Devon TRF Group Forum

One of the reasons I keep returning to Turkey is the friends I have made. One in particular is a

keen Motorcyclist, he is an amateur circuit racer competing on Honda CBR1000. He also rides the

Trails regularly, having competed in the Red Bull Sea to Sky event held in Antalya each year.

The more he tells me about this event the more I think it should be on my bucket list! It's open to all

standards apparently.

Anyway back to reality, a few quick texts/emails to my friend Ahmet soon had a Gas Gas 250

sorted for me whilst he would be leading the way on his KTM 250. Both models were two strokes

so it looked like we were up for a " smokin " time!

We met at his car hire office in Calis (pronounced "Chalish") one bright and sunny Turkish morning,

straight away he let me know that the bikes were running on mousses, after my comment that the

tyres looked like they needed blowing up! These were new to me, along with not much time spent

trail riding on a stroker could be interesting...

After kitting up and already feeling the heat in the high 30's we set off for the petrol station about

3kms away. Through several sets of traffic lights and out on to the Turkish equivalent of our A

roads we came over the brow of the hill and in the distance I could see the petrol station. Then just

as Ahmet accelerated away I opened the throttle wider to hear bwaaaa from the engine as the fuel

supply ran dry!

Bugger, good start here we go pushing a bike fully kitted up in this heat and not even on the trails.

Well after what seemed miles but was probably only 300 metres I pushed the bike onto the

forecourt to the grins of Ahmet and the petrol pump attendants. Very civilised, I left them to fuel up

the bike whilst I got my breath back and got some well needed water down my neck!

Once the tanks were filled to the brim with the worlds most expensive petrol , ( you wouldn't think

Turkey borders the oil fields of Iraq with the prices) we shot back out onto the main road for about

50 meters when Ahmet hung a right straight up over the kerb skirting the edge of a farmers field

and started to ride a boulder strewn path before checking over his shoulder That I was following.

Who am I to argue.

The smell of the countryside wafted by. Garlic with the scent of the wild flowers, then something

not as pleasant. I was trying to work out what it was, when I nearly ran over the carcass of a rotting

goat! Swerving to avoid it the mousses were doing there job well, I found the bike seemed to move

about more than with normal tube and tires.

Whoever set the bike up seemed to have known there stuff the suspension soaked up everything

and the riding position was spot on for me. No stretching for the handlebars and I was loving the

lack of weight it was a least 30kg lighter than what I am used to riding (DRZ400S).

Ahmets weapon of choice to wear me out seemed to be single rocky goat tracks and dried out river

beds with a section of fire tracks chucked in at intervals. River/stream crossings were there for the

taking as well!

The heat and exertion of hard riding soon had us dripping with sweat and regular stops were

needed to re hydrate as I had forgotten to pack my camelback! On one particularly difficult section

the KTM started to overheat and we had to waste our drinking water to cool it down. Now normally

this wouldn't be a problem as there are drinking stations by the mountain streams all over the

place to fill up your camelback or on this occasion my plastic bottle. Not this time though! We

climbed higher and over rockier sections and I. Could feel a headache coming on from

dehydration. Luckily we levelled out and started to ride through a shaded forest section the

temperature drop was welcome and we stopped for a chocolate bar. (But still no water!)

The village of Nef (a major cherry growing area) was not far away I was informed and we came

back onto sealed roads as we exited the forest and enjoyed the breeze blowing over our sweat

soaked kit.

We entered the typically Turkish village and headed for the local store where we got a litre of fruit

juice each and quaffed to our hearts content whilst watching the people going about their business.

It looked like we had pulled up outside the Turkish equivalent of the Ace Cafe. No big adventure

bikes here though, mainly old Jawas and other Eastern European/Russian workhorses.

With step thru mopeds and small capacity motorcycles of Turkish origin (Kanuni).

The locals were very friendly and asked lots of questions which my Turkish mate could of course

answer.

Rehydrated, the next section of trails took about an hour before lunch break and I was loving it.

Some days you go out and feel wary and nervous on some sections. ( well I do!) Then other times

everything seems to flow and confidence was high as we blasted down the gravel paths kicking up

big clouds of dust with grins like Cheshire Cats we pulled into a fish restaurant in a mountain area

called Kirkpinnar.

Stripping out of our boil in a bag riding suits and relaxing on comfortable low seating the waiter

brought us a lunch of freshly cooked Trout( straight out of the pond) salad, chips and newly baked

bread. With loads more fluid intake as well the bill was brought and was a very reasonable 35 lire

or £10.00

By this time it was about 15.00 hrs and we were on a mission. Ahmet had his Mothers medication

that he had picked up from the pharmacy, and had promised to drop it off to her at her house in a

small hamlet of about 30 houses. This was about 6 miles away by Tarmac but we were going the

rough way so it would be further. It took a few turnarounds as we cut out new trails before getting

on to what looked like a previously used tracks with tyre marks. The area were she lived was well

out in the sticks but as we rode up the path to a few of the buildings I was surprised to see eight

elderly Turkish ladies sat around a couple of tables playing backgammon. I joked to Ahmet what's

this gambling den you've brought me to?

Whilst we poured cold water over ourselves with the garden hose, one of the Ladies broke away

from the games and made us a welcome glass of Chai (tea) and picked a few fresh cherries off the

trees. Delicious!

By this time we were both starting to feel tired, so decided to do another four or five miles of slightly

easier open trails as we descended from about 1200metres, before doing the remaining trip on

Tarmac.

As we were riding along me following Ahmets dust cloud I caught some movement out the corner

of my eye as a bloody great Turkish sheepdog bounded alongside, barking it reminded me of the

Doberman chained up on lane 191-44 in Sticklepath back at home. Only this one had free reign! I

cracked the throttle open and thankfully he faded into the background, bored with his game of hunt

the biker tourist!

Dropping down into the valley along lovely long sweeping bends, this section of Tarmac would be

even better on a road bike! The sheer drops from the edge of the asphalt kept me alert, as the

gorgeous views into the distance entertained my eyes. We pulled up at the petrol station in the

village of Uzumlu to top up with fuel and jet wash the bikes.

After dropping the bikes back to Ahmets office, I jumped in the hire car and drove back to the

Apartment. I had that ache all over feeling after a hard day on the the trails and was looking

forward to a shower and a few beers, fully satisfied with my micro adventure for the day!

Facts and figures. For anyone interested!

Distance covered 85km . We set off at 11am and returned at 18.00hrs so this shows how difficult

the going was. You could cover more miles obviously if you stick to the fast flowing fire roads. We

were actually riding "off piste" a lot of the time. Riding areas are pretty much unlimited.

Petrol used 70 lire. / £20.00

Bike hire - a very reasonable £ 40.00 ( borrowed from Ahmets mate)

The Town I stay in (Fethiye) is about one hours drive from Dalaman Airport. Flights are available

from all major Airports (including Exeter) and prices vary from £130.00 to about £300.00 depending

on how late/early you book. Usual selection of Hotels, Apartments Villas etc available for

accommodation. A Turkish visa is needed and can be bought online for $20.

July and August are exceptionally hot with temperatures often hitting high 40c! So if you are not a

fan of the heat May, June And September/October are a lot cooler. Still anywhere between 20 -

30c.

Ahmet only sorted the bike for me as a mate but there is a new bike hire shop which I have not

tried yet but will in the future if Needed. Taurus Trax www.taurustrax.com who were based here

and I have ridden with have now located to Bulgaria. Looks like a new trail riding destination

beckons in the near future!