Route 2008

All the dates are provisional!!! This page was last modified on 02 July 2008

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• There is a page with Maps and info on how to use them
• This page works a sketch for the webpage content at the website where there will be maps

START - Sofia, Bulgaria (2 July 2008)

see the excel sheet

Bulgaria (2-16 July)

• click here ( Bulgaria ) for getting to a more detailed page with other informations.
• Total distance: ? km
• Official Biketour Bulgarian number: 00359888159200

Coordinators are Yolanda and

Sleeping places

2 July , 3 July & 4 July (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) Sofia - 0 km

1. .
2. Wednesday 2 July
   • Arrival day
     • If you arrive before 18:00 you can meet us at Struma 5, if afterward go to Krichma 21
   • SLEEP:
     • Krichim 21, Sofia
     • Phone: Yo 00359(0)888159200, Rossy: 00359(0)898347815
3. Thursday 3 July
   • Timeplan/program
     • 15:00 - max. 18:00 start meeting about Biketour in general
       • Address: Kirchim 21
       • Agenda points:
         • basic info on Biketour & explanation of consensus decision-making process (Yo can tell about this);
         • some info on Bulgarian route (Bulgarian organizer..);
         • practical needs for Biketour and info on taking care of Biketours possessions (trailers, cooking materials, basic food, twitter);
         • decide amount and way of paying participant fee and other administration issues;
         • info on the action on the 4th and planning together how Biketour can participate.
     • 19:00 Diner at Vegetarian restaurant Dream House
       • Address: Alabin street, floor 1
         • (sidestreet of Vitosha street near the court building: Vitosha street is main shopping street in Sofia. Alabin street is the street where mcDonalds is. Restaurant is on same side of the street on first floor - look up to see the orange and green sign "Dream House!"),
         • I think prices for food&drinks will be around 10/12 Leva (5/6 euro) per person...depends on what you choose..
         • We reserved for 15 people now, please tell YO if you want to join (so I can call if group gets bigger!)
         • Yolanda: 00359-(0)888159200 (also if you can not find the place!) (i also invited some ex participants who live in Bulgaria to join us!)
   • SLEEP:
     • Krichim 21, Sofia
     • Phone Yo 00359(0)888159200, Rossy: 00359(0)898347815
4. Friday 4 July
   • Action day in Sofia to promote alternative energy sources. Before 17:00 preparation in and around Krichim 21
     • Action - demonstration of alternative energy models, cycling parade, open information centre with Sofia NGOs
       • Meeting and preparing at the spot on 17:00
         • Location: in and around Krichim 21
       • Start action day: 18:00
         • Location: NDK (National Palace of Culture)
       • After the action bikes and luggage will be brought to Rossy's villa on Vitosha mountain. Participants can take buses. Organizers will direct you to the location.
   • SLEEP:
     • Villa Vitosha mountain
     • Phone Yo 00359(0)888159200, Rossy: 00359(0)898347815

5 July (Saturday) Samokov 46,3 km

• ROUTE: Bistritsa (7 km) - Jeleznitsa (12 km) - Kovachevtsi - Samokov 46,3 km.
  • Cycle: We meet at 10:00 at Vitosha mountain villa and leave at 11:00.
    • If you arrive on the 5th after 10:00 we are not able to direct you to the start location of Biketour. Better is to find your way (with public transport) to Samokov, where we will sleep this night (see: HOW TO GET THERE)
• SLEEP: camp at Samokov
  • HOW TO GET THERE:
    • Here directions from Sofia to Samokov by public transport: Public transport reaches to Simeonovo afterward you need to cycle..
      1. Option 1: get tram 9 from rail way station Sofia (be ware there are different stops at the station: go through the tunnel and on end of the tunnel to the right. Tram direction "Hladilnika (ХЛАДИЛНИКА)" . Get off at the last bus stop and move to the bus stop for bus number 89 (going to Simeonovo). It is the final stop! Then you ask for Bistritza. Follow directions FROM SIMONOVO bellow
      2. Option 2: Get tram 9 at Sofia rail way station (be ware there are different stops at the station: go through the tunnel and on end of the tunnel to the right. Tram direction "Hladilnika (ХЛАДИЛНИКА). Along the way the tram passes an underground tunnel (near NDK tram stop) Once you get out of the tunnel get off go left through the underpass. You will reach bus stop of bus nr 94. Get on this bus and get on the second stop (this is the "seminariata": priest school). Get here on bus 67 to Simeonovo get off at last stop. ask for Bistritza. Follow directions FROM SIMEONOVO below
    • FROM SIMEONOVO climb Bistritza and Zheleznitza. The climbing is long but after it there is only downhill ride towards Belchin Bania. From there take left to Reliovo to Samokov. There are then 5 km to the crosspoint to Beli Iskar. Entering Samokov take the road to Malioviza and Beli Iskar. There are 6 km to the camp place before the crosspoint to Beli Iskar. You can visit Shishmanovo Kale /a roman fortress/ near the road between Samokov and camp place.

6 July (Sunday) Velingrad 64,5 km

• ROUTE: from Samokov to Velingrad
• Samokov - Septemvri
  • Go to Beli Iskar – after the village there is steep climbing to Borovetz – 5 km. This is the slow and hard part for this day. Once you Reach Borovetz take the direction to Kostenetz – there is only steep downhill ride. Must be really careful – steep riding on much curved road with cars and trucks in both directions /might be heavy traffic/. After Kostenetz the road is mostly flat to Septemvri, heavy traffic but wide and easy to ride. At the crossing to Velingrad take direction to Septemvri – 2 km and after the overpass go to the railway station. Keep strong and packed group to be ontime for the train to Velingrad. Be careful with downhill riding and be sure to have brakes in good shape.
• Septemvri – Velingrad
  • We take The train at 17.45 from Septemvri which arrives 19.10 in Velingrad.
  • Bikes are accepted on the train with 2 lv fee. Use group ticket.
  • Train times Septemvri- Vellingrad: 09:00 (arrival 10.45), 13:05 (arrival 14:45), 17:25 (arrival 19:10) or 02:45 (arrival 04:13).
• SLEEP: Velingrad
• General Bulgarian info nr.: 00359(0)988248433 Yo 00359(0)888159200

7 July (Monday) Benglika 44,2 km

• ROUTE: Steep climbing - Velingrad (980 m), Beglika (1500 m) 44,2
  • Take the road to the crossing towards Rakitovo. From the crossing there is light slope up to Rakitovo – 11 km. From Rakitovo to Cigov Chark steep slope - 6km many curves, there is intense traffic cars and sometimes trucks. Cigov Chark to Beglika is short downhill to the crosspoint to Beglika and till the camp mostly climbing – 20 km.
  • Cycle and Action - Help local environmental group lodge a complaint in the municipality against illegal substitution of forests into ski resorts.
• SLEEP: Beglika camp
• General Bulgarian info nr.: 00359(0)988248433 Yo 00359(0)888159200

8 July (Tuesday) Shiroka lyka  

• ROUTE: Beglika - Dospat - Borino - Shiroka lyka 80 km
  • There is short climbing to Shiroka Poliana river dam and then is mixed up and down ride. Before reaching Dospat be carefull with downslopes and tighten brakes. Beglka-Dospat is 28 km. After Dospat easy climb 3 km and then mostly downhill to Teshel. At the crossing at Teshel take left to Grohotno, Nastan and Devin – this is mostly downslope along River Trigrad. At Devin crosspoint take right to Shiroka Lyka and Smolyan – 16 km upward smooth slope along the river.
• SLEEP: Shiroka lyka family hotel/camp
• General Bulgarian info nr.: 00359(0)988248433 Yo 00359(0)888159200

9 July & 10 July (Wednesday & Thursday) Gudevitza

• ROUTE: Shiroka lyka - climbing & downhill (very steep 30 km) Smoljan - down hill to Gudevitsa 50 km
  • Go upward slope towards Stoikite – the slope is getting more and more steep after Stoikite to Predela and Pelerik hut – total 11 km. Here you can see the marvelous Perelik peak where new ski resorts and building are being realized now – this is what we are against for because new resorts will destroy more forests and will take the water from local villages to use for artificial snow and hotels. There is also a beautiful small chapel and nice view toward Stoikite. After this are 10 km of very steep downhill road – be careful on sharp curves.There is sometimes heavy traffic on this road near Smolyan and beware on cars and trucks downward. Around 13.00 should reach Smolyan and have a short rest and action with the locals. At 17.00 almost you should leave to Turian – there are 6 km steep climbing to Peshtera. Then there are 3 km bad forest road where is best to walk at some parts. Another 10 km to Arda and 2 km to Gudevitza
  • Rest/action day on 10 July - lodging a complaint for broadening the NATURA 2000 range in the Smolyan region according to the EU Birds Directive
• SLEEP: Future Now Building /Camp - we stay here 2 nights
• General Bulgarian info nr.: 00359(0)988248433 Yo 00359(0)888159200

11 July (Friday) Ardino 

• ROUTE: Gudevitsa - Smilian - Rudozem- Ardino 53,2 km
  • Take the road to Smilian – 15 km light downward and then steep downride. Then go along Arda river mostly downward to Rudozem. After Rudozem there is a crossing – take direction to Ardino – 10 km mostly upward ride. Then another 31 km up and down to Ardino.
• SLEEP: Camp in the stadium in Ardino center.

12 July (Saturday) Krumovgrad 72,7km

• ROUTE: Ardino -Boino- Kyrdjali - Momchilgrad - (downhill ride) Krumovgrad 72,7
  • After Ardino is 8 km steep upward towards Kyrdjali to the Djebel crossing. Then to Djebel is 10 km bad forest road and another bad asphalt downward. Then mostly upward to the main crossing Kyrdjali – Momchilgrad – 11 km plus 6 km to Momchilgrad. Then to Krumovgrad is 15 km steep climbing.
• SLEEP: hotel in the center of Krumovgrad.
  • Sunday morning: Information day on the threats of cyanide mining technology intended for implementation in golden mines. We will meet the mayor of Krumovgrad and go together with her to the mining area.

13 July & 14 July (Sunday & Monday) Madjarovo 60,7km

• ROUTE: Krumovgrad - Padalo - Kotlari - Madjarovo Vulture conservation centre /camp 60,7
  • From Krumovgrad take back direction to Momchilgrad and turn right to Haskovo and Djanka village – there are 8 km upward steep ride to Djanka. Then 20 km ride mostly downward and flat to the crossing after Pchelari village – turn right there. Then have 11 km asphalt and 4 km dirt road along Arda river to Madjarovo.
• SLEEP: Go to the vulture conservation centre /if you meet local people ask for Marin Kurtev and „leshoiadi centre”. This night sleep camping nearby. Go along the riverdam wall Studen kladenetz and through village Studen kladenetz.
• IDEA: Have rest day here and next evening sleep in the hotel of the vulture centre.
  • Films for biodiversity of the region, visit vultures museum and walk or cycle to see the vultures on the rocks.
• General Bulgarian info nr.: 00359(0)988248433 Yo 00359(0)888159200

15 July & 16 July (Tuesday & Wednesday) Mezec 49.8km 

• ROUTE: Madjarovo - Borislavtsi - Malki voden - Malko gradishte - Siva reka - Mezec 49.8
  • Total 45 km mostly downward to Mezec.
  • Action on 16 July: at Svilengrad - Information day on the risks of the petrol pipeline Bourgas - Alexandrupolis passing through the region
    • Cycle: Mezec - Svilengrad - Mezec
• SLEEP: village centre Mezec
• IDEA: Have a evening action with the local people.

Turkey (17 July - 14 August)

• click here ( Turkey ) for getting to a more detailed page with other informations.
• Total distance: ? km
• Official Biketour Turkish number: (0090)5542699611

Coordinators are Yolanda and ...

begin - Kapikule (border) 16 July

• Ideas:

Sleeping places

17 July (Thursday) Yenikadın - aprox. 15-20km

• ROUTE:From Svilingrad via Kapikule border to Yenikadın
  • From Velingrad 12 km flat riding to the border at Kapikule. After Kapikule 8 km flat until Yenkadin.
  • This part will be nasty and can be really slow. Crossing border will take long (they check all bags) and maybe we need to walk some parts cause of safety reason. Aprox first 6 km after border there is lot of traffic (lorries!) and only 1,5 meter (max) space on the side of the road (sometimes there is a pavement we could possibly take)
• SLEEP: Yenkadin
• Ideas: Students from the university of Edirne bikers group are making plans to meet us on the border and maybe cycle some part with us!!

18 July (Friday) Sogutludere - 50? km 

• ROUTE: from Yenikadın to Sogutludere
• SLEEP: ?
• IDEAS:

19 July (Saturday) Cavuskoy - 51,5 km 

• ROUTE:From Sogutludere to Cavuskoy
• SLEEP: ?
• Ideas:

20 July, 21 July & 22 July (Sunday, Monday & Tuesday) Kıyıkoy Kasatura (national park) - 52 km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:From Cavuskoy to Kiyikoy
• SLEEP:we will stay three nights at a camping site
• IDEAS: Kiyikoy has a natural park! We plan to stay here three nights, so we can have one day for rest and one day for action. The action could be done in together with local groups who protest against a planned oil pipeline here.

23, 24 & 25 July (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) Istanbul (Beyoglu: centre) 28 km cycling  (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: cycle from Kiyikoy to Cerkezkoy and then alternative transport, because there is too much heavy traffic on the roads before Istanbul.
  1. We need to call our contact, a transporter of a cooperative of lorry transport. He will be able to arrange 1 truck to transport our bikes and 2 persons. The others can take the train (without bike!, the train company will not allow to take bikes here) at 19:30 pm from Cerkezkoy to Istanbul (takes 2/3 hours).
  2. Other train possibilities at 7:00 and 10:30 AM and 19:30 PM from Cerkezkoy to Istanbul.
• SLEEP: we will sleep in little groups in different houses in the centre
• IDEAS: sleep here 3 nights: one resting day and one meeting day. On the day that we leave there will be an action day The action (see 26 July)

26 July (Saturday) Poyrazkoy - 55km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Istanbul to Poyrazkoy
  • Coastal road to direction Poyrazkoy. It gets more and more quiet and hilly with a lot of green. Sometimes the asphalt is not so smooth.
• ACTION: We will leave Istanbul in spectacular way as there is a bike parade/critical mass planned today! Barisa Pedal (cycle for peace group) activists and all other cyclists of Istanbul will support us on the busy streets in this huge city. We want to arrange permission (if necessary) to pass via the Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü) to Asia on our bikes! Maybe we need police escort... (this bridge is 1,510 m long and ach direction has three lanes. There is no space for bikes and a lot of traffic, but it is not a highway and Lorries are not allowed).
• SLEEP:Big picknick area before Poyrazkoy (piknik alani) with tables, a fountain and a green fıeld on the right side of the road.
• Idea:

27 July (Sunday) Sile - 52km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Poyrazkoy to Sile
  • Follow direction Riva. Before Riva we follow direction Sile. Rough parts on the road between Sahil Koy and Alacoli Koyu. Last 10 km on D020
• SLEEP: On the beach (=Sahil) of Sile

28 July (Monday) Agva - 34 km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Sile to Agva
  • D010 to direction Agva. After Cayir Bas there will be a junction where we turn right to Kandira and Agva. Road number: D020. Via Yenika to Agva.
• SLEEP: On the beach (= plaj) of Agva

29 & 30 July (Tuesday & Wednesday) Kerpe Sarısu Koyu - 45 km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Agva to Kerpe
  • Via Kandira - Follow direction Kefken until you reach D049 - Past Kurtyeri you will see a junction. Go left to the Kerpe direction.
  • Kerpe Sarısu Koyu is a really beautiful natural site with rocks and mountains…
• SLEEP: On green field on left side of beach (plaj) of Kerpe
  • we will stay here 2 nights and have 1 resting day

31 July (Thursday) Karasu - 55km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Kerpe to Karasu
  • Kaynarca - Kasaru. Nice quiet road and lots of small villages.
• SLEEP: ?

1 August (Friday) Cumayeri or Akcakoga - 50km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:from Karasu to Cumayeri or Akcakoga
  • Road D010 via Papalar (more hills and after there is a steep ups and downs and some bad road) - via Kalkin
• SLEEP: on beach or campsite of Akcakoga

2 August (Saturday) Alaplı Seyfetler  - 60km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:from Cumayeri/Akcakoga to Alapli
  • Follow direction Zonguldak road D010
• SLEEP:?

3 August (Sunday) Caycuma - ? km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: alternative transport
  1. The mayor of Zonguldak arranges us a lorry to carry the bikes and a minibus to transport ourselves from Caycuma to Zonguldak. We will call him when we are leaving Istanbul.
  2. At 21:45 there is a train from Zonguldak to Caycuma, which will arrive at 22 45. ****
  • Why alternative?: Coastal road D010 between Alapli and Zonguldak is too dangerous: many trucks, heavy traffic.
• SLEEP: The municipality in Caycuma arranges student houses and gardens for us.
• Ideas: The mayor of Zonguldak is interested in organizing an action to promote bikes we could do this in afternoon we spend here...

4 August, 5 & 6 August (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) Amasra - 56,8 km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: We will cycle from Caycuma to Amasra
  • via Bartin. From there we will follow direction Amasra.
• SLEEP: We will sleep 3 days at:
• ACTION: Possible action together with the locals against the planned thermal reactors here

7 August (Thursday) Karpısuyu - 47,5km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:from Amasra to Karpisuyu
  • On the D010 all day. After Cakraz higher hills.
• SLEEP: On the right side of the village beach under the trees!

8 August (Friday) Sakallı - 40km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:from Karpisuyu to Sakalli
  • D010, via kasamonou and Kalafat, after Cide more hills than amazing down hill, pretty steep
• SLEEP: on the beach with tents

9 & 10 July (Saturday & Sunday) Doganyurt - 51km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: From Sakalli to Doganyurt
  • D010 all day.
• SLEEP: We are invited to put the tents on the public area near the beach on left side of the village, near a place with shower, a fitness “playground” and basketball field.
• IDEAS:

11 August (Monday) Abana - 52,6km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE:from Doganyurt to Abana
  • D010, via Inabolu
• SLEEP:possibly on the campsite in Abana

12 & 13  August (Tuesday & Wednesday) Ayancik - 62km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Abana to Ayancik
  • D010, via Tevfikiye, long route today, but last part is downhill!
• SLEEP: Beach area near last terras. (We have contacts here and should call them 2 days before arrival)
  • How to get there: When you reach Ayancik follow sign to centre (Serehsi merkerci) and later follow signs to Attaturk cad. You will end up at the beach area. Go to the leftside of the beach, near the seawall, there are a few terasses. We have a contact with the owners of the last terras between the volleyball field and the children playground.
• ACTION: We could organize action in alliance with local action-groups who protest against a planned thermal power plant in Ayancik. [we could invite Ecotopia people here...]
• Ideas: We can choose to stay another night after the action of 13 august or cycle to Ecotopia right away, where food will be cooked for us...!

13 or 14 August (Wednesday or Thursday) Sarikum/Ecotopıa - 30km (NOT CONFIRMED)

• ROUTE: from Ayancik to Sarikum
• SLEEP: Ecotopia camp
• EAT: delicious vegan and vegetarian food will be cooked for us at Ecotopia!

END - Ecotopia in Sarikum (website) [14 August]

This year, the annual Ecotopia Gathering (= a meeting of activist individuals and groups, focusing on issues of environment and social justice) will take place between 9-23 August in Sarikum (Turkey), close to the city Sinop at the Black Sea coast. Ecotopia's site will be near a location determined for the construction of a nuclear power station. Main theme of this years gathering will be energy. We will protest against the use of nuclear energy and focus on possible environmental and sustainable solutions for the energy crisis. You are invited to take part, and discuss this and other issues, support local activists and meet with groups from different parts of Europe.