News : Where is Xavier?

This page is written by Gabrielle.

TO LOOK AT XAVIER'S PROGRESS ON A MAP, CLICK HERE (you can come back to the English pages any time by clicking on the English flag in top right corner)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th, ASHKABAT, TURKMENISTAN

They did it! Xavier and his bike flew over Irna and safely landed in Ashkabat, in Turkmenistan a few hours ago. He doesn't have a touristic visa, just a transit one. It means he only has 5 days to cross the country! A new race has satrted!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, ERZURUM, TURKEY

after a week of hard pedalling, nearly 500km in 5 days! Xavier arrived in Trabzon and took a bus to pass the mountains to Erzurum where he is right now.

Things don't look so good, the Iranian consulate there haven't received his visa application from Istanbul and say there is nothing they can do about it, he has to go back to Istanbul! As there is absolutely no possibility for him to do so, he will probably cycle to Ankara and fly straight to Turkmensitan. Too bad for Iran...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, BARTIN, TURKEY

Xavier is pedalling against a heavy rain, 75kms today under non stop rain! But he is more than fine, very proud actually.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, ZONGULDAK, TURKEY

Still raining a lot. But it is the end of Ramadan in Turkey, a time of celebration!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th,

Somewhere between Alapli and Zongulldak, TURKEY

Xavier is back on the road, it's raining a lot, hard to carry on under so much water, so tonight he is camping somewhere on some hills and under a huge storm!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th 5km East of AKCAKOCA,TURKEY

19h08 - 1st official break down today. After another amazing performance (more than 100km), the Bike's streering broke down just outside a tiny village. A nice man helped Xavier to built another one made ok wood which has worked for a couple of kilometres. The situation could really have turned bad if it wasn't for the Couch surfing miracle!! Indeed, Xavier was supposed to stay at Eregli tonight. He called the girl he was supposed to meet there, told her about his misfortune and right away she called a friend of her who happened to be also a bike repairer with a truck!!! They are on their way to get Xavier.

22:24 - Xavier is at his couch surfer's house in Eregli, looking forward a good night of sleep!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, KEFKEN, TURKEY

Xavier is on the road again! And he is cycling like a madman! 107km on the Turkish hills bording the Black Sea. He feels like flying, carried away by the adorable, generous and welcoming Turkish people and the amazing patchwork of sceneries. We are waiting impetiently for his next article on the blog.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th, ANADOLU FENERI, TURKEY

After spending 10 days in the magnificent Istanbul, cycling everyday to the different embassies, Xavier has all his visas and is back on the road. He now has to cross Turkey. Go and look on the google map on the French page, you'll see how bumby Turkey is! He will have to pass many mountains to reach Iran so he will need your support! Don't hesitate to leave messages on the Visitor's book!!

Tonight he sleeps in Anadolu Feneri, under a roof thanks to the hospitality of a nice owner of a small restaurant on the shore. The sceneries are splendid, he can't wait to publish the photos!!

MONDAY, AUGUST 10th, KRSKO, SLOVENIA

Here we are already on the Croatian Border. After the flat Valley of the Po in Italia, Slovenia has been a mountain revival! This small country is absolutely beautiful and it has been a real pleasure to cross it. We are more than fine, happy and well. Check the blog and the photos for more details.

TUESDAY, JULY 14th, DAY 6, DOLE, FRANCE

Another two beautiful days, so many wonderful meetings.

Thank you to all the people from Cirfontaines who cycled with us on the road to Gray.

It was great meeting Ian, an English photographer passing though France on his way to Italy. How amazing were the fireworks in front of the Champlitte castle.

Fanfan and Ayse the nicest bartenders ever; who offered us a coffee in Gray when we were soaked, we won't forget the postcard!

And finally a big thank to Didier, Dominique and Laurette who are hosting us tonight.

SUNDAY, JULY 12TH : DAY 4 :CIRFONTAINES EN AZOIS

Thanks to all the people who have already welcomed, supported or cycled with us on the road :

KAMEL, JACQUES AND NICOLAS, THE CYCLING TEAM FROM GOURNAY SUR MARNE, CATHERINE AND BERNARD, DAVID AND LAURIE, DENIS ON HIS LYNX, ABEL, CHRISTOPHE, LAURENCE AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, VIVIANE AND MARIE-CLAUDE, THE CYCLING TEAM FROM CHAUMONT, THE COMMITE OF THE LIGUE DE HAUTE MARNE, MONSIEUR LE MAIRE FROM VILLIERS LE SEC, FABIAN, MYRIAM AND ALAIN, JEAN-LUC ALL THE MEMBERS FROM THE HOSTING COMMITTEE OF CIRFONTAINES.