A dream is shattered

Ever since I saw the immensely high mountain peaking the anatolian plain, I've been super excited. I want to get up there!
I spend the day preparing:
Gathering information, checking the route, planning and buying food.

It's 3900 meters high.🏔️ 🤩
The air gets thin from 3000 m upwards, so I might as well get a few hours of altitude training in. The route is strenuous but not technically demanding and I'm in very good shape.
This is going to be an adventure!

At the end of the day, I get into position and ride up another 1000 meters - to 2200 m above sea level. At the beginning I'm still having fun and ask the mountain if it has any more up its sleeve - a 9% gradient won't stop me!
An hour and a half later, I concede a draw to the mountain and use my breath for pedaling rather than for complaining 😄
After two and a half hours (exactly my estimate!) I arrive at the top pretty exhausted and see how the sunset bathes the whole plateau in an orange-red color.

I roll up to the person I want to entrust my bike to the next day when I climb the mountain.
I'm sitting with Mehmet in his container and we talk about our families, his work and our lives. Two dogs scurry up and down in front of his container and get an idea of my 17,500 km adventurous ride while they sniff at my bags. 🐕🐕

The evening before the ascent, I report to the police, who guard the mountain and register the climbers for safety's sake - and don't get clearance. 😔
The latest regulations say you have to apply for a permit. This would be possible in Kayseri (27km away and 1200m lower) from tomorrow. And I would need a guide anyway. 🥺

The end of the story for tonight: I made a detour that lasted several days and had to carry food for a whole company up the mountain today. 😩
The brief dream of the brilliant view and the experience at this altitude with a mega view of the Anatolian plain has been shattered.Read more