Cycled Europe, 5000km from London to here. The Asian landmass (ie continental plate) is on the other side of Istanbul across a wide river, flowing between the med and black sea. Geography lesson now ends. The ride was harder at the start and got easier after getting fit and into the rhythm. The final day riding through Istanbul was hair rising, the worst drivers I've ever seen.

Can hear the iman's calls to prayer now from this internet cafe. spent the day walking around the city, the amazing "blue mosque" with its huge high mosaic domes, other huge ancient buildings, and the Grand Bizzare. could do you a carpet for a very good price! now staying in touristy area with our own courtyard garden & a rooftop terrace over looking the Sea of Marmara.

Thanks to Keith, Gavin, Maree, Ray and Peter for joining in. Peter joined in Romania his 1st days ride being a hilly 165km - nice one.

So since last time - have done remainder of Bulgaria - theres some great black sea coast resorts - better than you'd expect - and a few Brits out there buying property (um) - could do you an apartment for a very good price with carpets thrown in free...

All border crossings are fun - roads, people, everything changes completely. woken up by the call to prayer at 4.30am on our first morning in Turkey, loud and whaling. the turks are so friendly and hospitable - we got a free lunch at one place, no charge for other things, cups of tea everywhere. at one restaurant somebody from another table rang an English speaking friend on his mobile so he could help us order our food. all enjoying the world cup out here - all shops have a tv - and even the turks celebrated when england scored.

So all in all its been an amazing journey, and 50% of a life long ambition to cycle from my house to Singapore - kidding! one final task - getting the bike and 4 bags pack onto the plane home, bla bla bla - onto the plane.

Ok - off to get a beer by the mosque

Overview

Keith, Gavin, Maree & Rod cycled from Ireland and I set out from my own doorstep. Peter joined in Romania. A great deal of the route (2,900km) follows the Danube Cycle Path, well maintained paths more or less following the Danube River to Hungary. A total of 5000km through England, France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Different kinda expedition for me, being fully independent with 4 panniers and longer distances. Unlike developing countries there's lots of bike shops in case of emergency.

Distances:-

• 15 April 2006, High Wycombe - Bexley Heath, 131 km, 7 h 56 m, 16.5 av
• 16 April 2006, Bexley Heath - Canterbury, 95 km, 5 h 39 m, 16.8 av
• 17 April 2006, Canterbury - Ardres, 83 km, 4 h 43 m, 17.5 av
• 18 April 2006, Ardres - Arras, 105 km, 5 h 41 m, 18.5 av
• 19 April 2006, Rest Day
• 20 April 2006, Arras - Laon, 129 km, 7 h 26 m, 17.4 av
• 21 April 2006, Laon - Vouziers, 116 km, 6 h 30 m, 17.8 av
• 22 April 2006, Vouziers - Verdun, 85 km, 4 h 46 m, 18.0 av
• 23 April 2006, Rest Day
• 24 April 2006, Verdun - Chateau-Salins, 109 km, 5 h 49 m, 18.7 av
• 25 April 2006, Chateau-Salins - Saverne, 81 km, 4 h 10 m, 19.4 av
• 26 April 2006, Saverne - Barr, 74 km, 4 h 43 m, 15.5 av
• 27 April 2006, Barr - Freiburg, 109 km, 6 h 11 m, 17.7 av
• 28 April 2006, Freiburg - Donaueschingen, 66 km, 4 h 18 m, 15.5 av
• 29 April 2006, Donaueschingen - Sigmaringen, 97 km, 5 h 30 m, 17.6 av
• 30 April 2006, Sigmaringen - Ersingen, 85 km, 4 h 41 m, 18.2 av
• 1 May 2006, Ersingen - Dillingen, 76 km, 3 h 51 m, 19.8 av
• 2 May 2006, Rest Day
• 3 May 2006, Dillingen - Vohburg, 124 km, 6 h 53 m, 18.1 av
• 4 May 2006, Vohburg - Regensburg, 67 km, 4 h 3 m, 16.6 av
• 5 May 2006, Rest Day
• 6 May 2006, Regensburg - Deggendorf, 96 km, 5 h 14 m, 18.5 av
• 7 May 2006, Deggendorf - Pyrawang, 76 km, 4 h 36 m, 16.6 av
• 8 May 2006, Pyrawang - Linz, 85 km, 4 h 21 m, 19.7 av
• 9 May 2006, Linz - Au, 26 km, 1 h 14 m, 21.0 av
• 10 May 2006, Au - Melk, 79 km, 3 h 34 m, 22.4 av
• 11 May 2006, Melk - Tulln, 89 km, 4 h 43 m, 18.8 av
• 12 May 2006, Tulln - Vienna, 46 km, 2 h 24 m, 19.2 av
• 13 & 14 May 2006, Rest Days
• 15 May 2006, Vienna - Bratislava, 70 km, 4 h 11 m, 16.7 av
• 16 May 2006, Rest Day
• 17 May 2006, Bratislava - Gyor, 100 km, 5 h 24 m, 18.5 av
• 18 May 2006, Gyor - Almasneszmely, 90 km, 4 h 47 m, 19.0 av
• 19 May 2006, Almasneszmely- Budapest, 95 km, 4 h 42 m, 20.3 av
• 20 & 21 May 2006, Rest Days
• 22 May 2006, Budapest - Kecskemet, 125 km, 6 h 43 m, 18.7 av
• 23 May 2006, Kecskemet - Szeged, 126 km, 6 h 13 m, 20.3 av
• 24 May 2006, Szeged - Timisoara, 123 km, 5 h 10 m, 23.8 av
• 25 & 26 May 2006, Rest Days
• 27 May 2006, Timisoara - Deva, 160 km, 7 h 30 m, 21.4 av
• 28 May 2006, Deva - Sibiu, 123 km, 6 h 5 m, 20.2 av
• 29 May 2006, Sibiu - Fagaras, 83 km, 4 h 9 m, 20.1 av
• 30 May 2006, Fagaras - Brasov, 80 km, 4 h 20 m, 18.5 av
• 31 May 2006 & 1 June 2006, Rest Days
• 2 June 2006, Brasov - Campulung, 91 km, 5 h 51 m, 15.6 av
• 3 June 2006, Campulung - Bucharest, 139 km, 6 h 27 m, 21.6 av
• 4 June 2006, Rest Day
• 5 June 2006, Bucharest - Ruse, 89 km, 4 h 48 m, 18.5 av
• 6 June 2006, Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo, 108 km, 5 h 36 m, 19.4 av
• 7 June 2006, Veliko Tarnovo - Shoumen, 113 km, 5 h 38 m, 20.1 av
• 8 June 2006, Shoumen - Varna, 118 km, 6 h 17 m, 18.8 av
• 9 June 2006, Rest Day
• 10 June 2006, Varna - Pomorie, 119 km, 6 h 1 min, 19.7 av
• 11 June 2006, Pomorie - Tsarevo, 97 km, 4 h 26 m, 21.9 av
• 12 June 2006, Tsarevo - Kirkarelli, 111 km, 6 h 56 m, 16.1 av
• 13 June 2006, Kirkarelli - Saray, 81 km, 4 h 10 m, 19.4 av
• 14 June 2006, Saray - Istanbul, 162 km, 8 h 41 m, 18.6 av
• 15 June 2006, Istanbul, 20 km, 2 h 2 m, 9.9 av