The 1760m pass

We quit the St Paul hostel on a cold, sunny morning to attack the big pass -- except that we go down 300 wonderful meters to cross the main valley. We will have to climb 1000m.

We first climb a charming and misty side valley, where plane trees grow in the wild. It clears up as we turn into a good quality dirt road; we never need to push the bicycles. The scenery is beautiful.

Just before the last hairpins, we get to a water point, good place for elevenses (snack de 11h, NDLR); some food is pulled out of Alice's pannier (sacoche). The scenery is becoming dramatic!

No joy is greater than reaching the pass and discovering another valley. Excitement also, as Alice calls, "Alain, come see!" -- TWO DOZEN WILD BOARS tumbling down the mountain. Did we scare them? or are they having fun?

The descent consists of 20km of much more painful mountain road, and we complete our 85km adventure -- totally zonked (crevés) -- in Beyşehir. Mustafa, head of the local cycling club, greats us generously: he offers a free hotel night if we wear the club's cycling shirt :-).

EPILOG As we unpack in our room at Paradise Suit Otel, Alice realizes with great upset that her waterproofs are missing. After consulting the photo collection, we diagnose unambiguously that they were last seen at the water point. In spite of a desperate rescue expedition the next day, they remain the largest lost item in "Destination Asie".Read more