Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. This large country is full of historical sites, scenic coastline and varied culinary traditions. Traveling through the country by bicycle allows you to enjoy the attractions of Turkey at a leisurely pace, while also keeping fit.
Organized Tours
Several tour companies organize and sell bicycling trips in different areas of Turkey. Commonly, these trips start and end in Istanbul or one of Turkey's other large cities. Cycling along or near the coast is common on organized tours, and this provides scenic views while cycling, and slightly cooler air temperatures than inland. Some tours combine bicycling with yachting, sightseeing, and day trips to historic monuments, port towns and other tourist attractions.
Roads
Turkey is a big country, and the quality of roads varies considerably between different areas. Cyclists may find that the size of the crushed stones used to construct asphalt road surfaces is larger than in the United States, resulting in a relatively rough road surface for cycling. Therefore, you may wish to use a bike with wide tires--such as a mountain bike--in order to offset the jarring and tiring effect of the rough roads.
Supplies
Common bicycle spares may be available in the larger Turkish cities, but on the whole it can be difficult to find spares, parts and supplies in Turkey. If you are traveling independently, it is wise to bring the usual bicycle spares with you on your road trip. Although a small proportion of the Turkish population are active cyclists, distribution and availability of spare parts remains patchy across the country. Tom Brosnahan's Turkey Travel Planner recommends asking mechanics for help in areas where spare parts are unavailable.
Safety
Always wear a safety helmet while cycling in Turkey, and use lights and reflective material if you must cycle in low light conditions. As in the United States, drivers and cyclists in Turkey travel on the right side of the road. The verges and shoulders of Turkish roads are commonly narrow and rough, presenting a potential hazard to the cyclist. Defensive riding is essential. In rural parts of Turkey, watch out for slow-moving farm traffic or farm animals in the road.
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