Monthly Archives: August 2014

A sightseeing day in Tehran then a local bicycle club ride

. Our World Tour Adventure .

Sunday August 17, 2014

Monday August 18, 2014 We were asked by a local bicycle club called Ofogh to ride with the members to a park so we extended our stay at Ali’s home an extra day. This morning we took a train to Tehran then the subway into the city of 7 million people. Afshin and Ehsan were with us so navigating the city was easy. We explored the older and historical part of Tehran and had a great time before returning to Karaj. We then met many members of the Ofogh Bicycle Club (ofoghclub.com)and rode with them to a park. The ride was a little hectic with all the traffic but we safely made it to the park. It was so much fun being welcomed by the many members. The kindness and generosity of the Iranian people just keeps growing day after day. The club presented us with club shirts and all of them signed a beautiful Iranian flag which is now a treasured souvenir.

Tomorrow we will get on our bikes and head east to the very religious and historical city of Mashhad.

Vertical parking in Tehran.
Vertical parking in Tehran.
A Shiite Mosque has two minarets (towers) whereas a Sunni Mosque has one. Iran is predominately Shiite.
A Shiite Mosque has two minarets (towers) whereas a Sunni Mosque has one. Iran is predominately Shiite.

P1050071__1280x695_

Golestan Palace also known as the Flower Palace is over 250 years old. Since that time all the kings and shahs of Iran have resided here. This palace was overrun during the 1980 Iranian Revolution.
Golestan Palace also known as the Flower Palace is over 250 years old. Since that time all the kings and shahs of Iran have resided here. This palace was overrun during the 1980 Iranian Revolution.
The palace is abundant with beautiful tile.
The palace is abundant with beautiful tile.
A marble altar.
A marble altar.

P1050076__1280x815_

Part of the marble altar.
Part of the marble altar.

P1050080__1280x1102_

The symbol of Iran - a lion holding a sword and the rising sun. In Iran the sun is female.
The symbol of Iran – a lion holding a sword and the rising sun. In Iran the sun is female.

P1050084__1280x960_

The tomb of one of the kings under a sheet of glass.
The tomb of one of the kings under a sheet of glass.
Walls made from mirror pieces.
Walls made from mirror pieces.

P1050094__1280x943_

P1050095__1280x955_

The king from 1887 had many wives.
The king from 1887 had many wives.
Busy street.
Busy street.
Women sit in the back of the bus due to an unwritten religious law.
Women sit in the back of the bus due to an unwritten religious law.
At one time we wanted to bicycle into Tehran but have now decided not to because of the crowds.
At one time we wanted to bicycle into Tehran but have now decided not to because of the crowds.
There is also a women's only section on the subway if they choose.
There is also a women’s only section on the subway if they choose.
The Ofogh Bicycle Club of Karaj. (Ofoghclub.com)
The Ofogh Bicycle Club of Karaj. (Ofoghclub.com)

P1050120__1280x960_

What a nice group of people.
What a nice group of people.

P1050127__1280x752_

We were presented with club t-shirts and an Iranian flag signed by all the members.
We were presented with club t-shirts and an Iranian flag signed by all the members.
In return we signed an American flag for them.
In return we signed an American flag for them.

P1050152__1280x1057_

P1050156__1280x1109_

A nice guy that came down with cancer last year. He hopes to ride again soon. Live Strong guy! We were asked to sign his shirt.
A nice guy that came down with cancer last year. He hopes to ride again soon. Live Strong guy! We were asked to sign his shirt.
What a treasured souvenir.
What a treasured souvenir.