Trabzon

Sunday evening was special. The Föhn effect from the nearby mountains caused the temperature to rise to 27 degrees in the evening! Also Monday (only 72 km to Trabzon) a rather warm, though not sunny day. Continuing on the flat motorway (police 'discovered' us only in the afternoon and kindly escorted through the city of Trabzon at rush hour), one could call it almost ideal cycling conditions.
Ex tempore a reception in the City Hall was arranged for us and we got accomodation in the Municipality's own guest house 20 km away from the city.

Nüfus means population. Interestingly enough, the figure for Trabzon - second largest Turkish Black Sea city - is missing. Wherever the figure is displayed, one gets a good idea about upcoming services, traffic etc.

Mayor of Trabzon receiving us in his office under the obligatory Atatürk portrait (which one can see in much, much, much less official places in Turkey...). The lady on the right helping with translation was happy to tell me about her way from Turkey to Turku where she had spent time in Turun ammattikorkeakoulu.

Locking bicycle. Notice China 2008

GPS and more photos: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=16391