Please watch my Relive video https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO78wz2xy6
Today we rode 100miles (161km) 7,641 ft
Nobody said Odysseus had it easy, so why should we??
This was the longest ride of Stage 1. Todays ride started from the Vinfera Winery hotel and continued between orchards until reaching the highway to Soke.
A typical road today
After passing Soke, we rode through one of Turkey’s most fertile areas, Soke Plain, which was silted up 3 millennia ago.
After Bagarasi village, a climb of 6.5km average 7% grade, took us into the Latmos Mountains – once housing Hellenistic Temples. Astonishing landscapes of boulders and pine forest was gorgeous…the climb was tough due to the heavy paved roads, potholes and quite tight switchbacks.
Hundreds bee/honey collectors on the road and beekeepers
A picnic lunch under a giant pine tree
And beautiful views along the climb to take my mind off my screaming quads!
Then the somewhat long scary descent on not so great roads
Awaiting us was our luxury fleet of 2 Gulets which will support and house us for our exploration of the spectacular Dodecanese Islands! We will use these floating hotels for the next 6 nights…cabins and meals, then ride around each island, then back on the boat and off to the next!
The Gulets are beautiful hand built wooden ships 30m (90ft) long with private bedrooms and ensuite. Each ship has living and dining space as well as areas to relax and enjoy the sailing – they are stunning and luxurious and our homes for 6 nights.
Bodrum – The City
The name Bodrum has changed many times over the years. The city was initially called Halikarnassus by the satrap Mausollos. After his death – in 352 BC – he was buried in the mausoleum, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Halikarnassos eventually became Petronion, which then became Bodrum in Turkish. In the 1920’s, Bodrum was so remote that it was used as a place of exile. Perhaps this is why the city attracted artists and bohemians, and in the 1970’s, Bodrum developed into “Turkey’s St. Tropez,” with a busy entertainment and night life. Numerous Turkish celebrities own holiday apartments throughout the city.
The city centre is small and easy to navigate, and most attractions are within walking distance. The city’s main street runs parallel with the coast, and the sea is never far away in Bodrum.
Even though Bodrum has developed into a jet-set favorite, it’s easy for the “ordinary” tourist to wander through the wonderful nature and find the popular sights in the city and get excited by the sheer abundance of history on display.
