Essex england to fethiye turkey march april
 

I have managed to create a 20 day time slot for a long bike trip to ride and see a friend of mine in Fethiye Mugla Turkey. This will be a return journey so a flying visit of about two days stop over before saddling up and riding back home.
The timing is not perfect weather wise as it is from 22 March to 10 April. So my aim is to try and develop a route that will be the most suitable considering the time I am going. To this end I am thinking of travelling in as direct a line as possible through Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Istanbul and on to Mugla. This route I believe will enable me to avoid the highest passes and as such road closures and snow. I am also considering maybe instead of via Istanbul to go via Izmir which will involve a ferry at Canakke. This will mean that most of my route in Turkey will be nearer the coast as opposed to a more inland route if I travelled via Istanbul.
I am aware that I will need to sort green card, visa and international license none of which I don't anticipate being a problem.
Any advice, views or alternatives to my initial plans would be most appreciated.
Thank you.

Gordy, I hate to say it, but I think you are at great risk of freezing your ass off. UK to Turkey cross-country runs really aren't feasible (with good weather being taken for granted) until about May 1 each year.

If I were you, I'd look into getting a cheap plane ticket on Ryanair or EasyJet, and spending some relaxing time with your friend in Turkey.

Otherwise, I can just picture you at the side of the road halfway up some Alpine pass, hugging your exhaust pipes for warmth... :)

Michael

UK to Fethiye
 

At that time of year ride down to Italy and get a fast ferry to for either Ancona Bari or brindisi acros to Greece then hug the coast or go across Greece then around to Gelibolu then the short boat ride to cannakle then turkey missing out Istanbul via Izmir 1 day later fethiye, leave the northern routes until warmer climates, I’ve done it twice

Yeah it would definitely be a cold journey down, but if you want to ride for the sake of riding, go for it!

I would avoid Istanbul because traffic will shave a good day off your trip. The road over to Cannakale is much nicer anyway, and the ferry is quite short.

The ferry from Italy would be nice too, but it would add quite a bit of time to your already short journey. Just rip straight down on the route you already planned out if you want to spend some quality time with your friend in Fethiye.