Route Suggestions in Marmara and Aegean Regions of Turkey
 

Hello all,

This is my first post here and my boyfriend and I will be taking our first trip to Turkey, six days of which will be a motorcycle trip from Istanbul to Assos (by way of Eceabat-Cannakale ferry crossing) (1st night), then Bozcaada (2nd night), then Sirince (3 & 4th night), onto Bursa (5th) night, then last day Iznik to Yalova and Ferry back to Istanbul.

I have a couple of maps: Marmara region in 1:375,000 scale (covers the northern Marmara, and southern incl. Assos, Edremit, Bursa, Iznik, Yalova) and the Aegean coast in 1:400,000 scale which goes down to Selcuk/Sirince. I also have town maps (city streets) of Cannakale, Izmir, and Bursa.

I would like suggestions on alternate roads to the big highways like E87, D110 and D550). Can anyone suggest smaller roads that are still in somewhat decent shape? We will be riding a BMW R1200GS and an Aprilia Caponord...my boyfriend has 30 yrs riding with some off-road experience, I have 15 yrs. riding but mostly street and race-track experience (roadrace) but not much off-road.

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions...we leave for Turkey in two weeks...

Kath kathis 'at' mindspring 'dot' com

The idea of leaps from Bozcaada to Sirince and Sirince to Bursa seemed a little bit odd to me. The roads between these marks are the ones to be planned in detail.

While going down from Assos to south, I recommend to follow the road parallel to the sea until Kucukkuyu and Edremit. Turn to Balikesir direction from Edremit and then turn right from Ivrindi towards down to Bergama (Pergamon). It is one of the most panoramic roads on the North Aegean.

Then follow the route:

Bergama - Kozak - Ayvalik (Cunda-Alibey Island) - Dikili - Candarli - Aliaga - Yeni Foca - Foca - Izmir - Karaburun - Ildiri - Cesme Highway - Seferihisar - Urkmez - Gumuldur - Pamucak - Selcuk - Sirince

From Sirince to Bursa:

Sirince - Tire - Odemis - Salihli - Golmarmara - Akhisar - Kirkagac - Soma - Savastepe - Ivrindi - Balya - Gonen - Bandirma - Zeytindagi - Mudanya - Bursa

I know that you will be warned not to put your personal email address to your messages but I will also send a rough map to you showing the route.

When you come to Turkey, you can reach me for I am in Izmir travelling north and south frequently. I will be glad to welcome you in either Cunda island near Ayvalik, or in Izmir when you are here.

Good rides

cozcan

Gps
 

If you using any GPS device, please let me know the brand.

Maybe I can provide you some GPS routes regarding your trips in Turkey.

Regards,

BURCIN ERGUNT
@Istanbul burcin 'at' ergrunt 'dot com

Hi,

We will be travelling Saudi arabia-Jordan-Syria to Turkey in Nov'09 and planning to ride Antakya-Antalya-Izmir-Canakkale-Bursa-Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadocia-Urgup-Antakya.

The cities mentioned above are the ones which we want to see (out of many many more in beautiful Turkey, due to lack of holidays) and we plan to take smaller off-road routes, while avoiding express-ways. Pls let me know if you have any recommendations, routes, POIs etc.

We are using a Garmin 2610. (Still don't have a Turkey map for it).

There exists a Garmin City Navigator for Turkey
Your email address has been 'broken up' to avoid spambots

I rode a little in some of the areas you may be going through last year. The area west of the E87/D550 out toward Bozcaada is really nice, green and quiet with small, sweeping roads. Especially toward the south western point.

The only issue may be that alot of the coast is given over to holiday resorts. Which are not that nice to look at, probably super-crowded with tourists in the high season, and slightly eerie at night in the off season. you can definitely find nice spots along the coast, but it can take some looking.

Ben