Day 162 Sept 18 Tue - Discovery on the Beauty of Istanbul (2)
Besitas Square
Amisos Hotel
On board the ferry (free during Ramadan )
Hotel Hurriyet where I stayed for 3 days total cost 90 ytl
Entrance gate to the Dolma...... Palace
Besitas pier
Bike shop with Shimano parts
Not only in London....
Who want to try...
Very old tree right in the middle of road
Long Q of visitors to Hagia Sophia Museum
Grand Bazaar built in 1461, a must see
Dome ceiling of a Mosque
Stalls inside the Grand Bazaar
Istanbul Archaeology Musuem
Funny tree in Tophane Park
Won't you pls play a song..a sentimental song for a sentimental fren.....
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia Museum
Smoke on the water
Sultanamet Yerebatan tourist areaToday's Temp: 20 - 27 C
Today's spending: 46.32 ytl
Total spending to date:649.96 ytl
Today's spending: 46.32 ytl
Total spending to date:649.96 ytl
Have to leave Istanbul tomorrow morning to continue the journey to Paris. Two days of walking tour around Istanbul definitely not enough to see all the interesting places. But I am quite happy to at least seen some of the tourist attractions eg: Grand Bazaar , Spice Market , Blue Mosque, Sultanatmet ,Palace , experience ride in the LRT and the ferry cruise.
27 comments:
Meng,
Back again in ur blog. Migrated to Heather’s for quite sometime cos her’s can be access from the office. Have been with ur journey without fail? Proof! Ur bike stand never give u problem meh… heh..heh..heh..
Good to know that u are on European terra. You have been pedaling wonderfully so far but I notice that ur daily distance is a bit on the low side. There’s this other chap (Law Tzuo Hann) who is coming home to Malaysia from the USA on 2 wheels doing something above 160 km (100 miles) most of the days. He left Uskudar on Sept 12 for Baykoz and is heading for Iran. Maybe u take in the sights more compared to him, huh! He’s in a hurry to beat the cold weather in the east (China) before cycling back to Malaysia.
Wah.., lamb is back in the menu again. How’s it compared to China?
Don’t get caught with indecent exposure in Muslim countries (Day 156 - Collecting water at road side tap in brief photo).
Happy cycling and speedy tail wind to u for the rest of the journey.
Chong5
Recumbent??? There are some doubts regarding this kind of bikes for such experdition.We do not recomment such bikes at all, as the regular bikes are very much more suitable in all conditions. Due to the uneven weight distribution to the wheels as we can see on numerous failures to the bike components (usually to the rear wheel). Stability is also not as good either. Uphills and uneven road conditions are definately the minus points. Dont you think so MR. MENG? . I seriously think this kind of bikes is more suitable for fun ride i.e. for the not so serious riders.
"SERIOUS RIDER"
Hi "SERIOUS RIDER",
I don't think that you know what you are talking about! Recumbents are especially good on long rides, they stress the body less and are more aerodynamic, therefore faster and on hills they are also faster downhill then upright bicycles! World speed-records for bicycles are held by recumbents!
Bernd
http://www.radreise-verlag.de
serious rider's middle name is 'inexperienced'
serious rider's middle name is 'inexperienced' which is quite an oxyMoron!
Hello brater,
Its good to rest a day or two when you are in such a beautiful country such as Turkey. Furthermore, you can also recharge your battery and relax your tired muscles after more than 10K km of pedalling. Now that you are in Europe and towards your last 5k km to Paris, TTKs will definately miss Meng's discovery channel blog soon.
Meanwhile, we at TTKs group are delighted that you have come this far and hope you will be more alert in Europe as the trafic will be much more heavier in the cities area.
TTKs salute you and we are absolutely sure the remaining 5k km is " sap sap sui " to you.
Hei, do remember to wear the TTKs cap when you have reach Paris later yah.
Take care and cheers brater....
Regards from TTKs
Brater meng: more than 10k of pedelling,after five an half months,i m sure you missed this a lot...........please read your email and looks at the photos,hope this photo can help you pedelling mor faster than normal,remaining 5k km towards paris just like eating taufu to u. take care and cheers from zhong ss19
Hi, Mr. Bernd,
I absolutely agreed to the good points that you have said ealier. Its only my views., please dont take offence. Those are the pros..... i am only difining the cons .... which i think are the minus points of such bikes. But what i am trying to say here is which type of bikes and specifications is best for the job.
"SERIOUS RIDER"
HI' Anonymous at Sept 19th, 11.42am,
100 on the regular bikes &
1 on recumbebt bikes (maybe you included)
Who is oxyMoron?????????? the 100s' or U ???
You dont have the facts but just rude comments >>>>>>>>. Maybe u should you should learn more from MR. BERND
" SERIOUS (definately not a inexperience) RIDER"
Hi Mr. "SERIOUS RIDER",
it is an ongoing 'war' between uprights and recumbents, which is better for long-distance cycling.
If you are touring through flat, windy countries like Holland, Dänemark and Sweden or the middle of USA (or Russia), the plains, a recumbent will win any time! Wind just stops a normal upright bike, but not a recumbent, expecially low recumbents.
If you travel on bad roads, a recumbent is very poor, because the rider can not shift his body weight, and the rear rim takes a very bad beating. In the mountains a recumbent depends on the strength, weight and fitness of the rider. If an upright bike does 65km downhills, a recumbent will do 75km. But then the breaks on a recumbent, because of the smaller wheels, have to be disk breaks, otherwise the smaller wheels will overheat quickly. Also a recumbent demands clickies to keep your feet to the pedals, say some recumbent riders, otherwise you can slip off the pedals easily. Also the price of recumbent bicycles are too high, because they are not mass produced, like upright bicycles. Riding a recubment in the rain is also not fun, you get wetter than on an upright bike.
In short it depends, where you are bike touring. Both kind of bikes can be used by a serious rider for long tours. But on bad roads I would want an upright bike, on the other hand, recumbent riders have left me standing, because of the wind.
There will be no winner, which type of bicycle is better ;-)
Bernd
www.bike-europe-ultralite.com
p.s.: on the average recumbent riders tend to do longer distances than uprights. I know many recumbent riders, who do easily 265 km in one stretch in Europe (without mountains).
Off roads a recumbent is hard to push, an upright easier to push or cary up stairs. Also an upright has a faster start.
Like I say it is, where you are cycling, that makes the difference. But riding a recumbent is more relaxing, couch wheels ;-)
brakes , and not breaks I meant. misspelling, nobody is perfect ;-)
Hi Meng,you are in Europe now.Big congrat.for your jurney so far.Glad that you enjoy Istanbul,when you pass Bulgaria and Romania,be careful around cities and on mainroads,countryside is ok.All the best!
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contadictory terms appear in conjunction
(two words with opposite meanings) for eg, serious (experienced, adept, even 'professional' I'm being generous here) appearing next to inexperienced.
Maybe Dr B Fischel could enlighten you on the virtues of correct spelling/grammar.
A 100 'regular' bikes just makes for 100 more bikes or traffic jam.
Cepat yah, seteju dengan matsalleh?
RECUMBENT OR UPRIGHT ?????
BRAVO!!!! MR. SERIOUS RIDER, YOU HAVE THE ABSOLUTE POINTS. RECUMBENT BIKES IS NOT AT ALL SUITABLE FOR THIS KINDDA EXPERDITION.!!!!!!! MORE AERODYNAMIC? THAT WE AGREE ALL THE WAY! FASTER??? BUT ON WHAT CONDITIONS????. ITS THE OVERALL PERFOMANCE THAT WE ARE STRESSING HERE.
WE AGREED TO MR. BERND'S COMMENTS WHICH ARE VERY RATIONAL.
RECUMBENT WAS INTRODUCED AS EARLY AS MODERN BIKES IS KNOWN. MANY MANY YEARS AGO, AND IT IS STILL NOT POPULAR FOR A REASON. SURELY THE 100S' THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT VS 1 ARE NOT WRONG. -------MAJORITY WINS HERE!!!
THERE ARE 4 BIKING OGANISATION IN MY CITY WITH MORE THEN 500 MEMBERS SHARES THE SAME VIEW AS ME AND NOW YOU OF COURSE.FEW RECUMBENT WAS INTODUCED TO THE CLUBS ON TRIAL BASIS. AFTER SOME EXPERDITIONS AND TEST ON DIFFERENT TERRAINS, WE LATER DEEM THEM NOT SUITABLE ON MULTI TERRAINS CONDITIONS. NONE WAS LATER IN USED DUE TO THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ASPECT. AND COST IS NOT AN ISSUE EVEN IF IT COULD BE CHEAPER THEN A QUALITY UPRIGHT. PLEASE DONT FORGET BEIJING TO PARIS IS NOT ALWAYS FLAT AND DOWNHILLS. ITS ALL TERRAINS AND ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
WE HAVE NO SLIGHTEST DOUBT THAT MR. MENG WILL FULLFILL HIS DREAM TO PARIS. THAT IS PROBABLY DUE TO 90%DETERMINATION AND 10% BIKE SELECTION. NOT AGREE WITH THIS IS UNDERSTANABLE FOR THE SOME REASONS AND THAT WHO HAS INTRODUCED HIM TO RECUMBENT.YOU ARE A REAL HERO .... KEEP IT UP MENG ... BRING IT HOME !!!!!!
WE THINK "SERIOUS RIDER"'S INTENTION IS GOOD, ITS A HUGH DECISION, WHAT DO THEY DO??? CHANGE BIKES IN THE MID OF EXPERDITION? WHY NOT SELECT THE SUITABLE IN THE 1ST PLACE. HEATHER SURELY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY..... SHE IS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MENG THROUGH-OUT (ON UPRIGHT OF COURSE). A DIFFICULT FEAST IN DEED. GREAT WORK "SOON TO BE GRANDMUM" HEATHER!!!!!! ITS A GRAND RIDE AS WELL.
WE HOPE ALL THE SERIOUS RIDER OUT THERE, PLEASE MAKE A INTELIGENT CHOICE... "SERIOUS RIDER" CAN BE WRONG. MY 500 ODD MEMBERS CAN'T BE WRONG.... THE MEJORITY WHO CHOOSE TO BE ON UPRIGHT CAN'T BE WRONG ALSO.
"SERIOUS RIDER" IS NOT A OXYMORON (A RUDE COMMENT INDEED), BUT HE HAS SOME STRONG POINTS EALIER IN HELPING POTENTIAL DREAMERS WITH A CORRECT BIKE SELECTION. THE "RUDE COMMENTOR" IS EITHER IGNORANT OR FOR A REASON KNOW TO HIM/HER. PLEASE COMMENT WITH A REASON AND NOT JUST THE WORD "OXYMORON" WHICH MAKE US THINK YOUR A REAL OXYMOROM NOW.
AND LASTLY TO OUR ADMIRER--- MR.MENG .. ALL THE WAY WITH ALL DETERMINATIONS.BRING IT HOME. LOVE THE RECUMBENT!!!!!! ITS AMAZING HOW THIS ARE BEING DONE.
METAG.KESAG.BIKERS-GREEN LOVERS
Hello people,
I believe Meng's recumbent bike sponsor in Malaysia said that the bike is his if he completes his ride to Paris. Choice determined by sponsor, and of course many other reasons.
Although interesting, even emotional, 'anonymous' who is strict on spelling, nouns and verbs like an Engkish professor is in a minority of recumbent bikes. Nothing wrong with that. Minorities always on the defensive.
More upright bikes are made worldwide and cheaper too. So there are more of those MTB, tourers, tandems etc.
It takes guts to be different, like riding a 'bent to Paris. I too like to be different but I fear 500 club members running me off the road!
My wife & I ride a tandem, 2 MTBs 2 tourers, 2 road bikes, 2 folding bikes and ahem, a recumbent. Try everything. Cycle and live in peace!
Opinions vs Facts on the web? All the same......
John in Singapore
Mr Serious and the other 100,
Read slowly. Oxymoron describes, 2 words (with different meanings) put together. Example : What a cold camp fire? Opposite meanings right? Fire is hot, but maybe it is winter outside. OK for you?
Nothing rude about saying the situation is oxymoron-ic. So serious and inexperience equals an oxymoron situation. If you misinterpret to mean you're a Moron, so be it. If you say you're serious or experienced, who can tell? Spend more time with a dictionary! It's easy, really.
HI, Oxymoron/Moron commentor>>>>>
Is it a necessity to be good in Engkish to be a experience rider??? The 100 riders do not need a dictionary on their rounds either as you have recommended they just need a bike (maybe a bent-just to please you)...let the debate goes on for the sake of the dreamers..... why are you so defensive of the recumbent .... we dont see a single commend you make on the recumbent bikes rather then correcting, introducing and teaching good Engkish here ..... You have an interest in Meng's recumbent bike? or are you the sponsor???. Hmmmmmmmm .
Maybe Maybe maybe .... and good luck !!!!
I have to polish my Engkish now.
SERIOUS (Not good in grammer) RIDER
Hi all commentators,
I am the one who encourage Meng to try recumbents for this journey.We were upright once, still now. Whatever bike to use for Meng's journey of his dream , is his choice. It do not matter, please all remember that we should be sending more encouragement words for our friend. Cheers to all.
terence
chong5,
Ya, I was told by the bikeshop in Istanbul,another Malaysian on bicycle going to east of Turkey. Does Law has a blog ? as I want to learn from him of doing 160km most of the day.BBQ Lamb in China still the best!
Vincent,
You and woo are the most supportive among the TTKs.I want to say thank you . TTKs cap no problem,don't have to wait until Paris.I can wear it anytime if you all wanted.
To those who may concern,
I think Terence got the point here.Why I choose recumbent for this long tour? Becos' I had tried it for nearly 6 months and I must thank Terence for the patience.I grown to love it after many touring trips in Malaysia.My body begins to adapt to recumbent now more than upright.It's not easy to promote recumbent in Malaysia and I guess any other countries in the world as well. For those who are 100% wanted to stick to upright,as terence said ,the choice is yours . For those had too long on upright and wanted to try something different,my advice on recumbent may help.
Hi Meng
Still with you..
What other major cities will you be passing by next? What are the targetted dates? Are you on schedule arriving in Paris?
Fred is in Switzerland for the next 6 months.
take care,
pauline
There are many pros and cons for each bicycle type, upright or bent.
If you ride upright every day for long distance, you may get prostata problems, like prostata enlargement. The seat presses against this body part of males. Women can also get problems.
Experienced recumbent riders speak highly of riding a recumbent, especially for very long distances. I know recumbent riders, who say once you ride recumbents, you will like it.
A tour like b2p a recumbent why not? More then half the riders of b2p are riding recumbents. Those that have stopped (for whatever reasons) were upright riders. Does upright riding stress more?
..guestions over guestions! Try both bikes, whatever works best for you, do it!
Bernd
questions, I meant.
Just had an idea. B2P on a recumbent. Then P2B on an upright (MTB or tourer, 26 inch or 700C? nevermind another heated debate possible here!)
Sponsors, Mr Meng will volunteer. And will truely be qualified to discuss the pros and cons of lying down or sitting up!
Cheers, Peter
Desertrose,
Why-lah quiet for so long .Happy to see your comment again . I am now in Sofia, will be going to Budapest/wein/salberg / Lucern / Basel/ pARIS /London .This plan is subjected to change. Can't really tell the dates of arrival, the best is always log on to my blog to get the latest updates .
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