035G-5KFZ8FldJMs2MnHQ7UGxKppsBcrSb_Aw_UjpRccX3EuDRWziL5gWk1Uy_XHUmZIaGzb1I5v9n875fPzURDzIFUAs-JJcxj4S3slS4/s320/309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNmNJSxx8RIg51AMdaXbtoCPxcAr9p_hkszZAM3jKh7oUT7UOmoXpO56A4M_IbzQAtBP_FW1ebIGGMPalYdpqGWEkDIFNOWjiTIbf9Scj9K-cxUJ90LZGBDPB5TtyAGx_IFWhgb6XpO0/s1600/310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNmNJSxx8RIg51AMdaXbtoCPxcAr9p_hkszZAM3jKh7oUT7UOmoXpO56A4M_IbzQAtBP_FW1ebIGGMPalYdpqGWEkDIFNOWjiTIbf9Scj9K-cxUJ90LZGBDPB5TtyAGx_IFWhgb6XpO0/s320/310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr4bQuW_fc1psVbvQarPIPkTOzUj0-gZYFULmFTmIY4MFa4KhpO0AkzG6xE8kHkUm5KVeOyy8yEQd4vNyzqCgPJMVHp_50hA2Z7ooUZ9CmfkdfQ-mlIOhXJY-ZFL0pY1hjpwfSefrBGA/s1600/313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrr4bQuW_fc1psVbvQarPIPkTOzUj0-gZYFULmFTmIY4MFa4KhpO0AkzG6xE8kHkUm5KVeOyy8yEQd4vNyzqCgPJMVHp_50hA2Z7ooUZ9CmfkdfQ-mlIOhXJY-ZFL0pY1hjpwfSefrBGA/s320/313.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPO385bKXhp1euWNiOshdX5lfQx74qq_8uXqLX5mSNF4RkxradvcHUzDvxchV8D-ZXcE5XNzk-LsjDTPdRcLq_6h27s7CNFNYZ-LaW9POJKAXNFRvNNt_KdbWICKchiVOOIqb5BuuWBU/s1600/314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPO385bKXhp1euWNiOshdX5lfQx74qq_8uXqLX5mSNF4RkxradvcHUzDvxchV8D-ZXcE5XNzk-LsjDTPdRcLq_6h27s7CNFNYZ-LaW9POJKAXNFRvNNt_KdbWICKchiVOOIqb5BuuWBU/s320/314.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-770364062766809862012-09-22T14:47:00.000-07:002012-09-22T14:47:11.354-07:00Huddersfield to Istanbul Saturday, May 19 Day 1.<br />
Huddersfield to Hull 74-miles.<br />
<br />
Its departure day and my head was a little hungover from the previous night at a 40th Birthday party — hence plenty of the John Smiths flowing, also was the dancing :-) Met a twitter friend on the night too... Ivan, nice guy.<br />
<br />
The morning weather was a little overcast but spirits were high, and our neighbors came over to our house to see me depart too. The bike weighed a ton ! I wheeled it through the house and out of the front door, the usual bye, and kisses for my wife and daughter... and I'm off up our street a little wobbly to start with due to getting used to the weight of the panniers.<br />
<br />
I reached the top of the street and took a right turn out of sight now... the journey has begun. As I reached the man A62 road I had a thought of my previous Gibraltar cycle (Would my trainers hit the pannier bags when I cycle ??) NO they are fine YIPPEE!! I'm off (Mark Canning would chuckle at that one)<br />
<br />
I'm heading off in the direction of Rothwell it was generally flat going and easy for now, with just a few steep bits coming out of Dewsbury which had me huffing and puffing. Just showed how out of shape I was for this trip. The weather was quite dull/grey throughout the morning as I headed through Rothwell, my next place was heading towards Selby. I was sticking to the most direct rout to Hull along the A63. I reached around Howden and stopped off for a tea break at a burger van. Cup of coffee and a cheeseburger please, was nice and the guy who served my asked "Where you off to"? Istanbul my reply.. he thought I was joking ! (I must go back to have a brew and burger now I'm bak and tell him I did do it) :-)<br />
<br />
After a few minutes chatting some more customers came along he told them what I was doing and they were all amazed and wished me a great and safe journey. This first day was quite easy in terms of time, there wasn't really a rush to get to Hull ferry so I was limited to 70 ish miles for the whole day - so steady day for me. I cycled through Gilberdyke (I like that name) and thought I would get the ipod on and listen to some tunes.. first one was pussy ca dolls Jai ho !! I hear you laughing :-) but that brought a smile to my face as that song is my daughter favorite at that time. After the next hour listening to tunes it appeared that there were only a few songs on that were playing over and over again ! What's going on here?? I had hundreds on this ipod!inc my recently downloaded Abba Gold !! (Somehow the majority of songs had been wiped off somehow!) Not good. my music I need to listen to it haha it keeps me going and entertained.<br />
<br />
Luckily enough I took my iphone too and the majority were on that so phew!!<br />
<br />
I was getting close to Hull now and had to start to take notice of where the port is to board the ferry. It was the P&O terminal, so was easy to find. I was early so I took a couple of pics at the water side with the bike and the humber bridge in the distance. Before you board on the ferry it was quite a long queue to get checked in.. Whilst waiting in line another cyclist fully bagged up pulled alongside of me and started chatting about where I was off to. I told him where I was planning, he informed me that if I was to go through Bulgaria, etc I would encounter Wild dogs (very nasty ones he said, he showed me a knife he had to deal with the wild dogs.. my thought was Shit !! never thought of any dogs along the way, so its a good job I could change the way of my route day by day. From that point I was going Italy, Albania :-))<br />
<br />
I was on board now, the guy who I was talking to had gone on another ferry so I was back on my own again, I checked out around the ferry (Its Big!) my first thought.. even a cinema on board. After unpacking, shower and changed I was out and about on the deck, in the bar (Best part they had Bitter) after a few beers and some food I returned to my cabin (Which was all to myself) to a nights sleep - although not a great sleep due to the engines next to my cabin :-(<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELb0ch6QCSysJ2F71htIeswvtAtjIXWU5UXvGgmIzGsQCw-bjc5m2wkNR2eUE3L8Z6fsPTKQb_XKW__7N0ojmqykV_GJJ2ra0UW7FREy0GMEFtvgiFaImfAcC9lYgAEzxx0fK-OyVimo/s1600/307.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELb0ch6QCSysJ2F71htIeswvtAtjIXWU5UXvGgmIzGsQCw-bjc5m2wkNR2eUE3L8Z6fsPTKQb_XKW__7N0ojmqykV_GJJ2ra0UW7FREy0GMEFtvgiFaImfAcC9lYgAEzxx0fK-OyVimo/s320/307.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP28E5ghovgRhbP-sK5-miRHAzoIo5iW0dehwo_yfJtCthS0MNCOAhZhxuJrne1aoHyHnzEyVDj4inVbnBdnqRtUvNEmW53W84ijdhNr3g2w4XI6GWLmUyC1J-0GuhqEFapjubLvaQxTA/s1600/5030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP28E5ghovgRhbP-sK5-miRHAzoIo5iW0dehwo_yfJtCthS0MNCOAhZhxuJrne1aoHyHnzEyVDj4inVbnBdnqRtUvNEmW53W84ijdhNr3g2w4XI6GWLmUyC1J-0GuhqEFapjubLvaQxTA/s1600/5030.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizflEFcKKwwEmTYe5qfT9vmmaALLbOfZ5GIV_7NngxyKjAkpKHdGcm3DFBevHDEtfaJAsm5idJhjxfIYR4mT0ktrcx2Urgq_I1tDHBgBtgmeT2r4EQXF4_QzmU3UOEkYFChvi_yVClnA/s1600/5036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizflEFcKKwwEmTYe5qfT9vmmaALLbOfZ5GIV_7NngxyKjAkpKHdGcm3DFBevHDEtfaJAsm5idJhjxfIYR4mT0ktrcx2Urgq_I1tDHBgBtgmeT2r4EQXF4_QzmU3UOEkYFChvi_yVClnA/s1600/5036.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JzOguhyl2LNv99Fohvn2eK4B4v4Yv91HGWy6_uruWQVgY9MnEggoDqJzVpEN0GLWvGGolR6YkG70yuJDBwdbnRV4k9Q72garbaXL_fx94k9wU3uTvVGx0PjGvxvrNzfFx3vEMRgByZ0/s1600/5029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JzOguhyl2LNv99Fohvn2eK4B4v4Yv91HGWy6_uruWQVgY9MnEggoDqJzVpEN0GLWvGGolR6YkG70yuJDBwdbnRV4k9Q72garbaXL_fx94k9wU3uTvVGx0PjGvxvrNzfFx3vEMRgByZ0/s1600/5029.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzCzhGxK5sDSZGKDPAQwgGcB1CBlswnItQwepyGWW0lxV93jCRUA7us4GTwa_E6_jyuKzHEs-OOiiJSNGtLTu0TtMkJQ2f08r0Ntd4LfwgAZmwgb42nHO6Gt1YpeyjCzVAttqemjFxQ8/s1600/5034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzCzhGxK5sDSZGKDPAQwgGcB1CBlswnItQwepyGWW0lxV93jCRUA7us4GTwa_E6_jyuKzHEs-OOiiJSNGtLTu0TtMkJQ2f08r0Ntd4LfwgAZmwgb42nHO6Gt1YpeyjCzVAttqemjFxQ8/s1600/5034.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QBmGNVnvbznhxMexF4useseLb8j417I-uJCCNFFyy763oJxERxk2gtt0IdJFbOk-UE2f5oq-jkmrGf5WeErdnwSey0hrQ4ju0wsv6AJBfC6iN-2j-QwhZWMd45Kuo0SeVK2j87s_Bi4/s1600/5033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QBmGNVnvbznhxMexF4useseLb8j417I-uJCCNFFyy763oJxERxk2gtt0IdJFbOk-UE2f5oq-jkmrGf5WeErdnwSey0hrQ4ju0wsv6AJBfC6iN-2j-QwhZWMd45Kuo0SeVK2j87s_Bi4/s1600/5033.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Lql4XHPXxD4UVlHH4j0w4JTupYiKzbFeX5qMZD3EfZ81YSkkGn8-CclZYKL6gPC2NcpqJPGXmXVkE2XWYOKTlF7bj1Iu-NcJxGmri22Oq9oP3G3fuac-KtCKlIg_cV20r_V0tHLb8_A/s1600/308.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Lql4XHPXxD4UVlHH4j0w4JTupYiKzbFeX5qMZD3EfZ81YSkkGn8-CclZYKL6gPC2NcpqJPGXmXVkE2XWYOKTlF7bj1Iu-NcJxGmri22Oq9oP3G3fuac-KtCKlIg_cV20r_V0tHLb8_A/s320/308.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-55360094456018702602012-03-31T13:28:00.002-07:002012-03-31T13:54:54.447-07:00Just thought I needed to update you on what's going on lately regarding the run up to my May 19th Charity Cycle ride to Istanbul.<div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Well the last couple of months have been very busy at work & at home. Since my last week off on the 20th Feb 2012. There has been nil training and the diet has been Well! </div><div>as usual "Not very good" which is standard for me. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest difference between this cycle and the Gib cycle is that Mrs F did not work nights on the run up to the Gib cycle, and in addition every Thursday after work I would pop the the Gym on the way home if I had been working in Manchester area that day. Also I did have a few chances to get out on a odd Sunday (All day sometimes).</div><div><br /></div><div>This all sounds Bad ! but don't worry I will still be going for it although I'm not in the best shape (It does make my challenge harder for sure).. especially adding another 400miles onto the cycle and going via the Alps with only an extra day to complete.. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the work front its full speed ahead at the moment and as I get home from work Mrs F is setting off for work, and similar in mornings me off to work then Mrs F getting home (passing ships lol)</div><div><br /></div><div>My father in-law has come up with a solution he knows a guy who can get me a static cycle to train on at nights after work - So after my tea and bath I can leisurely pedal away while watching Benidorm then haha.. (Its a start although a bit late possibly!)</div><div><br /></div><div>So there you go - Its how it is at present... But It's only around a month and half to departure, I have not pre-booked any places to stop, also no ferries booked... just the return flight from Istanbul when I complete the cycle (See those words - "When I") confident or what ? Fingers crossed I do...</div><div><br /></div><div>At present I still need to get panniers, upgrade my phone and start to work out what I'm carrying in my panniers. I've not really planned my route as such, thats just going to be done each day depending on how I'm feeling each day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget to spread the word via </div><div>www.justgiving.com/MadHeadCyclist </div><div>or text TNSY47 plus amount to 70070</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you all, and keep following it will be worth it :-)</div><div><br /></div>MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-29216236808880589792011-08-07T05:52:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:39:25.063-07:00Bolton Ironman July 31st 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkctRn_Lo2qWBzxLqIHIBEpLrEzMYa-BxmYQXGy_ShMSSlbqERiI0kLqKh8HT6acaOaSs2gqkaNA5f6eG7bv7HK_skzGObFO69yFHeTKHLE-Pkfkr6_55QFazusnxXf_Gcuac-UK9Rx7A/s1600/0035_29191.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638120170653126674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkctRn_Lo2qWBzxLqIHIBEpLrEzMYa-BxmYQXGy_ShMSSlbqERiI0kLqKh8HT6acaOaSs2gqkaNA5f6eG7bv7HK_skzGObFO69yFHeTKHLE-Pkfkr6_55QFazusnxXf_Gcuac-UK9Rx7A/s320/0035_29191.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSyouInRcF4CcXTB02hE3BAmT23twP8pcmtIJbKnGkTjP9ud259twXSmJcHqYJ4RgAdCGReLWqH0vbIMjAQxKELpxyJWBqEBgU10WQMVWLGKqYk9eP069s6tTeiKOVomIXidiJYjOJWM/s1600/0035_28740.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638120097109775730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSyouInRcF4CcXTB02hE3BAmT23twP8pcmtIJbKnGkTjP9ud259twXSmJcHqYJ4RgAdCGReLWqH0vbIMjAQxKELpxyJWBqEBgU10WQMVWLGKqYk9eP069s6tTeiKOVomIXidiJYjOJWM/s320/0035_28740.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbH26WhBMttYLpS098tC5KsV-zvA8KBDs74w3QY7rETeV7Zdkgn04FMq4eHp3ot3qEWpXuoNwwPnXUgoev2Tm7soX_Hp53SU_B-CJrE3f0jkm6BeEXw8xe7-gxyASVa_m6XXpI9Xk-Gc/s1600/0035_28366.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638120029346762402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbH26WhBMttYLpS098tC5KsV-zvA8KBDs74w3QY7rETeV7Zdkgn04FMq4eHp3ot3qEWpXuoNwwPnXUgoev2Tm7soX_Hp53SU_B-CJrE3f0jkm6BeEXw8xe7-gxyASVa_m6XXpI9Xk-Gc/s320/0035_28366.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRc1Lmkoptb1vdBKgag4gj1UAnS_6eZTZfbwBXCfN0DaC-fjG5tGVa4jVoHqHFOW6IqcKG3QWDZqJwd_KM7WyreBWqBq14BzTC3RJu58hbiDGOTnbAlx0MEkYyHIPzW_cz-V3MVxHR5c/s1600/0035_28056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119919554382594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRc1Lmkoptb1vdBKgag4gj1UAnS_6eZTZfbwBXCfN0DaC-fjG5tGVa4jVoHqHFOW6IqcKG3QWDZqJwd_KM7WyreBWqBq14BzTC3RJu58hbiDGOTnbAlx0MEkYyHIPzW_cz-V3MVxHR5c/s320/0035_28056.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtQI0CAAvDz-5A1tCHc912MnFpcYdw9GgYJEW20vQHBDaPH2J_gmtJgo4b0VQsK4SPuZ2YGJ1uX0dLwH2z3OFhM8rBSahZTj70H5jsR2gYHXPb6ScZ78rjx3UX6hQ5gfFZlO606l26Zo/s1600/0035_28055.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119783246610786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtQI0CAAvDz-5A1tCHc912MnFpcYdw9GgYJEW20vQHBDaPH2J_gmtJgo4b0VQsK4SPuZ2YGJ1uX0dLwH2z3OFhM8rBSahZTj70H5jsR2gYHXPb6ScZ78rjx3UX6hQ5gfFZlO606l26Zo/s320/0035_28055.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez3aktvoEnL2qF2t_TfrQXQoqL7ZcanHTBv3fVtEKKK6EK5JaKpKCKvTfae8qYGk1oWEnenLx_9URDBnxfF03ZztN-Y4tHWAVlJEursNIgfi4YuZjPtgIjPCPG98oyqAywuMJnWNAO5w/s1600/0035_27302.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119715080145490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiez3aktvoEnL2qF2t_TfrQXQoqL7ZcanHTBv3fVtEKKK6EK5JaKpKCKvTfae8qYGk1oWEnenLx_9URDBnxfF03ZztN-Y4tHWAVlJEursNIgfi4YuZjPtgIjPCPG98oyqAywuMJnWNAO5w/s320/0035_27302.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_3Jz7HAqxa9t6FsTJW2MonFoH16IanjL70RdL_IA6wdG-YdGVpUiwhgf05k0fqQFeFeIUxWM3Q3a2vMezWc8PsUagdFPwGZcmrF5IoxQ-rsRUXkpmIK_ySbYBVtwbBaXF3YeGYdLspQ/s1600/0035_26898.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119644406512882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_3Jz7HAqxa9t6FsTJW2MonFoH16IanjL70RdL_IA6wdG-YdGVpUiwhgf05k0fqQFeFeIUxWM3Q3a2vMezWc8PsUagdFPwGZcmrF5IoxQ-rsRUXkpmIK_ySbYBVtwbBaXF3YeGYdLspQ/s320/0035_26898.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQY3h4f1UPJDNu6IX1e2ij6y9Qn7rvWmE9lWGPFlWEHQLaD4FpuSZnp127XaD4fhZ4YtDMw8ncP-6PVirEsUefzH9KWuoD0sDnINe7E7E8ehHwJkBJC8VJ8350_xtgK3ttGFjmLFN7Mw/s1600/0035_12656+new+size.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119571852059378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQY3h4f1UPJDNu6IX1e2ij6y9Qn7rvWmE9lWGPFlWEHQLaD4FpuSZnp127XaD4fhZ4YtDMw8ncP-6PVirEsUefzH9KWuoD0sDnINe7E7E8ehHwJkBJC8VJ8350_xtgK3ttGFjmLFN7Mw/s320/0035_12656+new+size.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicStpoMiY19KjhI7SREcjMqHj_YP4v-GvqdWGCxgNh2eY2yKbgAXe_8GpimD38OkmmAd4EVFQG1Sen3CH3X0t5-m9OfJKY_5ET0ZifMtAO1LSXlqK1A_SDL79QPkfCQshTIcHCVuPwsE8/s1600/0035_10512.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119503340788898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicStpoMiY19KjhI7SREcjMqHj_YP4v-GvqdWGCxgNh2eY2yKbgAXe_8GpimD38OkmmAd4EVFQG1Sen3CH3X0t5-m9OfJKY_5ET0ZifMtAO1LSXlqK1A_SDL79QPkfCQshTIcHCVuPwsE8/s320/0035_10512.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePZnOHqUxFdivV2T5iMicVtbqTkW5Hqo3yRBKg_04cxbIW1JdGS_lOEwsOP7h8SKy7OmwnRfWSgB48g4GoasNaa7rWZEI4ZUG12eq5Ci6Q7E6uHO9EG0zphVr0CYSCuZBmcojaGnQ7Dw/s1600/0035_08400.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638119426466226034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePZnOHqUxFdivV2T5iMicVtbqTkW5Hqo3yRBKg_04cxbIW1JdGS_lOEwsOP7h8SKy7OmwnRfWSgB48g4GoasNaa7rWZEI4ZUG12eq5Ci6Q7E6uHO9EG0zphVr0CYSCuZBmcojaGnQ7Dw/s320/0035_08400.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9Eq15VZ8d-HxkpHn2TDLoxRXGCZ6OMuaHKR5daZPaiiOUd2RBhGk62iTQ0wLa_Pbq32AOXuGQ67WQ1OrfDWJGC7DRwWfA4IfkX_4iNhO53Sgr4l6N6wevr2FWp5xmiqRoACGVw6WtVM/s1600/0035_01969.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638116197346676706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9Eq15VZ8d-HxkpHn2TDLoxRXGCZ6OMuaHKR5daZPaiiOUd2RBhGk62iTQ0wLa_Pbq32AOXuGQ67WQ1OrfDWJGC7DRwWfA4IfkX_4iNhO53Sgr4l6N6wevr2FWp5xmiqRoACGVw6WtVM/s320/0035_01969.jpg" /></a><br />My first thought of an Ironman challenge came from one of Matt pritchards tweets. He said he was in training for one, so I messaged him which one he was competing in as there were two in the UK one was Bolton. This was the one he was doing so I thought Yep! I'm in.....<br /><br />After entering the Ironman my first surprise/shock was how much it costs to enter one ! Over £300..<br /><br />Well with great intentions I started thinking I will really start to train hard for one of these. Although I have completed some long bike rides, this was going to be something else. The long steady cycles will be replaced with timed swim, cycle and run!<br /><br />My first obstacle was the Swim... I can't front crawl! So it was off to a triathlon swimming class on a Thursday evening for 45min session at my local swimming pool. This was very funny at the time. There were a couple of fit/healthy looking athletes at the pool waiting for the session to begin and I entered into small talk with them asking if they have been coming long to the session, they both replied that they were training for an upcoming tri event, I replied I'm here cos I've entered an Ironman challenge but can't really do front crawl. They looked in amazement at me saying that they have been doing lots of tri's themselves but wouldn't even think of an Ironman challenge at the mo! Gulp! What have I let myself in for?<br /><br />After getting in the water the instructor put us all in a lane each, the others were hammering up and down the pool at great speed, and there was me with a float in my hand waddling away not really getting anywhere fast! The instructor was seeing how my legs and feet were performing. I can remember clearly my thought at that session being this can't be right, those fast swimmers wouldn't even attempt an Ironman and there was me -Float in front of me splashing like mad getting nowhere - going for Ironman challenge ha ha.<br /><br />As the months past I did seem to get in some good run training, I would take the train to Rochdale then get off and run back to pick my daughter up from school, this would happen regularly in the months after entering the competition, I also had a little 13mile Skateboard ride back from Hebden bridge one afternoon before picking my daughter up from school.<br /><br />All the training that I could do was limited really to an odd Sunday or on my days off whilst my daughter was at school, all the rest of the time was a balance of family time and work time. I did however get some swimming time put in especially in open water to get used to it on the day. These swims were mainly after work for an hour on a Mon or a Thurs (Was trying crawl at these sessions but it still was not working and ended up doing breast-stroke)<br /><br />Some of the Sundays I had free, I completed some good distances even managed a cycle to Winderere and back (That is still currently my longest ride to date 166miles)<br /><br />As time went by the competition was looming, and my training had more or less dwindled away! In the final 6 weeks before the event I had completed a day cycle 72 miles, and 2 x 1mile jogs - And that was it! Not very much at all....<br />As for my diet, well that didn't really change at all. I was still on the wine and beer regularly, also still eating lots of fast food and curries regularly.<br /><br />When I entered the challenge, I sorted a day off at work before the event as i thought it would involve some sort of placing of the bike and briefing, so good job I did book that day off, I also asked my colleague to swap our days off for the week after Ironman, this would give my the Monday off rather than my usual Wednesday off, so I could recover. 2 weeks before the event I reminded my colleague that I needed the Monday off for that particular week... his reply was I'm on holiday that week ! Jeeeez.... I thought, I'm going to be knackered on that Monday, to make maters worse it was a new store opening at work, which meant that I would have to be in for 6am, also the store was an hour drive from home :-(<br /><br />On the day before the race I was very chilled (Saturday off work ?? never normally allowed.. too busy..) but hey! I was driving over to Pennington Flash to put my bike in place and to register for the comp.. It was very sunny and really good atmosphere around the place, I was excited and also little nervous about the following day. But today was great, also had to hang around for the race briefing at the Reebok stadium in Bolton around 5.30pm for 1hr.<br /><br />It was good to hear the briefing of rules etc for the Ironman (But no ipods, iphones etc due to health and safety issues!) I thought damn! How will I update everyone on Twitter and facebook ? I also would miss my music that I normally listen to on my cycles usually..<br /><br />After the briefing was done it was home to have some food and get to bed ready for the early start the following day. I did eventually get to bed for around 11pm, I set my alarm for 2.30am so that meant could get to Reebok stadium for 4am to get the coach to the swim/bike transition area. I couldn't really sleep the night before, I was panicking that would oversleep and miss the competiton..<br /><br />The race morning was here and I was feeling pretty good considering not much sleep, my plan was to do breaststroke for the swim, my time target in my head would be 2hrs, anything less would be a bonus!<br /><br />After the mass swim start I was keeping far to the side of everyone else, so I didn't end up getting smashed to bits at the start. After the first lap I checked my watch it was about 40mins - I was buzzing at this time I was ahead of my expectatation of the swim, after second lap I was coming up to the finish and could see the timing clock at about 1hr 45mins, I was out of the water and running to my bike, the compare shouted out over the loud speakers my name Awesome :-) that gave me a brilliant buzz... At the same time though my calf muscles had really seized up as I was running to the bike (Shit I thought is this the end with this calf problem) but I carried on into transiton, I can remember saying to a fellow race goer, Thats the hard bit done! ha ha.<br /><br />On the bike now, and my calf muscles were ok so its was going well again, I stuck to my plan of the bike and took it steady. I didn't want to push it too much as I could have been shattered for the run part! I did the bike in 7hr 57mins, I was pleased with that, as was bang on my time that I had set myself (to be starting the run for 4pm) This would leave me 7hrs to complete the marathon. Even now if I run/walk the course I will be an Ironman.. and that was the plan for the next 5rs and 40mins until I crossed the finish line and became and Ironman :-)<br /><br />After the race I was over the moon, I'd done it! But now my thoughts had switched to finding the coach that took my back to my car, then was the trip back to T2 to pick up bags and bike. After this was complete, I had the drive home, I got back about midnight, then it was to bed and to be up for 4.30am ready to set off for work and the store opening. On the morning the only issue was my calf muscles were a little sore... after this 13hr day at work had passed I did eventually have a good nights sleep on the Monday night. Happy days :-) BOOOOOOM!!MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-37797328554514327322011-02-26T04:16:00.000-08:002011-02-26T05:33:04.972-08:00Cycled to Windermere and back in 1 day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeH1S3_MqXAaoPvg74UI0YzuU3mOhkVKHZHnWMRMy8iqkY4e-LDLjLh7TyK2iEonbp0GE7rwnJ7ogy3IQFok10JIxWCt_mgQW_nsG9T9i8RY2td7lETJiX05bGp00oyN1dM4Qxz1RhbU/s1600/Windermere+cycle+026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577986387861849122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeH1S3_MqXAaoPvg74UI0YzuU3mOhkVKHZHnWMRMy8iqkY4e-LDLjLh7TyK2iEonbp0GE7rwnJ7ogy3IQFok10JIxWCt_mgQW_nsG9T9i8RY2td7lETJiX05bGp00oyN1dM4Qxz1RhbU/s320/Windermere+cycle+026.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLazDd0BDuTSy-ZUkaunA0qjYOwsza1mHSYcKsiZgRd26bUL8RQpf8W-vR-wE_feMxk_3cRpPeFiwXgfOkv8O4Pv_enh61IZmM7hbT6sLRP0VShJ3J9OTPJBDUEF7l33J04tUXbXIvPs/s1600/Windermere+cycle+025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577986279689193426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLazDd0BDuTSy-ZUkaunA0qjYOwsza1mHSYcKsiZgRd26bUL8RQpf8W-vR-wE_feMxk_3cRpPeFiwXgfOkv8O4Pv_enh61IZmM7hbT6sLRP0VShJ3J9OTPJBDUEF7l33J04tUXbXIvPs/s320/Windermere+cycle+025.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1o5zSaHKZLLOyTwzQG_Xpwed7sbj1Mi-m0oToOGYHUQREavxYMnjsPBM-CYbCHK989EIc2yarcEDsamyOLzZQlnnpHGeUyXkDIxDmL7YgV9Khu1JjSpguyeHT6jZFsA0uag4Zr4IylU/s1600/Windermere+cycle+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577986140278761858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1o5zSaHKZLLOyTwzQG_Xpwed7sbj1Mi-m0oToOGYHUQREavxYMnjsPBM-CYbCHK989EIc2yarcEDsamyOLzZQlnnpHGeUyXkDIxDmL7YgV9Khu1JjSpguyeHT6jZFsA0uag4Zr4IylU/s320/Windermere+cycle+024.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbkCPYFyplh-dVCm419NZR8_h2JvMCQ_XvAnNrYnknaZdHprBFqDLjBcdMnz0gxs-Bx7fvXqeqUW7FYG5hlG5SGxxaJ1C5AH0wKUa6hQbasitDWFAZUtZ38RuPXNiLmROSzD4SxGlA58/s1600/Windermere+cycle+023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577986028613113010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbkCPYFyplh-dVCm419NZR8_h2JvMCQ_XvAnNrYnknaZdHprBFqDLjBcdMnz0gxs-Bx7fvXqeqUW7FYG5hlG5SGxxaJ1C5AH0wKUa6hQbasitDWFAZUtZ38RuPXNiLmROSzD4SxGlA58/s320/Windermere+cycle+023.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQKk5LK1rtrcII9fOIWpJO2p2-uX6eXR58MmgiRA-MMqUBkOjTjmZBRJXPE_MsCnUtKO6ResjpN8xtF3dh4eg8ifNwP2xdQ6V5doUv6qI5qvo1iAqlzs_9Ia6YguYAziKNz9KQHXDoqs/s1600/Windermere+cycle+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985887063787154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQKk5LK1rtrcII9fOIWpJO2p2-uX6eXR58MmgiRA-MMqUBkOjTjmZBRJXPE_MsCnUtKO6ResjpN8xtF3dh4eg8ifNwP2xdQ6V5doUv6qI5qvo1iAqlzs_9Ia6YguYAziKNz9KQHXDoqs/s320/Windermere+cycle+022.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFM-EEqSEzbKCLOi_G8lIQ0mE4ILhVpLr0wejBqmKoGjvEEiSTiIS_Y_6-qZce09zmPDU9xVhRPgyZbFNHRKfPkZUu8ytG7S6GsnYRTKxA3I1X5-NlB57-X23I-KhMbUTeqEZmtfCDss/s1600/Windermere+cycle+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985753359133394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFM-EEqSEzbKCLOi_G8lIQ0mE4ILhVpLr0wejBqmKoGjvEEiSTiIS_Y_6-qZce09zmPDU9xVhRPgyZbFNHRKfPkZUu8ytG7S6GsnYRTKxA3I1X5-NlB57-X23I-KhMbUTeqEZmtfCDss/s320/Windermere+cycle+021.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSWUiavUn629ou7tIcmn7-IFZipnYVVmmb52YeB1E7GX1xf9pQj0vjIvhAonGGTLdAZk7NwbEflCkQxzCfVUBfirWydEUHC0lYFfhUZyLsy4-tzaHxxT3LdjZpi6dD8JsKZCV_XwV9Ak/s1600/Windermere+cycle+019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985624861746450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSWUiavUn629ou7tIcmn7-IFZipnYVVmmb52YeB1E7GX1xf9pQj0vjIvhAonGGTLdAZk7NwbEflCkQxzCfVUBfirWydEUHC0lYFfhUZyLsy4-tzaHxxT3LdjZpi6dD8JsKZCV_XwV9Ak/s320/Windermere+cycle+019.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YQw_47pqpDH-8xcKMa12OlzkGruf6W0F9HuRWQ1XHGBSwOUj4o4RSdD8o3oN-4xqbls1ACVfJ9Vfs2SHWqAJP3UE5_Awrb33RJlakj1_mg3gUxpf4Q1dSgMFZ7sLbi1kIcvcoaEJHNs/s1600/Windermere+cycle+020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985476806897922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YQw_47pqpDH-8xcKMa12OlzkGruf6W0F9HuRWQ1XHGBSwOUj4o4RSdD8o3oN-4xqbls1ACVfJ9Vfs2SHWqAJP3UE5_Awrb33RJlakj1_mg3gUxpf4Q1dSgMFZ7sLbi1kIcvcoaEJHNs/s320/Windermere+cycle+020.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlKrWJ8YOGeax4O0X-OvK3eqpLU2rAjp7I3vqsX5-oMFfsBGzr9ZdpfQ9iFE5vaYJyUAtixFFlXS0tAysS_07stsj5qWw5zSX5I5aI234CyF5rmmpqG9W7iFWKVoDvvgTXIvu5lL-g7U/s1600/Windermere+cycle+017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985346618032578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlKrWJ8YOGeax4O0X-OvK3eqpLU2rAjp7I3vqsX5-oMFfsBGzr9ZdpfQ9iFE5vaYJyUAtixFFlXS0tAysS_07stsj5qWw5zSX5I5aI234CyF5rmmpqG9W7iFWKVoDvvgTXIvu5lL-g7U/s320/Windermere+cycle+017.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNBWQa3zSAGfm6jk6qHRfx-RilkC-bCg9MV2Yw6xmhJNhngnV1jCh6_GMDhzx9nIm8dEzrWB8AkRF1u3N2cnaA0ET5bJMhEqLL1A8wscRtAsXAlsAYtZwxz88OfENsvGrzUKY2pt7i38/s1600/Windermere+cycle+016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985203053223378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNBWQa3zSAGfm6jk6qHRfx-RilkC-bCg9MV2Yw6xmhJNhngnV1jCh6_GMDhzx9nIm8dEzrWB8AkRF1u3N2cnaA0ET5bJMhEqLL1A8wscRtAsXAlsAYtZwxz88OfENsvGrzUKY2pt7i38/s320/Windermere+cycle+016.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vA_OmocINsTi3VjNtrpafdUVkIXb08l1-zffoh2PgWXTuEr6LlpIDlJNhGqNpVSRU9RoBz88dkTOQ94LMelHsQp5UO5XPDZz1lT_xjz58TlEbuY85BwPJErQna2tGiFV94MNHncp8yM/s1600/Windermere+cycle+015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577985081071037218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vA_OmocINsTi3VjNtrpafdUVkIXb08l1-zffoh2PgWXTuEr6LlpIDlJNhGqNpVSRU9RoBz88dkTOQ94LMelHsQp5UO5XPDZz1lT_xjz58TlEbuY85BwPJErQna2tGiFV94MNHncp8yM/s320/Windermere+cycle+015.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uGo3UNiRPutYVjiD0MTYlCsTw8PfHHsucdAynAzheLdZES0w5qPWtjrRscOtVSnluALrsnIA2XgKKo7EKOFYCF9DJid7MSaoL4gtgmD8nmXPRsV2vNZ8z0w7aPRiGY34y_74VLKQ6v0/s1600/Windermere+cycle+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984930726573906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uGo3UNiRPutYVjiD0MTYlCsTw8PfHHsucdAynAzheLdZES0w5qPWtjrRscOtVSnluALrsnIA2XgKKo7EKOFYCF9DJid7MSaoL4gtgmD8nmXPRsV2vNZ8z0w7aPRiGY34y_74VLKQ6v0/s320/Windermere+cycle+014.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXvoYneDpU7nDmqf88NRCQ4K6-u-jEbgkKyQ1WbRAXFyk_kBduAVepo5Rr_6nleutCmAaFjCuTNNXj8RzVOVBE8ZjIwR3-1Opr9Tmp5OqkqEz7n20aWD2pb5bjwRbO-LoBJGzDZD4DVI/s1600/Windermere+cycle+013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984784679414930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXvoYneDpU7nDmqf88NRCQ4K6-u-jEbgkKyQ1WbRAXFyk_kBduAVepo5Rr_6nleutCmAaFjCuTNNXj8RzVOVBE8ZjIwR3-1Opr9Tmp5OqkqEz7n20aWD2pb5bjwRbO-LoBJGzDZD4DVI/s320/Windermere+cycle+013.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVu5hoLaJpz_Zx7DkeZuDvbEBgGLCfZ6yeADtJundSENgAH3RJlNKX9FJIN3cACpiqwHra7N9Mv9df1jEPW6h5zYCW-sEx7KU3fhyphenhyphenO7JTztm7UNUKPkzGg3yvCT9hlkmdNJR5C6Bynt0/s1600/Windermere+cycle+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984648629853362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVu5hoLaJpz_Zx7DkeZuDvbEBgGLCfZ6yeADtJundSENgAH3RJlNKX9FJIN3cACpiqwHra7N9Mv9df1jEPW6h5zYCW-sEx7KU3fhyphenhyphenO7JTztm7UNUKPkzGg3yvCT9hlkmdNJR5C6Bynt0/s320/Windermere+cycle+012.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezcMlFQFw2NqQe4gX6hRhspB1J0MuN1lhR7bpkPpqUb7q3a1O9IvpuIFt7g5YTls0XJsEqbIEd8gOyyDDIblTCdRY2ECS4JnVgDm_7C_jYMZyuUrWet_49bMFx1eojGelzfzkferunHI/s1600/Windermere+cycle+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984507027365634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezcMlFQFw2NqQe4gX6hRhspB1J0MuN1lhR7bpkPpqUb7q3a1O9IvpuIFt7g5YTls0XJsEqbIEd8gOyyDDIblTCdRY2ECS4JnVgDm_7C_jYMZyuUrWet_49bMFx1eojGelzfzkferunHI/s320/Windermere+cycle+011.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdtdpjnonrSg34BaDwmWfQ1YLVaquukGjYGOMcyS0TZji6ZnJyVC5MwOrKiYkMISDIzAolt850SK-GUTjjYqTUnPZUjzgppk6RWD2DyoMrXYrJka0K_cCMRj2G9zEPD-w7GAtb2qPE0w/s1600/Windermere+cycle+010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984351235660626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdtdpjnonrSg34BaDwmWfQ1YLVaquukGjYGOMcyS0TZji6ZnJyVC5MwOrKiYkMISDIzAolt850SK-GUTjjYqTUnPZUjzgppk6RWD2DyoMrXYrJka0K_cCMRj2G9zEPD-w7GAtb2qPE0w/s320/Windermere+cycle+010.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn492Du2YdZTclBbLwauRE9rfPAQKn7lgoWikiKXddlw5EHnbOblkTosUrhMvijBiSeA-7kL6YF7clwrVs7OpIQv759Q1lWx55EiZrxo7r4YBD9mtnhRGYkOKGvN_12G_FKdfhVswlcUo/s1600/Windermere+cycle+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577984075382316898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn492Du2YdZTclBbLwauRE9rfPAQKn7lgoWikiKXddlw5EHnbOblkTosUrhMvijBiSeA-7kL6YF7clwrVs7OpIQv759Q1lWx55EiZrxo7r4YBD9mtnhRGYkOKGvN_12G_FKdfhVswlcUo/s320/Windermere+cycle+008.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntYDfh53_4X9e11QyJdYi5L8jhdLkORtrftiJ7nskbM7x0Q-fgNGtW6Nzk0Zl9ibrOVe8J0ARkqL5sgPEwhbC76j7FOLTsvWJEpkRIU_LkPOHp9Kx25oiyxksdkhjBPEkRnW4sPfoxxw/s1600/Windermere+cycle+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983910476643618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntYDfh53_4X9e11QyJdYi5L8jhdLkORtrftiJ7nskbM7x0Q-fgNGtW6Nzk0Zl9ibrOVe8J0ARkqL5sgPEwhbC76j7FOLTsvWJEpkRIU_LkPOHp9Kx25oiyxksdkhjBPEkRnW4sPfoxxw/s320/Windermere+cycle+007.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-TMQl6W3ao2lBG2Hdn766EEH7hiKoV7JHUGGZWWUzaEOxi6T9ziOknAZl8gUu1xCKLk1gXHVHb6352a9LfrTPQZt6RgJTC5vUhphvIyjb2qaoUFfX9LpSD2nBrrDs4K5EJCxe_CN6RE/s1600/Windermere+cycle+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983768421296242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-TMQl6W3ao2lBG2Hdn766EEH7hiKoV7JHUGGZWWUzaEOxi6T9ziOknAZl8gUu1xCKLk1gXHVHb6352a9LfrTPQZt6RgJTC5vUhphvIyjb2qaoUFfX9LpSD2nBrrDs4K5EJCxe_CN6RE/s320/Windermere+cycle+006.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB99J10rxGSEKfXtGewlhqy9xdRhdAt2fZFhGZGX6Z1M5eIwFddVqqHBQuQhJFWV48OEg4YcyKsye_kQz5A3VkwLxpudk4f9ShvQ6n5tn-gz5Ez8T3Ppd-5BSE-rwWy8wNv_E7rK6zUP0/s1600/Windermere+cycle+005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983565825338082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB99J10rxGSEKfXtGewlhqy9xdRhdAt2fZFhGZGX6Z1M5eIwFddVqqHBQuQhJFWV48OEg4YcyKsye_kQz5A3VkwLxpudk4f9ShvQ6n5tn-gz5Ez8T3Ppd-5BSE-rwWy8wNv_E7rK6zUP0/s320/Windermere+cycle+005.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_jOuuU77HPZNXcn2y3inLQL4pS6xmvQuTvxZV6nzRCR8tZk460tnplyQYP16GofWSTqw_W4vAdjIn8OX5rKngGspMMJpsaVMUoRp0xPHOIr0bpTUJUp1EfJj7vpgO_7KUIu73bPPVXo/s1600/Windermere+cycle+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983433159255618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_jOuuU77HPZNXcn2y3inLQL4pS6xmvQuTvxZV6nzRCR8tZk460tnplyQYP16GofWSTqw_W4vAdjIn8OX5rKngGspMMJpsaVMUoRp0xPHOIr0bpTUJUp1EfJj7vpgO_7KUIu73bPPVXo/s320/Windermere+cycle+004.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga571B7F-vWqckHKxETC-PETo-BC9tIMq95xTaQ-1MNr9nlpy_sgDbOl3N2tQ2BVlUjFpB9BiX0HhYquPUKcSEyT-BtU2cLx3j3SHHHrJmo8ghOeT9akTL0Sm9NZCOTyQHdOyp9avIuA8/s1600/Windermere+cycle+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983287655577314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga571B7F-vWqckHKxETC-PETo-BC9tIMq95xTaQ-1MNr9nlpy_sgDbOl3N2tQ2BVlUjFpB9BiX0HhYquPUKcSEyT-BtU2cLx3j3SHHHrJmo8ghOeT9akTL0Sm9NZCOTyQHdOyp9avIuA8/s320/Windermere+cycle+003.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-_RuMYYooVFEJzqQ6XYL5lqPWHfO0u0mBx2p6rbowCE1gBmp-9Jj-1qzkm2V0BUFRFfm-dCeIDWkJCxpnjdreEuDPBYxivRtoI1emkDCgCmFYjnKQoZvHTi3HN73NzvTsFyPwr0YTnc/s1600/Windermere+cycle+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577983153764545458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-_RuMYYooVFEJzqQ6XYL5lqPWHfO0u0mBx2p6rbowCE1gBmp-9Jj-1qzkm2V0BUFRFfm-dCeIDWkJCxpnjdreEuDPBYxivRtoI1emkDCgCmFYjnKQoZvHTi3HN73NzvTsFyPwr0YTnc/s320/Windermere+cycle+002.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssC_UlrdCbI5W-07OVIKW5y0Z2HAE8tTHP8Kzd6hyphenhyphenWu4VICBH4NmYM74bQlOT2DiFl0JMc-8VPTeRzrptR2k1rh_lONckqu5Yn_lkju5USNgi-e5BlTNRmdkv7I78_iiwEkEuJnbUxdw/s1600/Windermere+cycle+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577982935401898242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssC_UlrdCbI5W-07OVIKW5y0Z2HAE8tTHP8Kzd6hyphenhyphenWu4VICBH4NmYM74bQlOT2DiFl0JMc-8VPTeRzrptR2k1rh_lONckqu5Yn_lkju5USNgi-e5BlTNRmdkv7I78_iiwEkEuJnbUxdw/s320/Windermere+cycle+001.jpg" /></a><br />It was my week off and Thursday 24th Feb was the day that I could get out on my bike and go for a decent ride. The alarm was set for 5.30am, I was up at 5.20am so that was good. After some porridge and a few brews I was off out Wha-owww!<br /><br />It was dark and damp but the forecast was to be nice today (Fingers crossed) I set off heading for the Lake District that was my plan and probably when I arrived there to spend a little time there and catch the train back!<br /><br />Its a long slog up to a little village called Mountain halfway to Keighley, then its mostly downhill from there. As I arrived in Keighley it was light and I was felling better although the weather was still grey and damp!<br /><br />On the downhill into Keighley my shades fell off and into the road, I was travelling at speed by now and thought I couldn't be bothered to stop so I left them (The thought of having to stop, go back to retrieve them was too much hassle plus they were a cheap pair anyway) luckily !<br /><br />After Keighley I had a choice to go along the main bypass towards Skipton or take the old road to Skipton - The old road it was although lots of potholes to contend with.. but much nicer scenery going through little villages like Steeton and Eastburn, also had to stop at the level crossing for local trains to pass by.<br /><br />After a stop at the petrol station after the level crossing for Sandwich and water/sports drink it was off again towards Skipton (A629) I carried on along this road and rather than going into Skipton centre I opted to get straight onto the A65 towards Kendal. This road is quite bad for cyclists in places - Plenty of sharp bends etc with lots of HGVs flying past you..<br /><br />Out of Skipton I'm heading towards Settle.. although no stopping into Settle centre but onwards along the A65 - Got to Little Chef and stopped off for a brew and Beans on toast after an hour of chilling there, I'm back on the road its still grey and damp but back home its supposed to be sunny! Typical ha ha.<br /><br />Whizzing along after my food and drink, I go through a nice place Kirkby Lonsdale nice bridge in centre.<br /><br />Its a welcome sight when I pass over the M6 this makes me feel good as I'm more of less in the Lakes now. Still plodding on I take the A590 then onto the A591 which takes me into Windermere. I take a shot of a flying Chinook passing by over Ings. By the time I reach the Windermere sign I am a little tired, and think do I go down the nearly 2 mile descent to Bowness or just turn back here and start to go back minus the hill climb back up from Bowness..<br /><br />Theres no option you can't go to Windermere and not go to the waters edge at Bowness :-) Its sooo nice there, and it lifted my spirits. Its funny that after I reached Bowness the sun came out for a short while, plus I ate a few bags of crisps (Salted) and this really perked me up - Must have needed salt replacement cos it did the job and I was again full of energy!!<br /><br />That's it.. I'm cycling back (Well as far as I can get then it could be Train time somewhere along the way back).<br /><br />I was at the end of the A590 and going over the M6 (The sun was out and now it was the first I saw of the blue skies (Brilliant!) That inspired me to now carry on- I was headed back the same way I came along A65 (This time it was near sunset and darkness! By the time I reached the village of Long Preston it was getting darker, all I wanted was a bag of chips for the salt intake again.. There was no chippy that I could see in Long Preston so I carried on in the hope there would be one in the next village of Halliwell (Yes!! there was a tiny chippy just off the main road) now it was in darkness.<br /><br />I was chatting to the people who have the chippy they asked where I've been cycling (You can imagine the look on their faces when I told them where I'd been and where I was going back to ha ha) Also another cyclist pulled into the chippy for food, the owners told him what I was doing his reply was (That bag of chips is going to get you back to Huddersfield?) I said Yes :-)<br /><br />Back out after chips and a brew I was buzzing again, but now it was pitch black on the A65 - Scary !! With wagons and cars speeding up behind me all the time, also having to watch very carefully for potholes in the road - very tricky!<br /><br />The only street lights I had on way back was going through Keighley centre, most of the roads back had no street lighting. I was more or less out of Keighley district and high upon a hillside when I stopped to take a pic of Bradford in the distance (Wasn't sure if it would come out or not but it did). From this point it was more of less downhill - Phew what a nice cycle down into Brighouse - with Street lights too (Bonus)!!<br /><br />Now I'm in Brighouse, I forgot the last climb up towards Bradley - the hill is a killer especially after such a long day ! After over 15hrs I'm back home totally knackered but very chuffed that I have a new daily Cycling record 164.4 miles in one day (Previous record was cycling from Holyhead in North wales back home to Huddersfield that was 157miles.MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-71429943487909719202010-08-06T14:40:00.000-07:002010-08-06T16:20:39.998-07:00Three Peaks challenge!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRGf6nBWH-7GCMWndJSI98qLRekxRbCM5mn15_r1xBdggLZbTtV49tVgJMSjiQM65qcS-63ZmRxvMdnsaF2NhnoGtuXmwbaxUq6XiUCA2OUDXr4pfWiX44guWp9W3_eyxI0kNIcsUEEk/s1600/3peaks+walk+016.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502436840812127234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRGf6nBWH-7GCMWndJSI98qLRekxRbCM5mn15_r1xBdggLZbTtV49tVgJMSjiQM65qcS-63ZmRxvMdnsaF2NhnoGtuXmwbaxUq6XiUCA2OUDXr4pfWiX44guWp9W3_eyxI0kNIcsUEEk/s320/3peaks+walk+016.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuR9QRle5FY7F3cz8ttqe8cWylpMLkYqGKTVr_o_c0TBhrhzKxO0qLWvui98xjX1wDuc6yRBTdeqI935Iu7KfCXvz-_IsV1oHiVUvdlifGG7UO-a41XuqDclh8PJwku49D5JIDHNbTRs/s1600/3peaks+walk+015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502436676119426674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuR9QRle5FY7F3cz8ttqe8cWylpMLkYqGKTVr_o_c0TBhrhzKxO0qLWvui98xjX1wDuc6yRBTdeqI935Iu7KfCXvz-_IsV1oHiVUvdlifGG7UO-a41XuqDclh8PJwku49D5JIDHNbTRs/s320/3peaks+walk+015.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhF442qcPTyYqr_ZspqtAoZMEyBY1IIHPamjVltVl3H7lY5i3yoGIfzY_TdEKLIIp1H5bYB8_E9y8mdrG1sMQwIaXpidgwx7C9k6tPmVV9CKel8p1lFeusAXIFYZgs54ScMhzcxa40YkY/s1600/3peaks+walk+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502436484782041138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhF442qcPTyYqr_ZspqtAoZMEyBY1IIHPamjVltVl3H7lY5i3yoGIfzY_TdEKLIIp1H5bYB8_E9y8mdrG1sMQwIaXpidgwx7C9k6tPmVV9CKel8p1lFeusAXIFYZgs54ScMhzcxa40YkY/s320/3peaks+walk+014.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJTMlpjKWTObIMQMBYCfocD473YlHPLoHMTZ3FUDSXQ4pjkZCQPGDeXoBdAd5bsRhdr0MwvHJBYbRXm4b2TTu-iXrSjAN5NiiwgTiUnq0mMBMBYrDSSlZ1dg879hpZO9BV9NPIMmBeJc/s1600/3peaks+walk+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502436306569253138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJTMlpjKWTObIMQMBYCfocD473YlHPLoHMTZ3FUDSXQ4pjkZCQPGDeXoBdAd5bsRhdr0MwvHJBYbRXm4b2TTu-iXrSjAN5NiiwgTiUnq0mMBMBYrDSSlZ1dg879hpZO9BV9NPIMmBeJc/s320/3peaks+walk+012.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu9_L3GC1zqmKrsNmfOTCj0iAhU89J3DBfjaU05Y4OE4gs5U8Au4-7YbEdmgvwpxllN5fexIBcVl8DXkcIdGZ-01m1qmwNrQS-aIwJWQvEDB0yLNM8PnOak4zKQNugV-On1LLdnbSTro/s1600/3peaks+walk+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502436113367434610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu9_L3GC1zqmKrsNmfOTCj0iAhU89J3DBfjaU05Y4OE4gs5U8Au4-7YbEdmgvwpxllN5fexIBcVl8DXkcIdGZ-01m1qmwNrQS-aIwJWQvEDB0yLNM8PnOak4zKQNugV-On1LLdnbSTro/s320/3peaks+walk+011.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdnPjYq0IyLZUg8rpwjW8sm69KLUnVJPotzb8FlgzvnKR0TWaALnKax5auteCtvl306nKBVjDTPGbAaK0HWNahqJMcZ5FJbZkWzmTiVA_o9os6r6tp-ELpi-HF5pOVyRHYylvxYzKaSQ/s1600/3peaks+walk+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502435940974675586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdnPjYq0IyLZUg8rpwjW8sm69KLUnVJPotzb8FlgzvnKR0TWaALnKax5auteCtvl306nKBVjDTPGbAaK0HWNahqJMcZ5FJbZkWzmTiVA_o9os6r6tp-ELpi-HF5pOVyRHYylvxYzKaSQ/s320/3peaks+walk+008.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjTToYqORDFDqyc_SfNfVMV6fQlFyHUs7yWJXfepyL-wjgYlQAy2kHASjQ5r3kqi34lxrZxnRyQw0oihbxfqaVuiE5YWNHGelhaSHyFdXjz7UopmGG78o3mP2Dlb0aA8IACZGGlHI5PY/s1600/3peaks+walk+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502435743816477698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjTToYqORDFDqyc_SfNfVMV6fQlFyHUs7yWJXfepyL-wjgYlQAy2kHASjQ5r3kqi34lxrZxnRyQw0oihbxfqaVuiE5YWNHGelhaSHyFdXjz7UopmGG78o3mP2Dlb0aA8IACZGGlHI5PY/s320/3peaks+walk+007.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCbiHusEgxSJlsP5fr7XmNUpa8ld9jDN33i3DhJN3-mJm6dwpNKVDQKuziuEWm-HlmgHIYwiEvKbQTOAevpPhc7arHfQsjc3xbJXIA1cnFs45iwE8zBfxTNBRsaZ8tXm3z0SHeV7RwRY/s1600/3peaks+walk+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502435057408061874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCbiHusEgxSJlsP5fr7XmNUpa8ld9jDN33i3DhJN3-mJm6dwpNKVDQKuziuEWm-HlmgHIYwiEvKbQTOAevpPhc7arHfQsjc3xbJXIA1cnFs45iwE8zBfxTNBRsaZ8tXm3z0SHeV7RwRY/s320/3peaks+walk+004.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-8zx7BP5F4K37DBBCZDCM6pFDTnWAwNJaoS_DWOVs-FDP7vtu7Lzy9h1aKcilN5D8T9MthHJ9Qg0pkDqShIRAjsYHCUT2yl5YpmFIASC8J67jcBPr7Ou3tAREBVzCMc7gin2qVFcuc/s1600/3peaks+walk+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502434806937565074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-8zx7BP5F4K37DBBCZDCM6pFDTnWAwNJaoS_DWOVs-FDP7vtu7Lzy9h1aKcilN5D8T9MthHJ9Qg0pkDqShIRAjsYHCUT2yl5YpmFIASC8J67jcBPr7Ou3tAREBVzCMc7gin2qVFcuc/s320/3peaks+walk+003.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeDb5leXdjon6hXemmzunQZ2AW78zFB7LblXQsIIcVkZHg909e5anc4QC0TTcBNEu6ZOT8izdBhUHUR9jHyMX1U5uHsiiPslVDpyQapeBB6v47BPbY81P1XakrnJOOHh-0HDwjvf3fbw/s1600/3peaks+walk+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502434442089137634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeDb5leXdjon6hXemmzunQZ2AW78zFB7LblXQsIIcVkZHg909e5anc4QC0TTcBNEu6ZOT8izdBhUHUR9jHyMX1U5uHsiiPslVDpyQapeBB6v47BPbY81P1XakrnJOOHh-0HDwjvf3fbw/s320/3peaks+walk+002.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>From Tuesday 2nd Aug at 5.07am until finish Wednesday 4.30am. </div><br /><br /><div>Ben Nevis time;<br />3hrs 53mins.</div><br /><br /><div>Scafell time;<br /></div><div>4hrs 55mins.</div><br /><br /><div>Snowdon time;</div><div>3hrs 15mins. </div><div><br /><br />The idea to do the 3 peaks all started when I returned from my last big cycle ride. I wanted to do something else but I don't really have that much time to do another mega adventure!!<br /><br />That's where I only really need a day or two off work to complete this, and with no training... this really would be another challenge!!<br /><br />I was working all day on Monday 1st Aug. I finished work at around 6pm. Then it was up to Fort William I eventually arrived there at 12am ish! after nearly hitting several Stags that just appeared on the darkness of the roads in the Glencoe area...... I looked for a cheap hotel just so I could get my head down for around 4hrs! This did not happen so I ended up sleeping in the car in a truck stop park. I could not really get a great sleep it was on and off all the 4hrs or so, when I decided to make a move it was around 4.40am, that just gave me time to drive the short distance to the Nevis car park, still half asleep I paid the parking fee, got my gear together and I was off !!<br /><br />The weather was poor, but it was just starting to get light (Very misty not going to be any views on the summit that's for sure)<br />I was walking away, although it was misty and drizzling it was rather warm, and for that reason I wanted to change into my shorts.. trouble was I didn't put them in my rucksack !! So instead I was down to my undies :-) (Well it was cooler)<br /><br />I walked for around 45mins and was next to the lake part way up the mountain, I was tempted to go for a quick dip in there, but thought No, I need to carry on (Thing is.. I wished I would have done it now!) Next time I will..<br /><br />After around 2 and a half hours I was at the summit (Brilliant! ) was a feeling to get there, although nobody there but me. I was straight down after taking a few snaps, then my plan was to try and run/jog all the way down to make good time.. I did end up jogging around 80% of the way down which I was happy with that. Not looking at the time I carried on until I reached my parked car at the Nevis car park, I opened the car door put keys in ignition, and Bamm! time came up on dash display 9.00am ! WoW... Record time 3hrs 53mins. The last time I was timed on the 3 peaks was back in 1996 on a Organised trip with coaches for Cystic Fibrosis, and the time then for Ben Nevis was 4hrs 38mins . I was very pleased with my time this time considering I'm 14yrs older this time.<br /><br />So it was 9am and I was off now driving to my next Mountain Scafell.. my plan was to start Scafell on Wasdale Head side (I knew this was the easiest way but the steepest way) I drove through Glencoe and took some pics along the way stopping at Loch Lomond too (Very nice places in Scotland). I thought the adventure had come to an end when the traffic came to a halt along the A82 to Glasgow just along the side of Loch Lomond, a 4x4 car had overturned blocking the road temporarily (Thank god) It was soon moved and I was on my way again (Nobody was injured by the way in the crash)<br /><br />I was driving along the A74 and was feeling a little hungry by this time, also my fuel was running low so I pulled into a services for some grub! and Fuel ! After an hour I was off again, was really bad traffic but I suppose that's what you get doing it in the working week! I was now along the A66 towards Workington and guess what ?? Yes another 4x4 car was overturned Amazing !! 2 in the same day.<br /><br />4pm and I'm at Wasdale Head at the base of Scafell and wastwater (Very nice around here) I head off and the summit is only just covered in cloud! Brilliant, could get a great view from this one :-) I was trekking up Lingmell and turned around to take a snap shop of WastWater (Nice pic) then after carried on up, when I got the the 2 main rock faces the Cloud cover dropped dramatically, so much so I could not see the steep climb up in between Scafell and Scafell pike!<br /><br />So I carried on up not realising I was slightly right of where I should have been going up, I was encountering very steep/rocky slopes, very dangerous in misty wet conditions but I carried on up. My though was I could not turn back down here it would be too dangerous, so I scrambled on up until I reached the top of the main rock slabs. I did then see a little narrow path which I knew was at the top. I turned left and walked around a hundred yards the I saw the place I should have come up from Phew! that was risky the way I had just come up then..<br /><br />I had a good idea in which direction the summit was from here so i carried on in the direction I though and eventually after a lot of here and there I reached the summit Yeah! Number 2 summit done.. I started to get the iphone app up on my phone to check where I was once I left the summit and made my way to where I thought I had come from, the gps app was saying I was not where I thought I was.... ohh dear! where am I? The app was now playing games and kept moving positions all the time so I could not get a proper fix on my position, so I was wandering around the summit in the thick cloud cover, eventually I had to trust the app and took a slope down the Mountain, when I was near the foot of the Mountain and the cloud broke I could see the view !!<br /><br />It was not the view of WastWater on the left.. it was open moorland (Where am I? I was thinking !) Well I got the phone out and tried the app again, this time it said I was down the other side of Scafell !! Blimey. I don't believe it, my thought straight away was I'm not going back up the Mountain and into the cloud again to be fooled by that application again.. I made the decision to walk around the base of Scafell (Harder than it sounds, I can tell you) especially in Bogs with hidden rocks and knee deep bushed to wade through..<br /><br />After a few hours of thinking the iphone gps app was playing silly buggers again, I really thought I could be anywhere in the Lakes, the app was saying after 1 more hill I should see WastWater... but no, it was hill after hill after hill until I did eventually see the WastWater lake :-0 what a relief! I was back on track again Yessss... But I was losing time, also my wife was getting worried when I called to say I was slightly lost for a while :-(<br /><br />I eventually arrived back at the car at 9pm (Legs shattered after the hike up the Mountain but I thought even more exhausting was the trek around the Mountain in the boggy base of the Scafell range.<br /><br />I worked out that from Scafell to Snowdon was around 4 and half hours drive, I was off again driving through the unlit lanes heading back towards the town of Barrow and onto the main road out of the lakes. Once on the M6 it was plain sailing straight down to Llanberis arrived at 1.15am (Feeling quite knackered by now)But onwards and upwards.<br /><br />I have done Snowdon in the past in the darkness so this was going to be a easy trek, also with no snow on the higher slopes even easier to get to the summit, I just followed the train tracks straight up. The weather closed in misty, raining was a drag but completed and back to car for 4.30am (No pic on summit Too dark/misty and wet) Once back at car it was a quick 30mins power napp before I headed home.<br /><br />Job done ! Until next time...........</div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8248722851865152290.post-3741134677757756272010-05-31T14:01:00.000-07:002010-05-31T14:19:11.815-07:00Run to Chew Res. Past Dovestones. (Saddleworth)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnuKy6TAy9W_qfO8sQMQNMGeCbRYlCVzdLdOvUDnaYjqq8k6wuWfnVgjRUMQ4AcxTi2Kwg4J1vDoKMR7FPGyz6uraR-VmeValWXLTR00HbrG8aVEVtdt6YY6T_gffBD9XlTvaxFPid2Q/s1600/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477544333156652594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnuKy6TAy9W_qfO8sQMQNMGeCbRYlCVzdLdOvUDnaYjqq8k6wuWfnVgjRUMQ4AcxTi2Kwg4J1vDoKMR7FPGyz6uraR-VmeValWXLTR00HbrG8aVEVtdt6YY6T_gffBD9XlTvaxFPid2Q/s320/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+006.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG_OA5UgdF4nhtznNAMBpEXCR_y3RG-ejPxNdvHTm5nLaAvETipqC-UzAkTnLJAup0YwkJfsIRsQkvhq_R7x1xlEferZnYRSZlADfX3eTJvihWnTSNScMsEl8RoqOXTzj62OR2QpvRWU/s1600/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477544314396848082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG_OA5UgdF4nhtznNAMBpEXCR_y3RG-ejPxNdvHTm5nLaAvETipqC-UzAkTnLJAup0YwkJfsIRsQkvhq_R7x1xlEferZnYRSZlADfX3eTJvihWnTSNScMsEl8RoqOXTzj62OR2QpvRWU/s320/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+004.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7_3zPIWS-hhaO93_P3mcZipOYE9tFIknnmtg_4P7AQLWeVPbJpraWEzghZt9BX5FGrdKR3T5D9TkZyYXdZge__F-tOve60gTHY1TC6k09LpxNMEtU0Xv-t3vcOMZJS9zxqGEMBKWvvc/s1600/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477544309665590866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7_3zPIWS-hhaO93_P3mcZipOYE9tFIknnmtg_4P7AQLWeVPbJpraWEzghZt9BX5FGrdKR3T5D9TkZyYXdZge__F-tOve60gTHY1TC6k09LpxNMEtU0Xv-t3vcOMZJS9zxqGEMBKWvvc/s320/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+003.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgZKYylZaNOyTrZ7NhKMKTxxTDy5btjyXGWsKIaX_ABw0O1SamlapIQeX-Pju_XeGdyj6OLo5Va2AvFrbn4ypUZqlxCE02l2BI66WLPPIopV7rjZWYmwklivmCubrGz8RGRV2VBfANRs/s1600/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477544299936305826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgZKYylZaNOyTrZ7NhKMKTxxTDy5btjyXGWsKIaX_ABw0O1SamlapIQeX-Pju_XeGdyj6OLo5Va2AvFrbn4ypUZqlxCE02l2BI66WLPPIopV7rjZWYmwklivmCubrGz8RGRV2VBfANRs/s320/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+002.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BSLOJVuE_4AIRkVnaCneabdGgyJX-n_nBajASzXpdC5K9lmES9Ud_XznX977JwlSkF3C6x0A9DV2fKpNy1PCxUGLb6HdIV6xQkzMtne3SOroGhjIZqw5EMe2lJMtMXDPjMM7R_VwnGE/s1600/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477543588940899298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BSLOJVuE_4AIRkVnaCneabdGgyJX-n_nBajASzXpdC5K9lmES9Ud_XznX977JwlSkF3C6x0A9DV2fKpNy1PCxUGLb6HdIV6xQkzMtne3SOroGhjIZqw5EMe2lJMtMXDPjMM7R_VwnGE/s320/Run+to+Chew+Res.+Dovestones.+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Just a quick run after work Bank Holiday Monday 31st May. Around 6 miles with a 1600ft ascent. First time I actually ran all the way to the top Amazing! My best was just over halfway previously. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>MadHeadCyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176281045053838013noreply@blogger.com0