Midday Express - Istanbul on the hoof

[Guru Gora]

Day 18

Sighousara Transfugarrassan Sighousara

156 Miles

Completist that I am I wanted to do the pass again in decent weather.

So basically hooned it 80 miles to waterfall, pause, turn, repeat.

The roads are very worth it.

After doing the Transfurgarrassan down and back I follow a old style adv bike about 10 miles prior to us both pulling up for some gas.

The guy is on it, quick and smooth, I'm guessing he's quite young.......

After refuelling we both head for a brolly stop at side of the garage. I'm amazed to see that he's about 70, bike packed for camping etc etc.

Bikes are great anonymisers I think, on loaded bike, with a helmet on, you are, and appear to others, ageless, classless and still living life.

He's retired and still rides on 10 day trips here and there, I ride off hoping that 'me' is 'he' in 15 years time.

Easy day, mileage wise, and nice not to need to fart about with accommodation.

Done by 1600 so laundry and a quick doss as so hot.

Into town and explore fully, it’s v nice , but the nice bit is tiny, just in case you book 3 nights.

It’s the birthplace of Vlad The Impaler, I don’t think they mean the Russian porn star, I think it refers to inspiration for Dracula.

Dracula by the way seems like the Loch Ness Monster, good for tourism

I met him, Dracula that is, today, nice guy.

He told me that he likes to sleep most of the day, get up late, then prowl around town looking dodgy, searching for something to eat, then hopefully meet a lady he can sink his teeth into.

I informed him that the UK has similar creatures, just that we call them GS Riders

To NW Romania tomorrow, it’s my fave country so far.

Be safe all, Uber to pics ….

 

[Guru Gora]

Strange how our perceptions change.

I hop on for a “short” 200 ish mile day.

Same waterfall on the TFG

Better weather.

Kids still keep coming out from the villages. No idea what the schooling system is.

Sad to say but in these times I vow to not get anywhere near a kiddie without a parent close by.

I recon if I was 6 or so, I’d have loved some bloke letting me “have a go” on his bike.

I get the kids to “help” me by pressing the starter button, reward them with a Haribo, and move onto the next village.

 

[Guru Gora]

Post the TFG and fuel, I take the same road as yesterday. I’d usually find a different way, but I know this is brand new, quiet, and super twisty.

I meet a vicious gang of Haribo bandits, claim that I’m headed home to see my sick dog. They allow me to pass after paying a 6 treat toll.

Back to Sigishouara…….

 

[Guru Gora]

Its a lovely place for sure.......

 

[Guru Gora]

Cute …….

More cuteness…. But during a honking downpour. Ride the TFG in bright sunlight, walk around in cool wet air. Perfect

 

[Guru Gora]

So having done the usual sights, and Dracula Tat collection duties, I head off for some food.

Lovely cobbled street eateries abound ….

Then it’s bed, I recon on pushing up into Hungary tomorrow, probably crossing at Oradea, remain flex as ever…..

I doze off listening to an almighty rain storm, 'please pass at night and dry out for tomorrow' me thinks.

 

[Von Stolberg]

Goddammit, looking at all this Romanian mullarkey is making me wanna fire up the KTM and head for the ferry!…


��

 

[Guru Gora]

Goddammit, looking at all this Romanian mullarkey is making me wanna fire up the KTM and head for the ferry!…

You ride a KTM ?

Please stop infecting this ride report with your orange nonsense

I believe there is a space available on the 0930 to Dunkirk 04 May.

 

[Von Stolberg]

You ride a KTM ?

Please stop infecting this ride report with your orange nonsense

This IS the KTM Owners club forum, isn’t it? !!

 

[Guru Gora]

You are hereby granted an 'orange exemption'

I can’t talk mate.

I’m on a “OAPmobile”

Having said that I’m pretty much living on my pension now , so it’s the right bike for me

 

[Guru Gora]

Day 19

Sighousara to Oradea NW Romania

207 Miles.

Blimey, I love it when expectations are exceeded.

Took a wrong turn today in the delightfully named Turdos, ended up at nice cafe and local biker says you must go this way.

It’s 50 miles extra but …

Get on road and sat bar says turn Right in 96 miles !!!

It’s amazing, rivers bends hills valleys, fast, slow. Amazing.

Half way along nice town for ice cream too

Into Hotel and it’s basic but has a pool, instantly get in and doss about for 2 hours. Bliss.

Into town and, it’s standard stuff. Shit hole outside, beautiful ancient centre.

The iron man thing is on, a judge looks at me and says “ sorry no professionals allowed, so I grab food.

Oh the dancer on video , I got him dinner too.

It pissed it down so watched Iron people finish then ride back in T-shirt in pouring rain over cobbles and tram lines.

Sweating like a pissed Michael Barrymore party guest.

Not sure about tomorrow, will see…..

Be safe all.

 

[Guru Gora]

Sounds crap….

I’ll have a look ….

Ooh it’s actually ok and has a very impressive flag, I’ll crouch down for an arty shot …

Bloke helps me use the jet was pay machine so trousers and boots get a rinse off too.

He directs me to a lovely road, clearly a man like myself, he follows rivers too......

 

[Guru Gora]

Ice cream in Huedin

The next stretch is, as promised fantastic, no traffic great surface.

On approaching Oredea some locals take a shine to to the bike.

 

[Guru Gora]

So the hotel is basic but workable, it does however win as it has a pool ..

An hour chilling, or roasting first before town, it’s about 36 deg.

Nice to rest up for a bit but I want to see town, so I head for a toilet break and shower.

I’m not proud of much in my life, but when I drop a fart and it has this effect it’s difficult not to feel somewhat good.

 

[Guru Gora]

So town is lovely, happily I meet a few other bikers who offer me food and accommodation, maybe I should have popped straight into town.

Grab some street food and watch the triathlon ending. It’s still hot so fair play to them all.

Bumble and coffee.

The lady at the bar sees I’m alone so brings over some entertainment

Its too difficult, so I grab another coffee and wait out a massive storm.

Ride back soaked but happy.

On looking at the map, I recon I’ll aim for eastern Slovakia tomorrow. Skirting the Ukrainian border.

Yet another great day …….

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

I'm really enjoying this, TY for taking the time to post it - I'd love to do a trip like this.

I know I'm going to get crucified for asking but did you have to upload the Turkey, Romania, Greece maps etc or were they already on your Nav V/VI? I ask because I went to Switzerland a few years ago, confident that Switzerland was on my Nav V (having checked before I set off) only to find when I got there that although Switzerland the country existed on my Garmin none of the actual roads did.
What documents did you have to take to get your bike into these countries? Just the usual stuff or did you have to do anything special in advance of your trip or when you got to the borders?
And finally (& I know this is a daft question so I apologise) but did you have any issues regarding language barriers or finding decent food/places to eat?
I've done a few trips abroad on the bike but always to Western Europe or the U.S.A. where these things haven't been a problem.

 

[Guru Gora]

Hiya CCC

Thanks for the input.

I’m out on bike at moment with Von Stolberg from here.

When I get back home tonight I’ll do next day and try to answer your questions.

Feel free to Pm me, I’ll give you a call to go through stuff.

Should be home around 6 or so

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Excellent, TY.

 

[Khulu]

I'm really enjoying this, TY for taking the time to post it - I'd love to do a trip like this.

I know I'm going to get crucified for asking but did you have to upload the Turkey, Romania, Greece maps etc or were they already on your Nav V/VI? I ask because I went to Switzerland a few years ago, confident that Switzerland was on my Nav V (having checked before I set off) only to find when I got there that although Switzerland the country existed on my Garmin none of the actual roads did.
What documents did you have to take to get your bike into these countries? Just the usual stuff or did you have to do anything special in advance of your trip or when you got to the borders?
And finally (& I know this is a daft question so I apologise) but did you have any issues regarding language barriers or finding decent food/places to eat?
I've done a few trips abroad on the bike but always to Western Europe or the U.S.A. where these things haven't been a problem.

Before GG comes back from his trip I'll answer your questions as best I can.

I was in Bulgaria and Romania too last summer and the only problem I had was getting into Bulgaria as I only had a V5C copy with me and not the master document. (I didn't get to Greece as I'd need to get back into Bulgaria to go to Romania).
Montenegro let me in 200m. then sent me back to Croatia!
Nobody wanted to see my insurance document.
Nobody asked about a "green card".

My Nav V had all the country maps on it.

I had a printed sheet I made with the main translations on it but most people spoke better English than me!

Food and drink not a problem anywhere.

 

[Guru Gora]

Hiya CCC

Just back from a great few days with ADV God Vin Stolberg

Firstly I’d say that there are no daft questions , also I’d like to think that the ride reports are clear of some of the nonsense on here so all you’ll get is solid advice.

I’m no ADV legend, but this is what I do, not necessarily correct, but it’s worked in Africa, all over Europe and SE Asia.

For your trip this is what I’d do, and indeed what I did for this trip.

Documents.

V5. Original and 2 x colour copies.

Passport and 2 x colour copies.

MOT. Original and 2 x copies.

Insurance email and printed copy, green card if issued.

I’d also create a photo album on your phone called “Istanbul 2023” or whatever and load it with pics all of the above plus anything else of note, prescription requirements maybe etc etc.

At least then if you have a nightmare theft etc (you won’t) you have redundancy built in.

To side this, I’d keep things separate when possible.

I’d also carry a second phone, cheapo, and replicate the album.

I what’s apped that album to a friend in UK so if I lost everything I’d at least have a gain safe of references etc. I’d also commit that persons number to memory.

It sounds a lot but it’s 15 mins work honestly.

There’s my docs tip …..