Day 34: Bob and Mark join forces in Journey's End in Istanbul and cross into Asia

The final day, when Bob rode into Istanbul and met up with Mark, before the boys crossed the Bosphorous into Asia for a celebration meal and just a few beers.  During his final 25 miles, Bob repeated Mark's experience with the traffic and gradient of the hills into the former city of Constantinople.  However, they disagreed as to who exactly were the worst drivers they had encountered over more than 2,500 miles.  For Mark (and despite strong competition from Serbian White Man) Turkish taxi and small bus drivers won the competition by a large margin.  Their capacity to deliberately cut you up was a perverse splendour to behold.  And similarly, the use of indicators as optional extras would bring a smile to the face of any executive German made car owner, back in the UK.

Meeting at the Galata Bridge on the European side of Istanbul, the boys toured the most famous sights of the city: the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.  Thereafter, they took one of the many ferries across the Bosphorous and tucked into that meal

And that's about it folks.  Mark is hoping to fly back to England on Monday.  Whilst Bob is planning to spend a week in Istanbul, before catching a train to Budapest in Hungary and then cycling all the way back to Britain.  Between them, they have cycled more than 5,000 miles across Europe to the edge of Asia.  And despite Mark's diversion along the Danube, Bob's total mileage has come in at only 50 miles less.

Finally, if you have already sponsored Bob and Mark in their efforts to raise money for the new Marie Curie West Midlands Hospice in Solihull, many thanks for doing so.  And if not, can you please consider doing so via the JustGiving link on this blog.  Thank you for reading and your support.  Over and out!