I want to ride my bicycle!

Although it was a relatively overcast weekend (even rained a bit), that didn't deter us from our bike ride by the seaside on Saturday. My cousin Ozer, his friend Sirin, and I headed out for an afternoon out.

The casual ride was more for experience than for any cardiovascular challenge, and the manzara (Turkish for the 'view') was exceptional (as always)! Having lived in the desert for so long, it's easy to mistake a body of water to some kind of mirage. LOL.

We didn't ride any long distances - about 10 miles total, but veering through the streets of Istanbul, avoiding pedestrians and cars made the excursion last well over 2-hours. There were many people running, having picnics, flying kites, biking, walking, relaxing, playing near the seaside. Lots of families, couples, friends hanging out! Quite pleasant, actually.

At the half-way point of our journey, we stopped to take a snack break. And in Turkiye, you can usually find vendors selling simit, roasted chestnuts, or corn on the cob - these are the most popular street delicacies. We stopped for corn, of course. Who doesn't like a good piece of corn mid-bike ride, right? (joke) In Turkiye corn vendors are the equivalent of a hot dog stands in US.

We arrived home tired, but just in time for the first soccer match of the season: Turkiye vs. Portugal. Unfortunately, Turkiye lost 2 to zero but the team is only warming up! :) I suspect they'll make a come back in the next match.

(top photo credit: Bilgin Esme)