DickyB's Turkish Delights

beyond that I am lost

Thanks!
Very interesting report, is a pity 2006г, now even road OF-Bayburt half asphalt.
I shall go in September through Caucasus - Georgia - Turkey around Ararat, Van, mountains Cilo-Sat (if gendarmes will let), then to Cappadocia and back along the sea (if the God / Аllah will allow :).

Good luck!
Ivan

February is usually the wettest and coldest month here on the Turkish Med. Temps half an hour away on the coast weirdly bounce between the high 20's and low teens depending on whether the sun makes an appearance. Half an hour North, over the mountains, the temp struggles to reach the low teens on the brightest days. Rain in the valley translates to snow on the high ground






Better pop off and see how much snow was dumped yesterday. Kitties didn't show much interest








It didn't take Paul long to regret not having repaired the hole in his bike seat. A wet behind and chilly temps don't make for the best traveling companions:huh








At least the reservoir at Gombe was benefiting from the recent rains









The reservoir serves to irrigate the flatlands beyond Gombe up to Elmali, the main crop being apples. Elmali means "with apples". Gombe itself is a typical workaday Turkish town. A haven from the heat of the coast in summer but fairly drab and cold in winter







The road from Gombe to Elmali









One advantage of the cooler air is the lack of heat haze that exists in high summer, one can see for miles














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Really enjoy your updates and offroad explorations. Cheers

Thanks AlpineGeurrilla Been following your RR's recently which have provided plenty of inspiration and information. Keep 'em coming please

Cheers, Dickyb

............Meanwhile closer to the coast the almond blossom signals the start of spring







Sat minding my own business when a local ruffian grabbed me by the hand:eek1









and led me to his almond orchard









Um, nice one pooch








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Spring is here isn't it Muffs






So too are the Swiss






Dani and Raphi (http://www.rvsz.ch) are three weeks into their mega tour which will end in South America:eek1:eek1







These guys mean business






Dani's XT660Z complete with Garmin Montana 600, Adventure Spec Magadan soft panniers and lots of stuff and things and more stuff






Raphi's equally impressive XT660R with an equally impressive amount of stuff






Raphi had originally set off from the Land of Clocks with an Off The Road 26 litre tank slaking his engine's thirst. En route a leak developed which he subsequently repaired. Easy enough to carry out in the developed world, more difficult if the fault re-occurred out in the boonies. Anyway Raphi decided to get his old tank shipped to Istanbul and refit it. Big-heartedly he posted on AdvRider that anyone who wanted their own personal petrol bowser could have his, gratis. Being a Yorkshire chap I SHOUTED a reply


Which is how cheeky chappy Bayram found himself fitting a few acres of plastic to my bike







.....................

Hey David!

Was a pleasure meeting you! That tank is looking good on your bike, hope it will serve you well and for a long time.

Cheers Raphi

www.rvsz.ch

Cheers Raphi,

Should be able to get to the shops and back on one tank now





Here's the link I was talking about;

A pillions View of the World.


All the best,

David

always nice photos, thought the almond blossoms were cheery tree blossoms at first, in the same scientific family.

See ya in a bit Stan. Business to attend to






Down at Honda Ali's a delivery had just been offloaded







19 scooters






And something a tad more exciting










During the eight years I've been in Turkey I've wished for a lightweight, low capacity trail bike at a reasonable price. Bikes are expensive here and until now the only 250cc trail bikes available new were Kawasaki KLX250's and Yamaha WR250's. Honda have pulled a blinder by importing their new CRF 250L at less than the price it sells for in the UKand considerably less than the Kwacker and Yammie alternatives. Better get Bayram to do his stuff






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That's a neat bike, I had the pleasure to test ride it a while ago and it felt light and nimble, though it was only on asphalt. Congratulations and don't forget to post again as soon as the bike is not that shiny anymore.

...........Bayram's stuff consisted of filling the battery and checking fluid levels and tyre pressures. Got to be impressed with the way these things are shipped in


Then it was off to see how the newcomer handled. Forest trails were fun






As were river crossings without rivers






Trundling along trails was trouble free















This little beauty can get me anywhere I want to be. Initially I thought the performance was a bit lame until I opened the throttle. The engine loves to be revved but even then the FI delivers smooth torque. There isn't a power band on this thing. I managed to take it to places that I could never get my 600's to, either through fear or the bigger bikes unsuitability. A further bonus with the new CRF is that it will happily run on main roads at 120-140kphIdeal for visits to the ancestors






Um, me and my new best friend are going to have heaps of fun together






Cheers,

Dickyb

It's great little bike AG. Looking forward to many future adventures on her/it

congrats on the new toy

Congrats on the new bike. Honda apparently hit the nail on the head with this one. Looking forward to all the pics of you and your new friend...

Btw, GREAT pics. Could be straight from the honda brochure...

Thanks DCrider and G600. Had to pop off and see what effect this spate of warm weather is having on snow levels. Took me all of five seconds to think of that excuse


Sun cream girls?






Um, still a bit over there






Lot of snow melt coming down the mountain:eek1







Yep, thought so! More grey than white







Still the odd Yeti around though:huh







Cheers,


Dickyb

Just sit and stare.......












Cheers,

Dickyb

The plan was to have breakfast in the woods, go for a short ride then entertain the kids. Kids saying good morning to Mehmet's dog Johny






Mum makes breakfast while the girls untangle their skipping rope






Time to head off after a quick pep talk from the pit crew







Wasn't long before we assumed our default geographical position......lost :ddog








One buffoon managed to get his new bike bogged down








While Mehmet showed the correct line:fyyff








T'was a tad warm. August weather at the beginning of May







After much pestering from the girls the dads gave in and let them have a quick go









A fun day out during which none of the kids were injured, traumatised or upset in any way whatsoever. Unfortunately some of the adults fared less well


Cheers,


Dickyb

still a pleasure to follow this thread of events...
rumor says the triumph will arrive....