Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Solo trip to Istanbul Solo trip to Istanbul
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree7Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 11 Sep 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: England
Posts: 6
Great advice, thank you so much, this is exactly what I want to do Southsea (Hampshire to Istanbul -and Ankara-Antalya)
Just checked your journey... what an adventure! You are very brave. I might try your route but try to ride Nuremberg, stay the night then Sofia, then Istanbul.
Do you think this is achievable?
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11 Sep 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 121
Well Nurenburg and then Sofia and finally Istanbul would be 2 very long days and one short day. I calculated that Hampshire to Istanbul is 1,900 miles with a sea crossing and a longish border Bulgaria/Turkey and I preferred to do that in 4 chunks at around 500miles a day.

You could go further than Mainz in the firsf day (I had my reasons for stopping in Mainz as you can read in the trip report) but maybe not as far as Nurenburg. From memory my leg from Mainz to Maribor got me arriving quite late 19:00ish and I certainly would not have wanted to go further than Sofia on day 3. Based on my stamina I could tweek the distances but not take one day out of the schedule. As you've heard on this thread, there are different opinions on how far to ride safely in a 3 day. I know for me 600ish miles is about my limit but you may feel you can do 1900 in 3 days.

One other option is to aim to just cross the border into Turkey and stop there on the 3rd day and tweed the 3 days to achieve this. I considered this. Then you could get into Istanbul late morning on day 4. Let us know how you get on!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 12 Sep 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cork, Ireland
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Lad View Post
The border was nothing major, get visa,
I'm open to correction but the Turkish visa has to be bought in advance online now so I would check this before departing. You get a simple barcoded page to print off for $15. Last year it was available as a sticker visa at the border. Insurance can be bought at the border.

I drove a landrover to Iskunderun last year with a buddy on our way south. Didn't pass through Bulgaria but the main roads in Serbia were quite good.

Whilst I wouldn't suggest missing out on Istanbul you can also take the ferries across the Dardennelles at Gallipoli. We did so to avoid the protests that closed the bridges in Istanbul.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 14 Sep 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dundrum, Northern Ireland
Posts: 98
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecoartist View Post
~Thank you so much for your detailed suggestions.
It doesn't even finish with going to Istanbul, another day to go to south.
I seems like I have take my time and enjoy the journey instead for rushing all the way.

Many thanks again

Very true!
There is little point going on a long distance trip if you're going to endure it rather than enjoy it. It makes little or no sense to cover all that distance and see nothing along the way.
If you have to be in Turkey then plan a longer trip but if you simply want an enjoyable bike ride then set your target a bit closer to home and smile all the way.
How do I know this? I've done both.....relaxed trips with no punishing deadlines to meet and hurried trips just to get somewhere at a certain time. No prizes for guessing which one I remember with fondness! Incidentally, riding to a deadline will also increase your chances of making a mistake somewhere along the line. Going for that overtake you really shouldn't, riding too late into the evening, tiredness setting in, adrenalins levels higher than necessary, the list of potential negatives is endless and none of them are good.
Take your time wherever you go!
__________________


"Life is too short to drink cheap wine!"
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

Tags
england to istanbul, istanbul, solo trip

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
South Africa - my 1st solo trip - day 1 troos Ride Tales 4 5 Nov 2014 09:29
South Africa - my 1st solo trip - day 2 troos Ride Tales 0 2 Sep 2014 20:19
Student of the Road - Solo trip from Los Angeles to New York Stormyy Ride Tales 6 20 Aug 2014 02:35
Planning a solo trip TSH to Mongolia 2015 thecivvie Route Planning 3 2 Jun 2014 07:07
Africa Call, a solo trip around Africa and Europe isaac.feliu Ride Tales 26 31 Jan 2014 00:11

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top