Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers Seeking Travellers
Riding to Byzantium Riding to Byzantium
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers Seeking Travellers Meet up with other travellers on the road, or find someone to travel with to the ends of the earth!
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 20
Riding to Byzantium
Hi. I'm in Bulgaria, on my way from UK to Turkey, and hoping to head as far east as possible in Turkey before coming back via one of the Greek islands and doing a hop into Athens to meet the other half, then back to UK the easy way (ferry to Italy etc.).

Anyone in Bulgaria or Turkey now? Would be great to meet up with a fellow traveller at some point. I thought there would be many more bikers around but I've not seen many at all, least of all in campsites.

Any tips on what to see out east? I'd rather see things off the beaten track and keep away from the tourist spots if poss.

Finally, anyone seen or heard of BrettfromOz? He was headed this way I think.

All best,

M
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Aug 2011
Mehmet Zeki Avar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: istanbul
Posts: 755
There is no Byzantium anymore. In which century are u living?
__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by istanbul bisiklet motosiklet View Post
There is no Byzantium anymore. In which century are u living?
Yes I know that of course. It's a reference to a poem by W B Yeats, Sailing to Byzantium, which I guess is unfamiliar to you.

Sailing to Byzantium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll be crossing the Bosphorus in an hour or two - just found a wifi connection on the motorway short of Istanbul.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 20
I've had a wonderful time in Turkey and especially out to the east. If only I could have had more time, but I have a deadline to get to Athens so this will be my last night here.

If anyone's interested, I've blogged the journey from London here
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Aug 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
I looked the poem up and had a quick read and after a few repeats it started in parts to be also relevant to me. (being a pit past it) Then I went to the pub and on my return read it once more and lo, it all made perfect sense, bloody Irish writing style, cost me £3.20 for each of 7 pints to understand it. Ride safe.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sweden
Posts: 40
Contantinople is a very long word - can you spell it ?

David
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sweden
Posts: 40
Even Constantinople !
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by maja View Post
I looked the poem up and had a quick read and after a few repeats it started in parts to be also relevant to me. (being a pit past it) Then I went to the pub and on my return read it once more and lo, it all made perfect sense, bloody Irish writing style, cost me £3.20 for each of 7 pints to understand it. Ride safe.
It seems to be one of Yeats's lesser-known poems. I came across it on my first visit to Istanbul (by plane) in 2008, and it struck a chord with me as my father was at that point very old, frail, and had lost his independence. In particular the plea of verse 3:

O sages standing in God's holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall,
Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre,
And be the singing-masters of my soul.
Consume my heart away; sick with desire
And fastened to a dying animal
It knows not what it is; and gather me
Into the artifice of eternity.

It was a wonderful experience to ride all the way to 'Byzantium', and beyond, from the UK. If only there was time in life always to travel overland - to me it feels rather fake to fly and drop suddenly in on some distant city...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davypo View Post
Contantinople is a very long word - can you spell it ?

David
Κωνσταντινούπολις ?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sweden
Posts: 40
Nice try, but to know the correct spelling you have to be under five :-)

Beutiful poem, I'll look that up

Try Pamuk's Istanbul if you want a good read

David
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Aug 2011
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 944
"Saılıng to Byzantıum" ındeed
MOTORBAKER, we just rode the Black Sea coastal route after Istanbul
and are now ın Sınop. Thanks for sharıng the poem, it expresses my
feelıngs exactly - but agaın.. I am a bıt older than the poet when he
penned ıt.

Remınds me of a poem I wrote when I was half as old as I am now.

"Set Your Spırıt Free"

I am not my thoughts
for my thoughts are caught
ın words and memorıes
that brought me to my knees

I am not what I do for that
ıs caught too ın love and fear
and money - funny

My lıfe began wıth a belıef
I am a spırıt bound to be free

Eınsteın was rıght
our bondage ıs tıght
ıt ıs lıes we see
through our eyes

The truth ıs ın sıght
but the lıght so brıght
I close my eyes
to see you to see me

I stopped thınkıng
and the truth set me free

A spirit set free
I can be me
I can just be
Set your spirit free

copyrıght 1979 EVG

see thread TRAVELERS:Spaın to Turkey and return for more on Black Sea route
__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Oct 2011
Contributing Vendor
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 944
Where are you Motobaker?
Where are you. How are Y0U? We are back in Spain.

xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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
No US riding for me!! What next? planethopper Travellers Seeking Travellers 77 20 Jun 2011 17:12
Riding in the EU Selous Europe 15 25 Apr 2011 01:39
Riding the outside for a while drbike Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 14 Apr 2009 06:07
Riding alone oldsomeman Europe 33 23 Nov 2008 17:23
Need a riding partner for riding off road in Bolivia. gatogato SOUTH AMERICA 2 6 Feb 2008 19:42

 
 

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 05:08.

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