Brilliant trip report really enjoying it 
Midday Express - Istanbul on the hoof
- Thread starter Guru Gora
- Start date
Apologies for the sound but......
I've always loved the Midnight Express film and wanted to visit the real prison
If I'd had time I'd have ridden and boated to Imrali island from where Billy escaped, not this time but maybe another next year...........
Anyway here is the Sagmalcilar prison, soon to be a swanky hotel.....
I've always loved the Midnight Express film and wanted to visit the real prison
If I'd had time I'd have ridden and boated to Imrali island from where Billy escaped, not this time but maybe another next year...........
Anyway here is the Sagmalcilar prison, soon to be a swanky hotel.....
Day 15
Istanbul to Sunny Beach Varga Bulgaria.
245 miles
Blimey a day of 2 halves.
A handy warning in the hotel lift ….. and someone decided to sleep on my bike !!
The security bloke at little parking area as chirpy as ever, I tipped him about 20 quid , money well spent. He was like I’d just given him an iPad
Leaving Istanbul I wanted to go to the military museum, departed hotel 0910 for a 4.6 mile journey. After 65 minutes I still had 2.9 to go, mental traffic so sacked that idea and ran out of dodge westerly…..
Pleasant enough roads until about 5 miles from Bulgaria border, then through mountain pass to the crossing.
Got pulled at random a police checkpoint by a cop, ummed amd asaaaahed a bit , I didn’t produce any lira so he lost interest.
Stopped for pic with one of the many speed camera warning things…
I loved Istanbul but it’s a total nightmare on a bike, I was glad to reach the city limits to be honest.
The crossing was a clusterfuck of the highest order.
Out of Turkey consisted of visiting various desks, producing everything every time, then being sent on your way again.
The coaches appeared to be having a nightmare too, some poor driver trying to corral 50 odd people through various desks, in various states of admin meltdown.
The staff instructions must be ….
“You are to run around shouting pointlessly at anyone, and be as unhelpful as possible”
They all clearly passed that training.
Into Bulgaria was much easier, really helpful guy walked me through the crossing, and through the vehicle disinfector, possibly as I looked a bit grubby too.
Down the hill off the pass at Malko Tarnovo and then fantastic roads all way to hotel.
Great place, straight in the pool and then out for food, ocean view eating as I type.
This place is basically the ex commie Russian Blackpool, so now it’s errrrrr, still full of Russians. A bit kiss me quick, but great beach and good stopover.
The hotel had about 10 bikes outside it already, Europeans having hired them locally.
We swapped travel tales, then I meandered into town for food and a beach walk.
Bucharest is the target tomorrow, via some amazing roads I’m told.
Over to pics …..
Istanbul to Sunny Beach Varga Bulgaria.
245 miles
Blimey a day of 2 halves.
A handy warning in the hotel lift ….. and someone decided to sleep on my bike !!
The security bloke at little parking area as chirpy as ever, I tipped him about 20 quid , money well spent. He was like I’d just given him an iPad
Leaving Istanbul I wanted to go to the military museum, departed hotel 0910 for a 4.6 mile journey. After 65 minutes I still had 2.9 to go, mental traffic so sacked that idea and ran out of dodge westerly…..
Pleasant enough roads until about 5 miles from Bulgaria border, then through mountain pass to the crossing.
Got pulled at random a police checkpoint by a cop, ummed amd asaaaahed a bit , I didn’t produce any lira so he lost interest.
Stopped for pic with one of the many speed camera warning things…
I loved Istanbul but it’s a total nightmare on a bike, I was glad to reach the city limits to be honest.
The crossing was a clusterfuck of the highest order.
Out of Turkey consisted of visiting various desks, producing everything every time, then being sent on your way again.
The coaches appeared to be having a nightmare too, some poor driver trying to corral 50 odd people through various desks, in various states of admin meltdown.
The staff instructions must be ….
“You are to run around shouting pointlessly at anyone, and be as unhelpful as possible”
They all clearly passed that training.
Into Bulgaria was much easier, really helpful guy walked me through the crossing, and through the vehicle disinfector, possibly as I looked a bit grubby too.
Down the hill off the pass at Malko Tarnovo and then fantastic roads all way to hotel.
Great place, straight in the pool and then out for food, ocean view eating as I type.
This place is basically the ex commie Russian Blackpool, so now it’s errrrrr, still full of Russians. A bit kiss me quick, but great beach and good stopover.
The hotel had about 10 bikes outside it already, Europeans having hired them locally.
We swapped travel tales, then I meandered into town for food and a beach walk.
Bucharest is the target tomorrow, via some amazing roads I’m told.
Over to pics …..
Beachside spot;
Soviet era prices;
New city to explore tomorrow;
We likey bike tour
Head down for a good long sleep, and looking forward to Bucharest very much.
Oh and ……
Because of the amount of Russians and new money here there are lots of “working ladies”.
One approached me and said she’d do anything for 10 Bulgarian, 4 quid.
Always happy to support local enterprise so I hatch a plan.
I told her it would probably involve something very very dirty, and she would end up getting covered in mess.
She was happy enough so deal done ……
Soviet era prices;
New city to explore tomorrow;
We likey bike tour
Head down for a good long sleep, and looking forward to Bucharest very much.
Oh and ……
Because of the amount of Russians and new money here there are lots of “working ladies”.
One approached me and said she’d do anything for 10 Bulgarian, 4 quid.
Always happy to support local enterprise so I hatch a plan.
I told her it would probably involve something very very dirty, and she would end up getting covered in mess.
She was happy enough so deal done ……
Hah! Ive been to those beach resorts, they are indeed most peculiar - Stalingrad by the Sea! 
I had Family with me, so was untroubled by ‘ladies seeking brief employment’.
Mig 21’s parked up at the airport!
I had Family with me, so was untroubled by ‘ladies seeking brief employment’.
Mig 21’s parked up at the airport!
52 years of service, I guess they deserve a break by the seaside. 
A triumph for simplicity for sure.
Coming to your local roundabout soon.
Extended in service to cover the gap, when their new Mig 29s didn’t do what it said on the tin.
A triumph for simplicity for sure.
Coming to your local roundabout soon.
Extended in service to cover the gap, when their new Mig 29s didn’t do what it said on the tin.
Off topic but if you like that type of thing …….
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=68
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=68
Day 16
Sunny Beach Bulgaria to Bucharest Romania
192 Miles
First off my bike joined by a load of Americans having hired bikes. A GS fest for the first few miles.
First 40 miles on road surface like a teenagers skin. Full of holes and oily.
Thereafter miles of great passes through hills towards Razgard.
Crossed border at Ruse Pyce, I'm sure it has nice bits but it looked like a highly industrialised shit hole to me.
On the Danube again, that’s one hell of a stretch of water.
Crossing OK, helpful staff, to the point of waving me out of Bulgaria no questions or stopping, handy as it was 35 deg, saw 37 today. Almost unmanageable….
Ride into Bucharest and it looks fairly standard soviet stuff, lovely old bit surrounded by hideous communist efficient housing, and a few swanky neighbourhoods too.
I get to the hotel very glad Id pre booked, sadly computer says no though. Been a hot day and all I want is a shower.
Nice lady points out that Id booked this date...............but next year. Clown.
Happily they have room so she kindly changes my booking, and because I let her son sit on my bike I get upgraded to a suite, wasted on me but hey, v grateful.
A long shower then bus into town, jumped it as no idea how to pay …….again............I do a bit of ying and yang and buy a homeless chap some food. Moral compass realigned.
Old buildings tick
Shabby old buildings tick
Shiny new buildings tick
Fountains tick
Evel Knievel jumping fountains no tick
Food and bed, I’m shattered from heat and getting my arse bounced all over the place, thank god I’m not in prison.
The usual gawkers and hawkers on streets ….
Transfugarrassan tomorrow …… we likey
Be safe all …..
Sunny Beach Bulgaria to Bucharest Romania
192 Miles
First off my bike joined by a load of Americans having hired bikes. A GS fest for the first few miles.
First 40 miles on road surface like a teenagers skin. Full of holes and oily.
Thereafter miles of great passes through hills towards Razgard.
Crossed border at Ruse Pyce, I'm sure it has nice bits but it looked like a highly industrialised shit hole to me.
On the Danube again, that’s one hell of a stretch of water.
Crossing OK, helpful staff, to the point of waving me out of Bulgaria no questions or stopping, handy as it was 35 deg, saw 37 today. Almost unmanageable….
Ride into Bucharest and it looks fairly standard soviet stuff, lovely old bit surrounded by hideous communist efficient housing, and a few swanky neighbourhoods too.
I get to the hotel very glad Id pre booked, sadly computer says no though. Been a hot day and all I want is a shower.
Nice lady points out that Id booked this date...............but next year. Clown.
Happily they have room so she kindly changes my booking, and because I let her son sit on my bike I get upgraded to a suite, wasted on me but hey, v grateful.
A long shower then bus into town, jumped it as no idea how to pay …….again............I do a bit of ying and yang and buy a homeless chap some food. Moral compass realigned.
Old buildings tick
Shabby old buildings tick
Shiny new buildings tick
Fountains tick
Evel Knievel jumping fountains no tick
Food and bed, I’m shattered from heat and getting my arse bounced all over the place, thank god I’m not in prison.
The usual gawkers and hawkers on streets ….
Transfugarrassan tomorrow …… we likey
Be safe all …..
Breakfast round the pool.
I must say it’s been a good stop this.
Pool. Sea. Pool. Sleep. Pool. Throughly deloused.
I’m the old toss pot on the RT surrounded by GS Gods.
Some cracking roads but it’s very hot and although I'm staying hydrated cumulative tiredness kicking in.
Roll into city, yet again thank god for GPS, would have been a mare without it here.
I’m glad to see this place, standby for admin cake and arse party, followed by a kind act….
I must say it’s been a good stop this.
Pool. Sea. Pool. Sleep. Pool. Throughly deloused.
I’m the old toss pot on the RT surrounded by GS Gods.
Some cracking roads but it’s very hot and although I'm staying hydrated cumulative tiredness kicking in.
Roll into city, yet again thank god for GPS, would have been a mare without it here.
I’m glad to see this place, standby for admin cake and arse party, followed by a kind act….
So town is pretty enough
Sadly I’m not. But hey I'm embracing my inner Zoolander.
Note 4 quid Ray Bans from Sunny Beach Bulgaria. I managed to cram 4 pairs in my luggage, along with the already copious amount of fridge magnets........
But I do manage find some good fountains, I recon 3rd gear 4000rpm sees me over them in the morning
On way back to hotel I Ran into 2 x "Spetznatz Elite Park Police" operatives;
kind of like the SAS SBS and SEAL Team 6 combined
I stay rigorously to the approved paths, pick up the pace, and manage to out hobble them.
Ballpark plan tomorrow is to visit the government building, then head to the Transfurgarrassan pass.
Few years ago I did it North to South, so this will will feel different I'm sure.
Oh and I'm on a top secret "Transfugarrassan Tat Hunt" for a UKGSer.
No idea where I'll end up sleeping wise, shall see how it goes with weather, fatigue, sore ass etc.
God bless Mobile 4G, EU roaming, and Booking .com.
Doze off dreaming of bend after bend after.............zzzzzzzzzzzz
kind of like the SAS SBS and SEAL Team 6 combined
I stay rigorously to the approved paths, pick up the pace, and manage to out hobble them.
Ballpark plan tomorrow is to visit the government building, then head to the Transfurgarrassan pass.
Few years ago I did it North to South, so this will will feel different I'm sure.
Oh and I'm on a top secret "Transfugarrassan Tat Hunt" for a UKGSer.
No idea where I'll end up sleeping wise, shall see how it goes with weather, fatigue, sore ass etc.
God bless Mobile 4G, EU roaming, and Booking .com.
Doze off dreaming of bend after bend after.............zzzzzzzzzzzz
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