Surly World Troller - touring thread

Must be a breeze to handle..

With my new patented ultra-low-trail-geometry™ it certainly is!

New story on http://cycletello.wordpress.com. Feel like writing was easier in the beginning. Now in Istanbul!

So cool, well done!

I'm planning something like this next year. It got real (as in 'no turning back now'), so I might ask some questions in the future. It'll be a tandem ride though :)

Oh, and do visit Moda in Istanbul. The Asian part is by far my favourite.

Awesome. From where to where? I hope you have found a good tandem partner... It can put a lot of stress on your relationship I reckon. Tips for Istanbul are appreciated!

From London to SE Asia, at least that's the plan. We're cool with tandeming, it's great for laughs and she's a photographer so everybody wins. Luggage for two on one bike is a different issue, though. Anyway, I'll stop derailing.

I'll pm about Istanbul

Cool! The German couple I met had 4 panniers + a bob trailer. Reckon you could both have one small pannier for clothing, two big ones for tent, tools and cooking gear

Plus 50 rolls of film at any given point!

You probably mentioned this previously, but what's your route through Turkey? Hope you get the VIP petrol station treatment so many tourists seem to enjoy.

Can we see a picture of the loaded bike at this stage please?

I still have to do some research regarding my route through turkey. I think Capadócia will be on the list

I'll take a pic for you when I leave Istanbul!

This morning

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I've had to walk up some super steep parts today :(

All the panniers! Looks great though, thanks

Your blog is a proper adventure, I'm both inspired and jealous. I'll be following this all the way I'm sure.

Last few days were the hardest I've ever had on a bicycle. Endless 5%+ gravel ascents and slipping tyres, bailout gear wasn't high enough. The triple shone like a diamond though. Some nerve-wracking descents but also some very nice long ones and proper beautiful views. Little bit too cold at night for my current setup too. Never been so happy to arrive in a flat desert wasteland :) I'm absolutely destroyed, taking a day to rest tomorrow.

PS It's Eid today so I saw plenty of scared to fuck and dead goats & sheep

PPS Hotel's full (it's absolutely fucking empty) -> puppy eyes -> 'what job do you do? okay maybe we have one room'

Cheers!

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I found a place that sells beer 😀 might stay for another week

Are you heading straight to Cappadoccia from Istanbul?

I seem to remember that Urgup was the tourist centre of Cappadoccia,
with plenty of cheap accommodation.

Heading to Ankara first to pick up my Iran visa at the embassy, Cappadocia after. I think I may upload a gpx track and some way points and descriptions for those who might fancy a short but fucking intense bikepacking holiday (Istanbul-Ankara), if there's interest

Enjoying this thread immensely. Congratulations on the journey so far and please keep the updates coming. It's Friday evening in London and from my kitchen in Brixton, I'm dedicating the next beer to you. Chapeau.

Cheers!

Had a few beers and rakija myself yesterday with the hotel owner and his helping hand. Now I'm stuck on an island in the artificial lake where the hotel owner is digging another smaller lake for personal fishing purposes. The guy says he's gonna build a five star hotel here. It's pretty surreal. The moment we got on the boat the guy suddenly pulled a gun and started shooting at birds. If I stop posting you know what happened 🤞

Urgup or Goreme.

Check out the 'Goreme Open Air Museum'.

If you have time, after the visa pick yp in Ankara,
a side trip to Sungurlu will take you to Hattusas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattusa

another UNESCO World Heritage site.

If you do visit, you will see the Kizilirmak river,
which flows from Cappadoccia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avanos

I had a meal beside the kizilirmak river in Avanos,
and with only English experience of the Thames and its sluggish tributaries,
I had never seen such a raging, turbulent river.

Already had Göreme in my sights, Hattusa and the river sounds interesting, thank you

I'm still alive!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U66ixhdbxEI