Tour of Turkey pics - OK, a bit late....

[merlinmurph]

My wife and I got back from Turkey a few days ago, and thought I'd share a few pics. On our second day in Istanbul, we were doing the tourist thing and ran into the start of the last stage of the Tour of Turkey. We decided to hang out and watch the start.

Here's the start line
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1515_x_zps04c9818c.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1515_x_zps04c9818c.jpg.html)

Before the start, the racers were milling around, and we got to take a look at some of the hardware.
Here's a Dura-Ace bike - note the mechanical RD.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1516_x_zps8413ae1d.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1516_x_zps8413ae1d.jpg.html)

Other rides
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1534_x_zps8b94effc.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1534_x_zps8b94effc.jpg.html)
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1537_x_zps8de1932d.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1537_x_zps8de1932d.jpg.html)
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1536_x_zps209dc41c.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1536_x_zps209dc41c.jpg.html)

Each team got called up, the riders signed in, posed for pics, and would answer a few questions. There were at least 3 announcers to handle the number of languages. This was the last team to sign in.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1556_x_zps63205336.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1556_x_zps63205336.jpg.html)

Dogs are a fixture in Istanbul (and all of Turkey) and are treated very well. They are very tame, look very healthy and happy, and are well treated. Some have tags in their ears meaning that the dog has been treated. This guy just sauntered up to see what's going on.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1548_x_zps773594ba.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1548_x_zps773594ba.jpg.html)

Finally, the riders started lining up for the start. Four riders were in the front - I'm assuming they were the guys with the jerseys.
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1567_x_zps80104af8.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1567_x_zps80104af8.jpg.html)

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1565_x_zps1506b512.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1565_x_zps1506b512.jpg.html)

http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac62/merlinmurph/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1568_x_zpsae6af42f.jpg (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/merlinmurph/media/Bikes%20and%20rides/IMG_1568_x_zpsae6af42f.jpg.html)

I don't think anybody in Turkey really cares about bike racing, nor did the other tourists. The start was in a huge tourist area with thousands of people around, and I think it was more of a curiosity to them. We looked for someone selling t-shirts or anything with a ToT logo and couldn't find anything.

This stage started in the old city, went along the water to the new part of the city, crossed the Bosphorous to the Asian side, and went along the southern coast for 121K.

A Turk ended up winning the tour.

Enjoy your ride,
Murph

[svelocity]

Thanks for sharing your photos! Turkey has always been on my list of to go places. So much history there...

Cheers!

[tele]

nice pics Dan!

did you and Mrs. Murph bring bikes on your trip?

[shinomaster]

Great pix! I was just in Turkey a few months ago. Turkish people are so warm and hospitable, and the food is fantastic (IMHO).

[merlinmurph]

Nope, no bikes on this trip - it was my wife's trip. Not sure I'd want to bike there, anyways, and it was HOT.

Yup, food was awesome. Lots of farms and everything is so fresh.

[LegendRider]

I've ridden my bike in Turkey (Istanbul) a handful of times. The riding well up the Bosphorus near the Black Sea is OK, but I don't know that I'd take a road bike again. Most drivers were respectful, but the consequences of running into one who isn't are dire. Plus, the roads have a sheen of diesel or something slick on them and my rear wheel slid out a couple of times at low speeds. I really don't want to break a collarbone or worse overseas...

That having been said, cruising around the small, out-of-the-way neighborhoods on bike is really enjoyable. An urban assault bike with baggy shorts and SPDs would be better than lycra and road cleats.

[54ny77]

luv me some turkey.

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dancing_turkey.gif

[shinomaster]

I've ridden my bike in Turkey (Istanbul) a handful of times. The riding well up the Bosphorus near the Black Sea is OK, but I don't know that I'd take a road bike again. Most drivers were respectful, but the consequences of running into one who isn't are dire. Plus, the roads have a sheen of diesel or something slick on them and my rear wheel slid out a couple of times at low speeds. I really don't want to break a collarbone or worse overseas...

That having been said, cruising around the small, out-of-the-way neighborhoods on bike is really enjoyable. An urban assault bike with baggy shorts and SPDs would be better than lycra and road cleats.

You are brave! I saw a few cyclist biking in Ankara, and one guy actually had a really nice Colnago and was describing to my brother where he rode (out of the city). Turkish drivers seemed a bit better on this trip than 6 years ago, but that could just be my imagination.

[TTigg]

Great pics, thanks for sharing!