Day 76 – 21st June 2014 leave 10am Miles rode 264 Erzurum – Van

It felt good to be back on the bike this morning, I had missed it and hadn’t realised how much. The ride today was good although it was very hot, not as hot as it will be in a few weeks I kept thinking. Van feels like a vibrant city, more modern than Erzurum. The […]
Day 74 – 19th June 2014 Erzurum

It took two months in the end to be given the Iran visa, it was worth the effort as it feels great to have it. Some things in life are easily achieved others require more effort, roll on next Wednesday when I finally cross the boarder. I Skyped / FaceTimed my brother, son & daughter […]
Day 73 – 18th June 2014 Erzurum

I woke at 6 and by half past I was one of the first out in the city square. The men hadn’t even heated up the tea urns. I sat in the early morning sun reading and waiting for the city to join me. By 11.00am the Iran Consulate had our completed visa applications, we […]
Day 72 – 17th June 2014 leave 8.30am Miles rode 206 Kobuleti – Erzurum

The ride back to Erzurum was good, I couldn’t concentrate as I hadn’t fully recovered and I had Iran and beyond on my mind so I followed Garth and let him make the decisions. We checked back into our hotel, I collected the bike spares which had been delivered and I was so tired by […]
Day 68 – 71 – 16th June 2014 Kobuleti

I’ve not been well and spent the last 4 / 5 days mainly in bed. I’m pretty sure I had a virus. I’m through the worst and not permanently freezing cold and aching. I’ve been fantasising about bacon sandwiches, roast dinner and homemade chilli. 3.20pm TODAY – I received the mail that I’ve waited 58 […]
Day 67 – 12th June 2014 Kobuleti

Again it was raining when I woke up, this time heavy all day. It wasn’t as if I would have gone to the beach as for the first time since leaving home I’m not feeling well, freezing cold and aching all over. I had to put thermals and many layers of clothes on last night […]
Day 66 – 11th June 2014 Kobuleti

I think I may need a haircut soon. I slept for so long, I needed it after the ride yesterday. I woke to clouds and rain, so much for riding to the coast for sun! By midday blue skies emerged and at 1.30 I was on the empty beach. A while later 4 gorgeous Georgian […]
Day 65 – 10th June 2014 leave 9.45am Miles rode 222 Erzurum – Kobuleti

The 3rd bank I tried had the facility to send payment for some spares which I wanted to get delivered from BMW Istanbul to Erzurum and at 9.45 we headed out to find a beach back in Georgia. The riding was great, blue skies, amazing mountain scenery, 25 – 50 tunnels and so many bends […]
Day 64 – 11th June 2014 Erzurum

Day 63 – 8th June 2014 Erzurum

I woke at 7am and felt the ‘usual positive Dan’ which had been on & off for the past few weeks. I knew I didn’t have the visa but last nights news was confirmed by a further mail from the agency sent overnight confirming they have a guide and she also smiled and laughed when […]
Day 62 – 7th June 2014 Erzurum

Trying to locate the shipping company that had my tyres wasn’t as easy as I assumed. After many people giving me directions and a ‘Police escort’ I collected them and a biker took me to a motorbike mechanic for fitting. By 11.00am I had new Heidenau K60’s Scout’s fitted. The rest of the day was […]
Day 61 – 6th June 2014 leave 11.30am Miles rode 196 Trabzon – Erzurum

Now I’m getting really pissed off. Seyfettin is a great guy, he let me stay at his house, took me out for a meal and today took Garth and I to the Iran embassy. Seyfettin, anytime you come to England you are welcome at my house, thanks. The Iran embassy had big smiles and welcomed […]