ISPARTA-İSTANBUL BİKE TOUR 19. DAY

 19. Day (Küçükkuyu – Çanakkale) (100 km)

I woke up in the morning with the sound of adhan. I had to complete the climb before the vehicle density increased. I did not have breakfast for a comfortable climb. I refreshed my water and started cycling.

"Come on! Almost finish ! Turn, turn, turn! Inhale through the nose. Give out by mouth." By doing this, I reached the top. This hill I climbed was the last difficult hill of this tour.

Final look at the Aegean Sea

I put on my headphones while I was breathing in the summit. I adjusted the music list. I went down with the music of Duman (Rock band). These musics took their place among my tour rituals. I reached Ezine by singing songs out loud. I had breakfast here.

I pressed the pedal again and reached Kepez. After that, there was a light ramp in front of me. When I reached the top of that ramp, Çanakkale was in front of me. "I'm coming, my dear Çanakkale."

I entered the petrol station on the hill to get water. At that time, a motorcycle came from behind and stopped next to me. He said “Brother, I had a hard time getting out on a motorcycle this hill. I was seeing you from afar. How can you climb the bike? Good job man"  I would see Çanakkale. Would the slopes prevent me!

I started to enter Çanakkale. It was a astroturf that made my memories reverberate first. It was the first time I played a match for baklava(dessert). Our teacher from the classroom had formed a team. We also formed a staff from our own class. Our teacher was very assertive, his team was solid. Luckily one of them was half an hour late for the game. In other words, they started the game with one person missing. We made good use of this weakness of the opponent and opened the difference in half an hour. Then that player was involved in the game. Good thing he came late. With his entrance, the opponent had reduced the difference to one. Of course, our team was out of breath, we were trying to resist. We didn't even have the situation to take a step, let alone run. As such, the ball came to my feet in the midfield. I sent the ball to Hasan so that he would go away from me. So he sent the ball back to me so that it could get away from him. He got angry as to me "Why are you throwing the ball at me?" And I sent back him, feeding those same feelings. We made nearly 10 passes. Anyone who saw us would think Xavi-Iniesta was passing. I made Hasan score the goal by forcing each other by approaching the rival castle like this. We scored the goal but both of us were still angry. We were staring as if to say why are you throwing the ball back. After that goal, the opponent scored another goal. But time was not enough, we won the match. The whole team was on the ground. Our teacher left without eating the baklava he bought. Baklava was nice.

I was still pedaling. I was leaving behind the streets, the avenues I walked with my friends. I kept driving and approached the intersection. There was another astroturf ahead. I had a cracked wrist in a match. - I still hear a sound from my wrist. There is a bus stop on the right. When I walk in front of this stop almost 5 years ago, one of old woman says, "You're like my lamb Tarık Akan.(Actor)" she said.

I was pulling towards the pier. I saw the Clock Tower on the left. I don't have a memory about it, but we have many memories ruining our dreams in the shop behind which the football bet is played. For a certain period we were in the hostel above that shop. We agreed, including food. Kemal, Hakan and I were three of us staying. Kemal still tells that the woman who owns the pension does not offer dessert after the meal.

Canakkale Clock Tower

When we passed the clock tower and continued on the road on the right, doner kebab shops, cheese halva's shops and cafes street... I was continuing. Şakir's Place, Navy tea gardens… We used to gather here. The Yalı oven was closed. I was going to eat croissant for Michael, it didn't work.

I'm back. I drove towards Kordon. The Trojan Horse and what's more… Whichever stone I look up, there is a moment that I lived or my friends lived.

Trojan Horse

I went back to the Clock Tower. We had corresponded with my high school friend Ali Rahman. I was going to be her guest. It came after waiting a while. It hadn't changed at all. After greeting him and asking him about his situation, we went to his brother Recep. They got into the car, I followed them by cycling after the car. They made me sweat well.

When I got home, I met Rahman's family. Then I took a shower. We had a nice meal. I ate watermelon. I love watermelon very much. Since I was traveling alone, I could not buy watermelons. Trouble to finish, trouble to carry. You can't go to the grocery store and ask for a quarter watermelon. Though, Once I asked a grocery store. He said "No." There are some moments in life, it gets discouraging. This was one of those moments. I could not ask for another grocery store.

Rahman was appointed to Van as a mathematics teacher. He was waiting for the process to be finalized. I am also from Van. When I went to Van, I said I would definitely go to him. As of now I have not been able to go yet. The child's term of office is nearly over. I'll come one day, Rahman.