After what seems like ages we are finally getting back on the road. The rain and grey weather of the last few days has gone and we were treated to a sunny, though slightly chilly, start to the day.
Having filled our stomachs at breakfast, we brought the last of our gear down from the room, handed back the key and loaded the bikes. We hadn't bothered rushing too much this morning and after a fond farewell we eventually headed out at about 9:30am. We found the right road out of the city and quickly got back into cycling mode.
By now the morning chill had gone and it was turning into a beautiful day, even the wind was slightly behind us. Our plan today was to ride to Aspendos, have a look round and then get as close to Manavgat as we could. According to our map there is a camp-site in Manavgat, failing that we were just going to free-camp somewhere.
Even though I had been wearing my knee support, my leg injury once again reared its head as we neared Aspendos. I really have no idea what I have done, I was hoping that the rest in Antalya would have helped. Let's hope it doesn't get too much worse, because we really don't need another long lay off.
We made it to Aspendos in really good time, purchased our entrance tickets and went to have a look round the best preserved amphitheatre in Asia Minor.
This is my third time in Aspendos, the most notable being when I attended a classical concert there. It is a shame it is the wrong season as I would have loved Debs to be able to see a performance. The acoustics in the theatre are terrific and it is a great setting, especially when lit up at night. We will add it to the list of things to do one day!
After we had looked at the impressive amphitheatre, we headed up the hill behind, in hindsight not the best thing to do with an injured leg, to get a good view of the whole theatre from above.
If we had had more time there are lots more ruins to look at on the site, but it was lunch time and we needed to get moving.
A light lunch of bread and honey set us on our way back to the main road and onwards towards Manavgat. Considering it has been a while since we have done any serious cycling, we were making really good progress. The road being smooth and flat certainly helped, as did the beautiful weather.
Before too long we were turning off the main road to have a look at the ruins of Side and to try and find the camp-site. Unfortunately we somehow missed the right turning and managed to bypass the ruins. Our luck seemed to get even worse, when we could see no sign of a camp-site only large resort hotels. The chances of finding a camp-site looked even bleaker when I stopped to ask someone and he told us that there was no camping places at all. Opposite the hotels there was a large amount of park land which would have been ideal for us to camp in, but we needed to get some water and there were no shops. All the while we were looking the miles were racking up, the plan had been to have an easy start back, it was now looking like anything but.
Thinking that we may have to head back to the main road, we carried on and stumbled upon a shop. Stocking up on water, I asked again if there was a camp-site nearby. Our luck had changed, the shop keeper told me that there was one about 2km up the road. Buoyed on by the news, we followed his directions and almost immediately saw a sign advertising camping. Even better, when we got there it was open, although it took a while to find someone to pay. It is the grandest camp-site we have seen since Europe, the showers are hot, the ground is flat and we have wireless internet!
Far from being a gentle start back, we recorded our longest distance so far and also our best averages. Now all I need to do is rest my leg!
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