Start: 04:29 on Thursday, 1 August 2024, Keşan, Turkey
Elapsed time: 17:54:43
Moving time: 15:24:47
Distance: 287.75 km
Elevation: 3798 m
Routing choices have a way of backfiring. Despite prioritizing distance and elevation over gravel, I ended up with all three—extra distance, more climbing, and gravel. Just my luck!
Lost Maps, Slower Progress
As I left the hotel and started the Garmin head unit, something felt off—no map. That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t loaded the Turkey maps. I was in Asia now, but my Garmin only had maps for Europe.
The next 800 km would be ridden with just a line on the Garmin and frequent stops to double-check navigation on Google Maps. This, combined with my shaky confidence in my route planning, turned the day into a slow grind with way too much downtime.
I started on a wide main road, which was uninspiring and mentally draining. Wide roads trick the brain into thinking it’s flat, but the visible climbs in the distance told another story.
Despite my intentions to stick to main roads for speed, I somehow ended up on gravel sections anyway. It felt like nothing was gained, and I questioned my choices.
Gallipoli to Asia
After a slow, grueling morning, I arrived in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) to take the ferry across the Dardanelles Strait. This crossing marked something special—the transition from Europe to Asia. Pretty cool, right? 😊
Once off the ferry, I rode 35 km along the coast toward CP4 in Çanakkale. It looked simple enough on the map but turned out to be a series of challenging hills.
At CP4, I had to address a problem with my tracker. The battery had drained, and none of my cables could charge it. Thankfully, the staff managed to get it charging. While I waited, I bought a pair of Crocs for the hike-a-bike sections I knew were coming on Parcours 4. I also stocked up on dried fruits and nuts to fuel the tough afternoon ahead.
I strapped the Crocs to my saddlebag and hit the road, but they fell off within minutes. Frustrated, I stopped at a shop and bought a small backpack to carry them instead.
Parcours 4: Gravel, Heat, and Hiking
Leaving Çanakkale, my route took me through odd side roads and pedestrian zones before finally heading toward Parcours 4.
The parcours was brutal—gravel, hike-a-bike sections, relentless heat, and strong winds. The descents were especially technical and not enjoyable at all, with the gravel straining my equipment. My carbon rims got scratched, and I couldn’t help but feel annoyed about the wear and tear.
Still, the Crocs made the hiking sections more manageable, and I managed to get through without any mechanical issues. Others weren’t as lucky; one rider reported seven punctures in the gravel.
After finishing the parcours, I stopped in a small village for a break. I tried to continue but couldn’t find a rhythm. The heat, the terrain, and the sheer effort had left me drained.
A Chance Encounter
As I rested, two boys on a scooter stopped to chat. They didn’t speak much English, but with Google Translate, we managed a fun conversation. They asked about my bike—was it electric? I explained it wasn’t, apart from the gears.
Their final question: Ronaldo or Messi? My answer, “Messi, of course,” didn’t seem to impress them. After they left, I regretted not giving them my email or number to continue the conversation later.
Reaching Biga
By late evening, I realized I couldn’t push further and looked for a hotel. I found one in Biga, about 40 km away, and booked it via Expedia.
When I arrived around ten in the evening, the reception was closed, but a man waiting outside greeted me with, “Expedia?” I confirmed, and he let me in. Once again, I wasn’t allowed to take my bike to the room, so I had to remove all the bags and set up a power bank to charge the power meter.
The man was incredibly helpful, even with limited English. Using Google Translate, he helped me order a kebab from a nearby restaurant, though the process involved multiple calls to clarify my order. I had asked for fries but got white bread instead—not ideal, but I was too tired to care.
The Usual Routine
After eating, I did my usual routine: connecting chargers, washing myself and my clothes, and getting ready for bed. I managed to sleep for about 3.5 hours before it was time to get up and go again.
When I left, the man was sleeping on a mattress in the reception. He got up to help me with my bike, another kind gesture that stuck with me.
Another hard day awaited.
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