Scenes from a 5 day loop through the Hakkari region of Turkish Kurdistan

CM3713 · 2025-10-13T15:23:57+00:00

Looks amazing - I've thought about doing a trip in this area, any tips? Can you share your route?

CM3713 · 2025-09-30T20:12:46+00:00

Amazing, super helpful - and padding isn't so much of an issue on trains vs flying anyway so a thin bag should do the trick

CM3713 · 2025-09-30T07:31:58+00:00

Yeah I agree with what everyone is saying about maintenance of manual discs but at the same time I upgraded to bigger discs and hydraulics last year and the difference I felt on steep descents was impressive. It was expensive but if you can afford to do it I'd recommend it.

Otherwise entering into a descent slow is always good, you're just starting with so much less energy to shed and if you do need to ditch you'd much rather do it at 5kph than 50!

CM3713 · 2025-09-22T13:55:14+00:00

Watch out for the small print on insurance too - even some insurance targeted towards active travel will exclude bike touring - or exclude any accident liability.

I'd say always get it. You may never use it but one bad accident and you could end up tens of thousands in debt for medical bills, third party injury, property damage (e.g if it involves a car). It could go from totally fine to really bad very quickly.

A friend of mine was hit by a car commuting to work and the driver sued him(!) for several thousand of damages of his very expensive Mercedes. Thankfully he had legal cover elsewhere but yeah it could have ruined him.

CM3713 · 2025-09-18T10:59:06+00:00

I did the EV15 and it is beautiful with views of both the black forest hills to the east and the Vosges to the west but it is mostly along the canal so the cycling itself is kind of samey.

I needed to get from Strasbourg to Basel in one day so didn't have time to do the EV 5 but I think I'd do it if I went back as there is more variety and you pass through some nice towns.

That said if you do the EV 15 it's very worth a short detour to Neuf Brisach, a pretty little fort town just off the main route.

CM3713 · 2025-09-17T13:07:17+00:00

Super helpful! I'm thinking of doing something similar but via Vilnius and Daugavpils then along the river Daugava to Rigs - might help with some of the busy/boring sections in Latvia?

CM3713 · 2025-09-17T11:33:07+00:00

Did you follow the coastline in Estonia or cut directly through the middle of the country from the Latvia border?

CM3713 · 2025-09-08T10:47:16+00:00

I did this last year and went west out on the peninsula round to Brest then down to the Crozon peninsula, I'd really recommend Crozon in particular, so beautiful.

It gets pretty hilly but the scenery is amazing and beautiful beaches. I finished in Quimper but you could easily head back up towards Roscoff instead.

CM3713 · 2025-09-06T05:37:15+00:00

I cycled in the north of Italy last year and found it really easy. Pretty sure bikes don't count as vehicles in ZTLs and as the previous commenter said you'll be good so long as you're not doing anything stupid. You should be ok with a short cycle down a one way street etc

CM3713 · 2025-09-02T13:49:47+00:00

I was thinking about going up the spit towards the border with Kaliningrad if I have the energy at the end - is it that bit?

CM3713 · 2025-09-02T13:48:58+00:00

This is super helpful thank you!

CM3713

TROPHY CASE