Start: 03:58 on Saturday, 3 August 2024, Orhangazi, Turkey
Elapsed time: 21:53:39
Moving time: 16:52:37
Distance: 354.61 km
Elevation: 4810 m
This was it—the final day.
Setting Out
No gravel today (or so I thought), and I was full of motivation. I’d picked a slightly longer route that was supposed to be flatter and stick to bigger roads. Theoretically faster. In practice? Probably not.
The day started well enough. After 30 km, there was a climb that looked daunting on the profile but turned out to be manageable. A descent followed, then 79 km of flat terrain on a wide, efficient four-lane road. Exactly as planned.
The Black Sea Approach
From there, I needed to cross over to the Black Sea. My chosen route was supposedly less hilly, but reality proved otherwise—constant ups and downs.
At one point, I made a right turn and saw a red sign with white text. I didn’t understand a word, but the color caught my attention. For once, I stopped to translate it: Road closed due to collapsed bridge. Great. A 10 km detour and extra climbing later, I was back on track.
Then it happened—the usual frustration. I turned a corner, and gravel appeared. Crap.
Lunch Break and Rerouting
Discouraged, I stopped for lunch: tuna straight from the can and some ultra-processed kebab from the last supermarket. Not exactly gourmet, but it lifted my spirits slightly.
Out came the phone, and after scouring Komoot and Google Maps, I found an alternative route. It had significantly more climbing.
Eventually, I summited what must have been the highest point in the area. By then, the heat and endless climbing had me thoroughly annoyed, but I pushed through and rejoined my planned route, heading steadily towards the Black Sea.
The Coastline Grind
Reaching the coast felt like a victory. But of course, I’d chosen the hardest route possible along the shoreline. It was scenic—beaches, blue water, and weekend crowds—but brutally challenging. Endless climbs and descents.
By late afternoon, I reached the start of the final Parcours. I found a small market and stocked up: water, Coke, Red Bull, and ice cream. Sitting there, eating ice cream and sipping Red Bull, gave me a much-needed energy boost.
The Final Stretch
The Parcours started well, and I genuinely enjoyed riding along the coast. It was alive with weekend revelers at the beaches, and the atmosphere was vibrant and fun. Only 100 km to go!
But after dark, things took a turn. Unannounced gravel sections appeared, and they completely threw me off. Mentally, I wasn’t prepared. I’d been pushing hard to catch a few riders ahead of me, but gravel always slows me down.
At one point, I had to stop, switch to Crocs, and start walking. It felt like forever. The gravel stretch sapped my motivation and crushed any thoughts of catching the riders ahead. Eventually, I made it back to tarmac, swapped back into cycling shoes, and carried on.
Istanbul at Night
The last climb came, and as I rounded the final few corners, there it was—Istanbul at night. The city sparkled, a breathtaking view that momentarily erased all the struggles of the past two weeks. It was incredible.
Descending into the city, I began the last 35 km along the Bosphorus. Riding through Istanbul on a Saturday night was unforgettable—people, parties, and celebrations everywhere.
Despite the atmosphere, my body had reached its limit. My legs burned, and my saddle sores were unbearable. Every kilometer in city traffic felt like an eternity.
The Finish Line
Finally, the last hurdle: 50 steps to climb, then 200 meters to the finish.
And then I made it.
I arrived at the finish line.
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