I head across the Bosphorus bridge to make my way on the first of about three steps before the Iraqi border.
1510m (4954ft) long and stands 39m (128ft) high.
The Bosphorus bridge was the 4th largest suspension bridge in the world when it was finished in 1973 and the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon starts from the Anatolian side of Istanbul each year. Another toll for my journey, but worth the view. Unlucky for me, there is only a toll to pay going towards Asia.
I take the route going directly east on the Gümüşova-Gerede Highway (0-4 or E80). I don’t know what I was expecting, but this is very good quality motorway that takes me towards Bolu and, ultimately, Ankara, where I intend to stop tonight. My lovely camper does a steady 50 – 60 mph, but being an old van, I don’t want to push it too hard, so I keep to the right. Today’s route should take about 6 hours, so I should arrive before the sun goes down.
 Nice open road and few cars. |
 The Bolu tunnel. |
Eastbound, the tunnel is 2,788 m (9,147 ft) long and carries three lanes in both directions. Unfortunately, the tunnel crosses the North Anatolian fault, which pretty much follows the motorway I am on, and the tunnel construction has had a number of large quakes. The November 1999 one caused substantial damage, but the eastbound tunnel was officially opened in 2007. This is worth saying: If you go through one of these big tunnels, pull over and take a look at what the tunnel was built to pass. For instance, some years ago I went through the Mont Blanc tunnel from France into Italy. If you pull over before you go into the tunnel on the French side, you get to see a fantastic mountain and huge glacier.
Bolu is a charming town build partially up the side of the mountains in a traditional Ottoman style. To the west is Lake Abant, a tranquil area of calm waters, lush forest and high mountains. I past Bolu about four hours into my drive and headed out towards Ankara.