Monday May 26, 2014, 87 miles (140 km) – Total so far: 3,257 miles (5,242 km)
May 24, 2014 Ferry 4 miles bicycle 7 miles This morning I had a lot of internet work to do so we got a late start to the ferry. It was about a 4 mile ride from Gelibolu to Cardack. After arriving after noon time we decided to not start the long ride to Bandirma where we will connect with another ferry that will take us to Istanbul. There was not a hotel or camping so we headed back to the next town of Lapseki. When we arrived there seemed to be a lot of chaos as people were all massed outside the buildings, some hurt, and many crying. Ambulances and fire trucks were rushing all over with sirens wailing. As we rode through town we had no idea what was going on and then heard an explosion. We stopped at one potential hotel but the clerk would not tell us anything. He just wanted to sell us a room. Both of us had bad vibes about this as outside the hotel there was a group of about 40 girls mostly crying. Maybe there was a riot and unrest. We continued on to another apartment/hotel where the clerk said there was a large earthquake offshore. We didn’t like this one either so we rode to the port for lunch. The television was broadcasting reports about the quake. Then I remembered while riding between towns the rear of my bike was wobbling like my tire going flat. I was looking at the road which was smooth but my rear continued to wobble but the tire was not flat. A few seconds later the wobble disappeared and I didn’t think anything more about it. That must have been the time of the earthquake. Jocelyn didn’t feel it. During lunch we met a nice guy, Jim that was sitting next to us and we learned that Turkey has frequent quakes but none as bad as this. He also enlightened us on some things to see in the area and suggested another hotel further down. Jim is a deck officer on cargo ships so has been all over the world. After lunch we checked into this hotel. We were expecting aftershocks but never felt a thing and slept well.
May 25, 2014 80 miles We got an early start as we knew it would be a long day. The day turned even longer as the steep rollers started early as we climbed inland. Towards the middle the terrain flattened out somewhat then the rollers started again as we rode to Bandirma. We were looking for CampingAnt but it was getting dark so we found a hotel and will look for this popular campground on the Sea of Marmarma today. We will spend two nights there before proceeding to a ferry in Bandirma for our ride to old city Istanbul. We rented a studio apartment while waiting for family to arrive. Part 1: Europe of this adventure will soon end and we will prepare for Part 2: Asia.
