Day 4: Körfez to İzmit (Turkey)

Woke up at 5:30 AM.

Went for breakfast at 7:00 AM.

A buffet-style meal at the hotel's restaurant.

There was a wide variety of options, including cheese, bread, egg dishes, and vegetables.

It’s easy to end up eating too much with a spread like this.

Picked up the laundry I had dropped off yesterday.

In Turkey, you rarely see coin-operated laundromats outside of Istanbul.

The hotel's laundry service cost 600 Lira (approx. 2,000 yen) per load.

Hand-washing takes a long time to dry, so I figured it was worth it to have it done professionally.

Departed at 11:00 AM, seen off by the kind hotel staff.

They asked to take a commemorative photo, and I happily agreed.

They even followed me on Instagram.

Körfez was a wonderful, lively city. Now, heading east.

Just before noon, I took a break at a park in Kocaeli, located above the D100 highway tunnel.

Even there, the noise and exhaust fumes were unavoidable.

The temperature was a comfortable 21°C; taking off my jacket felt just right.

After running 12.3 kilometers, I arrived at my hotel in İzmit just past 2:00 PM.

I was glad I could occasionally veer off the hectic D100 highway onto quieter back roads.

People chatting on street corners, relaxing in cafes, couples walking arm-in-arm—Turkish cities always seem so full of life.

The hotel in İzmit cost 1,500 Lira (approx. 4,800 yen) per night for a single room including breakfast—the lowest price I've seen in a while.

The building is a bit old, but the room is clean. It’s in a convenient location right in the city. The only downside is the smell of cigarette smoke. I head into town to pick up some supplies; the A101 supermarket is right nearby. I decide to have a *dürüm* wrap for dinner.

I’m taking the day off tomorrow, but I need to rethink my travel plans for the road ahead.

Should I scrap the idea of ​​going to Ankara and head west instead?

I’d rather see small seaside towns than a chaotic, crowded city. I want to ride along quiet country roads with little traffic.

No matter which route I choose, affordable accommodation is scarce in Turkey outside of the major cities.

Even at business hotels, the standard rate is around 7,000 to 8,000 yen.

I’ll give the route some more thought tomorrow and make a final decision then.

Today's distance: 12.3 km

Total distance from Istanbul: 95.9 km

*Click here for photos taken today

*Click here for the video playlist